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Hangetsu
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 04:18 pm: | 
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Hey, he did a Google search. If google didn't find it, it must not exist  |
Thetable
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 04:29 pm: |
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quote:You missed my post:
I'm not sure I did, I just didn't jump in.
I can't find any information to validate that the Ion has a stainless exhaust. Granted, I'm not looking that hard, because the Ion is dead, and I would have a very hard time suggesting that anyone followed any of GM's business model, seeing how well it is working for them. I also assumed that your comment was somewhat tongue in cheek.
While I'm there, I have been screwed by more timing chains than timing belts. I've never broken a timing belt, but I have a chain. And define "tune-up." I hate when manufacturers use that term. There are no points to adjust anymore, nor are there any carbs that need to be adjusted. The computer on modern cars controls all this. Usually all that is meant by "tune-up" these days is spark plug change interval (and occasionally plug wires.) Other wise there is really nothing to tune up.
PS MSRP for the base model 2003 was $11,400 and for the 2007 was $12,300.
(Message edited by thetable on May 04, 2009) |
Thetable
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 04:32 pm: |
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Hangetsu, pretend like I'm from Missouri, and "Show me" otherwise. |
Hangetsu
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 06:32 pm: |
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A small reminder: This conversation is not about cars and I don't give a rats a$$ what cars do or don't come with a stainless exhaust. What I do care about is a muffler, which on a motorcycle has as much aesthetic importance as it does function, rusts out in less than six months and 5000 miles. The Uly's intended function is "Adventure" sport riding and touring and there is not a single other bike out there in this category and at this price point that specs their product with external components made of materials that are this prone to corrosion, especially not a component that is so subject to moisture and road debris.
It's time you stop defending the simple fact that this is either a flaw on Buell’s behalf or perhaps even perhaps done with deliberate cost cutting intent. Either way, if Buell is going to crawl out of the limited market of hard nosed cult enthusiasts and compete with the world of tried and tested road bikes; attention to details like this is a must.
If word got back to any Japanese or European manufacturer about such a major and visible part repeatedly having this sort of problem, if a recall wasn't issued, guaranteed the next generation part would no longer have the problem. I'm hoping that BMC is looking at this issue and that maybe we'll see an improved muffler for XBs in the near future. You may be the type for whom your Buell is a weekend warrior man-toy and you think it's acceptable and fun to have to tear your bike apart on a regularly basis to repaint mufflers, up date, up-grade etcetera. I enjoy tinkering as well, but in this category of motorcycle, certain components should be made to last and hold up to the elements - particularly large exposed components like exhaust systems. This type of oversight will impact sales, especially in the adventure touring segment. I love my Buell and I have a great deal of respect for the company. That said, I would like to see the company improve on what is the foundation of a very fine motorcycle, but improvement doesn’t happen through making excuses for or turning a blind eye to flaws and imperfections.
Americans are famous for the cliché, “if it works, don’t fix it”. Well, it’s my belief that it is that cliché that sent many of our once great companies and products into oblivion and why we are now buying the same products from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, et. al., whose basic philosophy is; “it works, but how can we make it better and cheaper”. |
Thetable
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 06:42 pm: |
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And now Hangetsu, we are in complete agreement. FIX IT Buell! And while you're in there, can I get the pre 08 headers that don't seem to be nearly as prone to rust. With all my rust, no one outside the Buell circle believes my bike to be an 08. |
Jphish
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 07:01 pm: |
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AMEN ! My 08' Muffler looks like its a relic from some corrosion experiment. j |
Spacecapsule1
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 07:07 pm: |
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hey, you guys that had your mufflers replaced under warranty, how did you do that? i'm trying the same but get nothing but a tap dance from buell.... |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 07:43 pm: |
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I have a question on this topic. Are these exhaust systems held to the same emission laws as that of cars? Some that I know of have to warrant the exhaust system for 5 years and 100,000 miles.
For the first time the other day I took a close look at mine. Everywhere it holds heat in a chamber has the paint burned off and is rusted to where it really has begun to look like crap. I do own a body shop, as such I am equipped to do a refinish job on it. But it seems to me that it would need to be repainted or coated at least every year to maintain not only its appearance, but resistance to further corrosion. I don't have the time or ambition for all of that.
I am in agreement with those here who think stainless should have been used. I had a Buell Race Kit muffler on my former City-X. It was coated with a semi-gloss silver and in 13,000 miles did not show any of the burning off of its outer coating.
I wonder if Buell is going to do anything about the situation also. It is an embarrassment on an otherwise awesome looking machine. |
Hangetsu
| | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 07:51 pm: |
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The Buell Race Pipe is coated in ceramic. Does the stock pipe - the one that's needs to withstand thousands of road miles, not deserve the same treatment? |
Tginnh
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 06:14 am: |
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quote:I don't have the time or ambition for all of that.
How about the fork oil?
My 06 looks new again after a repaint.
Hopefully, in a year or two, I will have the $$$ to jet-coat the entire system. However, I fear this will not be the case since my eldest starts university in the fall. |
Pso
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 08:23 am: |
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I agree with Hangetsu-Seeing as how the major stuff has been tweeked, bearings, chaffing of wires, fan, voltage regulator connector #77, BAS, side stand, etc, time to do the comsetic thing. Also good question by Etennuly, that I would also like to know the answer. |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 01:16 pm: |
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How about the fork oil?
 ya got me! |
Svh
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 06:39 pm: |
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Took the chin fairing off yesterday to change the oil filter and my wife comes out to the garage and goes "Why is that rusting?!?! Its only 8 months old! We paid too much money to have a rusty bike already" I agree. On the plus side I explained to her that the race can and others are or can be ceramic coated so maybe I need to get one of those. She agreed.  |
Hangetsu
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 10:44 pm: |
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The point is, you should not have to lay out that kind of coin just to have a bike that won't rust. And lack of rust and a lot more noise is about all you're going to get out of an aftermarket can - all for the tune of $$$ |
Svh
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 - 10:12 am: |
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Hangetsu- I couldn't agree more with you. There is no reason my 8 month old $13000 bike has more rust on it than my brothers 5 year old $8000 bike. I can't believe it hasn't been taken care of yet. Doesn't take much R&D time since they already offered a ceramic coated can. Embarrassing really for all involved. |
Ourdee
| | Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2009 - 11:44 pm: |
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My wife saw the rust yesterday and went ballistic. I asked her if she wanted Erik's number. Man was she hot. It is about 8 months for mine. She said, you are off work go get it fixed. I said being off work is why I'm not getting it fixed right now. Puh, give up riding, not. They can fix it when it's cold out. |
Hotredjohn
| | Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2010 - 09:03 am: |
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Here is my contribution to The Rusty Muffler. I pulled mine this week to address the rust problem. I am going with the clean/paint with high temp Rustolium.
All cleaned up and ready for paint.
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