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Chris_from_scotland
Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 04:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

bought my second x1 about 4 weeks ago and all i have had is problems first the engine temp sensor went the dealer i bought it from fixed it and shiped it back now the bugger is on one again has a fuel leak and an oil leak i have had enough

thinking of leaving buells all together i have covered the grand milage of 0 miles on it and am starting to think a triumph street triple is the way forward
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Limitedx1
Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 04:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Low mileage or not......years are years, older bike are going to be quirky, im sure there are some 03 xb's out there that you couldnt give me, if you buy a newer street triple chances are it is not going to have any problems--------just like a 2007 xb will probably be as reliable as any other bike out there

ill give ya 500 bucks for that pile of scrap........
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Chris_from_scotland
Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 04:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

my other bike is a 1984 gs1150 with over 80000 miles on her and the only thing that has gone wrong in the 10 years of are lives together is the speedo cable broke

its not realy the bike its the backup you get over here in scotland to put it bluntly its shit we are second class to the harley guys
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Pkforbes87
Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 04:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"we are second class to the harley guys"

it's the same way in the US. Don't waste time with a dealer. there are plenty of good sponsors here to get parts from, then do the work yourself since you're the only one that actually cares about your bike. Those dealer techs are (generally speaking) just collecting a paycheck. they get the same $xx.xx/hour whether your bike gets fixed properly or not.
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Psycrow
Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 05:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hey Chris I'm thinking the same thing. I'm about to button the Primary up after fixing the detent plate clip and the Shop I got the M2 from has an SV1000s they took in on trade... I'm mighty tempted. Its not that I mind the wrenching so much but I just don't trust it on a trip. I wish I could keep it as a second bike but I just don't have the $ for that.

Psy
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Ebutch
Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 05:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I,d Cut And Run!!!!!
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Kalali
Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 07:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If I lived in Scotland, I would definitely own a British bike. I just happened to live 5 minutes away from a Buell dealership and they have Buell experts on the service staff. From the reliability point of view nothing beats Japanese bikes. I think everybody agrees on that point.
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Andymnelson
Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 07:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It comes with the territory on the tube frame Buells. You're gonna have issues and breakdowns and projects. That's honestly what I love about it. If you want a dead reliable Buell...get an XB.

On the other hand, if you want a reason to run away with your tail between your legs....sounds like you have it.
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Randymoser
Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 09:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm probably a quarter where you are.

I've been riding for, shit, almost 30 years (Good LORD!) and this M2 just tickles me in a way I can't explain. Only the old RD400 had me smiling as much. For me, right now, it's just that I know I can't sell the bike for what I have into it and I can't get a bike that would get me as much smiles per miles for what I could get for it.

When I can afford a HUGE loss things might be different, but until then I'll keep plugging away at the problems -- usually less than $100 a whack -- until I have replenished the sacred "motorcycle fund." At that point the Street Speed will be going for nickles and dimes.

But I think the Buell will always be one of those bikes... Had 20 or 30 motorcycles through the years, but just a few I wish I could have kept. There's just something special about these machines.

BTW: I had a 2002 Triumph Sprint before this Cyclone. That bike WILL NOT be on the list of machines I wish I could have kept. Just a personal perspective.

Randy
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Pkforbes87
Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 09:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

just got back from another 1000 mile trip on Betty.. not even really a bike-specific trip. My sister got married in central Missouri and I trust this bike more than I trust my '87 civic. (they get damn close to the same mpg though ; ))

It's too bad that some guys have a long string of bad luck with these bikes - I know it can be frustrating because I dealt with it for a few months as well. Then again, that was when the dealer was doing all the work..
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Skntpig
Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 10:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Randy,

I'm with you in the fact that I miss a few of the plenty bikes I have owned. My S1 is the only one that I've owned since new and will never get rid of. Don't get me wrong, the thought has crossed my mind numerous times. I almost sold it as a bag of bolts when it was all apart during the restoration.

