| Author | Message | ||
     Ronmold |
Thinking of picking up a new '06 (30 mi) tomorrow and riding a 200 mi trip. What's the chances of it being dependable enough to make it? Probably a stupid question but the '06 had some quirky things as far as I've read here. | ||
| Odyranger |
I bought a "new" '06 this spring. I've got nearly 3k miles and have had no issues other than a mild oil weep at the front cylinder base gasket that kind of cleared up. 200 miles isn't even two tanks of gas! Do it... | ||
| Jameslaugesen |
Yep very stupid question hahah. What have you heard which gives you the impression a brand new '06 might not make a 200 mile trip? :-| I recon the Bank Angle Sensor is about the only quirk you need to worry about, but if it cuts the engine out just flick the ignition off & on again and away-you-go. | ||
| Gotj |
"...but if it cuts the engine out just flick the ignition off & on again and away-you-go." That's quite a trick if you can do it! You're running down the road and the engine dies so you take your hand off the clutch to reach for the ignition. Hmmmm. Maybe if you used the kill switch.... | ||
| Armymedic |
I'm flying 850 miles in the AM to go pickup an 06 and ride it back from Seattle to Salt Lake City!  | ||
| Hooper |
Checking in: 10,300 miles on my '06 so far. I did the BAS recall. The bike stalled strangely a year ago and wouldn't restart right away. I checked in with some buddies on BadWEB and put the washers on the battery bolts - the problem went away. That is all. Oh, I hit a deer in February, but I don't hold that against the bike - it was a little bent up, but still ran like a champ. But seriously, I just took a 350 mile jaunt through the mountains of VA and WV a few weekends ago and just had a freakin' BALL. Bring your cell phone and a list of phone numbers just in case, because you might hit a deer (and I do not wish that on anyone...there's no one to sue). I worry about the bike after I read some of the posts here, but I then think of how many thousands of Ulyriders who are NOT posting here. It's mostly a smallish family. I could be wrong, but you can also read about how your cell phone is killing you on a daily basis... Oh, and Armymedic, I am jealous...tell us about the trip when you get in. (Message edited by hooper on October 03, 2008) | ||
| Johnboy777 |
You might want to take along some rear bearings and a spare belt. | ||
| Jameslaugesen |
"That's quite a trick if you can do it! You're running down the road and the engine dies so you take your hand off the clutch to reach for the ignition. Hmmmm. Maybe if you used the kill switch...." Haha sorry bit of aussie moto slang there I guess. 'Flick ignition' meaning to use the kill switch, since the key barrel is more than just a 'flick', and cuts more than just the ignition. | ||
| Crusty |
I wouldn't worry a bit. I had an '06 that I put 34,000 miles on without any trouble. I rode it through blowing snow, in temps in the teens (F), through thunderstorms, idled in traffic with temps over 100 (F) and it ran fine. I think you're about to discover how much fun a motorcycle can be. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Here's a couple of rides I did on my '06. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/197572.html http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages /142838/378346.html?1217027682 http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142838/220867.html I won't think twice about doing another trip. (Message edited by bienhoabob on October 04, 2008) (Message edited by bienhoabob on October 04, 2008) | ||
| Ratbuell |
Bought my '06 (new) this past winter, zero problems with it. Rain, snow, salt, mud...oh, and some clean dry pavement just for variety  Have the dealer check and make sure all recalls have been performed prior to delivery. They should do it anyway, but it's always good to ask the question. Or, send me the full VIN and I can run it for you, to see if there are any open. All I've done is ride the thing...and put a Drummer on it. Haven't bothered washing it yet. Some guys from a car club were here last night, and one commented that "there's enough stuff on here to make a sandwich", referring to my flyscreen bug collection. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
phhhhhhhttt, 200miles, thats all. You need to remember back to when motorcycling really was an adventure, I am thinking anything pre 1980. Road side break downs and repairs were the norm. The 70's and 80's have brought us very trouble free motorcycling. I wouldn't even hesitate riding it 1,000 miles, ahhhh, let me check the tread on that tire first. That is my biggest challenge is keeping tires on that darn thing. | ||
| 4_pete_sake |
Bought a Brand New 06 myself this past April.... just rolled up to 5000 miles today.... no problems what so ever.... 300+miles today..... the combines and pickers are out.... pretty neat sights... make the leap and don't worry so much... life is.. short worry later... Cheers-pete | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
My 06' has over 16,000 miles on it and it has been to the last two Buell Homecomings and to Sturgis twice and never a break down or any problem whatsoever. In fact, I've got over 2000 miles since last oil change and haven't had to add a drop of oil either. Maybe I'm just lucky but I doubt it. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Almost 55,000 miles on my '06 and it runs better than new. No worries! Go for it! | ||
| Andrejs2112 |
Don't worry about it. Just make sure you fill up before you get to 200 miles.  | ||
| Dio |
I've got 5000 on my '06 with zero issues. I haven't even done the BAS recall since there have been no issues with it so far. The last time it saw any dealer was when I rolled it out the door new! | ||
| Fubar |
Three trips of greater than 2 THOUSAND miles each. No issues. One before and 2 after the BAS recall. Heat, cold, rain, sand...kept on ticking. | ||
