| Author | Message | ||
     Cowboyup |
My 03 xb9s belt snapped at only 1000 miles. When my dealer replaced it he said he had a belt in stock. But when he called the warranty in to Buell, they told him not to use that belt, and they overnighted him a new belt. I assume this is an improved belt. I initially thought it was thicker, but I guess it can't be if the pulleys are unchanged. Is this belt really any better than the original, or should I start saving for the 04 setup? | ||
| Aldaytona |
I almost forgot......THANKS ERIK! | ||
| Rkc00 |
Jon, Sorry to here about your belt. My original 03 belt broke at about 5000 miles. I have the new 03 belt on it now for 3000 miles. We will see how long it lasts. If this belt brakes I will change over to the 04 or get a new City X. Glad to hear you are getting the Technoresearch software. I can be over your house in 45 mins. for a tps adjustment. Hey I have a shop manual and parts list we can use. Email me if you need and pages out of the manual or parts list. Mike Bay Shore Long Island | ||
| Davegess |
Buell has a "no recall" policy? When did this start? Sometime AFTER the federal recall law changed? Just kidding. Buell and H-D have consistenly exceeded all requirements for recalls that the federal law requires. They recall vehicles well before NHTSA would force them to. They do not do things like what Honda has done with the CRV car fires, argue that is a improper service issue not a design flaw that vehicles are lighting themselves on fire. BTW my '03 belt is just fine but then I have not changed tires. | ||
| Xb9er |
The list goes on and on. Guess I should never buy anything again because they will just find a way to make it better or less expensive a couple years down the road. Whatever. Daves, it's job security for you anyway (how many belt kits have you sold?) Not like all this hasn't been argued before. Most things on your list (not PC's) became MORE expensive with the improvements mentioned! Also this was the first model year, and they obviously knew about the problems because they were already putting together the 2004's with all the new stuff while they hurried up to try and sell the rest of the 2003's. It boils down to the belts are a tough one to prove that they break on their own (riding style, riding terrain, careless install could be factors) compared to the wheel bearings. Lovematt: Parts that could potentially compromise rider safety is not a major issue to you? I'm not asking for anything from Buell here. If so, long before now I would have written letters, made phone calls, consulted with lawyers, badmouthed them on BadWeb, etc. as others have done with different issues. I can afford a new belt system. Only one model year, though? Buell could have been nicer to earlier XB customers. I understand it's business, it just would have been a cool thing for Buell to do. One more thing. I chose of my own free will to buy my bike in early August 2002. In my naive mind I thought I was supporting Buell and I would be like a rolling advertisement for a truly innovative bike that I honestly "believed" in and I wanted Buell to keep making them. In 2006 or 2007, I may do the same thing and get a KTM RC8 or RC8 Venom (unless Buell makes a world-class bike that can beat it) and still keep the XB. Mike. | ||
| BadS1 |
You might be waiting longer then that for the KTM.I just read in the Cycle World that its not coming anytime soon. | ||
| Daves |
I just hope that KTM doesn't come out with a RC9 in 2008 then.  | ||
| BadS1 |
How do you know the KTM will be world class they haven't even made it yet.Or even a street bike for that matter yet??? | ||
| Lovematt |
I'll give you the wheel bearings...that is a bad thing in terms of rider safety. But the belt...because it is not a chain I am just waiting for that to break...but I am also not overly concerned about it...if it breaks then I am jacked for a bit of time but everything can be fixed. | ||
| Davegess |
I'll give you the wheel bearings...that is a bad thing in terms of rider safety. WHY, the wheel bearsing don't fail, they do wear out faster than anticipated BUT it is a wear item. ANd Buell has replaced then free of charge. There is no way it should have been a recall. I have done recalls, more than one actually and the wheel bearing is not even close. Yes they do fail in 6 to 7000 miles BUT they are a routine inspection item and will not fail without notice. | ||
| BadS1 |
Dave alot of those bearings failed way before 6-7000 miles.Yes they should be a recall. | ||
| Xb9er |
Yes, the wheel bearings have been known to fail catastrophically. It was not a premature wear problem rather it was failing seals. Happened to two members in my BRAG club, but they are both experienced enough to have recognized the problem was the bearings and stopped at the instant they felt them going bad before it was too late. If it had happened to me, I would not have recognized it and may have crashed. I got my wheel bearings replaced for free while I waited. I didn't say anything about rate of bearing failure at all; the 6-7,000 miles refers to the original 2003 belts. BadS1, the second generation LC8 engine is already out there in the Superduke 990, so by the time the superbike is out, I will know a lot more. And KTM is world class, Harley-Davidson isn't, Buell isn't yet. Visit the KTM website. There is no chance an RC9 in 2008, or whenever, will be cheaper than the RC8 (neither one will be cheap).  Again, about the belts, I think the originals were probably not built to withstand real world conditions. Otherwise they would not have gone to an all new belt drive system the second year. I love V-Twin sportbikes. Time to switch to a new topic. Mike. | ||
