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Brando77
Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 06:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i'm looking to pick up either an XB12R or a uly,my previous bike was a VFR 700 which had 46k and i put 40k and i did most of the maintenance which wasn't a pleasure but not rocket science either using a manual.i want to ask buell owners some questions and would really like unbiased answers.

1) how satisfied are you with the quality,reliability & durability of your bike?

2)does your bike need more maintenance than what the dealer told you?

3)would you recommend an XB to someone who is planning to put 50k-75k or more miles on it?

4)would you buy the same bike again or one from a different MFR? (if not,why?)

5)do you work on your own bike and if so is the maintenance relatively uncomplicated and or easy?

6)do you feel your bike's reliability is worth what you paid?

my thanks to all who answer and in helping me out in my decision process.
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Brumbear
Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 06:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I am extremely happy with the reliabilty of my bike XB12SS
the Bike needs very little maintenance
(I did not mod the crap out of it though)
I would absolutley recomend the bike for 50K miles there are guys on the boards with 2 to 4 times that amount of miles
The bike are extremely easy to work on the ECM spy is easy to get and use to do TPS resets and fuel maps if you have an 07 and lower year I don't know much anout the 08-09 DDFI
Another thing to consider is this may sound funny but they crash extremely well and usually require very little to be road worthy again
I can't say enough about these bikes not the fastest not Euro sexy more like blue collar ranch hand and defineatley the FUNNEST bike I ever owned
GOOD LUCK with your desicion
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Luxor
Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 06:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ok, here goes. I own 2, a 2003 XB9S and an 04 12S.
The 03 has just over 11k on the clock, while the 04 has just hit 1,400. So my comments will come from the 03 9S.

1- Quality is great,fit and finish are superb for being built in the USA by a tiny bike company, you can tell there was alot of hands on building at the factory and that is NOT a bad thing at all.
Durability, I flog it like I stole it and it wants more.

2- No, less in fact. Aside from the regular engine and primary oil changes.
I just did my 10k service and found that most of what Buell suggested was not really needed, seems it was done more for preventative reasons.

3- YES, all day YES.

4- I have owned many, many bikes over the years and will only own Buells from this point on.

5- Yes, I do all my own maint. and can say that all you really need is the Buell service manual, and mostly basic tools to perform all the regular service. Buells are very easy and a joy to work on.

6- Very much so, the quality and reliability have been great, and when something does go wrong it's cheap and easy to fix. The support from Buell and the Buell community will ensure that these things ride on for a long, long time.
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Jammin_joules
Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 06:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

XB12X Ulysses with 20,000 miles in two years.
Had cooling fan die and now exhaust gate valve solenoid. I bought ESP so these are covered. My front rotor is now pulsing, and that is not a warranty item, most likely my hard braking caused this.

I do most of my maintenance but I work at a dealership and have access to factory trained service techs and also special tools that make some work possible. (Front fork seal rebuild comes to mind most recently)

I seem to go through a lot of rear tires and the bike is constantly in need of a wash, but hey, that may just be my riding style.

I have owned a lot of bikes, have 6 different ones in my garage now, and if I had to get rid of all but one, it would be the Ulysses I would keep.

Your results, may of course vary.
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Teeps
Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 06:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Brando77 Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009

1) how satisfied are you with the quality,reliability & durability of your bike?

18K miles on mine and no trip stopping problems.

2)does your bike need more maintenance than what the dealer told you?

Bought it used so dealer did not have to lie about maintenance costs.

3)would you recommend an XB to someone who is planning to put 50k-75k or more miles on it?

Yes, with the caveat your experience may very from mine.

4)would you buy the same bike again or one from a different MFR? (if not,why?)

No; Buell is Tango Union.

5)do you work on your own bike and if so is the maintenance relatively uncomplicated and or easy?

yes; yes, and YES. Oil/filter, trans oil, air filter; adjust primary chain as needed.

6)do you feel your bike's reliability is worth what you paid?

Yes; paid $8500 used with 850 miles...
Best bike by far of the +30 bikes I've owned.
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Aptbldr
Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 09:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"the FUNNEST bike I ever owned"

Well, since I was twenty anyway.
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Nik
Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 11:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)


1) how satisfied are you with the quality,reliability & durability of your bike?


