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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through May 13, 2003 » 2002 2003 Firebolt XB9R!! » Archive through April 25, 2002 « Previous Next »

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José_Quiñones
Posted on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 - 09:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Brainless in California?
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Bullitt
Posted on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 - 09:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

....but you can't possibly be a real SQUIDLY SQUID unless the frame sliders are color matched
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Peyote
Posted on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 - 11:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

follow up from last post:

dealership called back and said they will not have a demo days saturday because the boss doesn't want anyone riding them. But, they want me to come in and sign up for the giveaway and talk to the sales person. Oh well, I thought this might happen. With limited supply coming in, I can see how they're a little shy about demos on a bike they have short supply on & unsure if supply will be filled rest of year. Anyway, that's that. no surprises and I'm not gonna' be down by this.
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Loki
Posted on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 - 11:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

....or carbon fiber
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José_Quiñones
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 07:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What's going on with the California bikes?
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Pilk
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 08:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I really like the black XB, wonder if it will be offered from the BMC?
pilk
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Anonymous
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 09:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I thought(and could be very wrong again) that the first bike that they recieved was for thier discretionary use. As in keep on the floor and USE for demo rides.
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Superbad
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 09:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Oh BTW I did manage to sneak a T-shirt when I put my deposit down yesterday. I am not going to be able to make it to the event saturday (Daughter's birthday), so the Salesman gave me one. A white shirt with a large Buell logo in the front and on the back it has the Dragon/Deal's Gap logo from the website. He also said he'd save me one of anything else they give away :) Great saleman! I have to say that the treatment @ Rossiter's HD in Sarasota,FL was the best I have ever recieved in ANY vehicle dealership. The treatment I recieved made the decision to give Buell a shot much easier. I have been a Ducati owner for the last 7 years.
Now my next question is should I add a year onto the warranty?? I am thinking yes as this is a TOTALLY new machine, any opinions on this??
Thanks,
Bobby
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M2cyclone00
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 10:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Pilk, I bet they come out with a Black (MY FAVORITE COLOR for bikes & t-shirts) version. Plus, the bodywork should be so inexpensive that it probably would not be too costly to switch it out.

Dave
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Court
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 10:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)


Quote:

I thought(and could be very wrong again) that the first bike that they recieved was for thier discretionary use.



That is inaccurate information. There are covenets requiring an example of a model to be kept, there is (or was) no specific langugage that it be the first, that's just ordinarily, in the serial order of things, what happens.


Quote:

Now my next question is should I add a year onto the warranty??




Dealers are (or should be) VERY neogotiable on this. The upside is that Buell has a stellar reputation for standing behind their products regardless of commerical or legal obligations.

Court
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Eeeeek
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 11:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The deal with California 'bolts:

They have begun arriving at the dealers...sans ECMs. No brains, no bike. This lends support to the rumor that the lil' bolt's are being held up by CARB....

Vik
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Mikej
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 11:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

That also indirecly implies that a simple chip-change will get them 49-state performance. 'cept CA-DMV will probably require the chips to be VIN encoded.
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Dynarider
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 11:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Quote, Dealers are (or should be) VERY neogotiable on this. The upside is that Buell has a stellar reputation for standing behind their products regardless of commerical or legal obligations.

Court

What a crock. I had Buell blaming everyone from myself to the dealer when I had valve issues with my X1. They absolutely refused to back me the 2nd time. Told me basically that my 2 month old bike would no longer be honored by their warranty.

I like my bike, but based on this episode it would be a cold day in hell before I would buy another one. Their reputation as being real good about warranty work was a major reason I decided to purchase this bike. Guess I was a major ass for doing that.

Nobody could give me a reason why it dropped a valve, dealer claimed it was because I installed "a performance exhaust". Screw that lame ass excuse.

Until Buell actually either develops or buys an engine from someone else that will not blowup. I will be spending my $$ at Yamaha or Suzuki. I want to ride my bikes, not haul them to the dealership on a weekly basis for a heart transplant.

If Buell would actually build a quality product they would not have to count on you to brag about how good their warranty or support system is. Kinda scary that the first thing you hear is, we have extended warrantys & our repair shop is open 7 days a week. I dont want a bike thats need a warranty or a damn repair shop. Make a bike that is like that & I guarantee Buell will be flooded with customers. Right now their reputation precedes them & everyone knows it sux.

