| Author | Message | ||
     Crusty |
I just spent a couple of hours surfing other motorcycle forums. On none of the forums I visited were the featured Marques derided like Buells are on supposed "Enthusiasts" forums such as Badweb or ATC or Sacborg. I don't really understand why it happens. I mean, if you don't like Buells, then why hang around a Buell oriented forum and look for opportunities to berate them? Personally, I have no use for Suzukis; I have no intention of finding a TL lovers forum so I can tell them how much I think their bikes suck. I owned a Honda 750 years ago that I detested. I'm not going to try to tell everybody who loves Hondas why they should get something else. Today, the temperature got up to 53 degrees, and I went out for a ride. After being off the bike for a few weeks, it felt so damned good that I could feel The Smile come back. I love riding my Buell. It's a Great bike. NOBODY else makes a motorcycle that even comes close to feeling as good. | ||
| Dynarider |
A lot of folks who rip on Buells, still own at least one. Kind of a love/hate relationship. Its sorta like that bad girl you always wanted to date, that you knew was going to dump you, but you dated her anyways. Sorta like picking a scab off, you know you shouldnt, but damn does it feel good when you do  Bad day Crusty?? It will get better. Had my bike out the other day. had to work today or I would have been out again. Not bad at all, dec 28th & its 51 degrees. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Have faith Crusty... Some of use Buell owners really like our bikes! I was thinking about riding also, but then I remembered how long it took me to polish my PM rims after a little salt dust got on them last spring. Maybe if we were to get a good rain. I can handle dirt, but corrosion sucks! | ||
| Glitch |
People the rag on Buells haven't figured out that an engine, frame, two wheels, and a set of handle bars, doesn't make a bike. They are what a bike needs. And until they figure out what a bike is, they'll rag on those of us that do. It's an envy thing. They want what we got, but they haven't figured out that what we got we didn't pick up at our local Buell/HD dealer. It's what makes us unique. They want some of our passion, so they troll, granted they're not getting the positive end, but I guess they're happy with the other end. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
I really don't think of what any other person thinks of my Buell. I love it!!!!!and F*&K the rest of them. | ||
| Brucelee |
I love my XB9S and cant imagine a more satisfying bike to ride. To wit, the other day, I got enthusiastic compliments from a guy who owned a GSX1000 and then 5 minute later by a guy on a Road King! 10 minutes later I rode with a guy on a duc who kept stopping at lights and saying, "damn, that is a beautiful bike!" It was a great day and SACBORG is for shits. | ||
| Budo |
Well for me it was a deep sense of betrayal. I bought into the Erik as a living legend thing, which he is. I wanted Buell to be everything we all hoped and expected. I loved the style and execution of the bike. The motor and frame, everything. I bought a 1998 S1W new and managed to put 31k miles on it until I sold it. It was the single most unreliable machine I have ever owned. The factory did nothing for me and my dealer (Bumpas HD/Buell of Memphis Tn.)was simply not interested in maintaining my bike or keeping me as a customer. If Modesto Buell had been my dealer it is possible that I would still have my bile. But my bike did strand me four times and had numerous other problems. One of those was a holed piston at 19,324 miles due to a intake seal leak. I can tolerate alot, high purchase price, high maintance, however I have to have a reliable bike. I have to have a dealer that will actually take my bike in for service. So I have a Yamaha now. | ||
| Rex |
No problems with my Buells...almost 40,000 on the M-2.....still has the original battery, but will need to change it out in 2004. The S-2 runs and rides like a dream.... and the RSS, still getting used to it....needs to be dialed in a little bit more, but absolutely beautiful......we will see. | ||
| Fullpower |
like newfie said... fuckem. | ||
| Pauly |
My first legal bike was a 78 XLCH. I used take all kindsa sh^t from my buddies who all had Hondas, Kawi's etc. . The usual unreliable, leaky, noisy routines, ya know? But, my bike had what their's didn't... soul. Same thing now. Honda, Yamaha etc. may have better reliability, dealer support, etc, but they still have no soul ...... | ||
| Bomber |
hate seems to arise is equal measure to love when a relationship goes bad . . . .people feel strongly about their Buells when they first fall in love, and feel equally strongly when they fall out of love, I'm thinkin . . .few other scoots elicite the strength of emotions that Buells can . . . . that said, I'm still enjoyin the hell outa mine | ||
| Mrs_crusty |
Crusty's had to work today, it's 58 degrees out, so I suited up and just came back from a quick break in ride on my new Blast. Damn, it feels good to be back on a Buell again! What a feelin'! Been bikeless for 7 months and the last one I rode was an '84 XL. Nothing wrong with it (except having been totalled), but I still prefer my Buell. If folks got nothing else to do but surf Buell sites and rag on the marque, jeez, they need to get a life! | ||
