| Author | Message | ||
     Blake |
I sure hope the folks at Buell are working hard to figure out a way to foolproof the @#$! TPS reset procedure. There sure seems to be WAY too many owners having issues attributable to mal-performed TPS reset procedures. If I were in charge for a day at BMC the first mandate I would levy is that the engineers come up with a truly fool-proof 100% reliable method for accomplishing or getting rid of entirely the TPS rest procedure. There must be a way to do away with that because there sure doesn't appear to be a way to get all technicians to perform a TPS reset correctly. Just a few wild-arse brainstorming ideas in no particular order... 1. Switch to a precise absolute throttle position sensor that is set the same for every bike, producing exactly the same voltage for throttle closed and throttle open. It ain't no big deal. It costs a little more sure, but I would bet it would be no where near the cost of the aggravation and warranty shop-time required to deal with mal-performed TPS reset procedures. These are not impossible tolerances to meet. We build house sized satellite antennas to withing a few thousandths of an inch of theoretically perfect surface contours. "Can't" ain't a word for this issue. Do the tolerancing, design and build the tooling and giterdone!  2. Add a second sensor, a high precision proximity sensor to verify for the ECM that indeed the throttle is actually 100% closed and 100% open as required. Eliminate the human factor from that portion of the procedure. 3. Revise the EFI code and TPS reset procedure so that the ECM doesn't need to know the throttle closed position. Index off of some other throttle position. Maybe use a tool to prop the throttle open an exact known set amount and index from that point. 4. Create and institute a rock solid reliable mandatory verification test that will report whether the bike is running properly or not immediately after any TPS reset If the bike fails the test, have the horn start sounding and the lights blinking. 5. Verify/ensure that all supporting hardware/bracketry and the sensor itself is impossible to be shifted or dislodged from their locations/positions through casual/unintended contact or any other forces that are possible. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
There should be a RESET button on ECUs. turn down the idle to the stop, hit the reset button and all default values are entered. AFV = 100 TPS to 0. Then set your idle back and we all have steak for diner! | ||
| Blake |
I'd like to see a better looking, higher quality, more cutting edge dash and instrument cluster. My opinion is that the dashboards/instrument clusters of the XB's are lacking in refinement and aesthetic appeal. Less is more. Cheap looking plastic sucks. Black fonts on white background are best, period. I want my sport bike's instruments to look like a cross between a fine swiss watch, cutting edge racing equipment and exotic military hardware. The Buell theme of making one part serve two or more functions would seem to dictate a single gauge face instead of two. I'd much rather see neatly sheathed and integrated cables and wiring than a cheap plastic dash and two gauge faces. Oh yeah... Add a shift light and lap timer. A trip-meter mode for reporting the AFV, O2 sensor voltage, throttle position (%), and cylinder head temperature(s) would be totally cool. How about an integrated on board bike dynomometer? You know, like the aftermarket units you can purchase? Fun stuff! : Small electronic stuff that can use a common small LCD display. Just some wild ideas to consider. Anyone have any wild ideas to offer for improving Buell motorcycles? | ||
| Blake |
Excellent suggestion Nate. Get rid of the requirement for external test. What do techies call that... BIT? Built In Test? I guess this would technically be a BIR... built in recalibration? | ||
| Midknyte |
Sight Glass / Window on the swingarm for checking oil level at-a-glance | ||
| Midknyte |
Blake - I love the XB instrument cluster! Straightforward, analog, no digital bullshit. Would like a gas guage... Wish the clock/trip switches were on the side (cannot operate them while riding the way the are...) But those are minor niggles | ||
| Bomber |
I'd vote against the site glass idea -- another potential leak path most always does -- ymmv, of course I agree w/Blake wrt instruments -- once on the bike, the clocks are what you look at most often -- a good lookin binnacle is tops in my book -- also, no digital displays for speed/revs, please -- refer to Navy/NASA/Wing Wiper research on human data acquisition . . . | ||
| Eboos |
Electric choke, has this ever been tried on a carb bike? I would also like to see an oil temp and oil pressure gauge. Fuel gauge (or at the lease a low fuel light) would be nice. | ||
| Sarodude |
