| Author | Message | ||
     Pauley2000 |
Anyone here have an '09 that has been addressed re: the perrenial concern. i.e. lean idle circuit and lean running til about 3000rpm? The bike is a bit surgey while attempting to maintain legal posted limits. It has been posted here, and I don't believe there has been a factory fix on it yet. | ||
| Bartimus |
The '08 is the same way. I've had mine in the shop about 7 times for this problem, they've never been able to resolve it, and now tell me it's "normal, it's just the way they run". I get the same answer from Buell Customer service. Good luck! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
My 2008 doesn't run like that. Make sure the software is up to date and that it's otherwise healthy. Mine will happily chug along at 45 in top gear or drone at 75-85 on highway. | ||
| Blake |
My '09 Uly runs great. Took my girlfriend for a ride last week, and as she's a bit wary of riding, I kept the revs between 2K to 3K rpm. The bike performed flawlessly. I hate to see others experiencing drivability issues, especially straight shooters like Bart. One clarification: I have performed the TPS reset on two occasions over the course of 2,500 miles since new. The symptom that instigated the TPS resets was a slight surge at parking lot speeds in first gear. I've not noticed any such surging at cruising speeds. | ||
| Darthane |
Unfortunately the TPS resets don't seem to have any effect on my lower-RPM surging (and I'm still convinced this bike is running waaaay too hot). I suspect that the surging itself is always present, it is simply not noticeable in higher gears since the ratios are against it. It unfortunate, because I truly love the bike and my only complaints seem to center around fuel delivery (surging, poor mileage compared to '07s and previous, excessive engine heat) yet there doesn't seem to be any acknowledgement of why this would be. There's been some suggestion of a newer map than the one in my bike ('y'), but trying to get a dealer to spend 3m to hook up a DigiTech to my bike is like pulling teeth. | ||
| Pauley2000 |
I got it back and the Service guy (owner) says he plugged in to the computer and no updates. He also said he can only do factory releases etc. Lean bikes run hotter. Period. He also mentioned a Windscreen recall on the '09 XT's anyone else get a letter on this? It may just be that there is not enough load on the motor at city speeds with just me. I love the low end accelleration (mild and controlled) just hate the whiffy cruise and would rather rumble along at lower speeds than sing by. (not a Lugger) Also, dead cold 60f my bike coughs out first throw while hunting for idle. Starts fine on the next go. Mileage has been steadily improving during breakin. | ||
| Nobuell |
I had a new ECM installed to resolve the high idle issue I had. They also went through the grounds and installed a new wire harness. Off idle performance was improved dramatically. It is a different bike! I can almost let the bike idle while in first gear without stalling. The bike still goes on the pipe at around 4000 rpm as before, but power delivery is much smother up to that point. | ||
| Slimdave |
I being a rider/salesperson of Ulys, need some help with customers with poor gas mileage. 35 average. I know some bikes do better after 3500mi. We have just learned about replacing the screw on the throttle body (tamper proof) to help with the plate position. I would like someones input on remapping??? | ||
| Werewulf |
my 08 scg was one of the crappiest low rpm bikes ive ever owned...i also had an 08 sportster nightster... it was running a bit hot and lean, so all ihad to do was to buy a screaming eagle race tuner from harley and give the tech about an hour on the dyno.... what a fine running little bike it was.. for the life of me, i cant figure why you can tweek a harley with a factory available device, but buell locks you out of the 08s, without a racer license!! i would think that the same epa rules that apply to a buell would apply to a sportster.. i put a race tuner on my roadking and dyna and got rid of much engine heat and all driveability issues.. | ||
| Darthane |
STOP REMINDING ME! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Seriously, if your bike is running like crap, something is actually wrong with it. Mine does not run like crap. Some sensor is •••••••• up or something. | ||
| Pauley2000 |
As my first Buell, and first FI bike, I can only say I'd like to richen the pilot jet a bit.  Fifth works fine @ 45-80mph. It's third at 30-40mph (less load). Won't say it's running like crap. Any aftermarket tools to re-map it? Like power commander etc? Remember it's an '09. Also anyone else get wind of a windscreen recall? | ||
| Bartimus |
Natex, Sorry, but I would have to argue with you. While I think my bike runs like crap, and it annoys me to no end, I've taken it to 3 stealerships in my area, and two of them told me it's normal, to just accept it. One of those two, even had a factory rep fly into town and check it out, he agreed with them, it's normal. The 3rd dealer, told me they didn't have the time or resources to troubleshoot such a "minor" warranty issue. This from a service department that claims to be pro-Buell! I do agree that a sensor or something is bad, a $13,000 bike should not have these issues. But getting a dealership or even the company to agree, and spend the time to troubleshoot and repair the problem is going to be hard, if they think it's normal. | ||
| Slimdave |
I have been instructed to drive the Uly for 2 hours @ 60 mph on freeway to obtain a base gas mileage figure. I don't understand why the bike is lean for emissions that it gets low mileage. Most of the bikes I ride have good performance. Can they be running rich from factory setting? Please someone from R&D respond. | ||
| Helga |
Still can not understand that after soooo many complains they still saying "it's normal" like we never ride any other bikes before....I have feeling that they just don't want to say " sorry guys we s...w up...come and we will fix it" it is just freakin software....I will pay ...just have it available...hate when pay big bucks and not happy | ||
| Woodreaux |
I really prefer to read and write posts about riding and not posting "what's not right with my Uly now". Unfortunately our Buell's are not running properly and I do hope that BMC-HD will dedicate resources to figure out the issues. Certainly hope that BMC-HD don't take the position "we don't know what to do so it's normal" and then stick their heads in the sand. I agree with Bartimus that if BMC-HD have taken the position "that this is normal" there will be no recourse with dealerships regarding the driveability issues that several of us are experiencing. I agree we all have paid too much money for this type and level of issue. It is a shame that there is a seemingly growing number of people who have similar related issues with the 08/09 Uly product. Me being selfish - I am glad that mine quit at the dealership. Not real sure that it means a solution is near but it makes me feel good they saw the issue up close. | ||
| Kellaupat |
I don't know if this helps or not, but I just had my ecm updated last Thursday and it is calibration No. M31US25Z. If you know what version you have this might help. My bike runs way lean, but never had a surge problem. Hope they figure it out for you. | ||
| Luftkoph |
this is the death rattles of all aircooled engines in an eco wacked out crazzy world | ||
| Surfsofa |
Yep - I'm no mechanic, but from all the reading I've done on these engines I think Luftkoph has it right. Is this not the problem that's fixed by doing the infamous 'breather mod'? My (so far un-modded) 09 XT does the same, but so did all the test bikes I tried. I'm getting used to the reality that this engine works best between 3 and 5000 rpm. (Message edited by surfsofa on May 28, 2009) | ||
| Court |
>>>Certainly hope that BMC-HD don't take the position "we don't know what to do so it's normal" and then stick their heads in the sand. It would be unusual for Buell to suddenly do that after 26 years of pretty much doing precisely the opposite. I'm curious as to how many folks have called BUELL CUSTOMER SERVICE. I have seen similar things in the past where.
