| Author | Message | ||
     Smow |
Had my 8 day old 17,000mile X1 eat a sparkplug and its off to the chopping block... I'm stuck between what to do to replace the bike. I had saved and avoided payments, but now it looks like I'm going to end up with a bike loan. What do you think of this bike here. 2008 1125r with 2600miles http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/2021807866.h tml The other option (the one my wife is pushing me for) is this 2007 Ducati S2R1000 Monster(dude has to come down on the price though) http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mcy/2022539535.h tml I feel rather burned on the X1 and I am apprehensive to take on a Buell with such a short production life. This is something I plan to own for 10 years at least and put on 40,000+ miles on it John | ||
| Dannybuell |
If you compare service costs and maintenance intervals the answer will become very, very clear. | ||
| Easttroy |
Duc == Expensive maintenance. Buell's will be supported with parts for 7 years after discontinuation (that's 2016 if your keeping track) by HD. Erik Buell Racing will probably keep making a 1125r based bike for a while and still make parts on demand in the future if they move to another design (though may be more $$$). | ||
| Rob_l |
I sold my 06 S2R1000 after I got the 1125R. I see why your wife likes it they refer to them as a girls bike. No really, it was an excellent motorcycle with zero problems. Just to small, like a mini bike. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
i'm sure it's fine but i don't think i could actually regularly ride a bike with exposed timing components. | ||
| Jules |
Had my 8 day old 17,000mile X1 eat a sparkplug and its off to the chopping block... I'm stuck between what to do to replace the bike. I had saved and avoided payments, but now it looks like I'm going to end up with a bike loan. Maybe that loses something in translation 'cause I'm sorry i don't really understand what you're saying. Did you mean 8 year old (not 8 day old) as 17k in 8 days is good going.. Or did you mean you only had the bike 8 days? In which case it depends wheer you got it from as to what your recourse is. Why is it off to the chopping block? What exactly happened to it that makes it uneconomic to repair? You could pick up a cheap motor off eBay or just rebuild the existing one (dependant on the damange) rather than go into debt if you wanted.. | ||
| Jules |
Just out of interest "why" is your wife pushing you towards the Duc? If she's planning on spending ANY time as a pillion then neither bike is ideal. Having had both I can say that the pillion on the Buell is 10 times as good as the Duc, but that's not saying much... At least the Buell pillion seat is flat, the one on the Duc slides backwards and it really hard for a pillion to stay on The exposed cambelts aren't a good idea either and running costs are higher on the Ducati. (Message edited by jules on October 28, 2010) | ||
| Dman |
Any 08 1125 with low miles in good condition under $6K is a great deal, but I'd ask why it was painted/converted to a white 09 look - many times paint jobs happen due to drops. Buell or Duc ... I'm no help there, only Duc I like is the HyperMotard they have, otherwise I'm not crazy about them. | ||
| Kilroy |
Even with limited skills and a service manual, you could replace the offending head / piston / cylinder on a saturday, for probably less than $400 depending on whats broke when you open it up. Seems like a poor reason to trash a bike for good, especially an X1 (unless I am reading your comment wrong) Kilroy | ||
| Bartimus |
The X1 is a fine motorcycle, that handles great, is easy to work on, and is also VERY reliable. 17,000 miles, and not knowing what the previous owner did to it, ie; strip the sparkplug, install wrong sparkplug, etc. As stated above, it is very easy to work on, replacing the top end should be no problem. Installing an NRHS stage 2 kit would really make it scream!  I own a tuber, an XB, and an 1125CR, I still love my Tuber the most just because it's so easy to work on... Keep the X1! | ||
| Smow |
Sorry I should have posted this link, as I think it will answer most of the questions you have about the 'drama' of the bike. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/600614.html?1288126257 I have torn down small two stroke engines and put them back together. I also know my self well enough that I would not do the rebuild justice as I am not meticulous enough to tear down and rebuild the engine. I paid $3000 for the bike and I am selling it for $1750. If I can’t sell it for that I will get the engine rebuilt. The reason for the switch is that the wife will not be on the back but she is moving up from her Ninja 250 to a 2006 Honda Aero 750 that was my daily driver. My one other ‘bias?’ is that it would be better go with a fresh start, and a Rotax engine. I expect this engine to last 40,000miles and not need a major rebuild. Perhaps deep down I am a Honda guy that expects a motor with 17,000miles to just be ‘broken in’ not on its way out. The HD motor is a 100 year old technology, with 1957 blueprint. I think we can all agree that the motor is being pushed to ‘racing limits’ during daily use (pulling an extra 40HP just can’t be good) and so only getting 20K out of an engine is not unexpected. The last thought was I just didn’t get enough time on the bike to fall deeply in love with it. I tend to get deep attachments to my motorcycles and the relationship was starting to bloom (especially after my one and only mountain carving session the day before it went) but it just isn’t there. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Have a look at the difference in insurance. | ||
| Jules |