I'm with Nate. There's NO need for complex shenanigans. I think EVERY BUELL KEY MADE should come with the # to Buell CS - with HEAVY encouragement to contact them if the customer (pick a euphemism for knowing that the dealer is FOS). Maybe even a free quart of Syn3 or something for contacting Buell. I still believe the single biggest problem Buell has is the dealer n(o/e)twork. For locals, I either send 'em to Glendale or STRONGLY encourage folks to just make their own mistakes for free + the cost of the service and parts manuals. I'd love to try to be part of that solution. It's just not the right time for me. -Saro | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
What controls the choke on a blast? Could that be adapted? | ||
| Jerseyguy |
A minor point: I dislike the kickstand linkage. I don't like the way the bike leans down and rolls back when you set it on the stand. It always feels like its going to drop. I'd rather the stand slam forward with a healthy spring and stay put. If I try to drive off with the stand down that's my bad. | ||
| Glitch |
I like the idea of the dash to do more than Odometer, trip 1, trip 2, gas trip. It's digital led, it could do lots more. I don't mind the two gauge cluster, but black on a white face would rule. Sight glass, sweet. My idea would be to have a built in alarm system with remote start. Buell already did the upgrades I wanted, loose the hole through the frame for intake, open breather, better drive belts, and a transmission upgrade. | ||
| Glitch |
I don't like the way the bike leans down and rolls back when you set it on the stand. I guess they went backwards then. My 03 doesn't do this, only the newer ones do. | ||
| Bomber |
some testing of the new models needs to be headquartered in the Entropy Lab -- this would produce a much finer product (not to mention a smilier bomber!) | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
GET RID OF HARLEY DAVIDSON....GO BACK TO ERIC AND HIS CREW JT} | ||
| Glitch |
Oh yeah! How about a better charging system! Better stator! | ||
| Typeone |
- better wire routing or protection to prevent rub-through - digital temp display on dash - stay analog on the gauges - NO FREEKIN' PING in hot weather (12) - fix the TPS reset/excuse nonsense - improve visual quality of controls/switches - better dealer support, H-D techs aren't cuttin' it - continue improving reliability, still a ways to go (i worry on every ride. my motor is apart at the dealer as i type this and its absolutely beautiful out. still love this bike though, lucky its so damn badass... when it works... or i would have moved on. tough to keep defending it to buddies when a new issue arises each time out. not good for the Buell name, and i'm no trash-talker, they see it first-hand.) | ||
| Midknyte |
I'd vote against the site glass idea -- another potential leak path most always does Bomber, Agreed to the extent that I have never, ever, heard of a bike leaking in this fashion... (Have you? Would be news to me. Am curious to know.) | ||
| Ezblast |
Step the valve guides into the heads so they can't be sucked through - this would promote longevity of the engines. GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Rokoneer |
Amen to the better Stator! I'm putting in my second third one now. The first lasted 5k miles the second lasted 65 miles! | ||
| Bomber |
in this fashion, as in around a oil level site glass? yessir, I have, but, hey, thass just me -- | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
1. Built in TPS reset 2. Self canceling turn signals like " grown up " Harleys 3. Email tech service support 4. Tech support on the phone 5. Get the brand out of Harley dealerships and into anywhere else. 6. Supply with proper sport tires: Michelin Pilot Power, Pirelli Diablo, Sportec M-1 7. Keep both head lights on at all times, except when starting 8. redesign all graphics, especially instruments,( I removed all the others:-) 9. make dipstick legible 10. Frame pucks as standard on all models 11. Brighter head lights 12. rear pulley color to match wheels, or at least aluminum color. Anything but black. 13 . Make an accessory steering damper easily available for the short wheelbase models. 14. Make R and S front end and rear ends interchangeable so they can be mixed and matched more easily 15. Offer a Built to order program that allows customers to pick the rear and front end of choice, plus other options, like wheel color, race kit, competition suspension etc. After talking to Buell Customer Service more times than I found entirely amusing, I was told that they don't want to provide me with technical information because that's what the dealer pays them for. An interesting point of view, but I like doing business with a company that puts the customer first. That would include every other company on the planet that I do business with the single exception of the the Motor Company. That is EVERY other company, except the Motor Company and Storz. | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Here's my $.02.... 1) All the "metal work" to be the same color. For the life of me, I can't figure out why the frame, tail section and pasta strainer are ALL different colors. That's part of the "fit & finish" that bothers me about Buells. 2) Shift light (especially on the Blast). I made that suggestion when they first released the model. After teaching my wife to ride this summer, I'm an even stronger supporter of the shift light. 3) Better dealer support. I'm lucky. I have Dave just down the road  4) Frame pucks standard on all XB models. That would help to dramatically reduce the insurance rates on the XBs (read: less totalled bikes because of a dented frame). I'm sure there are more but I'm short on time. | ||
