| Author | Message | |||
     Buellere |
03 xb9r low and high seem to be fine 12k but the low is not as bright as i would like | |||
| Clot |
Pic as requested. This is after only 5000km.  | |||
| Sparky |
As a data point, 2003 XB9R: 14.6k mi., 9/27/03: headlight bulb low beam replaced, no charge. 29.3k mi., 11/05/04: low beam headlight replaced, $78. Dealer would not warranty; reflector coating missing from half of the inside. Kept old headlight. 6/20/06: old headlight reflector "ChromeKoted" by Classic Components, Santa Ana, Ca. $30. Not installed yet; satisfied with replacement headlight. 48k mi., today: replacement low beam still illuminates OK but outer bezel is cracked at one 'leg'. Original high beam OK. | |||
| Luvthemtorts |
2003 XB9R Spoon removed from lowbeam assembly. No visible damage to reflecor housing or lenses in either headlight. 2006 XB9R Same as above. I run both high and low beams ALL the time and the light output seems quite adequate. | |||
| 12r |
04 XB12R 14k mi, original bulbs Minor crack in one of the bezels, otherwise perfectly OK. I just rode to work the long way round and I am stoked  | |||
| M1combat |
Just replaced my high beam today... The reflective coating is burned somewhat burned away. Mostly on the upper portion of the housing. The plastic is a bit melted and bubbly. 41K miles on the clock. I replaced the low beam a while back and it was worse. The lights aren't anywhere near as bright as they used to be. | |||
| New12r |
35k, no more chrome on either one, but they are both shattered now and I doubt the bike will ever see daily street use again. | |||
| Midknyte |
old headlight reflector "ChromeKoted" by Classic Components, Santa Ana, Ca. $30 This is good info, thanks | |||
| Rd3501 |
2003 XB9R 5,600 miles Both headlights have no reflective coating, bubbling, yellow, cant see, just waiting to go up in flames, etc.. | |||
| Terribletim |
2003 XB9R 5000+ miles Low Beam is getting dimmer by the day. I run both at all times so I can be seen and see. High beam is fine for now. | |||
| Fdl3 |
2003 XB9R 59,000+ miles 19500: Replaced low and high beam due to said deterioration. Partly my fault as I had previously attempted to clean the coating thinking it was metal. Boy was I shocked to learn it was actually plastic, and the coating just wiped right off! Not too good for optimum light output... 44500: Replaced low and high beam, again, due to said deterioration. Edit: I cannot provide pictures as I have already sent in the "defective" units to Buell. Wait, does that mean I no longer have any evidence...?  (Message edited by fdl3 on June 05, 2007) | |||
| Permagrin |
05 xb9r 3600 miles low beam is pretty rough high beam is okay though only a little discolored. Sorta off subject is it only the xb9r that had this issue because I saw a xb12r year unknown but had 12500 miles and they still looked perfect? | |||
| Isham |
03 XB9R 12k miles Hazed reflection material found when inspecting the housing. I proceeded to wipe with a damp towel and the remaining reflective material came off and I didn't even try. Repainted the housings 5 months ago it's been fine since. Illumination is better than before but still Inadequate. only thing positive is me taking the initative and fixing it myself> (Message edited by isham on June 05, 2007) | |||
| Cereal |
Didn't we all just do this in March? 03 XB9R 23k miles Low beam reflective material was completely gone. High beam was at about 60%. My mini mag light produces more light. Buell gave me new assemblies and took my old ones for analysis. | |||
| Tailspining |
At my 5000 mile service I looked at mine and both high and low beam where bubbled/burnt/flaked. I sanded them down,primed them and then paint them with "chrome" paint. (Cheap quick fix) I need to replace them. Question is, with OME parts or after-market? (Message edited by tailspining on June 05, 2007) | |||
| Court |
>>>Didn't we all just do this in March? Play along . . it's largely an exercise in personal cathartic therapy. Plus . . it just got a Important label tagged on it . . so you know it is.  I don't mean to sound flip, but I'm afraid some poor soul will labor under the conception that this is really a scientific poll and that a response will be shaped based on the information. | |||
| Obiewan |
XB12R Changed high beam last summer. No problems at all after that so far. I run with the high beams on all the time. Got tired of the ole question "Hey you have a light burned out" LOL I can't say the same for the relays for start though. I've had problems with most of the relays in that box. They get too hot it seems like. | |||
