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Reepicheep
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 04:18 pm: | 
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25k miles would be pretty normal for a stator. Replacing it is both less work and less cost then doing a single valve adjustment on either a Ducatti or an inline four. |
Djkaplan
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 04:38 pm: |
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Read my profile. A good dealer can make all the difference in the world with your Buell experience. |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 04:39 pm: |
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Fl_billy, good luck closing in on me. I plan to ride the heck out of it over the summer. And then in Aug. I have a planned trip to ride up to NC to Deal's Gap, ride it, and ride back. Mwhahahahaha. 10K here I come!!!
But, hey, if you want we can meet up some day and hit some good roads. You live in South Florida right?
(Message edited by cataract2 on March 25, 2005) |
Viros
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 04:48 pm: |
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The straight skinny you ask...? Im going to give you an opinion many here may not like. It’s not necessarily a bad one but just my honest view.. I have 31K on my firebolt.. the major issue I had was I needed base gaskets done at 30K. That cost around 650 dollars which was covered through my warranty.. note my extended warranty has come in real handy many times on that and many other minor issues.. You hear a lot of good things about the new buells but they're reliability is still no where near Honda or BMW yet.. I noticed a big difference when they opened my motor up and fixed the base gaskets.. at 30 thousand miles my motor was already aging and rattling funny and I noticed a big difference when they gave it back to me..
Bottom line is this, as many members as there are on this board and people Ive met along the way I have yet to hear of anyone with a 50K stock XB motor. I ride 20K + miles a year and I worry Ill be needing a rebuild around the time my warranty expires as much as I love my bike I’ll be really surprised if I get another 2 years without any major motor work being needed. The point Im making is this it’s a good and reliable bike unless you plan on riding it 50K miles within 3 years. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 05:13 pm: |
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Bellsguns,
JD Powers data for motorcycles is not available to the public. The bike manufacturers get the information but cannot publicize it. This is due to an agreement made between the motorcycle manufacturers and JD Powers, why, I have no idea.
Since I actually have seen the data, I know the facts, and I can guarantee that Viros would be shocked by them. Buell XBs are extremely high quality, long lasting motorcycles with extraordinarily low cost of ownership. |
Fl_billy
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 05:18 pm: |
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But, hey, if you want we can meet up some day and hit some good roads. You live in South Florida right?
Yup, I'm down in Sunny South FL. You're up in the center part of the state? We should definitely plan a group ride at some point - maybe a Florida Buell owners' weekend or something like that. Would be loud, but fun!! By the way, I'm toying with the idea of riding my XB up to the East end of Long Island and back this summer, so reliability is a big issue in my head. Don't want to get stuck somewhere along the way with a broken anything. |
Sleeper_777
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 05:26 pm: |
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I have a 2003 XB9S. I had two recalls, one on the wheel bearings, one on the belt (I was not experiencing anything wrong with either at time of replacement). The dealership has replaced both with no cost to me out of pocket. I've not had any problem with the motorcycle and enjoy riding it. |
Fullpower
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 05:35 pm: |
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i travel with some BMW riders..... whenever they are not waiting on parts. around here if you ride a BMW, you have three of them, parts ordered for the two broken ones, and you hope you can keep the third running until parts come in for the other.these guys go through stators, diode boards, ignition modules, coils, driveshafts,clutch cables, shocks, cracked and broken frames, clutches, transmission bearings, voltage regulators, and i don t really know what other spare parts they carry in those huge aluminum "panniers".
other than fork seals, and a drive belt, my XB has been completely reliable. |
Xb9rski
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 05:36 pm: |
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Drummer & Everyone else.
I think Buell themselves have said it best "Find your Soul Mate".
Maybe it'll be a Buell, Duc or Kaw go with what you want and be happy in your choice.
I know that I myself will never own another rice burner.
"Ride it till it seizes"
Ski  |
Viros
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 05:45 pm: |
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Since I actually have seen the data, I know the facts, and I can guarantee that Viros would be shocked by them. Buell XBs are extremely high quality, long lasting motorcycles with extraordinarily low cost of ownership.)
The real world is what counts in my eyes. Its funny how I read in magazines and even see pictures of how Aprilla runs their motors non stop to reach 100k miles yet Buell who doesn’t have the best reliability record would keep a positive report of something like that unexposed.. as for "extraordinarily low cost of ownership" maybe for someone who actually has the skill and time to work on their own bike or for your average 50 year engineer who makes well over 60K plus a year maybe. For a guy in his early 20's like me and an average dealership 10k maintenance costing around 800 dollars, I wouldn’t exactly call that cheap. Ive had to have 3 of those done already) |
Stealthxb
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 05:50 pm: |
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U need to find another dealer!!! |
Viros
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 05:57 pm: |
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I knew what i was getting my self into.. I put 20K miles on an X1 prior.. With my XB I purchased 3 years of unlimited service for 1600 dollars, and can assure you the dealership probably regrets selling it too me..
