| Author | Message | ||
     Darthane |
All right, guys, sound off...how many miles have you racked up on the little XBs, how long have you owned them, and what problems have you had? Picked my Firebolt up June 28th, 2002. 8024 miles as of today, I expect to put ~3000 more on by the end of June. I broke the adjustable section of the shift linkage just last night trying to readjust it. If I can't get a replacement before the tour I've got two backups. Only problem to date...no track time (yet) but quite a few drag runs. I love this bike! Bryan | ||
| Captainplanet |
Had my XB since July 2002. About 5000 miles on it. Only problems I have had is 2 speedo sensors going out. Otherwise, it has been flawless. I love the bike. | ||
| Bud |
14k ( kilometres ) and counting , have the bike almost a year now. 1 oil line rubbed through, ( probably ill fitted with a crash replacement on the swing arm ) otherwise , 2x not starting with the first push on the button  and a rusty race can. A little vibration in the front brake ( almost gone after a track day ) love the bike, gr,m | ||
| Timbo |
Got my 'Bolt in late Oct. 02, but I was still on crutches with a broken leg. Didn't start riding it til the leg was strong enough to support it, about mid December. 3,400 miles since then. Put the race kit and new kickstand on at 500 miles. Had the bearing upgrade at 2,100 miles. No problems at all. I love this bike. For sure, the funnest bike I've ever owned, without a doubt. Oh wait, my taillight bulb did go out on a ride to Willow Springs a couple months back, but my friend and riding buddy Santa Barbara Jim (Jim_Sb) gave me one of his two bulbs from out of his S2 tailight (gotta love redundant systems). Timbo | ||
| Sparky |
11,589 mi + 1 tank of gas since speedo sensor went out last Monday. Bought it 2 wks before Laguna Seca last year. Got the touring passenger seat for the wife, strapped on Stealth bags, rode 2-up on PCH & camped at Laguna. Bike was flawless completely stock. Since then, replaced the sidestand after it fell over once. It's in shop now for speedo sensor and wheel bearings that are leaking. No other problems except for the bouncing headlight beam which just needs a better replacement bulb. Installed the race kit, tall ZG windshield, Ventura rack, Lightning pegs & thermostat for vest. Can't wait to install the new Heli triple clamp to complete my mini-tourer.  Love the adjustable suspension. Great bike. Sparky | ||
| Glitch |
April 4th 2003 XB9S 2000 miles The little reflector under the license plate came off... This is (riding for 30 years) my favorite bike I've owned ... although I'll always remember my first she was a Honda 50 MiniTrail... | ||
| Chainsaw |
June 28th, 2002 (spooky, huh Darth!) 7600 miles, been in HD shops for about 2 weeks last month. Bearings replaced Sidestand replaced lost 1 taillight bulb riding in the rain, water intrusion into taillight housing. Small oil leak at fitting near oil pump, fixed with about 4 cents worth of teflon tape. The fitting seemed like it was 360 degrees from being installed tight from the factory. Love the bike! | ||
| Bykergeek |
53 weeks, 5500 miles. ZERO PROBLEMS. I have had the kickstand and bearings replaced by the dealer under Buell courtesy upgrade but done all the other maintenance myself. THIS BIKE ROCKS! | ||
| Xb9 |
April 20, 2002 #640 changed my life forever. Buellaholicism. Remarkable machine, best bike I've ever owned. It amazes me every time I ride it. 14,825 miles to date Broken Belt @ 12K wheel bearings Frt 8K, Rear 12K Excessive runnout in front wheel - replaced 12.5K Shorted pos. battery cable due to improper factory routing @ 600 mi. (hey, shit happens) I love this bike! I ride it HARD!!! It keeps on ticking! | ||
| Geofg |
Purchased the XB9R May 29, 2002 and now have just under 6800 miles on it. Other than the sidestand and wheel bearings, I've replaced a weepy transmission inspection cover. This bike has been ridden virtually every day since it was purchased and has never left me in a lurch nor misbehaved in any way. It's an excellent machine! -Geof | ||
| Skully |
I purchased mine in November of 2002 and now have about 4200 miles on it. The only problem I've had besides wanting to ride all the time is the parking light wiring harness (unused on US models) came unplugged from the head lamp nacelle and eventually shorted against the steering head causing the auxiliary fuse to blow. I rally like this little bike and enjoy riding more that I have in years. Keith | ||
| Apex1 |
Traded my '00 X1 for the '03 XB9S in Oct. 2000. Approximately 3500 miles so far with no problems. I really enjoy the character of this machine & it seems to keep getting better. It's bone stock except for a K&N filter & a few cosmetics. | ||
| Reepicheep |
 Am I the only tube framer around here noticing that the *entire* list of *all* problems with all the XB's *combined* seem to be fewer then just the problems that *just*I* have had with my 00 M2? Not that the M2 is going away when I get the XB9s. But it really is starting to look like the factory nailed the 9's. | ||
| Prof_stack |
2300 mi on XB9S bought 12/26/02. Last 12% of that came last Saturday running with the big boys (11 Japanese sport bikes), lots of speed/fun. ![:]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) No problems. Great bike! | ||
| Josh_ |
