| Author | Message | ||
     Xbgeorge |
I am going to pick my 12R up from the dealer today. It was being serviced for the broken clutch cable bracket. I also asked them to look into the off idle flat spot. The service dept called to tell me the the bike was ready. The write up said that the tech uploaded the ECM with the latest program. Has there been another reflash? I ask because I already had the bike reflashed in June. I will report how it feels after I ride it a couple of days. Maybe this will give better MPGs? One can hope. | ||
| Srwitt |
I hope so, I'm getting a consistent 40mpg on my 08 12R | ||
| Xbgeorge |
That is what I get also. Better than the 33 I was getting before the first reflash. | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Please do let us know! This is a hot topic over in two other threads. I too have had my bike re-flashed on 7/28. They said it was the Tach re-flash. I still get only 40 MPG. Thanx! john | ||
| Cable |
I just signed on here for the first time, I am finding some good things. I got my first Buell about 2 months ago, and love it. Whats the reflash that you guys are talking about? By the sounds of it I'm guessing that it has to do with the fuel injection mapping on the ECM. | ||
| Xbgeorge |
No new news to report. It is the same reflash as I got in June. The tech just loaded it again. He did say that the bike wasn't running right. He reset the TPS and checked out the fuel system from the pump to the injectors. Everything seemed fine. After my first 15 mile ride I can report that it still has the off idle dead spot and the flat spot at 4200-4500. I will try to put some miles on it to check out the MPG. The new clutch cable bracket is much improved over the older design. As a side note, I want to give a shout out to Uke's HD/Buell in Kenosha, Wi. They continue to impress me with their service. Everybody seems really friendly and eager to please the customer. | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Welcome, still fairly new myself. Yes you are exactly correct. As far as I know, all of us 2008 owners are experiencing MPG of 40 and less. Last week there was finally a release of a new ECM flash for the 1125R only, which stated that it significantly improved MPG. How is your mileage? | ||
| Cable |
I will have to take my bike to the dealer and see about the reflash then. My gas mileage I thought it was pretty bad considering they advertise as 50-60MPG and I was luck to be getting 35. I had the same problem with my clutch cable bracket the lower part of the top bracket broke and the cable melted against the exhaust. Got that fixed with the 1000 mile service though. Any suggestions for a good after market exhaust anyone? | ||
| Werewulf |
im having my 08 reflashed into an 06 ...actually, i got tired of the run around on the driveabilty problems and dumped it... life is short and the complete lack of interest by customer service on solving the problem, did it for me... i have a bud with a clean 06 model that im looking into buying... | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Let us know how it goes. I couldn't agree with you more! There is NO interest in helping us solve the issue. I think I will call HD again with my recent case #, which I am sure they closed, and ask a few more questions. After all they did release a new flash for their 1125R. ....but of course it's all about the 1125R now isn't it? I go in for my clutch bracket and severely melted clutch cable on 8/13. (Message edited by Arctic_Firebolt on August 08, 2008) | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Interesting they told you they reset the TPS. From my understanding there is no TPS reset on the 08s. | ||
| Darthane |
It can still be done (and probably should be done now and then), it simply doesn't require an outside device to accomplish like the older FI bikes. | ||
| Buelldualsport |
Need to take exception that Buell not HD Customer Service is not interested in solving the problem. A polite phone call, followed by a factually written letter will generate the required solution from Buell. Give it a try and see what happens, if you are not satisfied, ping Court and let him know what is happening. Good Luck | ||
| Akbuell |
Sorry, guys, to hear of your situation re mileage. On my recent trip, I had mileages run from a low of 45.2mpg to a high of 50.3mpg. (That turned out to be a VERY fortunate tankful, as I missed a fuel stop and ended up going some 185mi on that tank!) The vast majority of fillups were in the 48mpg range. Stupid ethanol. Am definitely counting my blessings. Hope your issues get resolved! | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Well Buelldualsport, I certainly hear you but I respectfully disagree. I tried the polite phone call and got no where. I even have a case #. There is simply no warranty issue for getting 25 MPG less than the posted numbers in their 2008 catalog page 46, (XB12R). From the customers stance, there is no separation between a Buell or HD customer rep, as well as when you call in to their main number. When we bring in our bikes we only talk to the adviser at the desk and they handle both. Agreed a polite letter will be next. Written word always seems to demand more attention. I haven't actually pinged Court but I did reply-in-general, to one of his postings. If you call HD/Buell customer support in WI you will even be asked, "what is the posted MPG for that model?" By now everyone in the building should know, it is then explained to you the many possibilities for not achieving it. If I was told that they are aware of the problem, they are working on a solution and will let me know, via, email, U.S. Mail or phone when they are ready to fix it. I wouldn't bother them again until Christmas. .....but work with me a little here. (Message edited by Arctic_Firebolt on August 08, 2008) | ||
