Hello. Some great info, but you are pretty high on your horse regarding Buells. They are prone to failure like any other bike... And no i don't have one (yet) though ridden several (old GF worked at HD - fun benefit). Looking at getting a 09 1125r - and found this site. Amazing info and a lot to digest. I've seen RBJ provide help to several people when they needed assistance. So my unrequested .02 is to take a deep breath and relax a bit. Land of the free... free speech and all. No biggie if not every single person on a forum absolutely LOVES their buell.
ok - flame away.
thanks for the info in the past RBJ.
rob"
I may be "high on my horse." Nice of you to say so. Over a decade of helping to look after this place might justify some of that don't you think?
I agree with most of what your commentary. You seem to have missed the core issue.
I'm glad to hear that RedBuellJunkie has otherwise contributed positively to BadWeB and helped positively inform other Buell enthusiasts. As I've stated above, I'm giving him the benefit of doubt. He seems to be justifying that so far.
To clarify, BadWeB is not and never has been a free speech zone. It is a Buell Enthusiasts' site complete with very clear terms of use. If you didn't see them, just click on the "Rules" link at the bottom of any page here and review them.
If you truly conduct a comprehensive review of the site and my contributions, you will find many instances where I am harshly critical of Buell and/or Buell motorcycles.
That criticism, however is not mere hollow opinion. It is always concerning a very specific issue and most always also includes a suggested solution.
Offering vague condemnation and/or overall belittlement of the brand is not providing anything positive to anyone here, ever. It is that kind of problematic content that we would prefer to avoid. You've seen its effect here. Nuff said.
hey guys - high on your horse wasn't intended as a bad thing and not intended towards badweb. Other than blake being a bit inflexible. Somewhat amusing choice of words on my part - horse and bike reference. anyway - i completely agree with kicking out Trolls... they're obnoxious. However some leeway to let someone vent (or commiserate) when ticked off at an issue seems reasonable.
I'm an arbitrator - always trying to find the middle ground. OK if folks don't agree with me and i understand it's an enthusiast site. But as soon as a fellow buell rider has a problem he can't talk or vent about it? The thing that has kept me around this site is hte support folks more knowledgeable than myself are able to share. To support others with their experience. It's a fine line i guess.
Lots of us vent in frustration. I've done more than my share of it here. Despite this and having personally criticized Blake openly on this forum, he has never once accused me of being a troll.
As I said before I've come to appreciate Blake's efforts. He isn't trying to shut anyone down for stating an honest opinion or just generally venting their frustration with a problem.
He is fair and goes after very specific undesirable behavior.
we all vent,(we all have problems with our bikes at one time or another)but i highly doubt BMC would hang this 1125R owner out to dry on his purchase. the dealerships he's been to well thats another story. it simply does not help to say " oh well, you bought a harley davidson owned buell and they are nothing but trouble". that simply will not help MR. INCOGNITO out.
I'm high as hell on my horse, have been for 21+ years of riding Buell but I've never mistaken well rooted values for inflexible.
Even when I don't agree with folks, and Blake and I have tussled in the dirt in the cyber parking lot on various occasions, any disagreement I have is obviated by my admiration of a person who has and adheres to principles.
As a member of the DRBA with 35 years of sorting out construction disputes I too have an appreciation for middle ground. But my admiration for the concept of middle ground is obviated by reluctance to abandon principle or what I feel is right to get there.
The rules here are neither fair nor did the Founding Fathers draft a codicil to the Constitution to protect the rights of those who choose to come here, willingly acceding to the rules, and play. The rules are however clearly stated, have purpose and are administered fairly fairly (nobodies perfect and I'd be the first to confess that a person who comes in, tallies up 3 posts and blasts Buell is going to meet some tough language) .
The silver lining is this is one of the rare websites that after years I can point my Mother or kids to without fear of having them exposed to vile language or inappropriate content.
I don't agree with everyone here, but I like each and everyone of them. I've logged just shy of meeting 4,000 Buell owners and it's an understatement to say my life's been changed. There are some absolutely amazing people in the world of Buell.
I like helping Buell owners (had 3 GREAT "helps" today, tow that I'd class as damn near amazing including a "screw it, we'll ship it straight from the factory" and a custom factory paint job for an owner who asked politely) and continue (I confess to being addicted) to enjoy it. I've been given great latitude as long as I adhere to certain principles.