I hate to come off as complaining Im really not and Im just as big a buell enthusiast as anyone here. I just want to give a real world perspective from my view. Its not always a pretty picture as some here always try to make it seem. |
M1combat
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 06:37 pm: |
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Sorry if I seemed to paint a pretty picture, but that's what I have sitting outside...
$800 for a 10K service? Uh, yeah, get a new dealer... I think they charge about $279 here. I did it myself anyway though... it took about four hours for everything other than the fork rebuild I plan to do. |
Drift
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 06:38 pm: |
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I've had my xb9 for about 3 weeks and I've never had a problem. hahahahahahahahaha.
Do whatcha like.
Drift |
Drummer
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 07:51 pm: |
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Guys,
I really do appreciate your comments and your honesty. It was a gorgeouos day in N. GA with temps in the mid 70s. I took the Hawk to T.W.O. (where last week's March Madness event was held) and had several people looking and asking questions. Not sure I could ever get rid of the Hawk GT but if the finances allow for it I think I'll take a hard look at an XB...the low version.
Maybe I'll ride by the Stone Mtn. dealership and see if they might let me demo one?
Thanks again for the good info and not blasting me for asking about a sensitive subject.
Steve |
Aldaytona
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 08:35 pm: |
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I own both, TUBERS and XBs, rode my M2 to New England from Ft. Lauderdale a couple of years ago, and back, no issues. My 2003 XB9R had close to 11,000 miles with no issues or warranty repairs. Minor repairs on my S1 and M2 (typical HD rocker box gaskets) ect. Have owned quite a few bikes (miss the 2 strokes) since the mid 60s, but none have been more fun or reliable overall than the Buells. Still own a BMW too, the R model boxers lived up to the reliable myth (had mine 21 years) Friends of mine with the newer ones wish they were as reliable as the older R models and Buell XBs. Honda,Honda,Honda, not as reliable as XBs according to JD Powers. I ride them hard (usually at or near the front) but don't abuse them, anyone can turn a fine machine into a pile of crap, just read some of these posts. Usually people who bastardize their bikes (any brand) are the ones who are always having problems and complaining to anyone who will listen. Buells have been very reliable for me.
That's my story an i'm stickin to it! |
Bellsguns
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 08:50 pm: |
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hmmmm....
that sucks they cant print it[jd powers report]
yes i'm leaning towards the buell.[xb9s]
i feel good at the harley place but dont know bout their service.
they have buells well displayed.
and their buell guy is real mellow, very nice.
they are closer to me than any duc dealer.
anyone have exp. w/lakeshore harley in libertyville,il?
anyway as said earlier 800-1000$ for 10k aint cheap! all told service is not that far off of a 2v duc. 2.5k buell 125$ 3k duc 135$
5k buell 220-275$ 6k duc. 500$
10k buell 500-1000$[would include tires@1000$] 12k duc 600$[1000$? if needed tires].
these quotes came from the dealer.
my beemers are about the same $.
but i have never had a bike break down on me or leave me stranded.
and it does seem i have seen on various post more complaints about the buell[new ones] than i have w/ ducs[2v].
i'm not saying they are bad. seems people buy odd things and then defend them or their reasons for doing so.[exotics] yes an american exotic.
kinda like the dont care as long as my exotic car runs on sunday thought.
but it may not be so bad as to make it for most, a hateful thing.
so w/ that said buell sounds good.
2- of the best looking bikes to me are the monster and the buell.
and i'm working real hard to put the buell in there 1st.
guess thanks to this site. |
Aldaytona
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 09:39 pm: |
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I used to sell them, lots of them, but being a Buell owner myself I lived on both sides of the desk. It was easy for me to sell a product that I owned myself. Customers would ask if THAT bike was my demo and became impressed when I told them NO, I own that bike. I have owned Buells long before I worked for a dealership, and still own Buells now that I don't.
Odd things?......OH YEAH.........to steal a phrase
Once you get it, YOU get it
6 months from now, tell me I was wrong
(I never had anyone I sold an XB to ever say they wish they hadn't bought it) |
Court
| | Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 07:10 am: |
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>>> best looking bikes to me are the monster and the buell.
