| Author | Message | ||
     Sconley |
Greetings all... I was considering an xb12R as I like the 2008 color the best, but I've read a host of problems from stalling/surging to oiling issues, finicky gas gauge, and low MPG's? It's hard to find follow-ups in the forums related to the issues people were having... Have all of these issues been sorted out in one way or another and can you get a 2008 up to the reliability level of a 2007? Do you expect that the 2008 is good for 75,000 miles or more? Is the mileage back up near 50 mpg? I find electrical gremlins terrifying, is the wiring/electronics suspect? Basically, should I steer clear of the 2008 and focus on a 2009 or go backwards to the 2007? Perhaps less is more? | ||
| B00stzx3 |
I thought the newer ones were less problematic than the older ones... my 2003 9R was the first year and had a few issues. I bought it used though and first owner took care of them. MPGs wise, IIRC don't do any worse than any other liter sportbike. All my buddies ride R1s and Gixxxas and we seem to fill up at the same time and I've never run out of gas before them. Its funny how much all my "regular" sportbike-riding buddies diss on the Buell..and yet they ALL have issues. My buddies Gixxer is leaking oil like a Harley, electrical problems on my buddies RC... people always gonna be quick to make it seem like Buells the only bike out their with problems but ain't true. Japan and Italy aren't perfect and neither are Buells. Besides that, DO IT! Nothing like riding a Firebolt. The torque, the handling... (Message edited by b00stzx3 on April 05, 2010) | ||
| Geforce |
Sconley the best advice I can give you is to get what you LIKE the most and not to sweat the petty stuff. All mechanic vehicles will encounter some problems here and there but how you maintain and ride your bikes speaks volumes as to it's longevity and durability. I have never owned a 'bolt, but one of my best buddies had an 07 for a while before he wrecked it and it was hands down an amazing machine. My wife's new 09XB12Scg is a beast and haven't had any issues with it all besides the fact that we fight over who's riding it. All of the XBs are very similar and yet unique in there own special way. I'd look for what will make you happy. | ||
| Sconley |
30mpg's vs 45-55 mpg's isn't really petty in my mind... I've owned a couple of buells and more or less know what to expect from them (or what not to expect from them), but if 35mpg's and a stuttering motor is the norm for the newer EFI system and it can't be tuned out, then I wouldn't be happy with the 2008... So I'm just trying to ascertain if the people who did experience these issues, were able to successfully address them... | ||
| Boltrider |
I have the bike you're looking for but I ain't selling.  My '08 12R gets about 40 mpg. I couldn't tell you about a stuttering motor because mine runs smooth and strong. It has 13K miles and has been very reliable. My only regret is that I don't ride it enough. | ||
| Froggy |
Issues with the 08's were mostly due to early programming. Getting your bike reflashed to the latest programming would most likely resolve any issues related to low fuel economy and poor running. There have been a few isolated failures like throttle bodies, but nothing out of the norm for any model year XB. Personally, I wouldn't pick up an 07 or older XB anymore, the newer ones are that much better. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
"finicky gas gauge"? The only thing I have had for that was the trip meter I reset each time I filled it up. What gas gauge are you using, a dipstick? (Smile) I'm pretty sure there has never been one on a stock XB of any model. | ||
| Freezerburn840 |
Upside to post 2008 model xb's bike has better fuel injection(ddfi3) smoother operation but lower mpg. The old fuel injection (ddfi2) for 2005 to 2007 and (ddfi1) 2003 to 2004. Point blank has better fuel economy I am seriously considering picking up a pre 2008 model just for the mpg's. Performance wise they are the same across the board no difference horsepower or torque. I rode an 09 firebolt and to tell you the truth I found my 03 xb9s lightning more fun. I got consistently 50mpg running it pretty hard and absolutely no less than 45 mpg. Reliability my 03 xb9s was rock solid. My 09 got no better than 42mpg and was rock solid as well. For me I did not see much difference in the fuel delivery or the operation of my 09 vs my 03. So I would rather have the more efficient ride myself. I can have fun and still go 150 miles on 3 gallons of fuel. | ||
| Freezerburn840 |
Pre 2008 has a tunable ecm. Like ECM Spy programs. | ||
| Froggy |
I've proven this to be a myth, I was getting nearly identical fuel economy from a brand new unbroken in 09 XB12 vs my well broken in 06 XB12.
The 08+ models have a higher top speed. I will find the link, one magazine showed the newer bikes being slightly faster to accelerate.
I've noticed the same, the older bikes are more clunkier and less refined, some people enjoy that more than smoothness and power.
Every Buell can be tuned. | ||
| Badbuell08 |
I have a 08 xb12r and love it have not had any trouble with it what so ever and i get about 50 mpg or so. So i say go for it you will love it I love mine | ||
| Freezerburn840 |
Well I need to see more and more people post their mpg figures Froggy for post 2008. Maybe the 09 I had was a bad apple in that regard. You and Badbuell must be a select few to achieve good mpg from post 2008 models. | ||
| Tmall |
Average about 110 miles till the fuel light comes on on my 08 xb12r.. | ||
| Daschunk |
I average about 43mpg in the city and 50+ on the highway with my 08 XB12STT. When I first got it the mileage was pretty terrible (34ish). At the 1k service I had the dealership re-flash the ECM and the mileage jumped up. I usually go about 140 or so before the fuel light comes on. I know my friends 03 XB9R gets about 50mpg, but I can only get that if I am doing a lot of highway riding. | ||
| Buellblastrider |
my 09 bolt yesterday got about 40 mpgs which is worse than my 04 lightning (with "race kit"). I will also add I believe my 09 needs a update to the ecm as it doesnt really want to start up and run on the first try when cold. |
