| Author | Message | ||
     Lopoetve |
This is coming from a guy with a 2007 HD Sportster that is falling apart around him. I've always liked the Buells, and I want to get into the on/off road riding finally, plus I really like the features of the Uly. I just want to really know - are these things a question mark, or pretty well proven over the haul so far? | ||
| Joenuclear |
If mine ever breaks I'll let you know. I've only got 8K on my 08 but it's near perfect. | ||
| Oldone |
I have approx. 6000 miles on my 08 Ulysses, I have had the dealer replace the clutch cable retainer with the new upgrade, no other problems, I get 160 miles before the fuel light comes on. My only problem is the bike is TALL. | ||
| Lopoetve |
well, 6'1 with a high inseam, so I'm fine on the height. Just making sure that this one isn't going to be as much a problem as my current one, especially since they use the same engine. | ||
| Hooper |
Wow! First of all, Buells are not Sportsters - they share a bit of an engine. The rest is 100% different. I just rounded 9,000 on my '06 with no issues that I couldn't figure out with a little input from my online friends. Nothing mechanical - it was a battery terminal thing. "Falling apart around him" is VERY strange. I have a 2007 Harley with almost 6,000 miles and it's been as reliable as an Infiniti/Nissan (and much, much, much cooler and much, much, much more fun) - which is the kind of car I drive. The Buell is the same. The Buell is not a marque that has been around for 100 years, or 40 years. The Uly has been around for less than three - I'm willing to accept an electrical quirk in exchange for the best experience I've had on two wheels, especially for under $12,000 (I have an '06). (Message edited by hooper on August 01, 2008) (Message edited by hooper on August 01, 2008) | ||
| Lopoetve |
Let me put it this way - service at 1000,5000,7.5k, and 10k. Full synthetic on all, fully dyno tuned for the modifications (stage 1 + pipes + fuel pack), and I'm now leaking oil, the fuel pump sounds like it swallowed a puppy, and it's burning about 1 quart every 1500 miles, if not a bit more. 11k on the clock, and it's also not running super well. Bought it used and do my own maint (the 7.5 and 10k service), and I don't trust the moco to not blame it on me, so I'm upgrading ASAP. Shouldn't have this many problems at 11k. Simply put, I don't trust the bike anymore, so it's time for it to go. I could expect a problem at 15k or 20k, but at 11, only a year old? Never have I had that happen. | ||
| Hooper |
That absolutely sucks - there are few greater fears than an unreliable motorcycle. I fear that a little bit when I read some of the posts on BadWeb - some dramatic problems. But I haven't had any of them, and so many others haven't, and so many more haven't even chimed in. So many have gone 40k plus miles with just routine maintenance. Man, I hate to think that there are "lemons" or "bad eggs", but how else do you explain it? Some Ulys' bearings or fans blow out at 6k, and some go at 23k. Weird. Anyway, my H-D St. Bob FXDB only has a set of Vance and Hines on it with no other mods or FuelPak or anything, so maybe I'm just lucky. You haven't been wearing chaps on it, have you?  | ||
| Crusty |
Honestly, how reliable is the Uly? My '06 Uly had over 34,000 miles on it when I traded it in on my '08 XT. It was the most reliable and trouble free motorcycle I've owned in 39 years of riding. | ||
| Lopoetve |
that'd be a no - full face helmet, good leather jacket, and jeans + boots.  Maybe it's scared of the full face helmet? Nice bob, BTW. Always loved the looks of those. the dealer, that I trust a great deal, did all the maint before I got it, so all I can figure is that its just bad luck. Either way, I'm definitely liking the look of the buell so far. | ||
| Az_m2 |
I've got north of 45,000 miles on mine and it's running perfect. (Message edited by az_m2 on August 01, 2008) | ||
| Cyclonedon |
my 2006 Uly has 20,500 miles on it and I've changed the rear tire once, the rear brake pads, and the low headlight bulb. Oil changes and gas, your good to go! It's the best motorcycle I've ever owned! | ||
| Lopoetve |
That's what I wanted to hear. Awesome. Time to go shopping! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
24 K on a 2006 CityX that I treat like a ULY. Hell I caught air on her last nite, not big air, but it was a 3 foot void in the mud  Rode her home, rode her to work, rode her home, repeat. Bikes are machines, every machine has its limits, I think you find yours before the bike finds its. but thats just my experience. | ||