I too have my personal "admission fee" and that's simple courtesy, respect and I expect to be spoken to as you'd want me to speak to you in front of your wife and kids. I have (unlike Blake) nearly no tolerance but then I don't have too.
While I'd generally concede at least some aversion to someone on a high horse I confess I'm see it in a different light when someone (say an accomplished Earth Station Engineer who did structural stress analysis for the B-2 bomber) who has worked hard and earned that level of respect.
There are a number of folks here on a "high horse" but that's good (as was the case today when I had to go over some heads to get a Buell owner taken care of) and somehow most here have survived, in the online forum world, the test of time quite well.
I'm a least not petty, overbearing and conceited although if It weren't for my chiseled male model looks that set me apart from the rest of the high horsians I may well be.
Venting is good and, in fact, is perhaps the greatest value of the online forum. Where I step off the train is when someone vents without ever actually describing their problem or allowing me to know what the "actionable solution" is.
As an example . . . "Erik Buell is a horse's ass" does nothing for me. "Erik Buell is a horse's ass because my wheel bearing shot craps" is all I need to go into action. You and Erik sort out the horse's ass part and I'll get you on track for a wheel bearing.
Buell, as I read the post above about "hanging an owner out to dry" has the unrivaled BEST (that's not "one of the best", "nearly the best" or "almost the best", it is THE BEST) track record in the motorcycle industry for standing behind it's products, engaging in dialogue with owners and providing solutions YEARS (as in I just today sent someone parts for a 1995 S2) after any legal, moral or ethical responsibility has long lapsed. I like that . . . not for the things that get done but for the way it affirms Buells values.
It's really all kind of cool but, like a chemical valance equation, it all works when both sides are in balance. Manners, simple manners, go light years. Blake and I, on more than one occasion, have been blasted called names and then chastised for not jumping in, dropping our day jobs and helping, I think I am the only person to have ever worked at Buell to have called a customer an "idiot" on the phone (some of you have heard the story as 3 engineers watched gripped in terror. . . if you haven't remind me to tell you sometime) and can assure you that many folks who appear to be on "high horses" have worked hard to get there.
It seems many of the threads that turn this way start when some try to comfort an owner by saying "it aint no thing" when in fact it is an important thing to the person expressing the concern.
Using cliche words too often makes them meaningless. "Amazing Times" Or "what other company has "track days" is of little comfort when someone is concerned about a faulty part.
Once the discussion is changed to "only Buell Cares" discussion the thread is then off topic and becomes a pissing match so the owner with a problem feels herd.
We are all best served(customers and manufacture) with open honest accurate discussions. no hyperbole and no destain. Just the facts please.
You'd be amazed at how difficult that is to get some days. but you are right. A good course, if a person had a problem, would be to come here . . state the facts succinctly, then come back and start another thread to gripe . . .
Thanks for the kind words Bryan. Being the sensitive kinda guy that I am, I sure do appreciate all the support I can get.
The great thing is that I have a near zero recall of past arguments here. I do remember the number for the local burger joint though. One must have one's priorities in order.
I'm sending you my copy of "25 Years of Buell" so that you can add all that as a "PS" below your signature. Thank you old friend. I appreciate the effort and time and also your sageness and wisdom. Chiseled good looks may fade, but sageness is enduring. I've learned a lot from you, not least of which is to always check my zipper before speaking in public.
I've read and pretty much understood this thread but...
How can we help the original poster?
Or has that already been addressed and I just completely missed it?
Words to the original poster, if it still matters...
I purchased my 11 in Jan 08 and have been in a similar boat as you...along with other owners that I've come to know and work with.
A different dealership seems a good call, if that helps. I've been to over ten from florida to ohio.
Three out of the ten did us well so I remain that there is resolve with continued persistence for resolve.
As an example, I recently worked with a customer that became a great friend. He was ready to give up on his purchase but after having the patience and willingness to dig deeper, with others, we all smiled at the end of that long ride! That ride was after 0505. I think it did my heart more good than his, just to know he was treated with respect as any customer should be...and reflected such faith that resolve is always in front of you.
Giving up when this close kinda takes away from what is a rewarding victory when all finally work together.
Buell has proven to be dedicated to any complaint. This website's archives and current posts should give some insight.