Very, its the highest quality, most reliable, most durable bike I've ever owned.

2)does your bike need more maintenance than what the dealer told you?

No. Not that I asked the dealer...

3)would you recommend an XB to someone who is planning to put 50k-75k or more miles on it?

I have 48k miles now and ride about 3k a month. So, Yes.

I will say that since it has the earlier transmission 2nd gear has gotten rather crunchy to the point of uselessness. I'll probably be splitting the cases over winter break to rebuild the trans. I don't think that its a typical issue though.

4)would you buy the same bike again or one from a different MFR? (if not,why?)

I'd probably go for a Uly over my XB9Sx. I would most definitely get a 06+ for the improved transmission and oil pump drivegear over my 05'.

5)do you work on your own bike and if so is the maintenance relatively uncomplicated and or easy?

Yes. I can tell in working on it that during the design process they thought of the average guy (with normal hands, not tiny Asian ones!) working on it. The most annoying part is all the torx fasteners on it, but invest in a torx bit set and those become a non-issue. Blue Locktite on everything! unless otherwise specified...

6)do you feel your bike's reliability is worth what you paid?

My bike has paid for itself in gas and saved maintenance costs compared to what I was paying to keep my Suzuki Gs500 and Toyota MR2 going.
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Metalstorm
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 12:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm far beyond satisfied with my 05 XB12Scg. I've never had such a great running and great looking bike.

My Buell is bar-none the best bike I ever owned and I would recommend them in a heartbeat.

I've had other bikes and when I look back at the mileage I've racked up with all the past bikes going back to mid 1985, all of them together equal a tad more than twice the mileage that I've put on the Buell alone and I've only had my Buell since May of 05.

So yeah. I'm very happy with the Buell.

If I had the means, I'd run out and buy an XT and an 1125R yesterday : )

On edit: maintanence is ridiculously easy on the XBs.

Change oil. Change Primary oil. Check primary chain and adjust if needed. Check clutch and adjust if needed. Lube cables. Check fasteners (I havn't found a single loose one yet in almost 5 years).

No valve adjustments.
No belt adjustments.
No chain lubing.

The only expensive things are the tires.

As far as value goes; The world keeps telling the value has dropped each & every year.

Yet each and every year my bike becomes more valuable to me.

It has transcended beyond monetary measures.

To me my bike has become priceless. I can not, would not dream of selling her so the price I paid for her was really well worth it : )

(Message edited by metalstorm on November 09, 2009)
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Metalstorm
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 12:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My post came out looking very biased. That was not my intention so I'll give some bad.

I have had a couple electrical glitches. A couple chaffed wires that were frustrating to find. Once found though it was quick and easy fix.

The 77 connectors (The voltage regulator uses this) 0n 07 & older models can go bad. There is a kit available I believe that contains different, better connectors. I think they run $20 and it would be the one and only thing I would suggest doing on the purchase of a Buell. That or eliminate the connector entirely with posi-locks (water proof ones) which I'm currently in the process of doing. That's the only weak link I can think of.
All bikes have their weak links. We have come to know Buell's so that helps a lot with making a very mechanically reliable bike very electrically reliable too : )
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20buellteam
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 01:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Go get yourself an XB, do it now while good deals still abound and just ride it(you will instantly get addicted to the torque which puts a smile on your face every time), you will have no buyers remorse, regrets or self doubts, you will enjoy it and since your not placing regular maintenance into the hands of others for routine service you should never experience the dealer service issues that some folks have had. I keep all my stuff along time too and I take care of it pretty much myself with help of shop manuals (that should also get along with the bike), this bike expects you to ride on it way more than wrench on it. A Buell XB won't let you down.
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Rays
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 02:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'll answer questions 1,3 & 4 with this picture:



That is my new '09 XT last Saturday morning after I rode it home from the dealer - it has 40 miles on the clock.
My '06 X in the background is a little more used with 56,000 miles on the clock.