Has anyone or anyone's dealer communicated any of this to Buell? Other than an "entertainment scan" from time to time at home there is no one "monitoring" (as some believe") internet chat rooms and bulletin boards for engineering feedback. Just a thought . . . Court | ||
| Darthane |
Kellaupat seems to have confirmed for me that there is indeed a newer flash available (mine ends in a "Y"), so I'll be trying to get that taken care of - perhaps tomorrow, since my gaskets finally arrived. ...I can't think of any reason that the ECM flash for an '09 would be different from an '08...anyone? Bueller? Bueller? | ||
| Bartimus |
Court, it was my call to Buell Customer Service that got the factory tech down here to look at my bike. Unfortunately he agreed with the shop stating it was normal... | ||
| Helga |
maybe we should start sending e-mails and calling one by one.The thing is who ever read these lines will NOT buy Buell and this is not great advertise in this crisis.Took to long and was hard to achieve all this and then suddenly due to few circuit boards and "not our bussines" from customer service everything going down the hill.I am very very happy with mine xb9r and only wish that Uly run at least the same way even with 15 HP more. | ||
| Darthane |
Wonder of wonders, they didn't give me any crap about reflashing my ECM. The Uly goes in Monday evening. I'll make sure to get the old and new flash numbers and we'll see if it makes any difference. ...why, oh why, can I not get a damned Race ECM for my '08, but there are a bajillion freaking Screaming Eagle 'For Race Use Only' parts available over the counter?!?! | ||
| Woodreaux |
Went by the dealership this morning to get an update on the Uly and was told that BMC-HD were working on the issue and that a conference call was scheduled for this morning. The service manager and I have known each other for close to 20 years and we have beers and ride from time to time. He was of the opinion like Court that it would be out of character for BMC-HD to "stick their heads in sand" and that BMC-HD techs were passionate for finding solutions. I know these things take time and it's a process of discovery. I am optimistic that BMC-HD will find a solution. | ||
| Pauley2000 |
Air cooled FI. Darn. Minor Jetting changes will not devastate your fuel economy. | ||
| Werewulf |
we have a lot of owners with issues on the new models... customer service is a joke.. been there.. how about a signed petition from everyone with problems, to the man himself? | ||
| Bartimus |
I wrote a letter to Erik, letting him know what problems I've had with my bike, and what problem I'm still having with my bike. I asked if there was any way he could step in and make this right. I don't care if they replace a 50 cent part, the motor, or the whole bike. I just want my '08 to run as well as my other Buells. I didn't rag on him about how crappy the bike is, (like I do here) but did tell him I would not buy another NEW Buell, due to all the problems I've had and the poor service I've received from the three local Stealerships in my area. The bike is in the shop now, been there two weeks waiting for a new front isolator. Hopefully, something good will come out of this. (keeping fingers crossed) | ||
| Ulyranger |
I am confident this can be resolved...my 08xt is running just sick right now, as in my license is in serious jeopardy. After the muffler actuator was fixed last month(don't know about a reflash, I asked but too late I guess so no # to post), the bike is running better off idle, slow speed/low rpm stuff is better and the mid-range is off the charts. Not rubbing it in, hoping to give encouragement that your Ulys can run the same!! Hopefully. The only odd thing I noticed since getting it back is sometimes it doesn't start right away on the first try (maybe 3 out of ten times). It'll fire once and die. Push the "fire" button again and she fires right up. The other 70% it's ready to play right away. I too wish we could tweak the ECM, probably wouldn't mess with it during the warranty period but it'd be nice to richen it up in a couple of places... | ||
| Kimberley |
I got my '09 Uly on the 29th.......ran out of gas (first time EVER) last Saturday. My trip ODO said I went a total of 173 miles. I'm gonna attribute this to my engine break in and I have been pretty speedy on it (she just won't do 55!). Other than that, this is the best m/c I have ever owned. I absolutely love it. Have been riding for 30 years. The past 5 on several HD models (I'm a gal who couldn't make up her mind) but I will NEVER go back!! |