| Florida_lime |
I have an '07, currently with just under 21,000 miles in 14 months. It is my everyday commuter/touring bike. I have several other bikes, but the Uly gets ridden the most. I have had the BAS problems (15 shut-offs total), but it hasn't done that for about 6 months, since I bought a new one to keep as a spare.  I've had the rear rocker gasket replaced, plus the fan at about 12,000 miles. And the rear wheel bearings went south while I was headed north of Atlanta on Easter weekend at 13,000 miles. Excellent and unbelievably fast repair at Earl Small's in Marietta, by the way. Ate the tow and motel costs myself, though. Only time I was stranded on the road. Clutch cable holder, per usual as well. Bike will be going in to the local dealer tomorrow for another round of fan problems -- blowing the fuse like last time, but the fan will work if you put a new fuse in..... until it tries to come on again. I do all my own service, including tire changes. On my 4th rear tire, and 2nd front tire. Pretty easy to work on, and it's still a fun bike. Sometimes a little frustrating, but I'm not ready to give up on it ! We'll see how long it has to sit at the dealer this time -- "Buell parts are hard to get, plus we don't stock many. " was what I was told by the service writer today.  | ||
| Jlnance |
If you buy an 08 or 09 Uly, the issues you can expect are: 1 - Muffler will rust. Ceramic coat it to prevent that. 2 - Front brake will develop a pulse. Clean rotor and swap pads to fix that. 3 - Rear wheel bearings fail. Buell is working on bearing guards. The 06 and 07 bikes have some stator/VR problems as well that were addressed in the 08 models. I've got an 06, I just passed 47,000 miles. It's been a good bike. | ||
| Jlnance |
"Buell parts are hard to get, plus we don't stock many. " Well, the second part of that statement is probably true.  | ||
| Dnveloman |
I had an 04 sportster that I put 15K on. No issues. You said yours was bought used. I wonder if it was broken in properly. My 07 Uly has 9500. No issues at all. (except I swapped the front brake pads to cure pulsing.) Good luck. | ||
| Michaelwriting |
Florida_lime, I believe there was a product program or recall issued on the BAS. You should be able to get that serviced. Mike | ||
| Adrian_8 |
I have 40,256 on my 06 ULY ..the motor is running perfect with just one TPS reset that did nothing, that I could tell. The pulsing front brake is a valid statement and the rear wheel bearing set up is a bad design...but in the broad scheme of things these are no bid deal as all M/C have their issues, some are big..I replaced the rear wheel bearings yesterday for the second time..first puked at 23K second set at just over 40k..they are easy to change...in my 40K miles I have now spent less than $125.00 on the bike for stuff other than oil/filters and brake pads. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
14,000+ and still tight as a drum. Very reliable, very fun, and addicting. People go on and on about the Harley cult but Buell folks are every bit as cultish. Small cult but a very enjoyable one. Fortunately, and thankfully unlike Scientology, this cult has only demanded an entry fee of MSRP and no left nut, first born or automatic withdrawals from my bank account. | ||
| Portero72 |
Let me first say that these are merely 'my' experiences and opinions(thats for you, SirChad). I LOVE my Uly. Its an 06, bought new 7/07, now with 11.5k miles. In the last 1000 miles, I have had the following issues; 1. blown fork seal 2. VR/stator failure 1 and 2 happened separately, on a roadtrip, 1000 miles from home. 3. idle adj cable worn thru 4. warped front rotor 5. currently in shop awaiting parts for bad fuel pump/ignition switch(blown ign fuse left me and wife headscratching a mile from home) 6. shop is currently investigating oil consumption-1 qt every 500 miles 7. fan rattles a bit, but i'm holding off on that Miles 0-10.5k, all I had was a headlight ground wear thru. easily fixed. Having said all that, I still get a stiffy whenever I look at my bike in the garage, to say nothing of how it feels to actually ride the beast. But the debacle of my last roadtrip(mech failures, incompetent dealers, a CS department painfully reluctant to do the right thing) left me yearning for the reliability of my 80,000 mile 79 yamaha xs11. I am aware that MANY people on this board are getting 20, 30, 40k with no issues, but that is not my case. I am hoping that these are all just 'bugs' that are getting worked out, and my bike will soon be happily on its way. However, this level of reliabilty, on a bike I've had less than one year, is disappointing at best. That said.... I CAN'T WAIT TO GET MY BIKE BACK!!!! | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Oil pressure sending unit at 10k. Depends on how you ride and much you tinker with it. | ||