Monster is great looking. Buell is great looking AND great riding. Tips the scales.
I see you are in IL. I'm flying into Chicago in a couple hours. Any questions, drop me a note or feel free to come over and have dinner with us. See the "All the Blues you can use" thread.
Court |
Daves
| | Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 07:36 am: |
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Bellsguns,
Come on up to Appleton Wi.
I'll hook you up!
1-866-757-1651
ask for Dave in sales! |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 09:41 am: |
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Also, I have not seen anything in the normal service intervals for my XB9SX other then TPS resets ($35 and 15 minutes every 10k miles, if you even bother with them) that I would not hesitate to do in my garage with a $25 tool kit. It is an exceptionally easy bike to work on.
Can't say the same about the duc. I won't slam the monsters, they are among the cooler bikes I would never own. |
Bigbird
| | Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 11:29 am: |
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Bottom line is this, as many members as there are on this board and people Ive met along the way I have yet to hear of anyone with a 50K stock XB motor. I ride 20K + miles a year and I worry Ill be needing a rebuild around the time my warranty expires as much as I love my bike I’ll be really surprised if I get another 2 years without any major motor work being needed.
About 3 weeks ago a customer traded in a XB9R with 45,000 miles on it. We sold it new, did all of the maintenance on the bike, and I can tell you for sure that it never had any engine work. It did get an O2 sensor, a brake rotor, and a few other unexpected minor odds & ends, along with lots of tires, belts, and other maintenance items that have a noted life expectancy. But it never had engine or trans work.
It lasted a couple of weeks on our floor and now has a new home. The new owner broke the belt within a few days of purchase, but we suspect we know why  Regardless we took care of it for him, and chances are very good that this XB will pass 50,000 miles without incident. |
Maxima4xu2
| | Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 12:03 pm: |
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8,000 miles on mine absolutely no reliability problems at all well except for a battery with 2 bad cells in it but this isnt buell this is the battery maker
later |
Glitch
| | Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 12:18 pm: |
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Maybe I'll ride by the Stone Mtn. dealership and see if they might let me demo one?
No problem, just drop by. Always more than willing to share. |
Midknyte
| | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 11:18 am: |
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anyone have exp. w/lakeshore harley in libertyville,il?
They've been pretty good to me |
Xring
| | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 11:55 am: |
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I got my bike at Lakeshore. Since I traveled up from WV, I won't be using them for service, obviously. But my buying experience was very good.
Dave S has been good to me too, helping with parts and advice.
Good luck,
Bill |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 12:00 pm: |
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Well... the one piece of advice evrybody SHOULD take to heart is to treat these engines like the pushrod, air-cooled motors they are.
I have seen many people light the fires, roll the tires - no warmup. Hard on the motor if the parts and pieces are not warmed up.
Also, continuous high revs are tougher on these engines. If you're consistently bouncing off the rev limiter, you may be asking for problems.
My S3 streetbike is hovering around 25K miles with the obligatory rocker box cover gasket and temperature sensor replacement. Synthetic oils used since breaking it in. I've never ridden the engine hard - though I'll have some spirited canyon rides, I still take it easy on the engine believing there's just no need to push it so hard.
My XB became a race-only bike a year and a half ago - so doesn't really count - EXCEPT the bottom end seems to be holding up better than I was led to expect. |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 01:10 pm: |
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I have a '96 S1 that gets ridden pretty hard. Except for the usual race header issues, the usual rocker gaskets, a blown head gasket, loss of a charging system due to nursing a bad battery, and persistent small niggling vibration troubles due to using motor mount limiters, she's been otherwise perfect for 20,000 miles. Maybe I'm an optimist but I couldn't ask for more. |
Xb9rski
| | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 03:19 pm: |
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Bigbird,
About 3 weeks ago a customer traded in a XB9R with 45,000 miles on it. We sold it new, did all of the maintenance on the bike, and I can tell you for sure that it never had any engine work. It did get an O2 sensor, a brake rotor, and a few other unexpected minor odds & ends, along with lots of tires, belts, and other maintenance items that have a noted life expectancy. But it never had engine or trans work.)
That sounds Like George's bike. Is he loving his street rod??)
I'm right behind him but I'm on my second motor.
"Ride it till it seizes"
Ski |
Hogs
| | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 03:24 pm: |
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Xb9rski,
That sounds interesting, wonder if you can say how that Dude drove hard ,easy or??? and I wonder the same goes for you andddddddd what kind of engine oil was used and you using??? Thanks |
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