| Author |
Message |
    
Crusty
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 10:21 pm: | 
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I'd rather see a time based warranty. 3years/unlimited miles would be nice. Of course, I put 60,000 miles on my '98 S3-T in two years, so I have an ulterior motive. Then again, I've put less than 30,000 on my M2 in just under 3 years, so maybe a 7/70 would be nicer.
I know! Buell should give me a bike for free, and maintain it free for as long as I keep it. Then, when it's old and clapped out, they can take it back and give me the newest and best of their new models with the same stipulations. In return, I won't charge them for my time spent in the seat. |
Peyote
| | Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 12:50 am: |
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I'd like to correct everyone on the word "recall" and any model with "xb" placed in the same sentence. I called to find out if I needed a new recall card to turn into my local H-D Buell shop to get my work done.
It took 20 minutes on the line because nothing was in the computer. I gave them part #s, the #s I called recalled for the bearing fix and kickstand fix that I found on this forum. They still couldn't find it.
Finally, she found out from a Buell employee that it's called "performance upgrades," not a recall. So, bigj and whoever calls the upgrade letters recalls, please call them something else. I wasted too much time trying to find out if I needed something to show the shop. They don't like doing anything unless they know they'll get reimbursed. Anyway, I had the phone tech. assure me they'd call my local shop with my v.i.n. # and tell them this is a free performance upgrade (they'll get reimbursed). I'm still waiting. Not a problem cause I finally told shop my number and just said to call me when they come in. I'm just curious if things are actually moving (I guess I'll call tomorrow).
one more time, this is not a recall (ask about recall and they won't find it in computer) this is a performance upgrade, ie. not a safety problem. It might be to some people but it's not listed as such so calling it a recall doesn't help anyone if they call it that to an H-D operator, okay. Now I've gotten even and wasted everyone's time.
-later
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Dynarider
| | Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 05:00 am: |
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Jeff, did you actually read thru the posts?? Nobody ever said the bearings were a recall. The question was asked on why it was called an upgrade & not a recall.
Your dealer should have known the difference anyways. |
Bigj
| | Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 07:11 pm: |
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It doesn't matter what it was "called". They can spin anything. Something was screwed up. That's the bottom line. |
Blake
| | Posted on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 12:57 am: |
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I like S320002's comment.
Rant mode on...
The Buell customer service and dealer service issues need to be huge glaring targets on the radar screen of HDI. If you are going to pursue a market, either do it aggressively and do it well or don't do it at all. The continuing apathetic excuse ridden atmosphere surrounding Buell dealerships' customer service and support needs to end.
Put ONE person in charge of the issue; give that person the resources and authority he/she requires, and make him/her accountable for achieving aggressive predefined tangible results. The HD leverage MUST be made to come to bare and bare heavily in support of Buell... screw up with Buell, lose HD inventory. Come on HDI, grow some and get with the program. The potential market for Buell motorcycles is HUGE; it does not compete in any significant way with the HDMC market. WAKE UP!!!! HDI, If you keep treating Buell like a negligible part of the business, like an unloved despised stepchild to ignore and abuse, Buell will be doomed to remain a negligible part of your business. Is that what you want? Buell's failings are YOUR failings. If you'd rather wash your hands of Buell than invest the resources and effort required to make it a significant and successful part of your business, please let me know; I have some friends who would be willing to help you with that.
Total Quality starts at the top and ends with the technicians, parts person, cashier, and the guy sweeping up at night.
Ignoring complaints and problems because the bean counters deem them negligible or not worth the investment to address aggressively is the wrong attitude. Total Quality works. It is not a gimmick. Never cease the pursuit of improvement, do not tolerate anything but excellence. Anytime you hear someone utter words to the effect of "I don't think it will be a problem" or "we've always done it that way" ask them if they are willing to put their job on the line in support of their assessment. |
Court
| | Posted on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 06:01 am: |
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>>>Something was screwed up.
Indeed.
If an owner exceeded the RECOMMENDED service life of the wheel bearings (back to my example of trying to get 100,000 out of a set of tires) they could fail.
Buell discovered the service life was shorter than anticipated, carefully researched alternate bearings, ascertained the best and (early in the game prior to most owners except a few odd cases) immediately offered to replace, free of charge, the bearings with the ones that provided a service interval more in line with customers expectations.
Imagine having a motorcycle that needed (cough...cough...Ducati) significant service at 3,000 mile (about 2 of 3 good days in my prime) intervals.
Your right. Something was screwed up. Buell, not the owners, determined that first, researched and acted in a proactive and assertive manner to insure the highest level of customer satisfaction.
And the problem is?
Court |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 06:03 am: |
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Yes Blake that is an excellent rant. That would instill a lot more confidence in the Buell brand wouldn't it but the question has to be asked ' do they want to sell that many bikes?' in reference to their prefered targets. Who knows, if they got that good demand would out strip supply.
In the past I've always admired HD Buell UK's efforts where my own experiences have been concerned although it has to be said that having a great dealer MD like Dale Robinson (ex-Just Harleys) helped a great deal. Not so after his departure though. They (JH's parent company)installed a prune from the car world who had little real admiration for the Buell product and in my opinion the dealership and quality of work went down hill. Incidentally so did my relationship with them too BUT at THEIR choice, NOT MINE.