| Court |
My take? Dave Gess is dead on with the bearings when he says: There is no way it should have been a recall. I have done recalls, more than one actually and the wheel bearing is not even close. Yes they do fail in 6 to 7000 miles BUT they are a routine inspection item and will not fail without notice. I've been part of a number of recalls all the way from the fabeled dozen flashers to the Canadian Department of Transport that did fail with a steady indication on the dash to swingarms. I even had the pleasure of staying at the factory till midnight tracking down the few bikes that escaped with the bad swingarm machining (we caught all before they reached the dealers). Buells committee that makes the "go-no go" decision acts promptly and tips the scales towards rider safety. If you knew a couple of these guys you'd know that even given their considerable quirks, they are THE PEOPLE I'd want in this role. For a great example of the other side of this coin you need to understand what happened with the teflon sintered bronze bushings when HD introduced the Springer. They were to be a 10K service item and then in practice were found to last darn near forever and a service bulletin advised so. The belts that Buell used for the 20+ years before changing were perfectly fit for service. Having seen FLH's suspended by a Kevlar strand and burnouts on bikes with the belt drilled full of holes, I am a believer. Technology, both in materials and manufacturing, dictated the change, nothing more. Take it for what it's worth, Court | ||
| Court |
Buell Belts? . . . take it from a guy who WEARS one.   | ||
| Ingemar |
Buells committee that makes the "go-no go" decision acts promptly and tips the scales towards rider safety. Not wanting to hi-jack the thread and stray off-topic, but I sure hope more dealers will follow in that direction. | ||
| Darthane |
LOL...I got the 'shaft'? -=snort=- I rode my Buell for two years before those new bikes came out. As someone else said, you can't put a price on that. 1) Big deal. My bike's been bulletproof over the two and ahalf years I've owned it so far, so that extra year would have been wasted. I've got a 4 year extended and am damned near sure that that will end up being wasted money, too. Warrantees are only useful if you use them!  2) You always pay more for new things. If you can't hack that, don't buy anything. 3) My belt system has been bulletproof through 17K miles. There are people with the 'bulletproof' '04 belts that broke them with significantly less mileage than that. The only problems with the '03 belts, as I've said before and will again, are the nuts putting them together. I replaced my belt at 16K miles with the 'new' '03 belt. The original is still in great shape and was kept as a spare. 4) They replaced mine for free, no questions asked, so why is this a problem? 5) I can see fine out of my mirrors. I recently purchased new mirrors from RRC that are even smaller and closer in...can see fine from those as well. It always cracks me up when people lump '03 XBs in statements like that. You only got shafted if you don't like the bike and are just looking for reasons to complain. The rest of us smile and ride on. | ||
| Jeremyh |
i have to disagree with item #5. UNLESS OF COURSE YOU ARE AS THICK AS A TWIG. | ||
| Glitch |
The rest of us smile and ride on. And on and on and on.... | ||
| Burner |
the wheel bearing is a big issue!mine failed at 3200 miles while running 80+mph.front wheel completly locked up and went for a hell of a ride.yes buell did replace my bearings,but not till after the fact.this service bulliten issue and no recall notice is a bunch of crap.how many riders are out there now with black bearings and dont have knowledge of this and find out the way i did.my bike was at the dealer 2 days before this gettting a new rear tire and nothing was ever said.called buell and they blamed the dealer.buell better get off their ••• and send notices to everyone that owns the affectted bike.by the way i have never used a pressure washer on my bike,the dealer says this is what happened | ||
| Court |
To those who got the shaft I have an secret.....teach the manufacturers a real lesson and wait until the 2084 models are released. That'll fix'em. Court (think how the poor saps who bought 1997 F-250HD pickups from Ford felt?) | ||
| BadS1 |
XB9ER HD is not world class????What are you nuts??I have the artical your bike is not in the near future and and that LC8 motor I'll bet that its configured completely different then what they would do for a naked bike or a sportbike.KTM is world class....not yet in my book they need to release bikes first.The reason BUELL switched the type of belts and this was straight from Erik's mouth was not because they failed it was to many techs and consumer's handled the belts in a improper way during installation. | ||
| Darthane |
Jeremy, note my phrase was "*I* can see fine out of my mirrors." Not you, not everyone, but ME.
