| Author | Message | ||
     Blake |
I just stumbled upon an Aprilia forum. Seems the Milles have their problems. Guess I'm tired of the notion that Buells are the only motorcycles subject to reliability problems. Turns out they are not. Water pump problems and leaking valve covers Chronically Warping Rotors Backfiring and Hesitation Faulty Odometer Also, Roadracing World (RRW) just reported that virtually all Duc 748's come from the factory with defective rockers. The factory has known about the problem since 1997. RRW posted rocker arm pictures of 2001 model year 748's showing the obvious wear and flaked off plating. Within as little as 6,000 miles the chrome plating on the opening rockers has flaked off and subjected the soft steel rocker to excessive wear. When left unattended, the resulting rough surface craters the cams too. Price to repair with another set of defective OEM rockers can easily jump into the thousands of dollars. New GSXR600 engines are eating their valves. ZX-12R Faulty Safety Switches Anyone got any more? I recall BMW had horrendously bad EFI a few years back. | ||
| Andrewb |
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~attse/honduh.htm for a true study of how to make your vehicle faster. The Triumph ST board will show up some of the ST 955i issues, although I stopped following that board when I sold my ST. Chaffing radiator hoses, faulty fuel senders, noisy fuel pumps, lots of incorrectly torqued engine mounts, yada, yada. It seems to be a rule that the folks with problems talk (post) more than happy owners. | ||
| Mikej |
If you're happy you're riding, if not then your here or down at the bar complaining. On the Duc rockers, I'm wondering what happens to the flaked-off chromium bits that are now floating around in the engine just looking for a place to settle before they get captured by the oil filter assuming they make it thru the oil pump. "It just goes to show it always somethin'". | ||
| Bomber |
I've not found a manufacturer that HASN'T got problems with it's products . . . . the more in love you are at the start of the relationship, the further the fall at the end, I spose . . . . . . I'd found the Aprilia site, and was bringing some of the same data over here . . . .good post, Blake, thanks for the persepctive | ||
| Reepicheep |
My previous bike was an 89 Yamaha Radian, a 600 cc (FJ600 engine I think) UJM much like the nighthawk (but better looking, and probably a little faster). There is a great yahoogroups mailing list for this bike, so I know all its warts as well as Buells. Granted, these bikes are about a decade older then the Buells, but many of the problems I note happen within the first couple years of ownership. Weeping cam cover gaskets. Anemic clutch springs. Faulty crankcase seal that allows oil to contaminate the alternator (destroying it) (fixed in the last couple years models). Notched steering head bearings (wrong torque spec in manual, ball bearings, soft races). Failure prone sidestand switch. Cracking leads to fuse box. Easily clogged reserve filter. Chronic carb clogging problems. Easily fouled and complicated venting mechanism in gas cap. Vacuum operated petcock that leaks, combined with weak seals in carb, that fill cylinders with gas (and bend important engine parts on startup). Mysteriously shearing motor mounts. Failure prone kill switch assemblies. A tank that will get significant dents simply by riding the bike. I could go on... these are all problems that have been experienced by a significant percentage of people who own the bikes... more then 10% I would say. And the Radian is actually a pretty decent bike, one of the nicer older UJM's, with a great engine (for an inline four), and nice styling (with several styling cues lifted to a degree from the sportster). You can score one in OK shape for $1000 and have a pretty nice bike (that you will promptly put another $1000 into likely). My Buell ownership has not been much different then my UJM ownership experience, except that when parts break on my Buell, the replacement is almost always a solution to the root problem, the parts are cheaper and easier to get, and the bike seems to be getting better and better instead of worse and worse. From 0-6000 miles, I would categorize my Buell as unreliable. 6000-12000 (current milage), I would categorize it as very reliable. Had I bought a 2002 Cyclone (had all the fixes I put on), all 12000 miles would have been very reliable. And I still, in all honesty, see reliability as overrated. Motorcycling is at its root an experiential activity, and Buells emphasize the quality of the experience over reliability and raw performance numbers. The Japanese bikes do a fantastic job of optimizing sub-assemblies, but the products as a whole leave me flat (for the most part, there are some keepers out there). Broken bikes suck until they are fixed. Bikes that suck, well, they suck all the time. The Cyclone and the XB9S push my buttons like no other bike I have seen retailing for less then $18,000, and most of those bikes are every bit as quirky and unreliable as my Buell, but harder to get parts for  | ||
