| Author | Message | ||
     Bomber |
one page piece in Motorcycle Connsumer this month, written by a Ducati tech about a good friend's scoot ... numerous electrical glitches, er, anonmolies (sorry glitch) have caused both the owner and the author (the guys waht maintains/fixes it) it apparently give up on the poor dear, and send it down the road -- the problems have caused the owner to miss one too many long trips, returning home on the end of a hook, and, overall, made this particular Duck sound like it was built on an indian burial ground Not knocking Ducks, always admired them, will likely own one someday, but posted for those who are convinced that Buell is the only manufacturer to have difficutlies OK, how do I edit the really poor typing job I did on the Topic line? sheesh, I should KNOW not to type without sufficient caffine! (Message edited by bomber on September 20, 2004) | ||
| Rocketman |
Bomber, you didn't say which Ducati. The 999 genre have that single wire thingy don't they, where most everything go's down one wire. Just tonight I was looking at an 02 Kwak 636 for a friend. It had done about 14000 miles in just over two years. The full service history revealed the dealer had NOT greased the three grease nipples at the bottom shock linkage. Paint was peeling off all around the blacking of the mirror mounts, ignition switch surround and insides of many allen screw heads. The lacquer on the swing arm was peeling and many of the fins on the radiator had corroded. The stock fit rear hugger had a small shape the size of someones top lip took out of the rear most edge, where the tyre had chewed at it. The clutch housing had rubbing marks present from where the fairing had come into contact, presumably at high speed, with it. I could go on. Yes for a two year old 636 it displayed signs of owner abuse, but I was shocked at the overall poor build quality of the machine. The guy wanted three grand minimum. My mate offered two eight. I was glad for my friend the seller stuck to his guns. Suffice to say, he came home bike less - not a bad thing this time. My 10 year old 916 is stunning in comparison. You pays your money. Rocket | ||
| Sshbsn |
So it goes for the Italian and Japanese bikes it seems. And then there's my XB with 7500 very spirited miles and not a problem yet!  | ||
| Tbs_stunta |
So its Buells and Triumphs that rock then. | ||
| Bomber |
Rocket -- I believce it was an S2 (sport touring? not entirely up on Duck nomenclature) as I said, didn't mean to bad rap ducks, coulda chosen Honda, Kawi, darned near any scoot, and there would be problems . . . . . . if it's built by the hand of man, it's got the potential to malfunction most Japanese bikes are most definately built to a price, although the fit and finish on most Hondas belies that fact | ||
| Budo |
It was a ST2 with 17k or more mileage. Also there is a recall on the new BMW 1200gs. Seems improper assembly during the build process may have damaged the wheel hub seal or oring allowing grease to leak out. The real problem is a owner wrote in to say that his dealer does not have the part and does not know when he will get it and does not have the special tool required for the repair and does not know when he will get it. This guy has 700 miles on his GS and he said the rear wheel was coated in grease so he can't ride it until it is repaired. Sure other makers have problems but Buell seems to be the front runner for motors grenading, even multiple times. | ||
| Rick_a |
I rode home a couple hundred miles on the highway with a blown head gasket (and a passenger). I'd call that a pretty tough motor. Why they supposedly grenade so frequently I'd like to know. About used bikes...my 17,000 mile Buell looks like it's been to hell and back, but is completely mechanically sound. Looks aren't everything. | ||
| Glitch |
(sorry glitch) It's OK. My clutch cable broke last week, well almost broke, made it home on a couple of strands. But I digress. While talking Ann about getting one from Daves, she says something like "that Buell, what is it now" She remembers the Bandit best so we comapred the two. Buell, one and a half years old. numerous sets of tires, a stator, and a clutch cable, two sets of brakes, one battery, 26,000 miles. Bandit, had it for four years, several sets of tires, several sets of brakes, a clutch cable, electronic ignition module, muffler (rusted a hole in it), front and rear bearings, two batteries, head job (bent valve), timing chain, some more stuff I can't remember, plus the fact that it went through oil like crazy, 35,000 miles. She says "oh yeah" ... "the Buell is a much better bike, you ride it way more"... | ||
| Henrik |
What I found interesting in that article, was the mental change of the owner after those failures. I recognize the symptoms. I guess this article puts into words how bad experiences of bike ownership can sour the owner on a brand/type of bike. Henrik | ||
| Bomber |
Henrik I, too, recognized the feelings -- there were years when I felt like I was carrying an untrustworthy car on my back every time I left the city limits -- exahusting, and no way to "enjoy" motorcycling, I'm thinkin (of course, that's what happened in the dim time when all you can afford is something the junk yard won't touch ;-} ) |
