| Author | Message | ||
     Rocketsprink |
After 2 dead batteries, clutch weeping, speedo that works intermittently, and an electrical problem that leaves the battery drained, I can't take it anymore. I am as pro-Buell as the next guy, or I wouldn't have been so involved in Home Coming. But after this morning, all geared up and ready to ride, turn the key on and nothing, volt meter reading 5.38V, and NO reason the battery should be drained, I have finally had enough. This bike (08 1125R) is a great bike. Love the engine, the handling, looks, but can't stand the unreliability. This is by far the most problem prone bike I have ever owned, and I've owned many. Ironic that 6 XB's I've owned and my Wife's 2003 9S which we still have, have NEVER given me one problem. Yet I have a Rotax engine that pukes clutch fluid and has all kinds of electrical issues. The bike is going in tomorrow and getting looked at. The clutch repair kit has been ordered and isn't available until 9/30/10. When the bike is fixed, I am getting rid of it. Don't know what I'll get to replace it. IF it's a Buell, it will be an XB. But I don't know if I want another Buell. It's a shame that a bike with such great potential was released before all the issues were worked out of it. But it has soured me to Buell. Don't want a bike I can ride one day, and find dead in my garage the next. That's not to say other makers don't have issues, but this seems to be the running theme with the 1125's and I've had enough. | ||
| Xnoahx |
Cool, replace it with an RSV4 | ||
| Reducati |
get an 09  | ||
| Ponti1 |
Were the two dead batteries caused by the electrical drain you mention? Remember the tech bulletin (TT396, from 11/24/2008) about instrument cluster causing parasitic draw? Perhaps all your issues could be resolved with a new cluster. That is, except the weep. I don't necessarily consider that a problem...Remember "Harley's don't leak oil, they just mark their spot"? Gotta have a jovial attitude toward things that are mostly insignificant. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Yeah, the rsv4 has had no problems.......... ..........unless connecting rod failure is considered a problem. http://blog.motorcycle.com/2009/10/28/motorcycle-n ews/2010-aprilia-rsv4r-engine-failure-delays-press -launch-video/ http://blog.motorcycle.com/2009/10/28/motorcycle-n ews/2010-aprilia-rsv4r-engine-failure-delays-press -launch-video/ | ||
| Bobbuell1961 |
As Ponti said, it you look on the back of the IC if the software is lower then 5.1.1 there can be a parasitic drain. Even if you are out of warranty a good dealer should be able to goodwill a replacement | ||
| Johnnys999 |
Seems more and more problems are popping up and if you consider there weren't that many 1125s made, could be a cause of concern down the road. So far with 3K on the clock, I've had a broken water pump,some striped bolts and the harness recall, thats about it. Its a new bike introduction so things like this could be expected I suppose. Don't like it but I can live with it for now since the bike is still on warranty. However, I have plans of selling it within a few months. | ||
| Brumbear |
Fair well I don't blame ya a bit. A fella has a right to be PO'd after that many problems. | ||
| Usanigel |
Get the extended warranty for the full extra 5 years. This is a machine that needs it! When you sell it gives peace of mind to the next buyer, even gives you some of that peace too! PM me and I can give you a contact for a great price. You must do it during the first 2 years of warranty! Many say its not cost effective but on this machine............ and the price of parts and labor if you can't DIY. | ||
| Ponti1 |
Over 22,000 miles on mine, built December 2007. No problems other than a few rear turn signals and a slow weep from the clutch cover. Turn signal problem was resolved with a newer revision of the OEM part, and the weep is not even worth worrying about unless/until I see a puddle of some sort on the floor of my garage. Just throwing it out there that a these bikes are generally very good, and that problems may not be as rampant as they may seem on an internet forum. | ||
| Fireboltxb9r |
I have a friend which owns the RSV4 and it is a gorgeous and awesome bike. Economy however is not one of it's strong points as he is lucky to get low 30's mpg. Ride it hard and that number drops even further. | ||
| Jules |
I'd be really interested to hear which SW version the IC is at.. | ||
| Xnoahx |
If I were looking at an RSV4 the economy would not be a factor. It like complaining that I cant take my family camping on it. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
i think a lot of it is dealer support, if you have a crappy dealer that can't fix the few small problems, then they become big problems. I consider myself lucky that i have two great buell dealers within 30 miles of me. | ||
| Brumbear |
My next machine will be a Triumph either a tiger or a speed triple | ||
| Rocketsprink |
I just Pulled the cluster and the software is is 4.3.1, so apparently that could be the issue with the battery. Is that not something the dealership should have or still know? Uke's is a great dealership, but sometimes you get service department personel that think they know more than they actually do. | ||