| Rd350 |
Honda has some recalls on its new STX1300. The problem centres around a fault which can lead to the sump pan being holed if the bike is ground out, on a kerb for example. While the sump pan is replaced dealers will also tackle other potential sources of complaint: *Some owners had reported a tendency to weave at high speed, a fault traced to incorrectly tightened engine hanger bolts. Dealers will check the torque settings of these bolts on each machine. *Others had complained of an uncomfortably hot ride, so more heat-deflecting material will be added. *Bikes will also be fitted with a redesigned seat, after owners reported staples in the original could scratch panel paint. Even the big guy has its problems too. | ||
| Rick_A |
Check this out motorcycle recalls | ||
| Rick_A |
I'd say, being as new of a company as they are...and using a lot of ideas that have never been used before...Buell is doing just fine. | ||
| Rick_A |
I found a few more here I'm sure you'd find a lot of problems on other discussion boards...but I'm too lazy to look | ||
| Hans |
Speaks for itself:  | ||
| Jrh |
My 2 cents worth; Comparing the tech section of say, R1-forum(chose this site only because i had an R1,now sold) to BWB site there seems to be very few mechanical problems posted by the Yamaha owners compared to us TUBE frame Buell owners.I enjoyed my R1 very much and wish i could get another one.As i said in the soon to be legendary,satisfied or not satisfied with your Buell poll,my Buell had out of round cylinders by 350 miles,i let it sit(2 years) and bought the R1.Was + still am nothing but impressed with the R1,but here's the funny thing.Having fixxed the Beull last winter and done some mods to make it more to my liking,looking back at this summer of riding, the Buell was totally fun,as good a time as the R1,maybe better.My plan is to simply fix anything that breaks on my Buell,so i refuse to get too rattled over the posts concerning reliability.1 summer of riding has pretty much put my bad Buell memories to rest.The grass is green everywhere(unless you're very colorblind like me,then it's ? all the same shade of light to dark) | ||
| Ken01mp |
i havent had a lot of problems with my M2, but ive had a couple. the warped rear rocker box, the speedo sensor (actually got a speeding ticket on my way to the dealership to get it fixed), the float stuck the day i got it and dumped gas all over hell as i was proudly showing it off to my buddies, the stock ignition died, and some other little schit, but i was ready for that sort of thing. my father ran an harley shop for 10+ years, so i knew the low down. granted, im just some punk kid and could have just as easily got a faster, more reliable, more popular R6 (not to mention scads cheaper), but i didnt. i didnt make a mistake, and i dont regret my decision. i bought that bike cause i knew it was a bike i could build a relationship with, cause i knew it had character and soul. that bike has seen a lot of girls come and go, and has had troubles of her own, but she has always been there for me in a way no cookie cutter crap rocket could. shes expensive and high maintanence, but i love that bike unconditionally. THATS why i have one. if all you can do is complain about the problems, then you are in the wrong, not the bike. deal with it. Ken | ||
| Timmy2shoes |
eat many paint chips as a kid, there Ken? oh.. my bike breaks down.. so there's something wrong with me.... good one champ. hahahaaahaaaa | ||
| Jim_M |
2nd generation Bandits have an oil burning issue due to some apparent defect in the pistons themselves the Suzuki isn't dealing with (apparently...info is on the maximum suzuki boards)... Oh, I forgot, the starter clutch bolts were not torqued down very well, causing them to work loose. best case scenario, your bike wouldn't start, worse case, the bolt flies out, though your side cover....D'OH! | ||
| Justjoe |
