| Author | Message | ||
     Fmaxwell |
My 2006 (bought in '07) XB12Ss Lightning Long stranded me! Symptoms: Bad vibration (even for a Buell) and rough running. Idle would hang at about 2000 and slowly drop. Got check engine light (CEL), pulled over, and shut off the bike. It would not crank back over. Pushed the bike off of the parkway and into a neighborhood before calling for a ride home. ECMSpy 1.7.8 reported a shorted front fuel injector. After downloading and installing the latest version of ECMSpy, it reported the same error bit was set, but correctly showed that it was a "battery low" error. So be aware that ECMSpy 1.7.8 interprets at least one error code incorrectly. The battery charged fine with my Yuasa Hotshot (like a Battery Tender Plus, but works MUCH better for about the same price -- I have both, by the way). After starting, there was no rise in battery voltage. It just kept discharging. I got the Buell Service Manual and Fluke DMM out and verified that the stator windings were good, not shorted, and putting out the proper voltage. Bad voltage rectifier/regulator! No doubt about it. Since it's under warranty, I called my dealer, Harley Davidson/Buell of Washington. They said that they were dropping Buell as of August 1 and not taking Buell service appointments. They recommended Harley Davidson Buell of Annapolis (MD). HD of Annapolis had appointments in a week and probably would not fix the bike while I waited. So I'm looking at having no bike for a week, towing it 40 miles to the dealer, driving 40 miles home, waiting an undetermined amount of time, driving back to the dealer, and towing the repaired bike home. 160 total miles of driving with a trailer behind my Yukon adds up to about $50 worth of gas. I'm out probably six hours of my time at least. All to replace a part that's just under $100 including tax. I bought the part myself, installed it, corrected the dealer's previous routing of the wires so that it matched the service manual. Started it up. Voltage went over 14V at the battery. The bike has performed flawlessly all week commuting to work since the repair. What's the chance that Buell will reimburse me for the part as a warranty item? I have the old part to return to them (and you can see in the potting compound where the part overheated and failed). The cost would be far less than had they paid for the dealer's labor and the part. And it's not like there's some way that I could have "abused" a solid state voltage rectifier/regulator, so it's obviously either a manufacturing or design defect. | ||
| Glitch |
What's the chance that Buell will reimburse me for the part as a warranty item? Zero | ||
| Iann8ik |
think of the cost of the VR as an investment in your mechanical talent. peace of mind also, knowing the repair work was done correctly. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Like any corporation you cannot step outside of established methods and be reimbursed. It just isn't done. | ||
| Sloppy |
Talk to Buell customer service -- it sounds to me like your local HD / Buell shop SHOULD have taken care of you. Explain the situation and see what they can do for you. Do a search on KV to get the Customer Service phone number. One of Buell's biggest problems is poor dealer network services. IMHO, dealers make far easier money on HD parts to bother with Buells. I don't blame them, it's just an economic reality. | ||
| Ducxl |
I bought the part myself, installed it, corrected the dealer's previous routing of the wires so that it matched the service manual. Started it up. Voltage went over 14V at the battery. The bike has performed flawlessly all week commuting to work since the repair. Priceless.You can't put any amount on that satisfaction.Job well done! | ||
| Maryj |
The only time a mfg will reimburse you...that I know of...is if you make a repair and it is later deemed a recall. At least Honda does.... | ||
| Packrat |
Factory warranty work doesn't pay hardly anything, and most Buell dealerships, it seems, should go ahead and give it up...they obviously HATE BUELLS !!! | ||
| Court |
What's the chance that Buell will reimburse me for the part as a warranty item? Zero That's accurate and has NOTHING to do with Buell. Read the FMVSS. Imagine if the feds, in the execution of recalls, were willing to absolve folks of liability with the manufacturer simply sending parts to folks and telling them "install them as best you can". The Buell dealer may not be perfect and you may in fact be a far better mechanic, but the Buell dealer at least brings structure and some level or perceived familiarity and training. To say most Buell dealers hate Buell is pure Internet silliness. In addition the warranty thing can work out pretty good for a dealer. | ||
| Odinbueller |
"Factory warranty work doesn't pay hardly anything, and most Buell dealerships, it seems, should go ahead and give it up...they obviously HATE BUELLS !!!" That is completely inaccurate! We have lobbied on behalf of our customers to have at least 3 replacement engines under warranty in the past 6 months, and lobbied for a factory buy back in the interest of customer service in another case. While the factory flat rate is slim, we can call the motor company to get paid (within reason) for the labor involved in getting certain customer issues resolved. Liberty Buell doesn't do Buell because we have to, we do it because we love to! Chris | ||
