| Author | Message | ||
     Ducxl |
It was suggested to me to try and get analytical data so,here goes. Be honest.I suggest to all that have disassembled their headlights AND NOT found any burn/damage to the reflector post your positive results here.I plan to compare the fine conditions reported here to the poor conditions reported in the other threads reporting burned/degraded reflectors.Please ONLY post here if you've actually inspected physically your reflectors and found them without defect.And denote whether your model is an "R" or"S"..Thanks' for any informative posts. | ||
| Ducxl |
Hello...we're trying to do a scientific study.Can we get some participation please? | ||
| Old_man |
The low beam lens on my 03XB9S melted. The complete light components were replaced, I am now careful to change to the high beam periodically during the day. 2000 miles since the replacement--So far so good. PS - It had the original bulb - not a replacement | ||
| Unibear12r |
Good thread! I've got a 99 S3, 06 Uly and and a 04XB12R. None have had any headlight problems except for replacing the S3s lamp once. The S3 and the Uly both have close to 20,000 miles and the 'bolt has 10,000. Brighter light would be nice tho. | ||
| Ducxl |
So,Old_Man states one fried but,2000 miles on the replacement and after physically viewing, it is ok.How do i record this one?? Unibear,you disassembled your 10000 mile firebolt and the reflector(as viewed) is in good shape? This is important as,it would show whether the problem is sporadic or chronic. | ||
| Doerman |
03 XB9R 16,000 miles Visually inspected (at 15,000 miles) Condition: no signs of reflector deterioration (Message edited by doerman on June 03, 2007) | ||
| Old_man |
It shows that there was an obvious manufacturing defect in the original plastic lens. It must be that the majority of XBS headlights do not have this defect. At least I hope not. But when they happen Buell should replace them at no cost. As they should for the reflectors. If that defect does not infect all of the lights, then those with the problem should have them replaced by Buell. It is obviously not normal "wear and tear". | ||
| Buelltroll |
What a waste of bandwidth. EVERYONE knows they suck ass n they either ARE burnt up or will be eventually. | ||
| Unibear12r |
Good shape? Yes, but I do wonder if the low beam will last to 20k. Btw, I've sense noticed that with a good flashlight (actually not too bright) and patience one actually can get into a position to see reasonably well into the Rs headlight. I could see good lamp and reflector detail but you have to be in the just right position. Small flaking might be missed but something like the picture posted on the other thread would be obvious. Not as good as disassembling but you might get a greater response. | ||
| Cochise |
What a waste of bandwidth. What's a waste? Everything you post? | ||
| Fpresky |
just finished inspecting mine. both low and high look good. I have a 07 12r with 2400 miles and run highbeams 100% of the time.I've seen posts about only one light on ,both of mine are on in high position. | ||
| Ridrx |
Ducxl, Not gettin' a big turnout, huh? Unibear12,Doerman,Fpresky, Any of you guys have pics? Fpresky, Do you think the one light/two light on high beam could be a factor? | ||
| Ducxl |
Ducxl, Not gettin' a big turnout, huh? well i was hoping to see only posts of no defective reflectors.I'd also hope that posters actually disassembled their headlights to inspect(without obstructions) the reflectors. I wonder now about the possibility of the occasional reflector that may not show the symptom? Could it be? And,how? Manufacturing inconsistency? Or Design defect? Off to a poor start(confusing),but now i'd like some data to prove(somehow) either way. | ||
| Court |
>>>EVERYONE knows they suck ass n they either ARE burnt up or will be eventually. I'll bite. How does EVERYONE know? And, if EVERYONE knows . . . and there are TENS of THOUSANDS of these things out there. . . well how come less folks have reported problems than are currently sitting upstairs at my dining room table as I write this. I think the problem is real. I'm glad Buell engineers are working on it and not the internet "design by disaster" tribe. | ||
| Lonexb |
04 xb12r 40k miles both high and low beam, no reflective material left in the housing. brian | ||
| Bueller007 |
All these headlights suck!!! I replaced mine with J & B units. Flashlights would even be an improvement. I'm amazed the DOT hasn't stepped in with litigation?! | ||
| Dennista15 |
04 xb12r 6400 miles I run both all of the time high beam still doing okay low beam is toast, burn spot above the bulb. I took the spoon out and installed aluminum foil a year ago, I was skeptical at first but the foil did hold up. I just switched to H.I.D. today in the low beam and left the foil in. I may put the spoon back in tomorrow. | ||
| Tranvk |
I bought a 05 XB9R, with 500 miles on it. This is not my first bike but my first Buell. The headlights just looked like it had something behind the lenses so it is at the dealership right now. The bike has one month left on the warranty so I might as well try. | ||
| Mr_gto |
2005 xb12r 3500k bought it with 800 miles, could barely see past my front tire right after i bought it. low beam reflector shot. high beam still works, but not enough for people to flash me at night. i work night shift so its kinda of important for people to see me on my to work so i don't get run over! | ||
| Cacciola |
2006 Xb9SX 6500Km HID'S BOTH ON ALL THE TIME At Rio de Janeiro, temperature close to 100F No Deterioration yet. No sign of melting. | ||
| Clot |
'06 XB12R. Low beam replaced under warranty after 7 months and 5000km. Burnt and blistered reflector. I have pics if anyone is interested. | ||
| Blake |
In my opinion, this poll needs to focus on Firebolt headlights only. | ||
| Ridrx |
...without HID conversions. | ||
| Polish_assassin |
05 XB9R purchased new in April of 06, 3k on the clock with no sign of burning, bubbling, cracking, peeling, distortion or discoloration. Low beam 55W High beam 100W and ridden with the highs on all the time. I took them apart to clean off the condensation spots on the lenses.??????? MARK | ||
| Unibear12r |
Agreed, stock housing and voltage lamps only. But the type of lamp, oem or not, standard wattage or not, is important! Along with year and miles of course. IMHO pictures and personal opinion belong in the other headlight thread. Just data and informational comments here to make it easy to tally, see trends and for some to post. To be significant a large number of posts are needed. This is worth the time and effort to contribute to! | ||
| Court |
>>>To be significant a large number of posts are needed. That's correct. For a statistically meaningful sample, given the population of XB's, you'll need something on the order of 400 responses. And, given the fact that you've drawn the sample from an isolated segment of the population you do understand about all you can hope for is entertainment. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against the idea but would be the first to point out that no meaningful conclusions can be drawn. | ||
| Court |
>>>we're trying to do a scientific study Actually, it's not scientific, it's very subjective. Has anyone determined what the threshold level we want to use for "unacceptable" is? | ||
| Ejiii |
2005 XB9SX, 8200 miles. Headlamp reflectors inspected at 8100 miles. Both reflectors look new. NTF. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
I do not have a firebolt....but I went out and checked my 12ss 5k miles stock lamp. Reflector looks fine no degrading evident. | ||
| Unibear12r |
Court, couldn't you have waited a bit to burst the bubble? There was plenty of time to point that out later.  For me to have pointed out that this tally wouldn't have been scientific or statistically important would be like throwing gasoline on the fire.  Still this exercise was/is worthwhile for the emotional factor and the Badweb response. At least people lowered the flame level and are not hinting that others are Ignorant Buell Haters (IBH's) or Stepford Buell Lovers (SBL's) any more.  Well much. Besides I was very curious with the outcome even if I knew there wouldn't be much statistical meaning. Speaking of which, do you really think 400 responses would have been enough? I was guessing more was needed, but then again I don't know how many R's have been sold and I'm weak on stats. |