I believe this scenario should be in the hands of the manufacturer firmly controlling what their dealers do in the role of representing the company but British law (I'm unaware of US law) states your contract is with the retailer you bought your product from thus the manufacturer gets off the hook if things go wrong for the odd individualor two. Why doesn't the company put pressure on its dealers to do the right thing?
In January 2000 I was invited and attended a new dealership opening for TVR. It was a big set up based in one of the UK's largest cities. They lasted not two years before TVR pulled the plug. I don't know the reasons why for certain but the rumours circulating suggested they were not suitable to represent TVR as it turned out. No messing, strip them of their franchise. However, over here there are new HD Buell dealers opening up every week and I'm not sure that's a good thing.
Rocket 
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Grndskpr
| | Posted on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 07:26 pm: |
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Imagine having a motorcycle that needed (cough...cough...Ducati) significant service at 3,000 mile (about 2 of 3 good days in my prime) intervals
What does a modern Ducati need at 3000 miles, if you are going to compare bikes, at least use bikes from the same year, plus i would like to add that 2 wrongs do not make a write, so if you wish to compare Ducati to Buell do it across the board, say an XB9r to a 999, they are after all both there respective copanies flag ships, at least atempt not to guide people down the road of internet BS, you do ask others to do that, follow your own lead, on another example, adjusting the valves on a 2 valve duc is about as time consuing as changing a stator on an S3, both of wich i have done
later
Roger |
Darthane
| | Posted on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 07:56 pm: |
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"...if you wish to compare Ducati to Buell do it across the board, say an XB9r to a 999" <~~Grndspkr
Bad example. 999s are liquid cooled. Try the Ducati M1000S, much better comparison.
Bryan |
Chainsaw
| | Posted on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 09:26 pm: |
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Call the new bearings a "performance upgrade" or whatever you want. The service bulletin posted on this board instructs dealers to DESTROY any of the original bearings they have in stock. Is this the normal procedure for "performance upgrades"? This ain't like chrome chipping off a derby cover, it IS a safety issue, regardless of the legal fine print regarding it not being a "recall".
I think Buell did the right thing in getting the word out there. I think the notice letter should have mentioned the seriousness of a potential bearing failure, along with something that said "get them changed before xxxx miles". I also wish my selling dealer would understand that a bearing failure under power is a serious threat to life and limb, and not dick around when it comes to replacing them. All in all, I'd give Buell a B+ for how they have handled things so far on the 'Bolts.
ChainSaw |
Blake
| | Posted on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 11:39 pm: |
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Someone needs to explain to me how a bearing failure would be such a dire "threat to life and limb." I don't see it. A blown front tire would be far more threatening. Seems to me that some of y'all sure do like to over-dramatize things. |
Jim_witt
| | Posted on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 12:02 am: |
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Well when mine failed I knew it in a heart beat. It simply ground up the bearings like chewing on a jawbreaker. One hell of a noise too I might add. I would think it could lock up your wheel, depending on your speed, or possibility a severe wheel wobble …… dunno. More often, I would think it would simply spin inside the hub. Hell I dunno, you're the damn engineer.
-JW:>0 |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 03:57 am: |
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I second Rogers sentiments entirely.
Blake, wheel bearing failure CAN KILL, even on four wheels.
Rocket |
Crusty
| | Posted on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 05:59 am: |
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A front wheel bearing broke up at 50,000 miles on my S3-T. I was in Key Largo at the time and I had to ride the bike back to Miami to get to a dealership. It was one of the scariest rides I've ever had. The wheel wobbled so much that it would push the pistons in the brake caliper back into their bores, so I effectively had no front brake. It was as bad as riding on a flat tire. A bad front wheel bearing IS a safety issue, period. If you don't think so, try riding with one. |
Grndskpr
| | Posted on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 07:58 am: |
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Bad example. 999s are liquid cooled. Try the Ducati M1000S, much better comparison.
I agree from a consumer stand point, they are very close in my opinion(i have a duc m900, but have only test ridden a firebolt) The problem is, the firebolt is the best Buell has out NOW(from certain standpoints), the M900, is not the best, it is there decade old street fighter(and i love it, but just for notes i also love my S3, most of the time) i just dont like to be told Not to throw out info i am not ready to back up, and i am tired of the Ducati comparison to buell, it makes no sence, especially if you dont want to compare it to honda,kawi, suzuki or Aprilla, for example, Aprilla is selling less bikes in the US, has less money(HD owns Buell remember) but still manages a race team, at a world level, and makes 5 or 6 different bikes based around the same engine(give or take a few head gaskets and chip programing) They have a great line, and great bikes, and are growing, if you want to compare we can start at any level you want, i just dont think it makes sence and in no way helps improve Buell in any way, just omething to think about, and if you want to compare the firebolt to the M900, i have the manual, and we can do a milage Comparo, ie, what you need at 10000 miles, 621 miles, so on and so on, turns out there really close, in cost and time interval
just a thought
Roger |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 08:47 pm: |
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And again I do!
Rocket |
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