| New12r |
Liberty Buell doesn't do Buell because we have to, we do it because we love to! Yall are one of the few. If it makes you feel better I did all but one of my warranty repairs myself. Sure it would cost me a little coin but that was better than waiting 2+ weeks and having to take it back 3 times to get it right, and then having the finish messed up cuz they wash it like its chrome plated. | ||
| Teeps |
Can't hurt to ask Buell CR for reimbursement; worst that can happen is they say no. Tell the story as posted above; ask them to verify the dealer contact facts. Maybe they will sympathize with you and cut a check. | ||
| Rah7777777 |
If its like the auto world (which i'm sure is damn close) you need proper documentation for warranty parts turn in (just a bunch of paperwork!). now as far as warranty work paying crappy, that is 100% true! (from a technicians standpoint, not so much a managers) I say just pay the 100 bucks and go with it. I have done this on more then a few occasions just to keep from the hassles of the dealer ( I work for a dealer, and i KNOW what a hassle it can be!) And being in your shoes, being as far from the dealer as you are, I wouldnt hesitate to do it myself and save just the gas money these days!! keep it safe! -Robert | ||
| Odinbueller |
I know it can be frustrating with warranty service. I know that I'm biding my time as I wait to bring my Jeep Commander in to a dealer (not the selling dealer) for recall work, some warranty work, and some retail labor stuff (installing trailer hitch setup). They were a week and a half out, but I've heard good things about them so I'm giving them a shot. Our selling dealer sold out to one of those gigundous auto-mall setups. More interested in selling cars than servicing them. I was devastated when I saw them close up, because they always treated me right, got me in and out with no fuss, and with that kind of service, our family has purchased 4 Jeeps from them over the course of our business relationship. When trying to get the new dealer to do basic recall service was akin to sticking a wet noodle up a wildcat's arse! So instead of getting in within a day, I have to wait to get my work done. The dealer situation for Buell is distressing indeed, but from what I've heard, good things are on the horizon. Try to keep the faith, things are going to get better! | ||
| Court |
>>>>The dealer situation for Buell is distressing indeed, but from what I've heard, good things are on the horizon. I agree. It's time to end the "Mark and Mike Debacle". It did not work. I confess that I continue to be amazed with my car experience with Ray Catena. The buying experience, and perhaps more importantly, the service experience have both been awesome. If you have never been to the Ray Catena Service Facility . . . put it on your "to do" list. It's perhaps the best food in New Jersey and perhaps the most "customer-centric" experience I've ever had. | ||
| Court |
If you decide to do your own warranty work you may not "void" your warranty but you will definitely not get paid for it . . .that's dreaming. | ||
| Jlnance |
my car experience ... The buying experience, and perhaps more importantly, the service experience have both been awesome. Court, what kind of service are you having done? Is it more than oil changes? One of the shocks of motorcycle ownership for me was realizing the things actually require service. But my car never requires more than a trip to jiffy lube. I bought a new car a few weeks ago and the salesman was showing me their service facility. I was thinking "this is nice and all, but if my car ever ends up in here, I will be extremely disappointed." | ||
| Diablobrian |
I understand what you mean about your car, but motorcycles, even the mildest cruisers, are high performance machines with incredible strains placed on them. Compare the power to weight, and acceleration to that of the average car, or even a sports car, then consider the size and relative strength of the drive train. Also, when you consider the relative importance to rider safety of every component on the bike you begin to see WHY it requires more maintenance than your car. The good news? Most of the maintenance is easy to do with the shop manual and hand tools. Not so with many of today's cars! (even domestic models) | ||
| Jlnance |
Diablo - I'm actually amazed my Blast requires as little maintenance as it does. Not that it's maintenance free by any means, but it vibrates so much and I am generally running it close to WOT, that I'm surprised it just doesn't shake itself to bits. I think another reason cars require so much less care is the amount of money pumped into automotive R&D vs that of motorcycles. Everyone (almost) owns a car, and that ensures billions and billions of dollars worth of development goes into making them better. Motorcycles are not nearly as well funded. |