Some days you have to wrench and put the puzzle together. It's not for everyone. I didn't buy the bike to be like all my friends. Everyone I knew was riding Red on a Honda...Including me. It sucked pulling up to the light and seeing a reflection of yourself in the same exact bike next to you.

The other day I was talking with the owner of the Buell store I worked at over 15 years ago. He was trying to talk me into trading in the S1 and taking one of the 08 1125Rs off his hands.

You should have seen his face...

I told him I would own one some day, maybe soon...but there weren't 2 bikes he had on the floor I would trade the tuber for.

There's just something about it I haven't found in another ride. I still have a Honda 600 F3 with cams, yah, yah, yah, but she sits on the tender in the corner where she belongs. Can't sell that one for what I have in it either.
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Littlebuggles
Posted on Thursday, July 23, 2009 - 02:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Chris, those old GS's are rock solid great bikes, nice handling too.

Remember that hoses and gaskets will let go on any bike, yours is minimum seven years old and if it's got low mileage is more likely to have had those parts deteriorate unless it's been in someone's living room its whole life.

Could just be a loose hose clamp on a fuel line... Lots of good info from many here, if you like the bike get a service manual, you'll be happier with it when you get to know it that much better.

Good luck.

-Mike
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Essmjay
Posted on Thursday, July 23, 2009 - 10:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If you can't fix a simple fuel or oil leak you should sell the bike and buy something newer. Not trying to cut you, just the simple truth. That said, if you can teach yourself to fix the little problems, one at a time, then you will gain the confidence to fix the larger issues if they come up. The tubers are simple machines and easy to work on (a good thing). Just don't try to force a screw or a bolt, take your time, read the service manual, ask questions, in time you will gain skills you didn't know you were capable of. Fuel and oil leaks should be easy to diagnose and fix. Where is the oil appearing?
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Chris_from_scotland
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 12:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i can fix the probs just dont see why i should ad it came from a dealer and shoud have been right when i picked it up .


thought long and hard and im gonna have another x1 but im buying private this time no way im gonna let a harley monkey anywhere near it
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Fast1075
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 01:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Did you know that since introduction....over 60 MILLION Honda Cubs have been sold world wide...basically unchanged since introduction?

You may now resume your normal thread.
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Buellistic
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 01:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"YOU MEET THE NICE'st PEOPLE ON A HONDA !!!"
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Fullauto
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 10:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You should persevere with the little problems because,

a. You learn something and it satisfies you.

b. It's worth it when you ride the thing. The Japs have never made anything remotely similar.

c. Park it amongst a pack of modern bikes and see who gets the attention. I'm not a poseur but I now know how celebrities feel.

d. Big problems become small problems with a bit of practice.

e. Parts are cheap. I was quoted AU$161.00 for a Honda rear brake light switch the other day. I laughed at him.


"You meet the blandest people on a Honda".
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Buelleaver
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 11:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I don’t think it’s as cut and dry as most people make it out to be. Just because a person doesn’t feel like having to work on something does mean it’s because they are incapable to do it. When you add life’s responsibilities like spending time with your kids, home maintenance, car maintenance, plus other hobbies, maybe boating (very intensive maintenance), skiing, hunting, ect., it can get hard to justify spending a disproportionate amount of time working on a bike. When I first got my bike it had a lot of issues. (nothing too major) These bikes need to be what I like to refer to as being “well sorted”. It has run excellent these past 2 summers, but only because I was too stubborn to let it get the best of me. If not for all it’s redeeming Qualities it would not have been around very long. I really enjoy this bike, but I see both sides of this coin.
To the other point, if a person lacks a strong mechanical aptitude then a tuber is not for them. Having said all that I'm still glad I own one.

(Message edited by buelleaver on July 24, 2009)

(Message edited by buelleaver on July 24, 2009)
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Tom_b
Posted on Friday, July 24, 2009 - 11:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Buelleaver, very good points. Life is too short to spend time getting aggravated with something that should be enjoyable. Chris, I have learned owning a x-1 is a love/hate relationship. When the love is gone, move on. don't look back. I won't
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