| Author | Message | ||
     Bcmike |
My last Buell was a new 01 Cyclone. I'm looking at buying a new XB12XT, the perfect bike for me! I'm wondering about life expectancy. How long will the new motors last? What is the highest mileage you know of without major issues? Many of my riding buddies own the BMW GS1200 and easily get 100k or more without problems. Is this possible with a newer Buell? Thanks. | ||
| Blackm2 |
I don't see how they couldn't with regular maintenance (ie: oil changes). Several I know of in the Old School section have over a 100K on their tubers. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
There is nothing magical about the design of a GS that would ensure 100,000 miles plus (in spite of what you might hear from Buellgrrrl). There is nothing defective abobut the design of a Buell that would preclude 100,000 miles plus (in spite of what you might hear from Buellgrrrl). Not to mention you could buy a Buell, ride it for 50,000 miles, pull the engine, drop kick it into the Grand Canyon, replace it with a brand new zero time engine, and ride THAT engine another 50,000 miles and STILL come out cheaper than buying a GS. Plus, it ain't your engine you have to worry about on a GS. It's the final drive:  It WON'T make it 100,000 miles. | ||
| Hex |
My Sporty's got 60K on Dino oil, and it's still pullin' strong. I expect the Buell to make as much as well with Synthetic. Hope to get at least 100k out of both. | ||
| Blake |
Mike, The only impediment to boldly endorsing the Buell engines for the type of longevity that you are looking for was the old style oil pump drive gear, which on rare occasions would wear and fail and take the engine with it. That issue has been soundly resolved with the introduction in 2008 of the new XBRR based direct drive oiling system. Also included in the 2008 model release was a much beefier crank pin, a full 1/4" larger in diameter which is HUGE relative to flexural strength and stiffness. The bearings there are now much happier. And some years ago, the cylinders were improved such that the liners were much more robustly held in place compared to prior situation where in some rare cases the sleeves would loosen and commence knocking into the bottom end. No more worries on that. The stators are better. The clutch is WAY better, reduced pull required so bearings should be more reliable as a result. The 2010 models are the first to offer dual O2 sensors. I'm thinking that will help out a LOT in case of intake manifold seal air leakage on one but not the other cylinder. Instead of going off only the rear cylinder, each now has it's own closed fuel loop. That's gotta be better for engine reliability long term. Looks like wheel bearings have been well-sorted and the final belt is much improved over the years. I'd not hesitate to recommend any current model Buell as a long term high mileage machine. Go for it. Maintain it well. Keep us apprised of your adventure.  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Gotta love the Advrider crowd... When the bike is on fire, get a picture first, then put it out.  | ||
| Fmaxwell |
The only thing that argues against the longevity of the Buell is the fact that it is air-cooled and makes a lot of horsepower. That results in a much greater range of operating temperatures, which accelerates piston, ring, and cylinder wear. Figure on a ring, piston, and bore job or two, but I don't see any reason to believe that the Buell can't reach 100K miles with proper maintenance. By the way, the amount of blow-by that we all experience, whether with catch cans or with the ventilation system puking oil back into the air filter box, is a result of the air-cooled engine's looser tolerances. Yes, BMW twins are air-cooled, but their cylinder and heads are right out there in the open. You don't have tires, fenders, and front cylinders restricting airflow to rear cylinders. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
36k on the XB, riding it hard and putting it away dirty every chance I get. Gas Oil, Tires, pretty damn durable; except for the stuff I break when I ride too aggressively off road. (wheel bearings, head neck bearings, muffler damage, frequent belt changes).... Its a great bike. | ||
| Tpoppa |
You can fault BMWs for funky styling and price, but longevity...seriously? I've seen way more Beemers over 100k than any other marque. | ||
| Fmaxwell |
