| Author | Message | ||
     Towjam |
A quick question for Court, Anony (or anyone else who may be "in the know")... For '08, did Buell address the Firebolt headlight problem? There was a post from someone who had taken the factory tour that indicates a possible upgrade but I'd like to get more solid info if that's available. thanks in advance! | ||
| 72ssabody |
More than likely (I'm guessing here) they are looking for a solution or in the process for finding one. Testing takes time and suppliers generally will need 8 weeks to tool up, two weeks to PPAP parts followed by a pilot run to see if there are issues. I sure hope they find something that is easily retrofitable for us. | ||
| Diablobrian |
After seeing the 90mm hellas in action (even just the low beam) I know what I'm wishing for.... Even if they come up with a different fix I may go that way anyway. Either way I'm giving them time to work things out. The people at Buell take pride in what they build, and are passionate about what they do. I have faith that they will take care of us. We just have to give them a little time to work out the details. | ||
| Buellshyter |
Towjam, I specifically asked someone at the factory about the Firebolt headlights. He said he didn't think they were different for 08 but went over and picked up a headlight assembly to verify that no changes had been made. He appeared surprised when I told him about the issues with the lights. | ||
| Midknyte |
I saw, and asked about, what appeared to be new/different headlights sitting on a rack at the factory friday. Perhaps someone else saw the same... They were european model headlights. They stood out because they had an extra bulb in each. It was explained that these (the extra bulbs) are "twinkle" lights, required over there for extra visibility to other traffic... Otherwise, they were the same with no improvements to the housings. | ||
| Towjam |
He appeared surprised when I told him about the issues with the lights. Thanks for the response - although it's not what I wanted to hear.  The Bolts headlights are marginal at best and the problem with the deteriorating reflectors isn't a new issue. I have no doubt that Buell will step up at some point but I was hoping they were further along on this. (I will admit that I'm somewhat spoiled - I'm currently on an BMW 1200ST and it has arguably THE best stock headlights in terms of brightness and serviceability of just about any bike out there. Seriously.) | ||
| Ridrx |
He appeared surprised when I told him about the issues with the lights As they will next year when the 08 owners find out about and report what we already know. This is taking ENTIRELY too long IMO. I'm guessing we won't see a solution before the 09's arrive, if then, otherwise the 08 would be wearing the revised part if it was available. 08 Bolt owners be prepared to convert to HID... | ||
| 07xb12scg |
Did all of you guys with the headlight problems report it to the NHTSA? If not, I urge you to do so. Contacting the CPSC won't hurt either. This is not a cosmetic issue. It is a safety issue and Buell should be forced to do a mass recall if this is a severe issue on all Firebolts. | ||
| Court |
I'm not dismissing the issue but will add a "perspective". Of the 40,000 XB's built, it you went to the NHTSA site and saw that 22 people, or 0.00055%, reported a problem. . . . . You see my point . . . if your boss came to you and told you "every 1,800th customer has complained about you . . . YOUR FIRED" what would your response be? I think the problem needs looking into. I think some of the "we're going to tattle" antics consume a lot of valuable time on efforts of little value. I'm a real results kinda guy . . . often to my own detriment so I learn watching how other folks approach problems. | ||
| Court |
By the way . . . Towjam, your initial question deserves a response. Let me see what I can scare up. | ||
| Barker |
Let me put it in more perspective. Its not 40k XB's its only the Firebolts. Unless they made 40k firebolts. I have no idea what NHTSA is but I have one more comlaint for this group. The rest of my friends who have these crappy lights will be encouraged to submit there info as well. I am just glad they have not (yet)caught on fire like others. (Message edited by barker on July 11, 2007) | ||
| Towjam |
By the way . . . Towjam, your initial question deserves a response. Let me see what I can scare up. Thanks Court. I realize that you have absolutely no official responsibility to act as a customer advocate - so anything you can do to at least ensure this issue is on someone's radar at Buell is greatly greatly greatly appreciated. | ||
| Barker |
I just filed my complaint. Now its 26 plus my pending complaint. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ (Message edited by barker on July 11, 2007) | ||
| 07xb12scg |
I think the problem needs looking into. I think some of the "we're going to tattle" antics consume a lot of valuable time on efforts of little value. I'm a real results kinda guy . . . often to my own detriment so I learn watching how other folks approach problems. Reporting safety problems isn't "tattling" nor is this an "antic". I'm honestly shocked you just said that. Seems a little like blind brand loyalty to me... If you're a results kind of guy then you should be displeased with the lack of results these guys are getting from Buell. How long have the Firebolts had these lights and how long has Buell had to "look into" this problem? You should be encouraging these guys instead of trying to belittle their gripes or concerns. | ||
| Xb9 |
Quote: ...Of the 40,000 XB's built, it you went to the NHTSA site and saw that 22 people, or 0.00055%, reported a problem. . . . . With all due respect, a problem like this that degrades slowly over time may not be noticed by all - hence the reason for low number of reports.. I don't put a lot of weight in the numbers, but I do feel the problem is real and could be a potential deadly problem (I know first hand). I hope Buell is proactive with this vs reactive. I have confidence and patience with Buell that they will address it. | ||
| Ridrx |
