| Author | Message | ||
     Lost_in_ohio |
Well my front brake light switch had been acting up most of the summer. I would clean it with contact cleaner and it would be ok for a week or so. Yes I recoated the connections with die electric grease when I re assembled it. Well I was at the dealer and thought, hey it's still under warranty lets just have them get me a switch. So I stop by the Service writers desk and asked.....My buell is still under warranty and my front brake light switch is bad, could you get me one. The response was NO you need to leave the bike with us so we can do a diagnostic. This time a year, it will be at least a week till we can get too it. WTF, I already did the troubleshooting and know whats wrong, I told him I could demonstrate and duplicate the problem and all I really needed was the switch. Again NO they need to be the troubleshooting after all they are the experts. So lose my bike for a week for a $10 switch. I ride that darn thing every single day, ridiculous. I understand procedures but a week for a switch...... In a nutshell a poor dealer made the warranty not worth the paper it was written on. | ||
| Teeps |
I ran into the same situation, when the battery in my '06 Uly took a crap. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/207872.html In the end it was not worth the inconvenience, to me, to leave the bike for 3 days, after a 2 week wait for an appointment. So I bought a battery and installed it my self. My bike has been to the dealer 2 times, side stand and BAS recalls. I waited for the BAS recall, 2.5 hours. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
I have the same probably with my switch. I won't take it in. 99% of my braking is with the rear and if I use the front it's while braking with the rear as well. Stop lights are the only time I use it... | ||
| Aeholton |
99% of my braking is with the rear and if I use the front it's while braking with the rear as well. Stop lights are the only time I use it... You're kidding, right? | ||
| New12r |
In town I use the rear brake as my primary on the Uly. Most of the time I coast no handed to a stop using only the rear brake, and make a complete stop without ever putting my hands on the bars. All you rear brake haters can back off, it is a choice. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
I was being drastic...but I do use it much more than the front. | ||
| Hr_puffinstuff |
i am having the same trouble getting the clutch cable and bracket replaced. no diagnostics involved. two different dealers, same response. they don't have the parts, and can't order them until i leave the bike there. i understand them not letting me do the warranty work, but i get hung up on them not ordering the parts before i bring it in. it took three weeks and multiple phone calls just to get the bible and a tank bra, and that didn't include them doing any work on the bike. i was, in fact, at one of the dealers for a front tire. i told them about the bracket and cable, and they said they would "look at it". that's all they did was look, i guess. it wasn't even listed on the work order...which they went over on, BTW. the estimate was $225, they made me initial the little box saying they wouldn't go over $240, yet the total was $243. i know, $3...but for a $225 estimate? i would be THRILLED if someone could explain this to me. | ||
| Xl_cheese |
99% of my braking is with the rear That is poor braking technique. 75% of your stopping power comes from the front. If you ever have to make a panic stop you will crash. I'm not trying to call you out or anything like that. You should really look into braking techinque and try to learn the right way to do it. | ||
| Scbuellkat |
What do you do if you have to stop fast? Push the rear brake harder or finally grab the front? | ||
| Jaimec |
I'm still trying to come to terms with coasting to a stop with the rear brake only and both hands OFF the bars. Good way to get KILLED here in New York... | ||
| Xl_cheese |
I would not criticize these guys that harsh. If they have never been taught how to do it right then they simply do not know. At least make an effort to point them in the right direction... | ||
| Firebolt32 |
I was being drastic...but I do use it much more than the front. I was basically stating that the front brake switch was not something for me to stress about replacing. What do you do if you have to stop fast? Stomp and squeeze. My first reaction has always been foot then hand. I personally just use my foot more. Come on guys...I've watched Jerry "Motorman" Palladino, "Ride It Like A Pro."  | ||
| Clarkjw |
I commute to NYC daily. Rear brake is very useful for city riding, where speed modulation is important as traffic patterns change. There is no way I could survive with only the rear though. Be careful buddy. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Good way to get KILLED here in New York... That's the truth . . . I ride each mile like I need to be in total control of my survival. What we do is what forms our habits. I'm not lecturing but please extinguish the rear braking technique before you commute on the Gowanus, BQE, FDR or Bruckner. I'm off to the first day of class at Columbia and you can bet your ass I'll be in full gear and using the best braking technique I can marshall. This ain't Iowa.  | ||
| New12r |
That is poor braking technique. 75% of your stopping power comes from the front. If you ever have to make a panic stop you will crash. Made a panic stop yesterday, no crash, funny how I use the front brakes when needed. What do you do if you have to stop fast? Push the rear brake harder or finally grab the front? I know how to brake, but why do I want to waste EBCHH pads for commuting when the rear works just fine. I'm still trying to come to terms with coasting to a stop with the rear brake only and both hands OFF the bars. Good way to get KILLED here in New York... I dont live in NY, I live in Atlanta, and I am still alive I dont need any lessons on technique, follow me around a racetrack and tell me about my technique, if you can keep me in sight.... My commute and my choice of brakes is my way, it works for me. I have rarely stomped the rear brake in a panic, and I can slide with it locked and recover as I have done in the past. I practice braking in parking lots, panic stops, stoppies, sliding the rear, I have great machine control and until you ride with me keep your mouths shut. Really you armchair critics need to get a clue.... And for the record, I know darn well I am not the best/fastest/etc...Still learning. | ||
| Jake_blues |
had the same problem w/ my dealer. wound up sitting in their shop for a MONTH before i finally called buell and reported it, the head mechanic called back furious and finally told me the part was on back order, and to find another dealer to work on my bike...i said ok and w/in 30 mins i located a dealer w/ a voltage regulator in stock, but 200 miles away so i just paid for the part and installed it myself, even though it woulda been covered under the extended warranty. | ||