| M_singer |
>>>>Thinking of picking up a new '06 (30 mi) tomorrow and riding a 200 mi trip. What's the chances of it being dependable enough to make it? Why are you buying the bike if you to ask that question? I would say that your odds of not having a break down in 200 miles are extremely good. Your odds of making it 30k miles w/o a break are not so good. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Ronmold where'd you go? I notice your profile indicates you have an '08 Uly... I'd love to have a garage full of Ulys too but if you're concerned about an '06 why not ride the '08? Geez a lot of people in So CA COMMUTE 200 mi/day, my '06 with +50k has hobbled me a few times but 200 miles is nuthin. A simple pre-ride walk around and a spare belt and tools in the side case and I'm off.  | ||
| Ronmold |
I wish I had an '08 Uly, don't know how that got in the profile. OK I get it, it was a stupid question but this bike's been sitting around at a dealer for 3 years and if it was started probably not warmed up like it should. I would much rather cruse around home on a new bike for a few miles first regardless of the model/manufacturer. Besides all the crap I'd get if I had to call the wife to hook on the trailer and come and get me and that new bike that "you paid how much for?" and "I told you you don't need another bike, what's wrong with the one you have?" | ||
| Reepicheep |
The odds of any manufactured item failing "right out of the box" are much higher then they are down the road. So statistically, you are taking a little extra risk. But not much, and 200 miles is just blink for a Uly. You will probably be fine. | ||
| M_singer |
>>>>> A simple pre-ride walk around and a spare belt and tools in the side case and I'm off. There is no way to store a spare belt in the side case w/o exceeding the minimum bending radius specified by Buell. These belt are unreliable enough w/o abusing them. I took 3 weeks for my spare belt to arrive so I agree that it is something that any Buell rider would be wise to take with them on a long trip. I have not found a convenient way to do so yet. Seems like a much greater PIA then a chain to me. Wheel bearings and belts can look perfectly fine on a pre ride inspection and then leave you walking a few miles down the road. How many Uly riders here have reach 30k miles w/o some kind of disabling failure? It certainly seems from my observations that most who have reached 30k miles have either had a belt, wheel bearing, or electrical failure that has left the bike disabled. If Buell doesn't correct these problems very soon I think that there sales will drop no near nothing. I know that the Buell faithful will put up with this reliability issues but but most riders will not. | ||
| Dr_greg |
There is no way to store a spare belt in the side case w/o exceeding the minimum bending radius specified by Buell. Not true. Use the bandsaw-blade style "trifold" and it fits easily. Been doing it for two years. | ||
| Crusty |
How many Uly riders here have reach 30k miles w/o some kind of disabling failure? OOH! OOH! PICK ME! PICK ME!  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Don't pay any attention to this Singer character, he owns a Suzuki Bandit and for one reason or other has an axe to grind against all things Buell. He's like one of those guys that just can't get on with life without spreading misery, you know the type. My suggestion for this Singer is to spend his time at the Suzuki board and weigh in on the bike he owns and quit raining on the ULY parade since he's not currently an owner, and looks like he never will be. As for belts, my opinion is this: If you live to pull wheelies then it will probably end up breaking after awhile. I pulled plenty in the first couple of years, not excessively but now and then. I haven't for some time now and feel that the original 06' belt will last a very long time if it isn't overly abused. My belt is still the original that came with the bike back at the end of 05'. And of course if you ride in a lot of loose deep gravel or sand it might get cut and fail. Heck, any part can fail if abused in certain ways. Just ride and quit worrying and you'll certainly enjoy it, works for me. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on October 05, 2008) (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on October 05, 2008) | ||
| Crusty |
I've said it before and I'll keep saying it. My Uly (an '06) was the most reliable motorcycle I've ever owned in 39 rears of riding. It had over 34,000 miles on it when I traded it in on my '08 XT. It did not leave me sitting on the side of I-70 in the middle of Kansas like my 750 Honda; It didn't die in Minneapolis like my Moto Guzzi; it didn't quit like my BMW in Massachusetts; it didn't croak like my Yamaha 900 in rural New South Wales, and it didn't leave me stranded in Ohio like my H-D FLHS. I'm not the only satisfied Uly owner. There are quite a few of us who have had a thoroughly enjoyable ownership. | ||
| Ironhead1977 |
I agree with Crusty.I have had 3 totally bulletproof buells. | ||
| M_singer |
>>>>>Not true. Use the bandsaw-blade style "trifold" and it fits easily. Been doing it for two years. OK that wouldn't exceed the minimum diameter but it would require twisting. That is a no no as well. | ||
| M_singer |
ectraglider_1997 repeatedly lied about me in this discussion board and he and I have never met. For the record I do not own a Suzuki Bandit as he states in this thread. I do in fact own an 06 Uly contrary to his claims in other threads. Electraglider_1997 no one here is interested in your personal opinions about me or any other BadWeb member. This is a Buell motorcycle Forum. If you want to bad mouth people who you have never met, then go to some gossip blog and post your immature insults there. On most board you would have been banned by now. |