Posted on Monday, November 15, 2004 - 12:02 pm: -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ I talked to Erik Buell Saturday and mentioned the degradation problem with the 9R's low beam headlight and the fact that HD's extended warranty does not cover it. He wasn't aware of a problem but said he would look into it. So, I guess, I'm not sure if the factory is even aware of this degradation. This seems like a case of planned obsolescence where a part goes bad after the first year of use and the owner has to buy a new part to replace the worn out one -- that went out in the fifties. Perhaps we could help document this situation by taking our bikes to the dealer and insist on making a warranty claim for low output headlight? If enough owners complain, eventually the factory will respond, won't they? This has all become pointless repetition. This is NOT a new issue. YEARS of ignoring it isn't likely to change now. You can believe what you like but I have reservations that this problem has been/ is/ or will be looked at as anything more than a nuisance to a few poor saps. Flame if you wish... (Message edited by RidrX on July 11, 2007) | ||
| Isham |
I think a lot of people don't even know about reporting it to NHTSA. Most are probably just trading in their XBs for GSXRs. When I bought my bike used I drove it home at night and the lighting was bad! Being the kind of person that tinkers a lot I opened up and found that the finish inside was flaking off, that was after I bought replacement bulbs. I found about about this problem and what to do about it by browsing this forum. There are many owners out there that just dont know. | ||
| Barker |
IMHO, Buell does know about their crappy lights. Interesting. Why would they go crazy with 6 lamps in there new sport bike, just by accident. IMHO, Buell saw the problem and improved it with a new model. They are clearly not going to sell the XB12R next year. Doubt there going to do anything with the new or vintage firebolts. | ||
| Ridrx |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=32777&post=345621#POST345621 Here's the link for those interested. | ||
| Court |
I agree 100% with about everything, everyone is saying. How many folks have contacted their dealer? How many folks have written Buell? Bearing in mind that under the NHTSA guidelines we're still about 2,000 bikes from raising an eyebrow there. My thoughts, fully confident that Buell will address is any issue, remain that I am amazed by the number of people who have come to the internet, threaten to kick Erik Buells ass, sue Buell and so forth, but never took the time to write a simple letter. I agree that reporting the problem to the NHTSA is not "tattling" but It'd be pretty easy to characterize some of the dialouge to date as "school yard chest puffing". Court P.S. - how many of you wrote those thank you letters for Homecoming either? My point is that folks talk much more than they do. | ||
| Etennuly |
P.S. - how many of you wrote those thank you letters for Homecoming either? My point is that folks talk much more than they do. A part of the problem with that is that people who write here on this forum think that they are writing directly to Buell. A letter of complaint or praise here on the BadWeb's public forum is not the same as writing to Buell M.C. | ||
| Barker |
I went to my dealer problem, they said something like: We can order new housings, they will be here in 3 to 5 days. I ordered new housings and they went to poo. I have never talked with buell about this issue. I am working on crafting a "court" like letter. (get more bees with honey style) Need to take some good pix first. | ||
| Ducxl |
Court,would you please inform me as to whom i'd address my letter to BMC? My XB headlights are terrible..Of course i've inspected them visually.And of course they're degraded.Now how do i constructively tell BMC? | ||
| Rd3501 |
FYI....I got a call from Phillip at Buell today in customer service. He wants me to send in my bad head lamps. So looks like they are still working on it, in someway..Maybe someone at Buell threw away the other lights sent in... lol I can truly say at least 3 people in warranty know about the problem. Phillip, Jon, and Stacy. They called me back so they want something... So they are still working on it.. Yes..it sucks ass, and taking to long....but maybe we might get lucky soon... I was thinking about trading in my 2003 XB9R for the new 2008 XB12R, but until they fix the headlights I will not. I will probably go with a Super Duke or maybe the new 1125R. Still need to look at one in person...Hammerhead design just doesnt look good... | ||
| Towjam |
Not wanting to hijack the thread but I have a stupid question... How hard are are the Bolt's bulbs (not the housing) to replace when they burn out? | ||
| Strato9r |
Pretty easy to change them, actually. There is a rubber cover that pops off, then the bulb is held in by a wire clip. As far as the reflective material coming off, yeah, mine did too. I just lined the housing with aluminum tape, polished it up, and it is now bright as hell. One thing to add, though, make sure that the beams are properly aimed; all I accomplished before doing that was lighting up the area only 30 feet in front of me or so. | ||
| Towjam |
Pretty easy to change them, actually. There is a rubber cover that pops off, then the bulb is held in by a wire clip. Cool - so there's no problem accessing the bulbs? (No plastic, or anything to remove?) (I never got around to having to replace the bulbs in my '04 Bolt.) | ||
| Ridrx |
Towjam >> A quick question for Court, Anony (or anyone else who may be "in the know")... For '08, did Buell address the Firebolt headlight problem? Court>> By the way . . . Towjam, your initial question deserves a response. Let me see what I can scare up. I guess there was a private response? I'd sure like to know myself. | ||
| Towjam |
I guess there was a private response? I'd sure like to know myself. I spoke with Court later the same day I started this thread. He assured me that Buell is aware of the issue - and he was going to check and see if he could find out if there's been updates since this issue came to a head earlier this year. But the net/net is that for now, it appears that there's nothing new to report yet. I have no doubt that Buell is going to address the problem - but given the other updates made to the '08 XB line, I'm surprised to see the same headlights on the Bolt. Go figure. | ||
| Xb9 |
I would assume that Buell has been in contact with the headlight vendor, and although the '08 models still use the same headlight with no apparent visible change, the reflective coating in the housings may have been corrected. We don't know for sure but it may have been corrected a while ago, and only certain batches of headlights were effected. Purely speculation on my part, only Buell would know. Mine were from early '03, curious if anyone with later model years have had the problem. At some point in the later model years, I think the low beam had a different looking "spot" in the center of the lense, this might indicate that there was a change. The replacements I received had the newer "spot" lense. |
