| Author | Message | ||
     Terrym |
I want to switch from my Sportster to a XB12Ss. I'm nervous about all of the ECM and electrical issues I'm reading about. I work in one of the midwest's most violent cities & have a 35mi. run home after midnight. A blown ECM could have very bad consequenses. What's the word on the electrical reliabilty? Are there mods that will bulletproof any weakspots? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Make sure the ECM bundle is routed so it won't get sawed up by the battery terminal. And you might want to watch (or replace) the "77 connector" where the VR connects to the stator (same part is on the Sporty FWIW). Also a good idea to put a voltage monitor on the bike... it will let you know you have a problem in a timeframe to let you deal with it proactively. 25k on my 9sx, and 30k on an M2, and I was never stranded. | ||
| Terrym |
Thanks, I guess after 8 yrs. on one bike, any other bike would make me leary. The Sportster has always been merciful enough to quit in the garage! How come I read about so many ECM issues? Are they mostly rubbed wires & the like (due to wire loom routing)? Or does Buell use less than desirable ECMs? What about the slow cruising speed stumbles I read about? I'm researching as much as I can but the amount of info is a little overwhelming. Just trying to ask questions that will streamline the info a bit. Thanks, again. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The "ecm" issues were nearly all "rubbed wires" for a long time. That includes mine... I put in (and later took out) a race ECM, and was not careful in routing the wires back. The result was a cut from the battery terminal. I routed them as per the factory, slapped a little split loom plastic cable armor on them just in case, and have had no problems since. A larger rash of "ECM problems" started appearing after people started messing with ECMSpy. Before then, I don't think we heard of maybe 1 ecm failing a year amongst everyone on the board. I don't think there are chronic ECM problems besides the need to be careful about cable routing if removing and replacing the ECM (which there is really no reason to ever remove). | ||
| Terrym |
Yeah, most bikes are reliable until we start screwing with'em LOL. Just want to be able to pick the low hanging performance fruit then leave it alone & ride it. Airbox, exhaust (like the Spec OPS) & Race ECM if necessary & beneficial. This will be my do everything bike: commute, travel, twisties. Not a stunt guy or a drag racer. It seems the XB12Ss would be an even better swiss army bike than my XL which I've been pleased with. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I all of those mods, and in hindsight should have stuck with stock. The only one I still have is the open airbox, and there is no need to do that for the newer bikes, they already have a more open airbox. The rest was slowly put back to stock. The only mods that I stuck with were putting a HID in the low beam, Polly grip heaters, and a GPS. I'd leave it stock... especially with a 12. | ||
| Packrat |
I think that on any forum of this nature, 99% of posts are naturally going to be dealing with problems...that's what the KV is for. I bought a new '07 xb12Scg, put 4K on it ; sold it bought a new '07 Aprilia Tuono. Financial stress forced me to sell it...but when I got back "on my feet" guess what I bought??? Another xb12Scg !!!! Kinda like root canals, you always hear how long it took, how PAINFUL it was, and how expensive it was!! Never hear about all the ones that went off without a hitch..so keep that in mind....I assure you the majority of Buell owners have had none-to-very-little, trouble..especially true I think with the latest ('03) generation...just my $.02 ...ymmv | ||
| Fasted |
TUBER !!! | ||
| Terrym |
Thanks for all the replies. Guess I'm still looking at it from a carb Sportster point of view: "breathes better; runs better". I'd probably be happy stock for a while but I like to act stupid with my bikes now and then. But as I said earlier performance is second to reliability to me. I do want some performance or else I'd buy an HD Roadglide (nothing wrong with roadglides!) Due to sales tax issues in Illinois, used is definately not out of the question, what should I watch for on various year XB's? BTW always liked tubers just want something newer, just cuz. Want a fresh slate and there's something bout the newer stuff lately that just seems fresh & intriguing. Hope I didn't step on the toes of any tuber guys or Roadgliders! |
