| Author | Message | ||
     Nondual |
Hey all, As many of you might know, I got into Buell because of the design but had been leery of the air-cooled engines. The 1125R got me back into thinking about them. Exchanging posts with many of you, I've taken another look at the air-cooled Buells. I was thinking that since the used bikes are so cheap, maybe I should start with a great used XB. Any models/years to stay away from? What are the known issues? | ||
| Hughlysses |
The drive belts on the 03's were failure prone (many people have upgraded them to 04-up style belts and pulleys) and some of the early bikes had a wheel bearing recall. Other than that, there haven't really been any significant issues. The 06-up bikes got improved transmissions and lower effort clutches. There have been other detail changes over the years but that's probably the most significant. Try one, you'll like it! | ||
| Cixyx_pilot |
2006 City X , 13000kms, 0 problems. Love the air cooled engine!!!! I had a liquid cooled Ninja piss hot coolent down my leg once, when the rad blew while sitting at a stop light  | ||
| Vicfirebolt |
they are only cheap here cuz everyone low balls em.... | ||
| Nondual |
Dunno....they seem cheap on Craigslist and Ebay Motors too. I don't think it's a BAD thing, but if the resale is low because demand is down, then I can get into a Buell cheaply, save on gas, etc... And then maybe get the 1125r in year two or three. | ||
| Thespive |
2006 CityX here with almost 6,000-miles, no problems also! Love it, what a fatastic machine and the air-cooled engine is great, not even an oil leak on my bike. --Sean | ||
| Spike |
2003 was the only year that really needs any extra attention. The 2003 models used a new belt/pulley combination that was prone to breaking more than the others. The belt and pulleys were changed for '04, then an even stronger belt was released for '06 that fits on the '04+ pulleys. The other two things to keep an eye out for on the '03s would be the kickstand and the wheel bearings, both of which were subject to a recall/service bulletin. Hopefully there aren't any '03s out there that still have the old parts, but if you start looking at '03s look for orange seals on the wheel bearings and an "R" stamped on either the base of the kickstand or the little peg that the spring wraps around. That being said, I certainly wouldn't shy away from a deal on an '03 if you didn't mind swapping out the belt/pulleys for the '04+ style or if they had already been replaced. The XBs received continual improvements each year, the notable changes being the new belts on the '04 models, larger forks (43mm) on '05 models, a quieter fuel pump in the middle of the '05 model year (based on build date, I *think* it started in September, check the sticker on the right side of the frame near the VIN), a better transmission and stronger swingarm for '06, etc. | ||
| Vicfirebolt |
wow so your saying if I have the orange wheel bearings they are a recall repair because I do on my 03 firebolt. | ||
| Vicfirebolt |
ok the search feature answered my question for me about the bearings. | ||
| Vicfirebolt |
i love my bike its like the bottom dropped out on the prices right after I spent 6500 bucks on it which kinda bites. |