You can fault BMWs for funky styling and price, but longevity...seriously? I've seen way more Beemers over 100k than any other marque. Yeah, but let's be fair. You're comparing different demographics of riders, too. BMW riders are typically a lot more experienced, mature, and have the income to pay for every conceivable type of maintenance. Put the average 600cc Japanese sportbike riding 19 year old squid on a BMW, and he'll probably kill it before it the odometer shows over 10K miles. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The only thing that argues against the longevity of the Buell is the fact that it is air-cooled and makes a lot of horsepower. Hello?  (Message edited by ft_bstrd on August 27, 2009) | ||
| Rays |
Have a snoop around the 'Big, Bad & Dirty' forum - there are many X's that are in the 50-60,000 mile range without engine / gearbox issues. My early build '06 has 86,000km (~53K miles) and is still running very well - it has always used a small amount of oil between changes but that has not increased at this point. I have had a few electrical issues with wiring but the majority of my replacements would fall into the 'wear and tear' category with belt replacement, fork seals, clutch cable, various bulbs and of course brake pads, tyres, spark plugs, oil filters etc. I have replaced wheel bearings both front and rear but they were pro-active based on their feel and not on-road failures. I maintain the heck out of this bike with very regimented service intervals - I don't think they would age well if they were run on 'must get around to that' oil changes and the like. I'm looking to do a major service at 100,000 Km and replace things like the front brake rotor that is starting to show its age, swing-arm bearings, rear isolator etc. It may be ready for a top-end freshen-up then but time will tell. | ||
| Glitch |
I have 65thousand plus on my o3 XB9 | ||
| Froggy |
Tramp has 250+ thousand on his tuber. | ||
| Brumbear |
froggy how many on the ulySS they are like dog years though every miles is like 700 for normal riders | ||
| Froggy |
Just shy of 41k, no miles in a little over a month since its still down for the count. I got your package, thanks! | ||
| Brumbear |
anytime I gotta get hold of Rich see if he will part with the fork I gave him | ||
| Froggy |
Brumbs I got a set of forks already, don't sweat it! | ||
| Bcmike |
Thanks guys for all the input! I'm part of a dualsport club and our main sponsor is the local BMW dealer. Most of our local members ride a variety of Beemers (enduro and street) although I ride a Suzuki DR650 and Yamaha FZ1. They are always trying to steer me toward owning a BMW and will be shocked, puzzled and mortified when I pull up on my Buell XB12XT! Yes I've traded my 05 FZ1, sealing the deal today. I've always missed my old tuber (01 Cyclone) and have been lurking here since 2001 knowing the day will come when Buell designs the right model for me... the XT is the one. (Message edited by bcmike on August 28, 2009) | ||
| Pogue_mahone |
welcome back !! lmao | ||
| Brumbear |
That XT may just be my next buell but I do love the lobster lets see | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I can make you a deal on either one. | ||
| Chessm |
so doe we know which badwebber has the most miles on their XB bike? it would be neat to know | ||
| Nextcorner |
+1 Chessm, start a new thread about mileage. I'm interested as well. | ||
| Tpoppa |
As far as I know, Glitch has the most on an XB. | ||
| Froggy |
The mileage thread has been done a handful of times. There are bikes that make Glitch's look like a baby. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Compared to a dual sport, an XB will last freaking forever. Thumpers live a hard life, especially on the street. | ||
| Bumblebee |
I think it's safe to say, it'll run until you don't want to ride it any more. With that cooling fan the bikes don't have an overheating issue, the only thing left is an occasional electric gremlin...so ride with confidence.  | ||
| Blake |
I disagree with FMaxwell's assertions. Neither of my two Buells suffer blow-by issues. One has a catch can that is dry as a bone. The other remains stock with clean airbox to show for it. I don't see how varying temperatures, especially with the computer controlled multi-speed ducted forced air cooling system, is a significant added wear issue. When the engine is running, a film of oil separates all moving parts, so as long as the oiling system is working, the only metal to metal contact should be during start-up, which happens in any engine no matter how they are cooled. | ||
| Nik |
Yes, BMW twins are air-cooled, but their cylinder and heads are right out there in the open. You don't have tires, fenders, and front cylinders restricting airflow to rear cylinders. Hanging out in the open isn't necessarily better than having properly designed ducts and shrouds surrounding the cylinders; and in many cases is actually worse. I'm sure BMW and I know Buell has done the appropriate analysis to ensure the cylinders receive enough airflow. |