| Dagwood |
A better wiring harness...or at least a better wrapped and routed one. | ||
| Gowindward |
1) Higher visual quality switch gear 2) Voltmeter, Oil Temp 3) Instead of the current Fuel trip meter, have a trip meter that shows miles until until reserve and then switch over to miles until empty. These should be updating based on rate of fuel consumption. 4) Higher visual quality of instrument cluster. NO DIGITAL 5)Better UV stable thread used on seat logo's etc. (The logo on the Firebolt custom seat fades and turns pink) 6)Paint the plastic body work or find a better plastic. The surlyn takes a lot of care to keep in looking good. I want a long lasting high gloss, deep finish. That says quality to me. 7)The finish on the frame on my 12R has been very tough to keep looking good. Need something better, or I got a bad egg. 8) Better headlights, high and low beam in each lamp. Have both on at all times(can you have to much light on a motorcycle in the dark?) 9) DIY TPS reset or None required. 10) Make a CD version of the Service & Part Manual part of the bike purchase. 11) Loose the pop rivets on Timing Cover and Chin Spoiler. They look cheap!! Because they are!!! 12)Overall I want a bike the not only is quality built, but looks the part too. Anything you can do to improve weatherability, and long term visual quality, will have me buying another Buell. My current 04' 12R has some great looking Proprietary plastic parts, but the off the shelf stuff (switch gear etc) looks cheap | ||
| Gowindward |
"1) All the "metal work" to be the same color. For the life of me, I can't figure out why the frame, tail section and pasta strainer are ALL different colors. That's part of the "fit & finish" that bothers me about Buells. " Amen! | ||
| Blake |
A better looking front pulley cover. Something with some slots that will let you see the moving mechanical stuff. Go to an aluminum front pully, hard anodized 7075-T6 bay-bee. There's at lease a couple pounds of weight savings right there. Definitely analog gauges for speed and rpm. Offer forged magnesium wheels standard on limited edition high zoot Buell Racing FX inspired bike. Ceramic ZTL disk? Darn it, I meant to include having both headlights on for high beam position only. But my preference would be to leave just the one on for low beam. In other words keep the smaller single duty lights, double filament would likely need to be larger. But on high beam also leave the low beam lit. Note, before being warned about potential meltdown issues associated with do-it-yourself reqiring to achieve just that scenario, my buddy Skully went ahead and did it, at least a year ago. No melting issues so far. It gets plenty hot during a Texas Summer. If all the metalwork were the same color, trust me on this, I'm married to an Architect/Interior Designer, it would look horrible, too homogenous elcheapo yucky... at least to most folks, you know, the ones with good taste.  I REALLY dig the different contrasting tones. Very artistically pleasing. Gentleman Jon, Buell sells an optional machined finish pully. Typeone, Have your dealer look at the crankshaft/primary drive sprocket nut. New much higher torque specs. Good news Glitch! Buell has already improved the stator for the XBs and is continueing to look at ongoing product improvement in that area. The first revision with a "-B" part number suffix has beefier windings than the "-A" version. New/better brake pads. It seems that the OEM brake pads can in some scenarios impart a mottled looking residue to the disk that can lead to pulsing similar to how a warped rotor feels. | ||
| Blake |
Good high quality, built-to-last-a-lifetime reflective insulation on inside surfaces of fuel tank/frame to prevent excessive heating of fuel and frame. Turbocharging or supercharging for off the showroom floor 105 RWHP XB9 and 120RWHP XB12. Six speed with lower 1st gear for the Uly. A Uly Baja version!  For the aftermarket... A two-into-two balls to the wall stepped header race exhaust. | ||
| Blake |
Less noisy fan. | ||
| Typeone |
regarding the 'metal work' as youre calling it, i think they were going for the following, at least on the 12S... #1 frame is dark gray as is swingarm... creates an arc of color. #2 headlight cluster gold, engine covers gold, tail section gold. Almost like a reverse pattern of each. #3 the forks are silver and seat support portion silver. creates nice links/lines in my eyes even though I'm painting the metal behind headlight the same frame gray to keep that visual arc flowing all the way forward. I think it works. Not to debate... just adding a comment. to each his own  The freekin' amber wheels baffle me though. hahaa. can't stand 'em. neither could my wife. when i bought the bike and waited all winter to be joined with it she was like, "um you're ditchin' those nasty wheels aren't you?" sure was. (Message edited by Blake on June 13, 2006) |
