| Author | Message | ||
     Goo |
Hi, Maybe already discussed here on this site, but I'm new to Buell, and do have plans for buying a XB12. One of my concern is durability, how many miles can I expect from the XB, if serviced well? Have any of you passed 50.000 miles, or 100.000 miles ? | ||
| Dtx |
Guys in our riding group have been getting 10,000 to 15,000+ miles per year on their bikes with no major problems. So far this year I have 7,500 miles and no issues!  | ||
| Dagwood |
Bought mine in May and as of this morning I have 8645. The XBs engine is a better version of the XL Sportster (HD). I have seen Sporties with well over 100K on 'em. I have no doubts that my bike will run until it disintegrates...or until I highside, whichever comes first.  | ||
| Exupmonkey |
I bought my XB9R new 18 months ago and have covered 10,000 miles. When its not in the workshop its the most fun I have had (on a bike) but unfortunately a number of things have gone wrong with it such as speedo sensor, wheel bearings X2, drive belt tensioner bearings, all of which were replaced under warranty....drive belt snapped at 6000 miles, exhaust straps snapped, faulty neutral light...all of which came out my own pocket to repair. My latest calamity is a snapped exhaust stud....for no apparent reason (and before anyone asks...no I wasn't trying to get the header nuts off!) which is also being replaced under warranty. Its in the shop just now and I asked the dealer to do the 10,000 service whilst it was in. I have just been told by the dealer that when the tech was re-tightening the top yolk pinch bolt he snapped the yolk!!!(This to is being replaced). All this on a bike that has never done a wheelie or a stoppie in its life! I would appear to have been just plain unlucky with my bike as there are plenty Bad webbers who have had faultless ownership and hats off to them. I for one would not buy another XB again.....well maybe the Ulysses! Hope this does not put you off Goo...it is the best biking experience but oh so frustrating (for me)  | ||
| Lovematt |
I have 19,000 miles on mine over almost as many months with very few problems...not even worth mentioning compared to some issues I have had to deal with in the past...see my profile. I am talking about going through things like engine knocks, cam chain breaking, etc...not even the same league as one bolt replacements like a speedo sensor....10 minutes tops on that one and the only other issue worth mentioning was 5 minutes tops. I had a Fat Boy and put over 100K miles on that bike in two years...never really had any issues there either. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I've got 6500 miles on my '03 XB9R since April, no problems. I read here not long ago that theres one in Columbus, Oh that just went over 50K. I'm sure that there are several out there, but they just aren't saying anything or they don't post here. | ||
| Fullpower |
no cam chain on my buell. gear drive all the way. | ||
| Hanses25 |
17,652 no real problems, clutch cable replaced at 10,000 miles....... | ||
| Xbolt12 |
18k + miles on my 04 xb12r Firebolt. Most of the miles are hard miles up in the local mountains dragging knees and running up to redline and back. I do lots of wheelies and the occasional stoppie along with one Streets of Willow track day to date. I change oil in the engine and tranny every 2,500 miles with SYN3 H-D oil. I broke a clutch cable at 11k, had the belt replaced under warranty at 14k (some cracking and had it replaced proactively before doing a track day)-the shop was surprised at the belt-said I must ride it very hard  BTW, the new belt for 06 should end belt maintenance completely and the clutch cable is probably not going to break because the 06 has a lighter pull. Oh, and the neutral sensor backed out and caused an oil leak at about 7k-easy fix though, just some locktight and screwed it back in. BTW I rode it with the oil leak. Overall a very low maintenance bike.... xbolt12 | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
14,250 in 2 yrs. Nothing wrong here... Knock Knock Knock... | ||
| Kdan |
13,000 miles since March and no serious problems. Lotta tires though.  | ||
| Goo |
Thank you for your response! I must say that I had expected more miles, but the excuse maybe that the XB model hasn't been in the market for too many years. thank you any way! | ||
| Bomber |
Goo I beleive I remember some folks with way more than 50K miles on thier scoots -- wish I could rmemebr the names, so a search would turn somthin useful up, but can't -- sorry | ||
| Dagwood |
Try a search for user XB9Rski. He's out of country doing work for Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, but I think he's topped 50K on his '03 9R. His profile lists the problems he's had...minimal. | ||
| New12r |
I have 24,000 in just over a year and had no major failures that were not my own fault. Oh yeah and I ride it like I stole it, ask anyone on the 3% thread under storm fronts. (Message edited by new12r on October 15, 2005) | ||
| Buell666 |