So the answers are:
1. Yes - it hasn't been perfect but the issues have all been pretty much nuisance value over 4 years of almost daily use.
2. Probably, but in fairness the dealer probably expected me to ride it a lot less than I do.
3. Yes, if you maintain it well and treat it with a bit of mechanical sympathy they are very good.
4. Yes, but HD don't bring the X into Australia any more so I had to settle for the XT. The X is one of the most addictive bikes I've had in 38 years of riding.
5. Yes, I do my own maintenance and most tasks are straight-forward (I would reserve the right to whine about the rear plug location but in reality it in no worse than doing the shims on a ZX11). I have changed fork seals and wheel bearings etc but have not been inside the engine cases as yet. There have been few electrical gremlins but I am fortunate enough to be trained in that area. The collective knowledge on this forum is without peer and takes some of the risk of the unknown away for this sort of thing.
6.Yes, again in fairness the XT was almost half what I paid for the X so the current brand run-out has changed that picture.

These things are not for everyone, some of my friends absolutely hate my X.
Do yourself a favour and take one for a reasonable test ride. You need to get used to the 'feel' of the things and try and get your head around the torque rather than rev the daylights out of it.

If it hits your sweet spot then I'm afraid that you will have a decision on your hands.
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Greg_e
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 09:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I finally got in a good long ride on my XB9R yesterday, it is certainly a finer machine than other sport bikes I've ridden. The rev limits and power band take some getting used to if you have only ridden high revving machine that make all their power up near the red. The chassis is fantastic though and is far more capable than I am. I haven't really ridden anything in 10 years and this machine gives confidence in corners going twice the recommended speeds.
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Motorico
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 10:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just did my first oil change last night. Get a GOOD torx bit set. You need a T27. You need a T27, and make sure the T27 is good and fits.

I have to call my dealer and order some new fasteners. Trust me, that chin fairing is going NO WHERE between the number of fasteners and the generous amount of thread locking compound.
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Sloppy
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 11:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've owned Honda's, Kawasaki's, Suzuki and Yamaha.

Buell is cheaper to maintain, more reliable (the Buell has NEVER left me stranded whereas all the others have) and is much easier to maintain.

That being said, Buell's do require more frequent checks, but the checks are very simple and quick to perform.
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Mmcn49
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 01:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

1) how satisfied are you with the quality,reliability & durability of your bike?

+1 to all the positive things stated in the other posts. Rather than repeat the positive comments let me cover some of the Buell’s weaknesses which, (IMO) are fairly minor but can be a pain.

Wiring Harness:
Instead of being encased in a pvc or vinyl sheathing, the wiring harness is wrapped in a soft poly cloth. The harness has numerous chafe points. The insulation can chafe through and short out after a few hundred miles. Wrapping as much of the harness that you can access with spiral wrap wire harness cover will eliminate this problem.

Rocker Cover Gaskets:
The rocker cover gaskets are made of Silicon Rubber. Their temperature rating is around 300 F. Air flow over the rear cylinder is not the best. When the gaskets overheat they turn black in places, become brittle, shrink around the black areas and leak. Installing a Right Side Scoop will help prevent the gasket from overheating.

O2 Sensor:
The Buell comes with a single wire unheated Narrow Band o2 sensor. Many owners report rough running at lower and cruise RPM’s, (some are much worst than others). Replacing the stock 1-wire NB sensor with a Bosch universal heated 4-wire NB sensor reduces the stumbling and bumbling greatly. Installing a Wide Band sensor and controller and programming it for a richer AFR eliminates it completely.

4)would you buy the same bike again or one from a different MFR? (if not,why?)

Already did. Bought a second TT several weeks ago.

5)do you work on your own bike and if so is the maintenance relatively uncomplicated and or easy?

I do all my own work.. Working on my 72 Beemer or the two old dirt bikes is relatively uncomplicated and easy. Working on the Buell is not difficult but there is more to it. Read the manual and think twice before doing anything questionable.
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Fltwistygirl
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 01:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

We were so happy with our first Buell we got a second and then a third. Aside from one warranty issue on the City-x, no dealer support in the 5 years we have had a Buell in the garage. Uly is ready for the 1K service so we'll see how that goes. The first 2 dealers we purchased from did not give a rats patootie about our post sale needs, and we really were not aware of Badweb's wealth of info on good dealers until later in the game. With Badweb and a shop manual, and proper tools, very few colorful words come from our garage when "the man" is working on either bike. Would replace each bike with identical if they were available. Prefer two wheels to the cage and The city-x has paid for itself with gas savings and miles of smiles. Expect the same from the Uly!!!
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Rhun
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 04:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Mmcn49
you stated 'Bosch universal heated 4-wire NB sensor' do you have a part number? How do you wire a 4 wire when you had a one wire?
2. Do you have a brand and part number for the wide band?
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Mmcn49
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 04:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

you stated 'Bosch universal heated 4-wire NB sensor' do you have a part number?