And I say again, the only problem with the '03 belts was the nuts putting them together. | ||
| BadS1 |
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| Xb9er |
Last I heard H-D doesn't race in any major sportbike races. Duh, I hope the LC8 is configured differently for the sportbikes and I said we're looking at 2007 but I don't know when they will be available in the US. My XB will definitely keep me happy until then. Wait, KTM needs to release bikes? Did you just wake up from a deep coma? Then why did they decide to produce a second generation Gates belt if it was only human error causing failures? I like my XB. I have a feeling I will like the RC-8 just as much. Mike. | ||
| Xb9er |
I could see perfectly well with the original mirrors too. I could see my arms just fine, and a little bit of the road behind me on the outside part of the mirrors. It's important to me to be able to just glance over at either mirror and see what's behind me with no head movement and without having to move my upper body. I'm not saying those were the worst mirrors ever on a bike, but they got significantly better with the next generation. Mike. (Message edited by xb9er on November 01, 2004) | ||
| BadS1 |
And either does KTM other then moto cross.There not really highly being to recognized anywhere else.2007 is soon the 06's will be hitting floors soon from some manufactures.KTM has been blowing smoke up everyones arse for what almost 3 yrs.HD does drags now and are now running away with it.BUELL HD'S sister company sorta is doing very well with just a dealer sponsored FX bike and may do better next year. | ||
| Xb9er |
KTM: Motocross and Enduro, Dakkar Rally, Supermoto, Casey Stoner in 125cc. We'll see a Buell on the podium in 2005 FX. | ||
| Court |
>>>> wanted Buell to keep making them. In 2006 or 2007, I may do the same thing and get a KTM RC8 or RC8 Venom (unless Buell makes a world-class bike that can beat it) and still keep the XB. Go ahead and start writing the check to your Buell dealer. I love KTM's for what they are good at. They are not particularly good at street bikes and the "KTM Superbike" has been the ultimate moto-vapor-ware. Folks were wanting to put down deposits 3 years ago, reading Alan Cathcart's "it'll be here in 2 months" lines...never happened. Buell, since KTM first announced the superbike was imminent, has introduced FOR SALE, several killer street bikes. Get that check book ready. Just my opinion.... Court | ||
| BadS1 |
Like I said XB9ER that is all dirt bikes.Give us a real street bike then we'll talk.I see what KTM has going and its all good but thats not street.I hope it does come out with the bikes but as court said its been 3 years and nothing and they are now saying no time soon.Hell Fischer is gonna put there bike out before them and there a brand new company. | ||
| Xb9er |
Casey Stoner is a factory KTM rider in 125cc on the MotoGP Championship circuit. I know, big deal, right? Man, you guys are harsh. Give me a little credit for at least not succumbing to the Asian repli-bike madness. What's wrong with always wanting something different...in _ _ _ _ sense, even if it isn't a Buell? Mike. |