I have 13000 miles on my bike in less than 1 year. I beat the $h!t out of it. The only problem i had was a belt breaking, that I'm assuming was my fault. This is by far one of the most reliable and comparitively cheap to maintain bikes on the road. Also look at it this way. If something does go wrong, they are extremely easy to work on. Good luck. | ||
| Diablobrian |
The XB series Buells have developed a reputation for being as reliable as the day is long. They are easily the most reliable in Harley corporate's line-up, and I'd put them up against any bike Japan Inc. is building right now. Assuming it is left as it was built, no internal motor mods. But that is my opinion. We have been racing a mostly stock 04 xb12r this year in 3 CCS classes and have wrung it's neck. The only problems we encountered were traced to wiring mods made by the previous racer. Our Suzuki 03 SV650s didn't fare as well. It didn't make it past round 1 at Road America. Blown engine. This is anecdotal not empirical evidence, but I have not seen any of the Buell racers going home early due to mechanicals other than our electrical woes at MAM that I discussed in the previous paragraph. I have a pretty highly modified street bike, and you can get away with that as long as you have a GOOD engine builder that knows these bikes do the work. Someone like Hal's Performance, revolution, NHRS, etc... Not the guy the just opened a custom bike shop because he has a custom chrome and drag specialties catalog. In short do not fear the XB buells. Go get it and ride 'til you can't ride no more!  | ||
| Cataract2 |
Well, considering the bike has been out for about 3 years now you will be hard pressed to find a ton of people with 50K or more. But anyways. I have 18,900 miles on mine with only warrenty work being done to replace my front break switch and start switch. I think both for some corrosion from this lovely Florida coast air. | ||
| Johnparts |
9000 MILES beating the crap out of it the whole time no problems yet | ||
| Medic_2512 |
XB9Rski didn`t have too many problems with his Buell as long as you don`t count the fact that his original motor seized up and had to be replaced! Me personally i`ve replaced wheel bearings twice, drive belt 3 times, fouled plugs 6 times, battery, fuses about 5 times, clutch cable broke, TPS reset 6 times cause of stalling and bad idling, footpeg broke, and other issues. Great looking and very cool bike but probably the most unreliable bike i`ve owned without a doubt. | ||
| Tatsu |
22,000 miles coming up on 2 years on a Xb12R. Had the stator,regulator and front disk brake replaced. That's it. | ||
| Wheelsleaning |
xb12s 9000 miles: with a few mods, and a few track days, but no repairs. | ||
| Brucelee |
9100 miles. One clutch cable replaced. Good stuff! | ||
| Fulgur |
I have a XB12R - 2005 - 13000KM, got it in May. I do all my own services (on time). It gets a right good check all over at services and other times. Not a single fault so far. The only problem I have is that I seem to go through about 100ml of oil every 1000km (not past the rings). I think it is being kicked into the air-box as I hit the motorway quickly on my commute to and from work. Oh and I spank the Beeach often. | ||
| Truk |
Purchased used 03 XB9r in Feb 03 with 1,800 miles. 9 months later and I have 10,250 miles. Mine has proven reliable as far as i am concerned. My engine is stock. Just did the 10,000 service. Replaced the original plugs, original belt looks great. The original belt is supposed to be replaced at 15,000. The newer ones last longer. At this point mine looks like it could do more than 15,000. I did replace the clutch cable. It developed a small leak from the primary. I think I caused this when I changed the primary shoe at my 10,000 service. Did it myself, a piece of cake. No more leak. If you buy one get the service and parts manual. They are worth it.. I lurked on this board for some time before I purchased mine. During that time I followed the XB9RSki saga. As I recall, just before the blown engine he had brought the bike in for an oil leak...think it was a cracked pump. The dealer didn't have a spare and used some sealer on the pump, while waiting on a replacement, so he could continue riding. Shortly after that the engine went. I have often wondered if some of the sealer didn't get in some of the oil lines and clog things up. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
What exactly happened to Ski's motor could be debated over and over. In the end, the dealer got him on the road, when the engine went, they replaced it under warranty no questions. I think it was good service all around, despite the inconvenience. All I know is the man can't wait to get back to the states and flog her some more!!! P.S. Ski, I got your MAWTS patch man... Where do I send it??? | ||
| Pinball |
14500 kms in 7 months,one warranted front brake rotor and went through 2 set`s of tires.I will buy another one!! | ||
| Peanut_man |
Some oil leak @ the return line from oil cooler @ 4600 miles. Fixed under warranty (altho replacement part took over a week to arrive...). Other than that, no problem really. |