This thread makes me want to blow something up. I get stressed out just reading this crap. The thread starts out with someone stating that they are having numerous problems and is very unhappy. Instead of helping,everyone gets into a f*cking pissing match ... what good does that do for the original poster? What happened to Mr. Incognito???? You still there? Were you able to get any help from a dealership? Are the problems fixed?
Helicon & Sly, Steven's (Mr_incognito) 1st post that started this thread, to me, read as venting, not as a request for help.
Sorry for the rant but im hoping to get some other stories whether they be good or bad to maybe make me feel like im not alone here. I honestly feel like a sucker for buying this bike....over 5k miles and Ive not felt like I was riding a sturdy or well built bike the entire time....
Reading the entire post, it appears his personal ‘threshold’ for determining what is/isn't acceptable is greatly different than others here. Don’t know how I can offer any help, since my ‘threshold’ appears to be much higher than his.
I've had the 5th gear recall done (took 2 dealers & a lot of calling/emailing on my part). I've had both (2, not 3) reflashes (0502 & 0505) done, both at the same dealer (and I took the time to try to help & assist them in understanding how to make it work. They now know me by name/sight at the Service desk). I've had my battery die on me twice (because of not shutting down properly) and put it on the charger until it was good again. Any frustration I have experienced in these issues has been with the Dealers and getting them to perform the work, or because of my own actions.
Again, to me, these have been very minor inconveniences. To others, they obviously haven't been. Buell heard the complaints and worked on getting fixes to us (evidenced by 0502 & 0505). Buell realized there could be a problem with 5th gear & to be on the safe side did the recall (for a problem that likely won't occur unless you tried to spend time in 5th gear @ ~150mph). Seems to me that Buell does stand behind their products. Seems to me that Buell does listen to their customers. Seems to me that Buell does want to make the ownership of a Buell as fulfilling as possible. Seems to me that Buell is doing things no other MC manufacturer will. Seems to me that when owners come here to vent without offering anything constructive, other 'trolls' pile on to the thread. Seems to me those same trolls sling around 'kool-aid' to members here who are happy and 'the jack booted gestappo' claims against Blake & crew when they ask for facts and/or something that is actionable. e.g. If you’re gonna p!$$ and moan, at least be honest about it. If you have a problem and want/need help, then let’s focus on the problem and potential solutions.
OMG... If you don't like your bike, or the BMC, "SELL IT" and move on...
"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?" Oddball - Kelly's Heroes (1970)...
I'd also like to know if Mr. Incognito has had his issues satisfactorily resolved.
I'm curious if perhaps his spark plug(s) have become fouled. My front plug was badly fouled and had to be replaced at 8,482 miles (4,000 miles early). It appeared that water got past the coil-on-plug seal.
+1 on whoever said check the plugs. The first time I took the intake snorkel off to check out the airbox, I put it all back together and it would not start. Or, better said, it started on one cylinder and then would not restart during troubleshooting.
I can completely understand Mr. Incognito's frustration with this bike. I've had most of the standard set of problems. And, I've been to the point of seriously considering bailing. For me, the heat issue (now solved by the flash timing update) was the pits ... for months ... all summer.
One thing that kept me going (and RedBuellJunkie can relate to this) is that I still have the X1 to ride when the "R" is down or troubled. If I only had the "R" or never know the enjoyment of riding a debugged Buell I think I would have also given up.
Ohh ... so the resolution/cause of my plug issue. When I put the snorkel back on, I knocked the front coil connector enough that it unsnapped. Once it was firmly connected all was fine.
This thread is has been surprisingly informative. I have had a very busy/successful week- Yamaha High Brass have been at the dealership, I closed on my house, and (best of all) the insurance company has settled with me on the accident last January (when the SUV ran over me resulting in eight broken bones and a totaled XL883). Since the settlement amount is seven digits, I am obviously extremely pleased.
I will continue this conversation when things settle down around here.
Again, no "hijacking" intended... I will start a new thread soon.
PS: Blake- I'm changing my previous offer from "new Buell" to "new _______ (your choice- fill in the blank)"
I get stressed out just reading this crap. The thread starts out with someone stating that they are having numerous problems and is very unhappy. Instead of helping,everyone gets into a f*cking pissing match ... what good does that do for the original poster? What happened to Mr. Incognito???? You still there? Were you able to get any help from a dealership? Are the problems fixed?