| Ponti1 |
It's certainly worth checking out. If you want/need a copy of the tech bulletin in PDF form, shoot me a PM. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
talk to your dealer about getting a new ic, that will fix the battery drain. When you get the new ic, see if that fixes the intermittent speedo, if it does not, then change out the vss sensor. | ||
| D_adams |
Most HD dealers don't really "deal" with Buell's, finding one that has a good tech is even more of a rarity. I guess I got lucky that there are a couple here in St. Louis. I don't remember what the latest version was, but I thought I had seen the software number at 6.0.1 or something like that. I'd definitely take it in and have them look at it. | ||
| Fireboltxb9r |
Xnoahx - Funny you should say that.....I was just looking into trailer hitches so that I could tow my 4 person pop up trailer!  | ||
| Black |
+1 Ponti1, You know, if I had been a a BadWeb reader, I would have never bought a Buell. So much for an Internet Forum where the sky always seems to be falling. I had a problem with my 2002 X-1 where it would shut down after about 15 miles.....put up with it for over a year, because I knew there had to be a fixable issue. Turned out my rotator was slightly bent...caused a change in firing where the cam position sensor actually dragged physically on the rotator when it was hot...coking up the plugs and shutting it down. An excellent Buell mechanic saw the carbon tracking an changed it out. Voila! No more problems. I had the turn signals fail in my 2008 1125. Bad batch...fixed under warranty. They fixed the clutch leak too. No issues at all with my 07 XB12 STT....Hey that would have been a good engine for the XR1200 wouldn't it? Erik's Thunderstorm engine is super dependable and runs like a bat out of hell. No roasted clutches. My 2009 1125R has had none of the issues I keep hearing about. But If I do have a stator problem....or a clutch leak.....I'll be satisfied knowing that lots of BadWebbers will just be tickled to death if my bike breaks down. Anybody know where I can go (on the Internet) to find some folks that really are Buell enthusiasts? This forum makes me feel sorry for Erik. With friends like this...well, you know the rest. | ||
| 2kx1 |
Dan, the problem is that dealer (most) don't have anyone knowledgeable to fix the issues. The stator problem is kinda funny because the same issues arise on the Ape RSV (ROTAX), is there a possible connection ?? Has anyone checked to see the fixes for them? Does anyone know if it a Denso stator? | ||
| Black |
Lars, In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have posted that. I do know how frustrating it can be to get a dealership to troubleshoot a problem when they aren't properly trained and in many cases, just don't care. So, if I stepped on any toes. Well, I probably should have chosen my words more carefully. As far as the stator issue...there is not enough information out there to tell if the issue is just a bad batch of stators....or a design problem. I'll be watching those who have the new stators and those who have gone out and gotten theirs rewound with interest. On a lighter note, hopefully will see you all at Summit Point. | ||
| Bueller4ever |
$30 battery tender could solve all your problems. If I let my car sit for a few weeks, it will drain the battery too. My clutch weeped too, but has been golden since the fix. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
+1 on the tender. When my 08, original cluster 25r is in my garage, it's on the tender. Takes 14 seconds and I've never had an issue. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
The problem is some of us don't have access to a power plug all the time. I live on campus during the school year and i have to park the bike outside, so i can't put it on a battery tender. Right now i am checking to see how long it can go without a tender. I am going on 12 days without a tender and it is still running strong. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Problem is as soon as I take it off the tender and hook up a volt meter, I can watch the voltage start to drop. And traveling with a tender and finding a place to plug it in every night can be a pain in the @ss. Guess I'll find out more over the next week or so. Really wanted to ride too. | ||
| Blackstripes |
Just in case, I don't have a plug either, but I got this :http://www.batterymart.com/p-isc175-imob-175ma-sol ar-battery-charger.html and it works perfectly. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Mine is off the tender for 12-14 hours when I ride to work, never been a problem. If you really like the bike, give them a chance to make it right. If you're just tired of riding it, then by all means unload it. Life is too short to be on a motorcycle you don't enjoy. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
i go to cal poly pomona, if i left that charger on my bike it would gone in less then a week. I am worried about some trying to mess with my 1125. When i parked my sportster on campus, some punks paint balled it. |
