| Author | Message | ||
     Mojoman |
I hope my experience is an anomaly and that you can knock some sense into me, but I'm tempted to give up on the Uly due to reliability issues. My Uly has been in the shop 3 times since I bought it 2 years ago and is about to be in the shop again as soon as I arrange for it to get picked up. That's 4 times in only 2 full seasons. The first 2 issues were for bad engine performance that ended up being chalked up to 'electrical issues' by the dealer, and a repair was made after the second visit. The 3rd issue was the starter being fried a couple months after the first issue was fixed. What might be the last straw is the starter burned out AGAIN after it was replaced only 2 months ago and used to start the bike maybe 30 times. (Acrid smoke came out of the motorcycle when starting it.) I was stuck in Sequim, WA (was 1 start away from being stuck in Forks, WA!!) and some awesome Harley guys helped me push start it to get it to a friend's place nearby where it sat during the 4th July weekend. :-( This morning I had to start it by making like fred flintstone and duck walking to a hill and luckily it started using that method sans burly hombres :-) and then drove 120 miles home since I couldn't take a ferry due to having to shut off the motor to ride said ferry. So what say you bad weather bikers? Did I just get a lemon? Or maybe it's the dealers' fault doing a bad job fixing the bike the first time (but that still is a viable issue if I can't find a decent mechanic). The machine goes out of warranty next month and I am tempted to get rid of it before something breaks again but I don't want to. I like it too much. It's an 08 with 5000 miles. I think I've already decided to keep it but I'm going to have to join AAA for the tows.  Anyone have an awesome worry free experience? | ||
| Ourdee |
I don't worry. If it happens, it happens. You can always figure out a way to push start it. Start carrying the BRAN list. You will meet new friends.  | ||
| Mojoman |
BRAN = Buell Riders Adventure Network or ? The more I look at other machines (mostly sport tourers and the rocket 3 which is tempting but ridiculous) the more I want to hang onto the Uly but it needs to show pappa some luv for a season or two. | ||
| Cyclone8u |
I would check your main ground from the battery to the frame. I had the same issue. It wasn't the starter, it was the wiring harness burning up because the current draw from the starter was going through the smaller wires of the wiring harness in search of a good ground. After a few months of this, the magic smoke was released and the only way to start it was the Fred Flintstone method. The grounding on these bikes suck for some reason. Even after repair, I still have to go under the seat and do the loosen then tighten routine to get the ground to re-establish itself. My next move will be to run a 2 gauge wire or braided ground strap from the negative terminal of the battery directly to the engine with some star washers - that should fix it permanently. Staying on top of the grounding, I've had nearly 9,000 miles of trouble free Buelling.... | ||
| Hughlysses |
It sure sounds like you have a grounding issue that the dealer has never diagnosed nor repaired correctly. I think I'd take it back to the dealer for a warranty starter replacement, suggest he check the grounds, and check behind him once you get the bike back. IIRC there's a Buell technical service bulletin posted here somewhere about checking and correcting grounding issues. It might help to carry a copy of that with you to the dealer. | ||
| Jlnance |
BRAN = Buell Rider Assistance Network. Look in the topics section of this board, it's a badweb thing. You have to be logged in to see it. | ||
| Jlnance |
I'm with Hugh. It sounds like you have one problem that has never been fixed. You might want to take it to a different dealer and have a fresh set of eyes go over it. I've never heard of a Uly loosing a starter, much less two. | ||
| Jphish |
Mojo - Yep, sure sounds like a ground issue...unless your getting some tremendous voltage spikes from lightning? Those burly HD guys do come in handy at times. I've had a few 'issues' with my Uly as well - 10k mi and 3 warranty trips to dealer. However, not ready to give up yet - she's too much fun when she runs. Where are you getting the work done ? Kevin Garrison is the Buell tech @ downtown HD/Buell in Renton & pretty good trouble shooter. BRAN list - don't leave home without it. I usually just take the few pages of the area I'm going to travel - but there was no one in Yellowknife to call last time. Did have a local bear offer to eat my jerky filled tankbag though. | ||
| Chadhargis |
My Uly has been in the shop for: - Bad stator/regulator - Bad wheel bearing - Leaking fork seal - Bad fan - Leaking countershaft seal All in the first two years of ownership. All fixed under warranty. Since then, I've not had any issues with the bike. It's like it knows it's out of warranty and stopped breaking. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Chadhargis, It's just your bike's way of rebelling because you make your ULY look like a mini-bike. | ||
| Mojoman |
Thanks for the tips. I've let the dealer know to check the grounding and will see how it goes. | ||
| Mojoman |
Got it back from the dealer already. It was indeed a ground problem and the dealer installed star washers or something different this time to insure that it doesn't happen again. They also replaced my bent clutch level that I've been using for over a year which was a nice touch! I didn't ask for that. Rode it home and can't wait to take it out again. | ||
| Ulynut |
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| Chadhargis |
Electraglider, maybe you're right. But at least the Uly doesn't feel like riding my Gixxer 600. That bike is so small it makes me feel like I didn't wipe good after dropping a big deuce. | ||
| Hooper |
THAT was vivid. |