Timmy, Maybe we should give him a break. He is only 19 after all. You remeber that age don't you? At that age, you still think you know everything. It will still take a few years for him to realize all the things he is truly ignorant about. Since he's in school still, I'll give him at least until he graduates and gets his first real job. Like the paint chips comment though.  JustJoe | ||
| Ferris |
And I still, in all honesty, see reliability as overrated. this is only me speaking, but i couldn't disagree more. which is why, several years ago, i opted for a '98 VFR to add to the fleet, instead of another Buell. going with the odds, i guess. i do NOT like to be stranded by mechanical problems on a ride, nor do i like performing miracles for OTHER riders stranded by mechanical problems during a ride. the new Firebolt and Lightning have got my attention, for several reasons, including my feeling that they are MUCH better built than the tubers. when i ride, i like to ride. i prefer to do all my wrenching in the comfort of my own garage, at MY convenience. i am not bashing Buells, and i am not praising Japanese bikes. i love 'em all, and wish my biggest problem in life was figuring out what i was gonna ride on any given day. and i hope my VFR understands when i trade in for a new Lightning... FB | ||
| Blake |
MikeJ, Interesting you should mention that. The guy featured in the RRW article first noticed all the little shiny flecks in his oil which cause him, on a bike with less than 7K miles, to carefully inspect the valvetrain. The rest is history. His final solution was to have the rockers refinished by a local shop. He also calmly and professionally bubbled the problem up to the top of Ducati and the Texas Pacific Group (owner of Ducati). In the end, Duc wrote him a check for $2,995.06, the cost of the parts and labor to repair the problems. The sad thing is that Duc initially took the stance that they would only replace failed parts under warranty and would not actually fix the problem or replace obviously defective parts prior to their actual failure, even after the customer advised Ducati of the fix available they remained obstinate. The replacement parts would be the same version of defective opening rockers that were proved inadequate. Only after advising the top Ducati and TPG executives of his intention to file a lawsuit did Duc come clean. Oh, the labor only included the labor of the shop required to refinish the defective rockers. The customer provided all the actual engine-work labor himself free of charge. What is REALLY sad is that Ducati is apparently still selling 748's with the same defective opening rockers. How stupid is that? There was also an issue of a loose plug in an oil galley. If you are unfamiliar with the Duc 748 valvetrain, you might be interested to know that there are a total of eight opening rockers, one for each valve. The opening rockers cost from $60-$75 each. That could get expensive every 6K miles. | ||
| Blake |
Tim, Not sure how you got from Ken's statement that "if all you can do is complain about the problems, then you are in the wrong, not the bike. deal with it." to your interpretation of "oh.. my bike breaks down.. so there's something wrong with me...." I Ken makes a very valid point. It's normal to be dissappointed and agravated, it's how a person reacts to such circumstances that can make all the difference. | ||
| Ken01mp |
im now twenty, not that that matters, but ive been holding my own since i was 14, riding the wheels off of everything ive ever had since i was 6, grew up without running water and tv till i was 16, and ive served actively in the Marine Corps for two years. i scored a 28 on my ACT's and a 93 on my ASVAB. i grew up from nothing, having nothing, being nothing, to having been places, done things, worked harder, and known more than you could have dreampt of at my age timmy you arrogant f*ck. and joe, way to jump on the bandwagon. i could give two happy schits what either of you think. you better eat a big luch before you open your mouth like that to me again. you think cause you are older that you are wiser? you should be, but i dont think you are, so dont talk down to me. i love my bike, purely, and i love riding, purely. if you wanna question that, then you are the paint eating ignorant ones. if you wanna reply to this with more attacks upon me, you better send your home address (and bus fair, cause i sure as schit cant affordit). i aint gonna stand for this sorta schit cause im young. im not saying i dont respect people on this cite, just you two idiots, everyone else has been nothing less than great to me here. Ken | ||