Yes, Bosch Universal 02 sensor. PN-15729.

How do you wire a 4 wire when you had a one wire?

Wire colors are Black, Grey & White. Black goes to the ECM. Grey and one of the Whites goes to the battery's negative terminal. The other white wire goes to a switched +12 VDC source.

2. Do you have a brand and part number for the wide band?

Yes. PM me at mmcn49@gmail.com
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Greg_e
Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 04:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Not to run this off track, but I did a search not to long ago about wide band O2 and didn't come up with too much concrete info. I would appreciate if a good informational post was made up in the knowledge base about what needs to be done for both the generic Bosch 4 wire narrow band (copy paste from above) and for the wide band. I have some interest in going with a wideband as a step toward further upgrades. If said post has definitely been made I'll do more digging to try and find it, thanks.
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Mmcn49
Posted on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - 11:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Greg PM sent. WB information is on another forum. The WB controller manufacturer is not an advertiser here.
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Moonrunrs
Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 12:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Although I love my 03 XB9r I have had 3 problems that have left me stranded.

1. Temp sensor burned out -- can't remember the mileage
2. At about 18K the speedo sensor wires shroted out due to wear and rubbing in the connections.
3. My 2nd belt snapped after less than 1000 miles after it was changed.

I like the bike but these things were annoying. I have to be honest, my Suzuki never gave me problems that left me stranded.

However, I really like the bike more than my others. The reliability issue is the only thing that is sort of annoying about my Buell. Would I buy another one if I could afford it? Yes. I would love a Lightning Long and was hoping Buell would develop and XB sport tourer in the future. If they did, THAT'S the one I would pick up next.
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Froggy
Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 01:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The engine temp sensor left you stranded? Worst I have ever heard was it would cause premature skip spark. It would still be ridable.

The speedo sensor problem is common on the 03's, but it would just make it not report your speed, not leave you stranded.

Oh, and the 03 belt can snap easily especially if it was mishandled or incorrectly installed.

The XB12XT is the closest your getting to a sport tourer, so scoop one up when you can : )
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Iamarchangel
Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 11:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Speedo failure on my '039R: can't see how that can leave you stranded. Cheap part and easy repair.

Intermittent probs with headlight wiring. fixed now with new wire. Was still rideable.

3rd set of tires in two short seasons. Easy to remove.

Way more reliable than I expected it to be. I do a walkaround before every ride and the above are the only issues I've had.

(Greg: wouldn't even worry about changing O2 sensors for no reason. If I did, I'd probably look at two of them. Sensor only reads one cylinder but, on my bike, it seems to do a good job of it.)
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Moonrunrs
Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 04:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah, sensor burnout left me stranded. Thought it was just fuse problem at first since it popped the fuse. Changed the fuse out twice but kept popping. Bike wouldn't run. Thought it was the voltage regulator or stator, as those were common problems with XB, but it was the sensor.
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Mmmi_grad
Posted on Friday, November 27, 2009 - 10:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The temp sensor is very important. It only needs to be flakey, or a tps reset done on a flakey temp sensor (someone not paying attention ) to foul the plugs and strand you or the person you are tuning for.
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Rainman
Posted on Friday, November 27, 2009 - 11:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You didn't ask, but in 10,000 hard city miles and assorted 300-mile forays into the Blue Ridge mountains on my retired Riders Edge Blast, I have had no trips to the dealer, no issues to leave me stranded and the maintenance is so easy even a Rainman can do it.
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Jason13
Posted on Friday, November 27, 2009 - 12:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Got a 08 XB12R had it now for 15 months now and it has 16,203 miles i ride it every day so far only thing is the head lamp burnt out at 13k so other then that i ride my bike like its ment to be and one one wheel some times. buells are the best and as long as you keep up on it you'll be just fine
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