| Author | Message | ||
     Xbgeorge |
Rant on: My 2008 XB12R, with 12,000 miles, is now 28 days out of warranty. Good for me you say. I say no! Last month I took the bike in to Uke’s HD/Buell, for a rear cylinder oil leak and a list of other things. I have had great service from them so far. It took about 12 days to get my bike back. No problem I thought. I ended up getting the bike back on the last day of the warranty. Shortly after picking up the bike, I headed to Chicago, about 45 miles away, to visit my sister. When I got into the city, I noticed that the bike was stumbling, at idle, and flashed the check engine light twice. I called the dealer and made an appointment for the next day. When I tried to leave, later that night, the bike didn’t start. I ended up push starting it and riding home. I noticed the bike running a little rough, but it smoothed out after a few miles. I threw it on the Trickle Charger and went to bed. The following day I rode it to the dealer and they pulled an Intake Air Temp Sensor code and a below 12 volts code. The tech noticed a cable that appeared to be stretched a little too tight. The cable was ordered and I was on my way. Two days later they called with the part. I rode in and got it fixed in about 15 minutes. I thought everything was cool. Boy was I wrong. Today the bike quit on my way home from work. First the check engine light came on, then the gages went out, and then the bike died. I ended up coasting into a McDonald’s parking lot. I bought a Sweet Tea and waited for my rescue. I figured the battery was going bad. It has been starting slower this year. I charged it every night, but it didn’t seem to help much. So off the Uke’s I go to buy a new battery. I threw it on the bike and it fired right up. I rode the 10 miles home. The ride was smooth, but the check engine light came on after 2 miles. When I got home I busted out the meter and found out that the charging system wasn’t working. I’m pretty sure it is the stator. I don’t get any volts out of it. It isn’t shorted to ground though. What I find funny is I get up to 5 VDC out of the voltage regulator, at idle. When revved the volts drop to zero. The primary also stinks and has some smoke coming out of it. So I figure a stator replacement is coming. It was probably going bad, before the warranty ran out, but was not recognized. I’m a little upset that all this happened just after the warranty ran out. But I am very upset at what I found, while taking the bike apart for troubleshooting. The following is my irritation list: 3 bolts in the chin fairing were missing, the rest were loose 2 bolts in the lower tail section cover missing (I don’t know if this was the tech’s fault) 1 fan bolt missing CPS wire not clipped back into place 30amp fuse not clipped into place Overflow fuel line (tank breather line?) was not in its clip and rubbed the swing arm paint down. I can understand parts failing, but I can’t understand a tech not following the guidelines in the manual. How about using some Loctite? My cousin helped me troubleshoot today. He is in the market for a new bike. After all that I have been through with this bike, he told me that he won’t buy a Buell. He is going big four. I can’t say I blame him. If these problems persist, I will probably do a brand jump as well. That sucks. I always try to buy American. I even go as far as to make sure my cars are made in America and not just branded as American makes. When the bike is running, it is a thing of joy. I love the sound, handling, beauty and the looks it gets. But! Now I have to go spend some more money. Rant Off. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Did you take the bike back to the dealer? Did you let them know? If they've given you good service so far, they will probably stand behind their work. Except for the leak, it obviously ran BEFORE you took it in. The troubles started after the work was done. Just because it's out of warranty doesn't mean that their work is done. The last ticket is still open if the repair isn't completed satisfactorily. Start with the dealer. | ||
| Xbgeorge |
I am planning on talking to them tomorrow. | ||
| Union_man |
My guess...the dealer will do the right thing if given the chance. If not call customer service at Buell and tell them your story. Good people work at Buell. | ||
| Xbgeorge |
Here is the update. I went to Uke's HD/Buell today and told them the situation. Without me even asking, they said they would take care of everything. So I have an appointment to take the bike in on Monday. I could have brought it in earlier, but I have school this weekend. A BIG thank you to Uke's HD/Buell in Kenosha, WI. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Cool. Good to see Buell taking care their peoples, unlike some other bike brands that shall not be named (not HD either). | ||
| Dragonslayer |
I've always heard good things about Uke's. | ||
| Xbgeorge |
Dragonslayer, I have always had good service from Uke's. My rant was about the bike failing after the warranty ran out. But, Uke's comes through again. They have a small Buell museum in the store, which is really cool. The owner is a friend of Erik Buell and rides a Uly to and from work. Also, pretty cool. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
See, not all dealers are bloodsucking bastids. Give them a chance to do right and most of the time they will. | ||
| U4euh |
Well this just made my day! Good to see that end the end the dealer did right by the customer, no doubt your happier now! | ||
| Wheelybueller |
  | ||
| Union_man |
I knew they would! I have had great luck with La Crosse Buell/HD also! | ||
| Gunut75 |
Uke's ROCKS!!!!!! I have NEVER had any problems there! | ||
| Xbgeorge |
Talked to the dealer today. The Stator is bad. They have one on order. It should be in tomorrow and I should be riding Saturday. |
