| Author | Message | ||
     Ridrx |
As I've said before I have faith that something is happening, I just wish I had a "It will all be resolved by (date)" +1 I've recently begun riding my bike more than I had previously and the headlights are becoming more of a concern. I don't own a cage, I ride day, night, rain, whatever...they have been a huge safety concern for me since the bike was 6mos old. Especially after riding with Steve_Mackay with his (DOT approved) Hella head light. Even though he only had the low beam on his working it put out much more light than my 'bolt with both beams lit. That pushed my sense of urgency on this matter up a notch or two because it solidified some of my concerns that had previously been a little less pressing because I did not really conceptualize how different the output was. I just wish there were some way to show the people who "don't have this problem", that more likely than not, they DO have this issue and just don't know it. No matter, as I've just about convinced myself that if I have to cut up my fairing to have decent lights...I'm gonna graft on some Duc 1098 lanterns and see how that goes. | ||
| Court |
>>>> I just wish I had a "It will all be resolved by (date)" You are not alone in that regard. I know some folks who would LOVE to have that date. I learned a great deal by reading the performance metrics (previously posted) and then reminding myself that Buell actually makes 7 different XB9S models (US, California, Canada, England, HDI, Australia, & Japan) each with their own detailed spec on the order of 78 pages. After some study I realized that my problem last year, when my $48,000,000 Hyundai transformer was too big to fit in the door, was kids play compared to what the folks at Buell might be going through. Yeah . . LOTS of folks would like that date. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I know Court, and I'm a patient guy. This is the place to ask questions and voice concerns though so that's what I'm doing. As modified as my bike is one more mod is not going to stop me, except for the fact that I am a cheap and hate to spend money that I don't have to....Unless this is going to be drawn out beyond a point that I feel exposes me to undue risk whether from other traffic, road hazards, of furry critters that could wander unseen into my path. After all I've been through I'm an ATGATT crusader and I dislike taking what I see as un-due risks. So please guys bear with me. If I don't ask I'll never get the answers I'm looking for  | ||
| Diablobrian |
Well Court, I understand that a change is being made to the 08 firebolt's headlights is that correct? If so can we expect a retrofit program as the stock of updated parts becomes available? Or is this still in limbo? I figured I'd just ask straight out instead of dancing around it. Word is the DOT is sniffing around and I hope that Buell can get this fixed before the feds get involved and we have a new bunch of fodder for the journalists about our beloved brand. There is nothing that can be done that the government can't do less efficiently and more expensively. I was hoping that it would never come to this. FWIW if something doesn't happen soon I'm going to start making plans to go with the Hella install this winter and start ordering parts and bugging Steve for a bracket. | ||
| Bombardier |
I have just bought the 07 XB12R and I can tell you that despite the headlight shining to the other side of the road(Australian Delivery) the illumination is pretty poor. Maybe I have been spoiled by my 1983 K100 BMW single bulb headlight. | ||
| Midknyte |
Bombardier, Longevity of the housings aside - you'll get a better, whiter light with a pair of Silverstar lamps | ||
| Ridrx |
Court, Just wondered if you had ANY new info on this topic? It won't be long before darkness consumes the hours in which I commute to work. I was truly hoping this would be corrected before the dark winter hours returned. I find that silence is rarely an indication of good things. | ||
| Ridrx |
Well, looks like the mid-August goal was a bust. I'm not shocked. I'm having some doubts that we will ever see a solution.  | ||
| Ducxl |
Ridrx,Court washed his hands with this subject awhile ago.Maybe because i questioned his integrity on the subject of a potential purchase by someone who was guaranteed the fix was done.I stated that a salesman will tell the customer "anything" to seal the deal. You should take Courts original advice and politely write BMC regarding YOUR poor headlight assembly.Acording to sources,BMC is lightyears ahead of the competition in resolving such issues. Court,i realise this is your forum.I am not trolling you out so,disregard my statements please. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I was just getting ready to ask if there was any news on this... I'm a patient guy, I can be patient a little longer. While I'm sure installing Hella 90mm's will make me happy performance wise it will make me far less happy if I do it out of my pocket only to have Buell issue a recall/replacement notice the next day. | ||
