| Author | Message | ||
     Jim_williams |
I've been lurking around here for awhile now. The Uly is like a sickness. I keep thinking about that damn bike! Well, I'm really close to trading my 04 GS for an 08 Uly with 14,000 on the odo. What should I be looking for? What should I be aware of? Is there any issues with the bike that are simple, once you are in the know? The bike in question looks clean, but, I haven't ridden it yet. Any advice appreciated. I will get a Uly. Maybe, this one, maybe, the next one  Oh, and, I did read through the "new Uly" owner section. Thanks! (Message edited by jim_williams on July 15, 2009) | ||
| Froggy |
Make sure it doesn't run like crap. 08 was the first year of the new fuel injection system, and it seems some bikes didn't like it. Getting the dealer to update the ECM programming can help, as long as the issue isn't something physical. Also, you are a lucky and near Precision Harley, one of the best dealers in the north east. | ||
| Ulynut |
Check the rear wheel bearings. If the seals are red (or orange) have them swapped out to the upgraded black seal bearings. I haven't changed mine, 22,000 miles and no trouble yet. Others have had problems with theirs. I don't know what recalls there are with the '08s, but if they haven't been done, you can bring it to the dealer and have it done.  | ||
| Xbimmer |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/442053.html?1238017122 Might help. | ||
| Mad_doctor |
I love my 08 XT. have not had any issues with how it runs,(I ride past my brother's GS on the rear wheel, he can't touch it). I did have fan issues when the bike was new, and I have a replacement for the throttle now. Bike starts great, runs great, handles better than great. getting rid of the perma-grin is the hard part. | ||
| Jim_williams |
Thanks, guys. Is there a way to tell by vin if the bike has latest bearings? I'm not able to check the bike out yet, but, am hoping to soon. The (BMW) dealer says it runs great. "like a buell, you know, it kinda chugs along at idle. if you nail it, hold on!" Does that highly scientific analysis indicate anything? Thanks! | ||
| Hughlysses |
Jim, we think that the bearings were changed starting some time in October 2007. Some 08 Ulys have them; others don't. Court has an 07 October dated 08 Uly that has the old style bearings. That's the newest 08 Uly that I've read of with the old style bearings. Easiest way to tell is by the color: bright orange seals = old bearings. Black seals = new bearings. The dealer could easily glance down and spot that. Old style bearings are no big deal; just update them when you get a chance. (Message edited by Hughlysses on July 17, 2009) | ||
| Jim_williams |
thanks. I've already called them 3x today. Don't want to bug them again! I'll ask tomorrow.. I just thought of another question I'm aware of the muffler rusting. I ride year round in the northeast. Salt, sand, dirt, grime. How is the bike going to hold up to those conditions? My BMW's have been great. I had a Triumph through a winter, and, it didn't fare as well! | ||
| Hughlysses |
If that's a concern, pull the muffler first thing and have it coated. Jet Hot works well, conventional powder coating may be sufficient, galvanizing would probably work. Otherwise, plan on pulling it and re-spraying about once a season. | ||
| Nutsosane |
Jim, If the bike is at MAX I might be of help as I am the previous owner.  NUTS | ||
| Jim_williams |
PM sent | ||
| Jim_williams |
That is so #$%^&*( cool! I found the previous owner. In the meantime, they say the bike was built Aug. 2007. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Jason (NUTS)is an honest guy - I'm sure he'll help you with any information you'll need.  (Message edited by florida_lime on July 17, 2009) | ||
| Hughlysses |
August 2007- it definitely has the "bad" wheel bearings unless they've been changed since then. | ||
| Nutsosane |
The rear bearings were changed to the new black ones. The old ones were changed by my Local Buell dealer at 10k miles and showed no signs of damage. NUTS | ||
| Ulynut |
AS far as riding in winter, I'm in Connecticut, and I ride in winter. The muffler will rust if not painted or treated in some way. I painted mine with high-temp paint last fall and it still looks o.k.. No other problems with riding in the cold weather as long as you go for a good ride to bring things up to normal operating temperature. |