| Budo |
Character, soul. Great things, the tube frame bikes had it in spades, at least for me. I still like the look and sound of those bikes. The thing is, I have to have a bike that works. My experience was that my bike was very trouble prone and the dealer was simply not interested in keeping me as a customer. I did not trust my bike to get me there or more to the point to get me home. I am glad that so many guys and gals have bikes that work. I hope that their experiences continue to be great! Funny thing about the Yamaha, while it may lack soul, or character, it works. | ||
| Bomber |
Budo -- I've owned a number of Yamaha (but not for some time), and had troubles with all of them . . . .. nothing catastrophics, but troubles nontheless (coupled with less-than-ideal dealer support, too {gosh, really? smile}). I'm glad you're enjoying your Yammies, and wish you many miles of smiles | ||
| Buellsnblondes |
.....flashing back to the day I picked up my new XB9R... My wife and I are standing in the show room, the salesman fires up the bike and my wife starts laughing hysterically. The bewildered salesman turns the bike off and in a puzzled voice asks her what's so funny? Still laughing, she manages to explain to the salesman that I had owned many japanese sportbikes, and raced many others belonging to other people, and never in her wildest dreams did she think she'd hear "that sound" in our garage! I guess after all these years, I've finally had to come out of the closet and profess my love for the the sound of a rumbling V-Twin! I reminded her that I had once said that if Harley ever built a legitimate sportbike, I'd buy one... My Buell is likely as close to that reality as I will ever know, and I have to say... I love this reality! Be safe! Ed | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Budo you said it best, what loses a customer FTS is poor dealer support. I had a FZR400 that had lots of teethign problems the first 2 months I had it. However my dealer bent over backwards and finally said screw it and gave me another one that didn't have any of the problems. Had that bike until someone else felt they needed to own it more then I did and stole it. I miss that bike, but I love my Buell better. | ||
| Eeeeek |
SacBORG is the ultimate irony. Founded by Buell enthusiasts who, over the course of owning Buells, were turned to the dark side. Originally formed by: Ray, who finally lemoned his X1 after numberous transmission failures, among other problems. Danny, our friend in Modesto who rides his V-strom much more often than his S2 (new engine due to old one grenading). Myself, two top ends, one complete rebuild, stuck throttles, countless exhausts, etc. I keep the site running because the demand is obviously there. That and a good number of the members still own Buells and are interested in them. You see, just because I no longer own a Buell doesn't mean I don't believe in the dream. I want Buell to do well. I respect Erik and what he's done. At the same time, I had enough problems in my Buell in 27,000 miles to keep me on the sidelines until I can either: a) afford to keep two steet bikes, in which case I will pick up a black/blue S1W for short jaunts in the hills and around town. b) they come out with a proven, reliable bike that fits my street riding style c) I find a dirt cheap bolt to race in middleweight twins. Vik | ||
| Budo |
What Eeeeek said. I have only had seven or so bikes in 28 years of riding. For example my previous two hondas with combined mileage of 40k miles required one headlight blub. My Buell in 31k miles, well I won't bore you guys with all that. What Eeeeeek said. | ||
| Prof_stack |
Budo: funny, it was a Yamaha and its electrical problems and pricey parts and slow delivery that rode me to a Harley in 1986. No problems with that Sportster or the Electra-Glide that followed (I still own the bagger). It was Buell in '00 (Blast) and '03 (XB9S) that reawakened my love for motorcycling. Thank you, Yamaha... (SR500) | ||
| Dynarider |
Yamaha Vision is probably one of the worst bikes ever produced. I dont think any of them were ever any good, at least a few Buells ended up being reliable. | ||
| Bomber |
prof amen to your troubles with the SR500 -- I've experienced the exact same set of crap from mine, though I still own it (singles rock, 'sides, i've got way too much into it to dump it now (grin))) there's not a manufacturer that hasn't made a dog from time to time . . .some more often than others | ||
| Budo |
All machines will have problems of some kind. Some simply maintance. Some more serious. I guess I have been lucky. My Buell gave me the most trouble. Second was a 1978 Triumph Bonneville 750. Yeah, a original Meridean Triumph with Lucas electrics was way more reliable than my Buell. Dealer support and parts availibility was better too. It is interesting to check out the 'problems' page on different websites, http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/forum/ http://www.sv1000.zyns.com/. I still don't understand why Buell must be handled by HD dealersips, except for Modesto I don't know of anyother stand alone dealer. I have never been treated with such contempt and disdain as I was with my dealer. The next nearest dealer to me is 3.5 hours away so it is not as simple as going someplace else. So, I did then only thing I could, sold the Buell and bought something else. I am under the impression that bikes made more recently, say late 90's are very reliable, and, have very good fit and finish. edited by budo on December 31, 2003 | ||