| Werewulf |
after several calls to customer service, it was obvious that nothing was going to be done... fuel mileage was never an issue with me, but surging and stumbling were... i know that its forbidden to criticize, but if this was a car and not a motorcycle, the lemon law in my state would make them eat it... after owning five buells 10 harleys ane 4 beemers, i think i know a defective product... my 07 nightster, turn the key and ride,. my 08 roadking, turn the key and ride... why does one have to expect less from a new buell...so far, the only thing i got from cutomer service other than being on hold for 38 minutes, is the "pee on my foot and tell me its raining" story... i asked the lady, what she would do if she was in my shoes and she replied "just enjoy your bike".. my pal, has a pristine 06 that runs like a champ for 5500 bucks, no surging stalling or flat spots...i think i will buy it... | ||
| Boltrider |
My mileage hasn't changed much. My last 2 tanks netted me 38 mpg, most all of it in-town. On the occasional days when I use the freeway, mpg will bump into the low 40's, with my highest so far being 43 mpg. It would be nice if the mileage more closely resembled Buell's published claims, but the bike runs so strong that I would feel weird if I complained about it. | ||
| Xbgeorge |
I have put 140 miles since the second reflash. The MPG has dropped to 38. That is the lowest I have had since the first reflash. It is popping a lot more at takeoff now. I noticed twice, today, that while accelerating slowly from a stop, the pop occurred at around 2300 rmp. The bike just feels slower also. | ||
| Xl1200r |
My '07 routinely gets 65mpg on the highway. If I had bought an '08 and got that kind of mileage, I'd be beating the door down in East Troy. | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Believe me it's on the agenda!!!  I plan to begin with a letter, hopefully signed by many. | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
what's even funnier is, as I am writing this there is a marquee flashing on my screen from Libertyharley.com advertising the 65 MPG. Love your commute! Save some Green! Find out how.......  PLEASE!! DO TELL!!! I am seeing 41 MPG on my '08 (Message edited by Arctic_Firebolt on August 08, 2008) | ||
| Azxb9r |
Maybe they still have an 07 sitting around  | ||
| Imstellar28 |
I have over 9,000 miles on my 2008 xb12r, and have consistently had the fuel light come on after 100 miles of city driving (33 mpg), and 120-140 miles on the interstate (45mpg). I am looking to trade it in for an xb12x, and just recently test drove an 06--it has way more power, and the engine sounds a lot better. Is it possible that whatever is causing the fuel economy hit, could have also caused engine damage after this many miles? Is this something that would be covered by the warranty? I have contacted my local dealer but they don't seem to have any idea about the ECM reflash--next time I am in there I am going to have them hook it up to the digital tech. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
I know commuting city and highway combo, my bike never gets up to temp and I get in the 40's. Another question is what is your riding gear and how does it fit? loose and flapping in the wind? On a couple long trips I got into the 60's with the bike loaded down with luggage. A strange side note. I recently added a case to the back of my bike, and gained 12 miles to the tank. Weird but true, two tanks back to back so it is fact. Probably improved my aerodynamics somehow. | ||
| Imstellar28 |
5 mpg loss due to aerodynamics I can buy. 5 mpg I can buy for riding style. But 20 mpg lower than stated in the spec? I mean, on one trip I was heading *downhill* at 60mph constant for 3 hours...and even then I barely managed 50 mpg. So your fuel light didn't come on until ~180 miles with a stock ECM on an '08? **edit...I just looked at your profile--says you are riding an '06. This thread only applys to the '08s, no wonder you are getting such good gas mileage  (Message edited by imstellar28 on August 12, 2008) | ||
| Akbuell |
Imstellar28: If you mean me, be totally assured that the fuel light DID come on, right at the 155ish mark. I slowed down to the 55mph range (good for an mpg or two compared to the 65ish mph range), and was definitely beginning to think about sweating bullets. Luck was with me, as there was a station about 3mi further down the road. | ||
| Rhun |
Given the stalling, sputtering and other poor engine issues people are going to have accidents because of this, unless Buell likes class action suites for injury and the like I would think they would be interested in resolving the dangerous engine performance issues. Everyone is MPG conscious now and was a hugh selling point for Buell before 08. I let several people ride my 05 XB because it was such a great bike. I don't with my 08. I'm afraid to let people ride my 08, they could get hurt during a sputter episode. Unless court lives in a cave I'm sure he is aware of the problem. It would be nice if American sport Bike or someone like them stepped up and created a good flash. I would pay for it!! | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
I gave up on the fuel light. My round trip commute is approx. 82 miles. If I don't get gas every day I will only make it one and a half trips. This S@#KS!!! Today I calculated 41MPG....again. | ||
| Imstellar28 |
Akbuell: I was responding to the comment by lost_in_ohio where he said: "On a couple long trips I got into the 60's with the bike loaded down with luggage." | ||
| Imstellar28 |
Has anyone heard of the MPG reports on the 09s? Is it actually fixed for them? I just had my bike reflashed today so I guess I'll find out soon...but riding so far it doesn't seem *that* different..so I can't imagine its running 30% more efficiently. |