Ah yes - that makes more sense now - that was a tough break. $3k for a garage to do the work is probably about right and I saw the comment about you being a busy Dad of 3 (which I can certainly relate to). It's a shame really as the X1 motor really is pretty easy to work on if you have the time (and the heated garage LOL) 40k out of the 1125 motor is certainly achievable, I think there are a few out there already that are approaching that. Have a quick look at some of the posts on the most frequent issues (in particular the stator) that way you can make an informed decision. Don't let it put you off too much as it's not as bad as it seems, for every post from people having issues there are lots of others still out there riding around and too busy having fun to report back. As to your last thought - I definately relate to that, if you liked the X1 you'd love the 1125....but then again I'd say the same of the Ducati, they're both fabulous machines. I'll admit to being biased, I am a huge fan of Erik Buell's work and the continued support we get from Erik Buell Racing puts anything Ducati can do to shame. What are the chances of the CEO of Ducati adding you as a friend on Facebook or his right hand man personally mailing you back some hints & tips to resolve minor issues? Whatever you decide I wish you well, I hope it all works out for you and I hope you buy Buell LOL | ||
| Kirb |
I had a '99 M2 for 25k miles and had zero problems after warranty (valve guide seal leaking, bad speedo). The engine required ZERO work that I couldn't do in an hour or so- primary chain adjust, fluid change, plugs. The rest was bulletproof. People give Harley's a bad rap, but the engines are really soild and take a lot of abuse. That being said, I'd rebuild the X1 if the top end was the only problem. The duc is going to be costly to own if you don't do any of the work. They look pretty and sound fantastic, but they have short maint intervals and $$$ dealer charges. The 1125 (for me) has also been a soild bike. Not sure on longevity, but I can't imagine not getting 30-40k out of it. I get a kick out of comments about 100 year old tech...you want old? Look at forums for Urals and you might re-think your dislike of a sportster based motor. I think the latest was valve rockers breaking on all 2010 bikes due to improper heat treating. | ||
| Fast1075 |
The Ural and it's Chinese clones are cheap imitations of late 30's to early 40's BMWs that were captured in the great patriotic war....when they were first made available, the importer included many parts with the bike as spares... I wish I wasn't a continent away...I would love to have an X-1 project...they are gorgeous bikes... | ||
| Jules |
I wish I wasn't a continent away...I would love to have an X-1 project...they are gorgeous bikes... Yeah me too.. My old one was great:  | ||
| Smow |
Talked with the Pat guy and he stated that the bike was a late 08 (meaning it is really an 09? He may be basing it on the manufacture date.) and that is why it has the white plastics He stated that he know it was used for some track time stating that he can smell the 110 and looking at the tires it has some rubber pushed out to the edges. He states that he does some road days with the guy that is selling the bike and he isn't super agresseive on the bike and just enjoys doing some track time. I do understand that he is in the business of selling bikes and could be selling me a box of parts. The upside is they carry a 30 day return on the bikes and sounded genuine. their website http://www.buyredline.com/index.asp | ||
| Froggy |
No, I can tell its an 08 with 2009 plastics put on after the fact in one glance. I am really tempted to pick up your X1, perfect donor for an electric bike  | ||
| Dreso1021 |
ya thats an '08 they were the only ones that i know of with the blue metallic frame. as an added bonus the '08's dont seem to have the stator problem. i have an '08 and ride it pretty hard and i havent had any issues other than the rear signals went out and were replaced. id say u found urself a good find. | ||
| Smow |
An electric bike would be a really neat idea for such a great frame. I will let you guys know more as I find out more. I should be getting some more information from the dealer, as the bike is on consignment. As well, I think the X1 could be gone this weekend. | ||
| Dannybuell |
I went out of my way to find a bike that hadn't been tracked. I went from Portland to Boise for mine. There were two in Oregon both had seen track time. The Latus HD 'race team' had one and pretty much the same story about the one in Bend. B.S.- That's 09-10 white on an 08, 08's were black. | ||
| Smow |
Here is what I got in an email. I may ask for them to shoot a pic of the vin sticker...something is sounding sketchy, but who knows. John: Here are some shots of the Buell. To the best of our research the bike was produced in April of 08. The bike is a 2009 model but sold and titled in 08 as a 08. That is why the white 09 color. In the later part of 08 the 09 models where produced and sold as 08 because production of 09 models had already begun. I hope this helps. If you want the bike John I would sell it to you now for $ 5,595.00 and You could put a deposit on it to hold it till you come in November. The bike as you can see is in perfect shape, and my service manager is an ex Harley service manager, He has checked the bike out and says it is sound. | ||
| Froggy |
Funny, my April 2008 built 1125R is a 2008 and is Black. So is Rocketsprink's. VIN will say its a 2008. 2009 model production didn't begin till June or July if I remember right. | ||
| Dreso1021 |
if they refuse to give u the vin then something is probably up. | ||
| Smow |
Here are some of the pics...     | ||
| Froggy |
So they say its an 09, yet it has an 08 frame, swingarm, wheels, forks, heat shield, gauge cluster, passenger pegs mounts, rearsets, and the big thing - 2008 motor. They just don't know what they are selling, but it is indeed a 2008 with 09 plastics. | ||
| Smow |
Hmm, I'll wait for the vin pic, but I may see if he wants to let it go for 5K and call it a day. | ||
| Dannybuell |
Ask for the original plastics and you will likely see that they were replaced for a reason. | ||
| Jules |
It's an 08 with 09 plastics alright, nothing wrong with that - a number of dealres swapped bits around to have a variety of color of bikes on show it may be nothing to be suspicious about. On the plus side it has the 08 motor and stator so that's a bonus | ||
| Dannybuell |
Smow - you are determined. The freaky thing about this website is that these people here are telling you the truth yet you to keep expanding on their 'story'. Your profile says 'Birthday-1976, Drug and Alcohol Counselor'. As a thirty five year old D&A counselor, do you believe everything you hear or are you just 'jonesing into absurdity'? |