I truly hope the Firebolt does not have any issues, but I wouldnt bet a dollar on it.
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Eeeeek
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 01:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Mike:

Not exactly. I'm betting they still have the Charcoal cans and such, they are just being sent without the chips so they CAN'T be ridden or sold.

Vik
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Loki
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 01:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

That is why I put that disclaimer in there. It was something that was passed on to me informally.


I have been wrong before and will be wrong again in the future.

L
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Mikej
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 01:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Has anyone seen an XB with the charcoal cannister on it? Just wondering where they put it and what it looks like. In any case, I hope they get whatever issues that remain resolved soon.
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Blastin
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 02:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Mike,

If I remember the brochure with pictures in it from Homecoming last year, the canister is under the passenger seat area. I think José Q.(hey I actually got the enna to work) mentioned it before, I can't remember if he had a picture or not.
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Court
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 02:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)


Quote:

They absolutely refused to back me the 2nd time. Told me basically that my 2 month old bike would no longer be honored by their warranty.




I'm sorry to hear that. Buell, in the past, certainly struggled with getting all the corporate limbs moving in synch, no argument from me there.

All reports I have seen/read over the past year, with regards to BUELL CUSTOMER SERVICE, have uniformly been complimentary. Your "crock" is notable as an exception.

Dealers appear to be the Wild West of the Buell Frontier. To quote myownfoolself in the 2nd issue of BattleTwin "the good ones are great and the bad ones suck". This fact is as secret as the Congressional Hideaway beneath the Greenbrier.

In terms of "if Buell would build a quality product", I am going to bat for Buell there as well based on what I have seen (I have no hard warranty $/Unit data)with the BLAST®. I watch these boards fairly closely and have a couple friends who have beaten on their BLAST® fairly vigorously and seem to have had little/no problems.

By the way your "have to count on you to brag" is inaccurate, insulting and inaccurate. I have been in the world of Buell for a long time and feel like I have a good touch on the pulse of things. I receive no direction, input or cooercion from any person or group at Buell. I simply BELIEVE, it's that simple. In fact, I would be willing to bet that there are more than a couple folks at Buell who would love to see me spill Diet Coke in my keyboard. When facts have dictated I have been the first to hold the offending parties toes to the fire. I try to describe problems, not personalities.

Court
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Dynarider
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 06:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Come on Court, you know you are hopelessly optomistic concerning anything even remotely Buell related. The damn bikes have problems & everyone knows it. A few weeks ago a few of us from SACBorg were at lurch's in Omaha & discussed the fact that of all of us that own or have owned Buells, only 1 person did not have an engine blowup.

This does mean I dont like the bikes, the thing I dont like is when presented with these types of examples invariably someone will respond with "that appears to have been an isolated incident & is not indicitive of the Buell brand".
I do not appreciate the fact that I spent more $$ for what appears up to this point to be a machine which is far inferior to the japanese competition. I guess that makes me ignorant for actually believing enough in the company to purchase a bike from them , disregarding all the negative attributes I had read about Buell. It wont happen again though. Unless Buell gets their act together & produces a QUALITY product, they are doomed for extinction.
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Aaron
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 06:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I can testify to the fact that Court is an eternal optimist.

I, for one, like it. Sometimes there's waaaaaay too much pessimism around here.

I'm not griping about you, though. You laid out your money, the bike didn't meet your expectations, you have a RIGHT to bitch all you want. You bought that right.
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Court
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 08:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

>>>>I guess that makes me ignorant for actually believing enough in the company to purchase a bike from them

I disagree. I do not think you are ignorant and I am well aware of the problems you have described.

I submit that Buell has listened and I predict, enthusiastically AND optimistically, that the XB will do much to turn a new page in Buell "build quality" history.

....Unless Buell gets their act together & produces a QUALITY product, they are doomed for extinction.

I, enthusiastically, agree.

Court
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Matty
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 08:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Glendale Harley/Buell has their(our) XB9R! Now, I just need to figure out a way to afford it.....
As soon as the EPA buisiness is done, we get the goods to make it a runner. Unfortunately it won't be in time for for the party/ride on the 27th so no test rides for us poor SoCal folks.
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Josh
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 09:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Matty,
We'll be there for the party anyway. Hope they have T-Shirts left!