| Blake |
Timmy, Joe, I hate to say it, but you two had that coming. Now, please drop the condescension and personal insults. You are only impeaching your own character. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
I'm with Ferris, without reliability, every thing else (fun to ride, character, design, nation of origin) is academic. DO all bikes/brands have some reliability problems? YES Do Buells in general, and 99-02 tube framers in particular, have a higher percentage of problems relative to other bikes/brands? YES
Sounds exactly like the way HD dealt with Twin Cam engine... | ||
| Hootowl |
For those that don't know, a 93 on the ASVAB is pretty damn high. | ||
| Dynarider |
I too agree with Ferris, reliability is a extremely important to me. Now as to the nature of this thread, Blake you know Buells have issues. Courts poll even points that out. 27% give or take a few of this admittely small sampling group is unsatisfied. Is pointing out Triumphs or Ducatis faults somehow going to absolve the faults of Buell? Its kinda like crying out "hey its ok that my bike sucks, because so does Ducati". | ||
| Ferris |
Ken, you can't see it but i'm saluting you -- right on, gung ho and Semper Fi, dude (and speaking of ASVAB, my soon-to-be 18-year-old son just scored an 87 on his, and via the Delayed Entry Program is on his way to a 5-year stint in Korea as a Military Policeman, in prep for his long-time goal of becoming a California Highway Patrolman.) anyway, back to the subject at hand, i'm with Blake (gasp!) in saying that you guys were rude way beyond necessity. and Blake, to answer the question you ask in the heading to this thread, the grass has indeed been pretty green in regards to my VFR. it has a voracious appetite for the sides of tires, primarily, i think, due to the fact it's got linked brakes. (if you trail brake the rear while hammering into a corner, you're also, by default, trail braking the front.) these things also like to chomp up the occasional voltage regulator, at about $180 a pop (ouch!) other than that, even with 48k on the clock, it's oil-tight, stone reliable, silky smooth and nearly as happy slogging around at three grand as it is wailing like a banshee at twelve grand. and when you DO have to dive into it's innards, taking things apart and putting them back together again is nearly intuitive (clever Japanese design and engineering at work). Buell bashing? nope. UJM praising? um, maybe. i repeat: i HATE working on my bike (or someone else's) on the side of the road. the new Lightning has my undivided attention, and unless i'm way blinded by the light (entirely possible), i don't foresee anything other than ride, ride and ride with this baby. FB | ||
| Robr |
Was thinking of picking up an R6, until I visited this R6 site and heard of all the transmission 2nd gear problems these guys were having. Yamaha mantains owner abuse. Haven't kept up with the saga for a few weeks but last I heard they were talkin' possible class action.Yamaha R6 Rob | ||
| Ferris |
I too agree with Ferris... Dyna, those are words i didn't think i'd ever see, as i've sure had a hard time agreeing with YOU during the recent Firestorm (hey Buell, neat name for the new XB12, hint, hint...) over on the GDB! i gotta give you credit, tho, you sure don't back down. your tactics and verbiage have left me a little cold, but i also know how passionate us Buell owners can be when it comes to our rides. anyway, i got a big chuckle reading your comment above, and hope that somehow, someway, things work out for you. best, FB | ||
| Dynarider |
GDB?? God Damn Board?? | ||
| Ferris |
GDB: God Drives a Buell | ||
| Rick_A |
I agree. The few times I've had a problem arise, after a few minutes of being upset, I set out to find a permanent solution. I am confident, that soon, after everything less than perfect has been replaced, she'll be better to me. Incidentally, my stupid ass scored in the top 10 percent on the ASSFLAB. I was instructed to pick whatever job had my interest off the Marine recruiters list. Of course, I went infantry! Seeemper. I don't think Buells or Ducs suck. They just have their issues. | ||
| Dino |
Sorry Blake & Ferris - Gotta disagree. Timmy & Joe may have been a bit rough on the young man, but then he pretty much asked for it with the gratuitous "cookie cutter crap rocket" comment. And to my thinking, my bike has "soul" and yours doesn't, gets a bit old. Kinda gets me thinking of that blind date with the great "personality". Respectfully Yours, Dino |