| Prof_stack |
Dyna, agreed on the Yamaha Vision. I thought it was the ugliest bike on the road at that time. No fins on the cylinders? What were they thinking? Nowadays most of the water cooled bikes have (fake) fins for cosmetic appearance. Bomber, I loved the SR500 too much and when she let me down (exhaust valve had to be replaced as well) I had no choice but to shoot her. But the thumper bug stayed with me, which is why I got the Blast in '00. More reliable than the SR and just as fun. However, a test ride on the XB9S soon put the P3 back in the showroom via trade-in. | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
Why a Buell for me personally? I like American bikes, and have owned three Harleys. I also liked the idea of having a sport bike, but the only one I would consider was a Buell. I had a friend of a friend selling his Millenium X1, and when I saw it I said "Yep, that will work". Low miles, 100% original, and in excellent shape. I think it's beautiful, and I can ride for weeks/months and not see another one like it. I like things that not everyone else has. Originally is good in my book... Mike M | ||
| Gearhead |
Why a Buell? When I went shopping for a new bike I was 40+, stable(well, relatively speaking), employed with cash to spend. I had riden Susukis but neither of the import dealers in the area would let me test ride anything. I made my way out to the Buell/HD dealer only because I knew the owners son who rode an early Buell. DaveS says to me after only a few minutes, "Let's go for a test ride". Needless to say I was hooked, especially because I got to ride both an M2 and an X-1 on the same day. You've all hit the nail on the head throughout this thread that the dealer definately makes the difference!!! I'm fortune to have one if not the best one in the country just a few miles away. I'll be a Buell guy for a while for several reasons but one of the biggest kicks is owning something so different, looks and sound!! | ||
| Anonymous |
But back to the original issue posted...why don't the ex-owners of other brands who had problems with them (and believe me there are PLENTY) hang out on the competitive brand forums and bash away? It's absolutely wierd. When the tube frame bikes came out, Buell was a struggling little company, who were trying to design and build new bikes while dancing with a big old elephant parent company and dealer network who didn't know the customers. They had some issues, and paid dearly for them...in cash...you won't find recalls on other brands that had similar problems. Now the Blast and XB products are out and are great quality... and getting better every day. Harley-Davidson has begun to understand and invest in radical new products because of what they are learning through Buell. Why won't folks recognize the huge effort and care that is coming out of Buell? Old bevel drive Ducatis are glorious collector's items now, but having owned several, I can tell you that you wouldn't get ten percent of the miles without problems on them that you would on a tube frame Buell. Did Ducati ever improve them? Hell no. Did the tube frame Buells get better every year? Darned right...a 2002 S3T is a great motorcycle. 2004 Lightning and Firebolts are absolutely superb motorcycles, with quality just shining out of them. Despite all the wailing and dire predictions (and a few idiot dealers), you can still get plenty of parts and service for tube frame bikes. You won't find anywhere near the availability of parts and service for discontinued models from other brands. Now if we and Sacborg, etc. represent the "fans", is it any wonder that the dealers aren't sure this is a good idea? Maybe we are the problem. How about heaving the chip off your shoulder and talking positively at the dealer as well as on the forums? I mean, all the dealers probably hear is bashing. But on the Honda chat page (and thus probably at the dealers) no one would think twice to complain that their Gold Wing isn't getting a new frame, but instead is getting welded up by Chuck's Auto body down the road from the Honda dealer...and when it breaks the second time, it gets welded again. Or that it takes months to get parts for their nine year old (and three generations obsolete) sportbike... Oh, hell... | ||
| Anonymous |
BTW, happy f'n new year to you all. Maybe we'll get it right for you one of these days, but some days I doubt it. | ||
| Timbo |
Hey! I'm happy. Does that count? Timbo | ||
| M1combat |
Well, 1099 miles into my Buell... I love it. | ||
| Bradj |
Too much Milwaukee's Finest...  After you wake up and  You'll look at your 20th Anniversary scrapbook and feel the  You'll sit down at the CAD workstation and the V-Rod motor in the XB Frame thing will practically solve itself.  In a few years, we'll all be so cool and popular, it will be frightening.  Until then... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Good night, fair  .. |
