| Author | Message | ||
     Suburbx |
Hi. I'm new to the site, and about a month from buying a CityX. I have 2 questions for all you experienced Buellers... 1. I've read quite a few posts on here and elsewhere of brand new bikes with oil leaks or ECM/TPS probs. I remember one post where the bike quit running at less than 80 miles from new. I'm wondering how chronic are these? Should I just expect to have one/both problems corrected under warranty and then I'll be good to go? I know the bikes have a good reputation for reliability overall, it just seems I've heard of a lot of problems in the first 1000 miles or so. 2. How are these bikes in hot weather? I only demo'd briefly last summer, and recall hot air blowing on my left ankle and some underseat heat. I've read the frame holds heat also. Not having the opportunity for a long ride in my sweltering Orlando weather, I was hoping for some enlightenment from others. Thanks in advance for any comments. I'm 99% sure this is my next bike, with only these small doubts still lingering. | ||
| Elff |
The left ankle is from the stock exhaust. Tha t is where the pipe is. V-Twins do get hot but all sport bikes do too. Just a matter of which poison you pick. I have not had any problems with my CityX and love it. | ||
| Yeags30 |
Any problems with ecm tps problems are usually people who put the race ecm in the bike and don't get the tps reset...They plug the ecm in and then drive to the dealer to get it reset...Some people have made it to the dealer some haven't...I have a 2003 xb9sl and have had no problems other then the usual maint..MY belt broke last week and i have had to change the plus once..MY bike always starts right up and runs great...As for the hot air...I think any bike is uncomfortable in the hot summer...You are in fla so i feel sorry for you..Especailly with all the tourists  . There is a cooling fan underneath the seat which ash a tendency to heat up your legs and the frame does get warm, but o well i guess its something we all deal with cause we love our buells | ||
| Zxzer04 |
I haven't had a single problem with my 12R. Just the complaints are what you look for and see first. Larry | ||
| Elff |
2 things I did to help with the heat of the engine is 1) Right side air scoop 2) Underseat heat shield from Odie | ||
| Dooley |
I've had my 03 XB9R for two years 28,000 miles no big probs, I ride it pretty hard too...just a broken belt but, it was the old type and after converting to the 04+ upgraded one,  everything is all good....I've owned other bikes before and buying a Buell was the smartest thing I've ever done IMO....... | ||
| Sub65chris |
i love my 2005 xb9sx and have had problems with only the spark plugs getting fouled . good choice , later  | ||
| Buelltoys |
have an 05 blast and an 06 12X and have over 3000 miles on both with no problems from either bike. The 12x does get a little warm but nothing you can not live with. I live in central alabama and ride 90 percent of the time with a 45 min commute to work every morning. I've only known the Buell brand for one year now and they were my first bikes ever. Love them both and will buy a 12R soon. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I have an 05 9sx, and have had exactly three problems. 1) (this was self inflicted)... When I was messing with the ECM swapping it out for a race unit, I routed the wire bundle wrong, and it got a small nick from one of the battery terminals. This would make the clock reset, and make the battery terminal go loose, and make the check engine light flash the "no problem here code" periodically. It was easy to find, I just looked at the only area on the bike I had messed with. Routing the bundle right (and adding some split loom armor because it was sitting there in the garage anyway) solved the problem. 2) Periodically, my tach will not sweep all the way during the bike "power up sweep". The tach always works right though. 3) The bike consumes some oil. It looked really bad for a while, but I believe this is because I was using Castrol 5w50 full synthetic over the winter. In theory, this should not be any "thinner" then 20w50, but in practice, it clearly is. When I went back to Mobil 1 15w50 it got much better. If I could easily find full synthetic 20w50, it would probably get better yet. With the Mobil 1 15w50, it will go from the "full" to the "add" mark in about 4 tanks of gas, so I just have to remember to top it off. It is completely a non issue except for longer trips, and even then it just means I have to pack a quart of oil (which I should probably be doing for longer trips regardless). That's it... (except for a tail light blowing out, and tires wearing out). I respect the bike, maintain it well, am always gentle until it warms up, but I ride it hard. I have over 10,000 miles on it. I'll be the first to talk about the tuber problems (and I have the parts in the garage and here on my desk to prove it). But I will also be the first to say the XB is a *very* reliable bike... and more reliable then my old Yamaha, my friends Suzuki SV-650, and another friends Kawasaki ZR-7. The tubers had issues, but were absolutely worth the trouble. The XB's are even better (IMHO... I'm ducking now) and have *none* of the issues. This should be the easiest decision you ever made... | ||
| Ratyson |
I have an 05 CityX, and I have only had one problem in 8600 miles. I had a warped front rotor at about 3000 miles, fixed under warranty. I just put a Special Ops Odie pipe on it, and will be ordering the race ECM and K&N filter this week. Now, to find a shop close by that can reset my TPS without raping my wallet. Oh, and Welcome to the BadWeb!! I am sure you will love the bike! (Message edited by ratyson on April 07, 2006) | ||
| Diablobrian |
Be aware that the problems you see here are magnified. You don't see threads labeled "nothing wrong here" from everyone that doesn't have problems. You know how the squeaky wheel is.... | ||
| Suburbx |
Yes, Diablo, I agree with that. Since I've been researching, of course I tend to notice the threads about problems first anyway. Just as a frame of reference, I currently ride a Goldwing 1800 (road sofa) but ride it aggressively, and have approx. 20 years on maybe 15 different bikes. I'll admit I may be a little spoiled by the wing, since for 5 years all I've done is fluid changes and tires. Of course, the reason the Buell captivates me is I want something with personality. I started out looking at a Super Hawk, for the power, but when I look at one, it just kinda leaves me cold. Thanks to all for the responses. Once the Wing is paid for, it's new bike time. (29 days and counting  ). | ||
| Dervish |
I've only had my CityX for a month or so (300 miles), but after 38 years of riding and about 40 bikes, the Buell is the most fun of the bunch. My last bike was a Ducati MTS1000 Multistrada, and this thing would eat that bike for lunch in the twisties. Just much more confidence inspiring. You feel instantly comfortable throwing it over to the edge of the tires. If you haven't already, read the great comparison test of the CityX in Motorcycle Online, where it came out on top against other "value middleweights" from Honda, Yamaha and Kawi. It was one of the things that helped my decision to buy this little beastie. Enjoy - you won't regret it! - Dervish - '05 XB9SX - '00 BMW K1200LT - "The Mother Ship" | ||
| Jim_m |
I'm about a week from mine (barring anything catastraphic happening)....about the only real problem I have with the City X is that Court never got around to finishing his write up on one. ;^D | ||
| Suburbx |
Yea, was wondering about that. I was reading his story the other night, and was expecting the next chapter. Too busy riding? |