>But it really is starting to look like the factory nailed the 9's. and screwed the tubes? Come on it ain't that bad! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Didn't mean to imply that Josh. I would describe my M2 as a lot of things, but I can't say it is reliable. I can say, given it's incredible range of other fantastic attributes, that it is well worth it and a fantastic bike though. The positives far outweigh the negatives... and even that Harley motor, which has been the root of all my problems, is overall a net gain. I am not surprised that the old tube framers are what they are, and I think they are a screaming good deal right now. What I *am* amazed at is that Buell was able to keep nearly all the cool features of my tube frame but turn it into a reliable bike. *Thats* remarkable. A reliable air cooled pushrod 45 degree twin. Awesome! Then on top of that, Aaron and the Nallins can make one that has all that, and *also* goes like hell. I still have not wrapped my head around the magnitude of that achievement. edited by reepicheep on June 11, 2003 | ||
| Cyclone1 |
The XB has been so friggin flawless! Been keeping a close eye on them (inside and out) and am wishing they had a bigger version. Not getting rid of my M2 though if it ever happens  Frank | ||
| Englishman119 |
Im racing an XB9R. I did 500 street miles for break-in and have now done 400 race miles - Total 900. Engine temp sensor failed at 13 miles. Last weekend while in 2nd place in a 40 lap lightweight race I had a total electrical system failure. Turns out that the fuse protecting the ECM had come loose and in turn, blew the ignition fuse when it arched across the fuse terminals (We think) Now OK (I hope). Otherwise running strong an suprising a few people with an old air-cooled twin. 119 | ||
| Freyke |
Purchased my XB9S in November 2002, I've got 2900Mi and 1 new rear tire... No major issues... Biggest issues have been: A)Wheel Bearings replaced (cost free of course).. B)With the race kit installed it tends to be confused (mapping problem) when not quite up to operating temp.... | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
XB9R purchased May 16 2002. 10,200 miles This is the first bike I have ever owned (I had ridden others in the preceding years). The Firebolt has exceeded every preconceived hope, desire and dream that I expected from the sport of motorcycling. I was bitten by the kickstand in July($200), but otherwise no problems. Mounting my 3rd rear tire today (5500 mi first, 4500 mi second with a plug). Got 7500 miles out of the original front tire, but plan to change it sooner this time. I'll need new front brake pads soon (within 1000 miles). | ||
| Shazam |
over 17,000mi on mine. still love it to death! problems: tail light bulb at 200 mi, oil pump fitting 16k mi, high beam flasher switch 8k mi, front rotor at 14k mi, clutch cable(lots of foul/wet riding) at 13k mi. I think that's it! also have done three track days on it so far this summer. no problemo! did about 800 miles on the X1 over the weekend(starter gasket failure) got on the XB and was shocked by how tiny/light it felt......I haven't been riding the tuber much this year! wonder why? edited by shazam on June 12, 2003 | ||
| Darthane |
I tacked on 3008 miles on the NE Adventure over the past week and a half. I'm sitting at 11,248 miles right now. Ran the piss out of the thing the first couple days of it trying to keep up with XB9 - no leaks, no eating oil, no nothing. My front wheel is now out of whack...trying to get them to replace it, but I'll probably have to end up eating the cost. I LOVE THIS BIKE! Bryan | ||
| Shazam |
DarthAne, please explain..... the symptoms? | ||
| Darthane |
Shazam, see post here - http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=4062&post=174387#POST 174387 I don't want to clutter this thread explaining. Bryan | ||
| Dblhaulxb9s |
Hey, Bought my XB9S in December in Gunnison, CO. Only 4700 miles so far. Had Wheel bearing upgrade, replaced neck bearing, and burned 2 rear tires already (no burnouts, just hard riding). Love this bike so much it hurts. Later. Morgan | ||
| Darthane |
Maybe we should stop this thread...we're going to make all the tubers feel bad. Heehee... -=runs=- | ||
| Prof_stack |
And that's what is apparently happening. The XB's seem to be accomplishing Erik Buell's goal of getting more reliable bikes to the market. The P3 Blast was the "rough draft" for the XB. I know, I rode it for 2+ years. Great fun bike. The XB's are the "final draft" (excuse my professorly lingo) although some hope a step towards an XB12. Whatever. Buell reawakened my love for riding. | ||
| Darthane |
Ditto - but I still have the Blast as well. Killed a speedo sensor on it, the rocker boxes leaked, and I snapped a dash panel in half. I think those where the only issues I had with the P3. Since my 'bolt is in the shop right now, I'm thumping around - this bike is STILL a lot of fun. Bryan | ||
| Fireboltgeo |
XB9R, end of August '02, close to 16,000 miles Beside tires, replaced 1 taillight bulb a couple weeks ago and the wheel bearings on recall. The rear bearing went bad during a ride. Luckily, I got home but had to have the dealer come out and take it in for the repair. I was scheduled for the 10,000 mile interval anyway. Heat off the motor is my big issue! |