| Ducxl |
I now ride at night with my high beam on just to see the road.I got a soda tossed on me while on the highway the other night by a car just ahead of me because the high beam..well..is too bright for traffic ahead. I love the bike/hate the headlight | ||
| Bombardier |
Just bought the hid kit for my bike. Wont need it for as while due to the swingarm issue but will let you guys know how it goes. Will include photos for others to follow if you like. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Is there an end in sight for this yet? My Sept 16 post pretty well sums up my thoughts, except that it is getting dark fairly early this time of year... Hello?....Is this thing on? test...test | ||
| Ridrx |
Nope. A friend of mine called BMC to inquire about the lighting resolution as he is looking at a used 'Bolt and wondered if it's covered under the two yr warranty. The response was..."We are not aware of any light issues with the Firebolt." Appears they are going to do what's been done for the last few YEARS... After all ONLY one bike has caught fire, no cause for alarm right? Where can we('Bolt owners) get a .00098%'s patch? LOL. (Message edited by RidrX on October 20, 2007) | ||
| Diablobrian |
Well, if Steve_Mackay gets his wish and upgrades to an 1125r fairing maybe I can swing a deal with him for his Hella headlights and the mounts be made for them...... it's either that or somehow con him into making me a mount plate for my bike so I can work on retrofitting the head- lights this winter. I guess that would be further incentive to go ahead and re-paint my bike since I'll probably have repairs to make around the headlights anyway... | ||
| Damnut |
I had a fellow from the DOT in Washington DC sitting on my back porch a few months back. We were talking Firebolt headlights and he seemed interested in what my problem with the headlights was. I showed him a few pair of discolored and melted headlights. He even took the melted pair back to DC with him. Well it's been several months since the DOT took a pair of burnt headlights from me and even LONGER since I sent a pair to Buell to check out. I haven't heard anything from either one of them and at this point I don't really care anymore. I don't know maybe I'm imagining that I can't see well at night............. Even though I am going to hate changing the factory look of the headlights, I believe that I am going to do the Hella kit. I ride all winter and the 40 mile commute home from work at night really sucks with shity headlights. I'm glad I just bought a little Triumph Adventurer for a second bike so that I don't have to do the conversion right away. | ||
| Damnut |
Well I found out last night that I'm getting my headlights back and I have to say that I am excited!!!!! | ||
| Ducxl |
Thanks for passing the info along Damnut.I too am now excited we've been provided a solution. | ||
| Old_man |
What is the FIX?? | ||
| Damnut |
patience | ||
| Old_man |
Oh, it's a secret. | ||
| Damnut |
for now.......... | ||
| Diablobrian |
I have a hard time working up any enthusiasm for a "secret fix"... | ||
| Damnut |
you should.............. | ||
| Ducxl |
Loose lips sink ships | ||
| Court |
 | ||
| Old_man |
I'll guess - I don't know, so no need to give any credence. We don't want to give away the secret. (A metal reflector insert)? | ||
| Dbird29 |
You are thinking too small. It is a.... brand new 1125R! | ||
| Retrittion |
So is there a fix or not -- I took my '07 12R out of the garage the other night and now that I am paying attention to it the light output is sub-par. This is on a garaged bike with 5K or so miles on it. When I take off my faring to install my new dash face I'm going to check the headlights for lamp/reflector issues. BTW, would really be nice to get a straight answer on this Damnut -- if you got some info/answers from a dealership or Buell I would really like it, since I am most likely going to be talking to one/both after my inspection. Cheers, Ret | ||
| Damnut |
I would just like to state that I haven't received any information about his situation from Buell, HD or any dealership. Talk to your dealership and see if the headlights can be replaced under warranty if they are bad. |