| Iugradmark |
We had a similar thread a while back on whether we have reached the reliable life span of the Uly. I think the responses are pretty much the same as here. Wheel bearings (which we are supposed to get a fix for) and electrical problems are the biggest complaints. Other problems like BAS, fans, brake pads, and belts are generally thought of as wear items now and the biggest issue is the lack of dealer inventory to fix if you are on a trip when they fail. We don't know yet on the 2008 whether the electrical charging issue has been put to bed but they do have a different setup than the previous year's models. I think the motor is going to prove to be very reliable as long as routine maintenance is performed. I believe the wheel bearing fix will be the last factory fix that helps out the '06 and '07 riders. I am not expecting any help on the charging or electrical gremlins but I do believe that Buell knew they had an issue and is part of the reason the '08's were changed. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
Partero72..in regards to the fuse blowing and fuel pump issues...MY 06 left me stranded 2000 miles from home when the fuel pump quit... The deal is: on 06 ULYs is there are 4 wires that chafe at the top of the fuel pump...the 07 and later bikes have a different part number I have heard. Three of my wires were bare and blew the fuse..never any warning, just riding thru Bryce Canyon, Utah and it was like the key was turned off. The nearest dealer pulled a pump out of a demo and heat shrunk the wires and made the new pump pretty bullet proof...this little bug a boo will be getting more attention as more 06 bikes get the miles on them...Mine conked at about 30K. There are pics somewhere on this site of the stupid wiring setup on the pump...This was covered under warranty and the tow bill of $560.00 was covered by Progressive Insurance...my lucky day....Just for the record I still like the bike...great fun... | ||
| Portero72 |
yo Adrian_8.... Thx for the info. I'll look into it when I get it back and make sure all is well and protected. Your situation sounds just like mine-running fine, then bam-no tach, guages, nothing. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Michaelwriting, The BAS recall was to relocate the unit from the ECU area back to the tail section, mostly on '06 models and a few very early '07s. My BAS is and always has been in the tail area; they are prone to "failing" no matter where they are located. 90% of the times it quit on me were 75 - 80 mph on the interstate, steady-throttle droning. Unfortunately how some work, but it really hasn't failed - just sending an incorrect message that can be corrected by cycling the kill switch. Hasn't hiccuped in 6 months or so, you just need to break them in a little. | ||
| Lopoetve |
I know the sporty was well broken in, and I know the dealer that serviced it - both were solid folk, and it just seems to be bad luck. | ||
| Pirnie |
Maybe this calls for another spreadsheet, similar to the mileage one. A listing of model year, manufacture date, bike mileage at time of problem, problem encountered and comments about the issue. Might provide some interesting and useful info for owners. Also... What's the BAS and the issue with it? Pirnie | ||
| 1313 |
Bought an '08 Ulysses XT on Feb. 23, 2008. Tonight it's got nearly 9,500 miles on it and (other than the XT-BOLT conversion) I could most likely akin it to Pontiac's GTO (in the old days...) Gas, Tires and Oil! Only one rear tire replaced so far! Looks like the replacement Strada rear is going to get well more than the 5,000 miles the first one gave... 1313  | ||
| Court |
That statement would be cause for me to question the honesty of the dealer. There are very few (including the entire compliment of 1995 S-2 parts) that you can not have from Buell within 24, maybe 48, hours. The next time your dealer tells you that kindly ask them to call me and I'd be pleased to guide them to the light of wisdom and truth. |
