| Author | Message | ||
     Crowley |
I took my 1125 for a ride into the mountains yesterday and lost sight of my instruments because of internal condensation. I know some of you fellas have had that problem and I'm wondering how you got it fixed since moisture and printed circuits are not an ideal match. I phoned Customer services at Buell UK this evening to ask for advice and register the fault before the Warranty is over and I was asked if the cluster had a glass cover or a plastic one. When I asked them why this was important I was told that glass was 'colder' than plastic and these problems were known and were due to 'atmospherics'. Now, I'm merely educated to Graduate level in related matters and was getting the distinct odour of B/S from Customer Service. As this is an intermediate fault caused by riding from high to lower pressure, I very much doubt that my dealer would be able to replicate the problem on a test ride - in any case, my bikes has been off the road for enough months waiting for the clutch fix and I don't fancy a long trip to the dealers, wasting a day, and then having to repeat the epic when the parts to fix it potentially arrive. However, I get the feeling I may be lining up to get the run around from BUK, if they state that glass is 'colder' than plastic. Under the UK Road Traffic Acts, a bike is required to have a visible speeedometer under ALL conditions, at the moment, under certain conditions, my bike fails to reach these criteria. I've tried packing Silica Gel around the cluster over night but this remedy doesn't last too long. Any other tips would be appreciated. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
It's a warranty issue, cluster must be replaced. The good news is for a little more money you can upgrade to the 09 unit with the gear indicator. | ||
| Court |
Totally fixable | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Explain Court. Seems everyone that's had that issue here has received a new cluster. | ||
| Jmr1283 |
id like to say its not easily fixable unless when it happens andur rate next to a dealer and they take a picture of it. I have pictures of mine to show them and its still not good enough. so unless it happens so they can see it and take a picture its not under warrenty. or i should re phrase that, it is under warrenty but they have to see it in person. or pay for it. | ||
| Jmr1283 |
sorry for the rant and i hope you get it fixed, its very dangerous | ||
| Crowley |
Thanks chaps. I don't really want a '09 cluster since feed back from the motor lets you know whether your in the appropriate gear or not, what I'm interested in is what level of evidence do you have to present that this condition exists before a remedy is sanctioned, since it's unlikely that I can demonstrate it when attending the dealer? Having already dealt with BUK over previous issues, I don't really relish the idea of going through the mill once again. I feel I'm going to be clutching at straws after the explanation I received about the temperatures of plastic and glass earlier today. Must say, the third reflash has transformed the bike from being very good, to simply excellent  | ||
| Court |
Start every relationship by presuming others are trustworthy. Adam - Did Customer Service provide you with an incident or report number? Sometimes the "odour of BS" is no more than a person who may be uncomfortable dealing with something they are not fluent in, proffering a defense mechanism. Let's get them the information, help them help you, get your bike fixed and get you riding. I'm heading into class, it's about midnight where you are now. Drop me a note to remind me and I'll call you first thing in the morning. Court | ||
| Crowley |
Once again Court, I'm in your debt I'll call Customer Service again on the morrow and ask for an incident number etc. I'll be at work tomorrow but I'll let you know how I get on with CS. This may have to be on thursday 'coz it's my youngest daughters 11th birthday party tomorrow evening and I guess I'll be upto my neck in jelly and ice cream | ||
| Court |
Not in my debt. The folks at Buell value the trust and confidence you have placed in them. Let me know how you get on. If there is any problem, drop me a note and I'll call. Most of all . . . Happy Birthday to your daughter. Take care of the important stuff like that birthday first, the motorcycle part is easy.  | ||
| Adoogie3 |
I was told that Harley doesn't warranty condensation issues with clusters . Mine was extremely bad . I'm just lucky my speedo quit working and they said they are giving me a upgraded one . Which I hope is a 09 one. | ||
| Bigdog_tim |
Well - add me to the list of 1125R owners with condensation in the cluster. I phoned my dealer and gave them the heads up - I will want to get it repaired/replaced under warranty. They were far less than enthusiastic - but I was prepared for that. I have a couple of options on best way to go forward. I can see if any badwebbers have successfully got their cluster repaired/replaced under warranty due to condensation and give that back to the dealer so they will feel "better" about pursuing a warranty issue. Or, I can be calm, direct yet insist they start the process without said evidence. NOTE: I do enjoy a good relationship with many individuals at my dealership. I have had several problems with the new owners that I won't bring up here. Let's just say I don't have the relationship I used to have nor will I ever at that dealership. Thanks, | ||
| Crowley |
I phoned Customer Services to get a case number on my clouding issues (No. 784) and was told that the Warranty doesn't cover this problem and that this problem doesn't occur on Buells! My rather excellent dealer thinks this is rather shabby and is prepared to fight my corner with Buell UK. I'm going to try and supply them with a photo of water trickling down the inside of my cover so they can use that to back up their case. Time to sit back and see what transpires BMW bikes suffered with similar issues and their cure was to drill a vent hole and cover with a Goretex membrane - this didn't work either I believe the current model of Ford Focus (don't know if you fellas get them in the US) suffers from this problem too. | ||
| Hitman44139 |
I was told it is only covered when the moisture stains the actual surface behind the lense. | ||
| Jdugger |
> I was told it is only covered when the moisture stains the actual surface behind the lense. I have this problem now, and it's not been addressed. I've got just over a year of warranty left, though, and the problem is getting progressively worse. When it gets so I can't read the display, I'll start making a bigger stink about it. Great thing about a 2-year warranty: it really gives you a lot of time to find and get the kinks worked out. | ||
| Chevycummins |
After reading through the warranty section of the owners manual it looks like this condensation should be covered. It states that environmental damage is not covered unless it is a defect in materials or workmanship and I think the condensation would fall under that. With the amount of water that was in my cluster it looked more like a poorly sealed lens than condensation. That would be a defect in materials and workmanship. If the cluster can't get wet then their should be some kind of warning in the owners manual to keep it out of the rain. If Buell won't cover the cluster for water intrusion then it should be stated in the warranty limitations section. Its not the dealers call on what is and isn't covered its Buell's. | ||
| Hitman44139 |
After reading through the warranty section of the owners manual it looks like this condensation should be covered. It states that environmental damage is not covered unless it is a defect in materials or workmanship and I think the condensation would fall under that. With the amount of water that was in my cluster it looked more like a poorly sealed lens than condensation. That would be a defect in materials and workmanship. I agree the dealer wasn't into hearing it... I've since switched and wrecked. It seems it should be.... Besides I want a 09 gear selector | ||
| Sportster_mann |
Woo Hoo ! I've joined the elite club - as the weather has turned cooler in the UK I now have condensation in my speedo - I will speak to my dealer about it tomorrow. The bike has been standing in my garage for about 3 weeks as I've been on holiday, so it will be interesting to see if it clears .... Anybody know the 09 part number in case I decide to go for the latest speedo ? (Message edited by sportster_mann on November 28, 2008) | ||
| Crowley |
Well I'm a happy chappie again. After Customer Services told me that Buells don't suffer with condensation problem, my rather excellent dealer did some sweet talking and managed to blag me a '09 instrument console. Getting frustrated with this bad weather though, can't wait to get out and wreck some more tyres Yet another excellent result from an excellent Company |