| Ducxl |
I don't mean to sound flip, but I'm afraid some poor soul will labor under the conception that this is really a scientific poll and that a response will be shaped based on the information.  i just don't wish this issue to "go away" for another 3 years.Plus IT DOES give some feel for severity.Just view the pictures.Heck,one guys' bike caught FIRE! | |||
| Blake |
If two or more respondents honestly and accurately report the same problem, it is scientific and relevant enough to warrant serious attention by any Quality Assurance professional. A total population sample of a dozen would constitute serious scientific relevance. This poll however is not scientific. Yet, the results of this poll are surely relevant. Fun stuff and hopefully helpful and constructive stuff too. | |||
| Maddiemsu |
I'm waiting for my HID lights from American Sport Bike so I'll check when I do the swap. Only 800 miles on the 07 so I am not expecting to see anything. | |||
| Tobandeira |
Mine also 16000 km and burnt..... tried to clean it and reflective coat came off completely..... | |||
| Tobandeira |
and as i am from abroad i dont get even a slight chance of being replaced under any kind of warranty what so ever.... dealer just doesn´t have any replacing parts and in my country theres only half a dozen xb`s....... them again for other side a buell xb realy shows of from the croud around here.... it is a realy an headturner bike................ | |||
| Unibear12r |
I doubt anyone would mistake this for a scientific exercise for long as there are too many of us to remind everyone. But I think Blake put it very well just above. And when you look at who's posting you can tell it's not simply a Buell haters club trolling. And from Cereal's post it would appear BMC is interested. And Sparky's post may have helped led those in need to a rather inexpensive fix if nothing else can be done. IMHO good stuff and worthwhile. | |||
| Court |
No argument from me . . . and I don't think anyone here is trolling. I believe everyone here is sincere and telling the truth. There was however mention that this would be scientific. I'm betting that the units gathered when I collected, organized and sent in every reported case, have been carefully looked at and the resolution process is well past the data gathering stage. Call it a guess. Court
| |||
| Tranvk |
Maybe Buell should send out a survey. I think most people just want some update from Buell, and it is natural. If mine craps out, I will probably replace with the same. In my opinion, those lights look right on the Firebolts. | |||
| Court |
>>>I think most people just want some update from Buell, and it is natural. I agree and it's a shame, in the United States, that coming out in public and saying . . . "hey, we've wandered upon something that concerns us, we're working day and night on it and hope to have a solution quickly. Until then we urge all owners/riders to use an elevated level of caution" carries with it a huge amount of liability. I suspect that given the samples Buell collected they have a pretty good handle on the root cause. . . I, like everyone here, am eager to see the solution. Heck. . . I may buy one of these things one days. | |||
| Ridrx |
>>>I think most people just want some update from Buell, and it is natural +1 | |||
| Blake |
I'm lazy. Consider... Is there a difference in the statistical analysis of pass/fail scenarios versus those characterized by random distributions of discreet values? One has a bell curve, the other... Fun stuff. | |||
| Ducxl |
Court,Blake,you guys' are too smart for me.But as a screw machinist having manufactured parts in volume of hundreds of thousands(nowadays it's only thousands,but the profit margin is still there) for companies like Bosch and ITT Continental,and Autoliv,i know how closely parts need to maintain to X bar in order to be in process control."Statistical Process Control" or SPC has been in my daily life for a decade.They talk of defects in Parts Per Million(PPM).It's crazy,but we Americans have some real manufacturing talent to be sure.BMC has likely done plenty of testing to determine the numbers affected by this current defect.Even if it costs me some money,i only expect a factory solution..........soon | |||
| Saintly |
Here's the low housing from my 03' bolt at ~19K miles. (it burned):  Here's the low housing on my 07' bolt after three weeks (from new):  Here it is again (the 2007) two weeks ago:  Its progressing nicely don't you think? My high beam is also beginning to show traces of blistering now too. |
Homework