| Hr_puffinstuff |
thanks for the threadjack WTF does braking with the pedal have to do with the dealer problems SOOOOOO many people are having?? isn't there another section dedicated to riding technique? or is this just another way of saying " yes, you're screwed, and you're right, the warranty is worthless"?? i'm scared to think of what will happen if something serious goes to shit. forgive me if i seem a little over the top here, but i'm riding to iNdY next week, and i'm a little paranoid that the zip-tie put on by the dealer is going to leave me w/o a cable somewhere in the middle of IL. is there something (besides bitching) that i can do about this? i like being blown, but being blown off is getting old in a hurry. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
Well I think my original comment should have been worded better to keeps folks on topic. Maybe..."My switch is bad too." Everyone wants to help you until you say you ride a Buell. Every part that I've ever had to get has never been in stock. When order takes no less than 2 weeks. I bite my tongue and give the bike a once over more often. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Really you armchair critics need to get a clue.... No one is criticizing you. I can't speak for others but my true and genuine intent is to educate. I've had many dear friends killed on Buells. Most were due to lack of training and skill. Your technique may work great for the casual stop at an intersection but we tend, in panic, to act on habit. I never intended on crashing an airplane but used to spend hours doing emergency drills. I do a similar thing on bikes. When the shit hits the fan, I want my instant, without thought, reaction, to be so drilled in it "just happens". The argument about saving money on brakes pads is pure silliness. | ||
| Birdy |
Yep my front brake switch died too. Yep got to leave it a week or more for a $10.00 switch. My A$$, I walked down to the parts counter and ordered the damn thing myself. Took a week to get and 5 mins to put on. So they'd had the bike 2 weeks over a dinky little switch. I really think that the Stealerships hurt themselves more by the kind of crap than they know. As I found a new dealer and when I trade the STT in on the XB12X I want guess where I'll spend MY money at? (Message edited by Birdy on September 02, 2008) | ||
| U4euh |
Court what can puffinstuff do? Let's keep it on track guys? | ||
| New12r |
sorry for the tj.... All HR can do is order the part and install it himself, or wait... No company will let the average joe do warranty work, that is a huge liability to the company, even as trivial as a brake switch. I have done all my own warranty repairs to avoid downtime and screw ups by dealer techs who dont have a clue. | ||
| Lighting |
I only use my rear in my Shovel head bobber because I don't have any front brakes, in my Buell hardly use the rear. When I took the bobber to get inspected since is home made, the inspector at Florida DOT ask my what kind of brakes I had and my answer was OH SH>T!!!!!!!!!, he busted out laughing at my reply. Truly I use 75% front brakes when stopping. | ||
| Brumbear |
1 wet steel plate and first the muffled sound of bike crashing then the crunch of the cabbie running you over. TREAT THE REAR BRAKE LIKE A PLAUGUE don't touch it unless you have to | ||
| Packrat |
"Most of the time I coast no handed to a stop using only the rear brake, and make a complete stop without ever putting my hands on the bars." And you do this while driving in Atlanta , Ga. ??? Good luck with all that!!! | ||
| Damnut |
I use the rear brake more than the front as well when riding. For me I think it is just a habit from motocross racing. Why would they even have one there if your not suppose to use it? I suppose the front brake hoarders have never heard of trail braking as well........... To each's own I say. | ||
| Damnut |
Oh and just fix the switch yourself........ | ||
| Starter |
WTF!!!! Why are you guys leaving your bikes at dealerships for crazy periods of time over minor faults when the bike is still running? Every single warranty experience I have ever had on numerous bikes has been a quick inspection and a call when the part was in to organise fitting. Sometimes warranty is not worth the wait......... | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I suppose the front brake hoarders have never heard of trail braking as well........... You just like saying HOarders | ||
| Krassh |
Same here. I had a leaking neutral switch on my 1125R and while they were ordering it I still had my bike. In fact while I was waiting I noticed my front brake line the outer covering was being cut through by the fender. So they added that to the list and ordered it. Also they told me about another 1125R that had paint peeling off the exhaust and they power coated it under warranty. They are going to do the same to mine. Also in the meantime my left rear turn signal went out. Now here I spoke to the assistant in the service dept. and she indicated they would have to diagnose it. So I spoke to the service manager and convinced him the only way these LED turn signals go is completely and they need replaced. So he put that on order for me. That service manager just retired so lets see how much trouble I get from the newly promoted assistant. There should be no reason for a perfectly running bike to be in the service dept waiting for parts. | ||
| Yardsale |
ya know, it really does kinda suck when they hold your bike for something that seems so minor. the problem with a brake light not working tho is that it would be considered a safety item and the bike would not be released with a safety fault on it. (you would think they would at least stock a brake switch tho...) if a dealership holds your bike for any other part on order that is not a safety item however would be rediculous. i work at an automotive dealer and we order parts for people and let them take their cars until they have the chance to come back allllllll the time. but of course, its harder to find a part of a motorcycle that ISNT a safety item. | ||
| Wantxbr |
Lost_in_ohio How about setting up an appointment to bring it back when they actually have the time to look at it so your not out your bike for so long. As bull headed as the Dealers are around here they will still do this. Shouldn't be a problem for them at all. | ||
| Bombardier |
Put your warranty/repair request in writing. Tell them or actually send a copy to buell and let them know you have done this and request that they order in the parts and book a time/day for the repairs to be done. |