Josh
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Gravedigger
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 10:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

WOW, its kind of a chore just to find a participating dealer for the upcoming sweepstakes!!!!!
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Jima4media
Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 11:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Gravedigger,

I agree, I called around today, and many dealers think the Slay the Dragon event has been cancelled. Others don't have the entry forms or T-Shirts yet. Still others just don' t care.

San Jose, Rocklin and Modesto have bikes today though, so that is some progress.

None of them can be ridden, because of a lack of ECMs, but that is another story.

Jim
X-2.5
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Blake
Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 01:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Dyna, the only party I can imagine deserving blame for a two month old broken bike not being covered by warranty is the owner. Am I to believe that your engine failed and Buell actually refused to cover it under the manufacturer's warranty? Doesn't make a lick of sense to me. Doesn't sound legal to me. Care to elaborate?
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Cro13
Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 08:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I don't post much because I don't usually have much to add but I would like to be counted as NO engine blow up
One of the reasons I'm buying a XB is the fact that my 97 S3 has been such a great bike.
I use it every day for work and on the weekends with my wife.
The only problem I have had is due to a dealer installed, after market product. When it was installed correctly everything worked out fine.
I am a very satisfied return customer.

Finding an honest and competent dealer is my only gripe.
Carter
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Dynarider
Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 10:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Blake,

Here are the details.. Purchase bike June of last year, baby it for the first 1500 miles. Oil changes, required maint done, etc.

Riding it home from work, not doing any wheelies, no burnouts, etc it lets out a large cough & a huge puff of smoke & dies. Get trailer & retrieve bike. Dealer diagnosis..dropped a valve in the front head, no reason given, they fix it cheerfully. This was at 2800 miles.

Oh yea by the way the only thing done to said bike is white bros slipon pipe & the race ECM.

Part 2,
Riding bike with wife on back, we are on highway 41 doing about 55 mph & all of a sudden bike loses power, slows to a crawl & dies again. Once again get trailer & take bike to dealer. Diagnosis is dropped valve in the rear head this time. Bike had 4800 miles at this time.

Dealer started ranting that it's the ECM causing the dropped valves,"it allows the engine to over rev". I argued the point that the rpm ceiling had not been raised by the ECM, & it has a rev limiter built in to stop such an occurence.
They did not want to reapir the bike, said it was costing them too much $$. I told them they are reimbursed by Buell, so fix it & shut up.

I had to call Buell & talked to John, he said it would be covered & if my dealer didnt want to do it I would have to go to another one. Finally after a few insults were thrown back & forth at the dealership level they agreed to fix the bike, told me they would not be doing any further engine repairs on it. Once again called Buell & this time I talked to someone who I believe was named Rene, she told me that Buell was going to void my factory warranty & would provide no further work on it based on the fact that I had installed the exhaust & race ECM.

Needless to say I am not a happy camper at all. I still have the exhaust on, but the ECM is sitting in the box. Bike runs crappy without it, but kinda paranoid to reinstall it. Next step is, just going to put the ECM back in & probably step up to a set of Nalin heads & tell Buell to go screw themselves.

Now you tell me Blake, 2 valves drop, first front head then the rear. Sounds like a poorly assembled engine or defective parts were utilized. Rev limiter is intact & works, definately not over reving the bike, yet thats all the dealer & Buell would point fingers at.

As a side note, when I picked the bike up the 2nd time it was running like shit, it would run great then it ran like it was on 1 cylinder. Took it back to the dealer & bitched, the Buell mechanic claimed it was the exhaust that was leaning the mixture out. Told him no way, it was fine before. I had to argue the point that something was assembled wrong again & they finally relented & took bike. Next day I get a call "bikes done".
They found a broken connection for one of the fuel injectors that was cutting in & out causing the bike to run like crap. Yet originally they had told me nothing was wrong.

You cant trust dealers or the factory any more these days. You give them your trust & $$$ & they decide to bend you over without so much as a kiss.
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Davegess
Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 10:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Dyna, who was your dealer on this whole deal.
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Mikej
Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 10:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

From his profile:
"Servicing Dealership: Used to be Ukes. Now its my garage."
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