| Author | Message | ||
     Darthane |
Hmm...8,000 miles on my 2001 Blast, blew the rockerbox (as expected) and killed a speedo sensor (also expected). Maybe $50 to fix them. I still love that bike, although for obvious reasons (the blue Firebolt sitting next to it) I don't ride it anymore. The Blast was the absolute PERFECT bike to learn to ride on, a fact I impresed upon my girlfriend, who's currently sitting on one at Rider's Edge training this morning. As for the Firebolt, the only peep I've heard from anyone concerning reliability was a bad spedo sensor (same one as on the other Buell's, so why should it be expected to last any longer?). I've got 5,000 miles on mine with absolutely NOTHING gone wrong on it. No leaks, no shimmies, no nothing. Been to the drag strip a few times now and been ridden hard down the tarmac. I love this bike, and I think Buell took a giant leap forward with the XB platform. My next bike will undoubtedly be a sport-tourer of some sort, and I'd prefer that it be a liquid-cooled V-Twin. If Buell makes one that fits my fancy, great. If not, well, I guess I'll be looking elsewhere, as much as I respect the Buell dream and initiative. For now, though, my Blast and Firebolt have provided nothing but joy for me, and I expect that to last for quite some time to come. Bryan | ||
| Road_Thing |
2 S1's and an S2 and I love 'em, all... r-t | ||
| Crusty |
60,000 miles on a '98 S3-T. Traded it in on a '00 M2 which only has 22,000 miles on it now. There isn't a bike out there that I'd replace it with. | ||
| Jdbuellx1 |
'99 X1 race stripe, very few problems aside from ones I had caused, changed every thing I didn't like and now I'm broke. Lovin every money spendin minute of this machine! Looking for another, preferably an S1 any year but don't want a divorce so an S3 or Blast will have to suffice, need something the wife can ride on with me or on her own  Justin | ||
| Peter |
Yep, still happy. '00 M2 (had) '98 S1W (have) | ||
| Cowboy |
.... 16000 miles on X1 (2001) I have had only one minor problem that the dealer fixed under warnety. I have owned 20 + motorcycles. Mine seems to be bullet proof. The only bike I have loved sience the days of my beloved NORTONS. PS they are a bitch to keep good rubber on. but that is my on doing | ||
| Buellistic |
ATT: Happy Buell owners Original owner of 1997 S3T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The heads have never been off!!!! As of today 1256PM it has 50315.6 miles[:-D] In buelling BUELLISTIC and/or Hardley-Harley | ||
| Aaron |
1996 S2T - 8K miles and going strong. Head porting and cams done when new, makes 87hp. It jettisoned a saddlebag once (broken bracket) and it's original battery bit the dust the other day. Those are the only problems the bike has had. 1996 S1 - 33K miles and going strong. Thunderstormed about 18K miles back, that's the last time the heads were off. Had to change some gearbox parts once, a couple hundred dollars and about 3 hours of my time. Tank lettering bubbled but Buell replaced it for free. Previous owner dealt with a few minor issues but nothing big. Overall very reliable. Makes 95rwhp. 1999 M2 - hell, I dunno how many miles, not a lot, maybe 7-8K. Has always had an appetite for exhaust parts and sprung a rocker box leak once and a couple other more minor things, but the problems are solved, it wasn't that hard. Oh, it blew an isolator once but Buell put in a pair of the new style for free. Currently the subject of some motor development work, and making 120rwhp on stock displacement. Yeah, I'm happy with my Buells. They're fun bikes. I know some folks haven't had good luck with them, especially X1's for whatever reason. I also see some who really exagerrate the hell out the problems, making mountains out of molehills. Need for attention and the desire to fit in with the folks who've had real problems I guess. Whatever, I enjoy the hell out of mine. | ||
| Redstripe |
Yep, still happy with my 2000 Red Racing Stripe. Bought Jan. 2001; 15K on it. -mls- Exept for; -2 sets of cilinders and pistons, -7 primary gaskets, -4 exhaust mounts, -2 exhausts, -1 breatherbolt rear, -2 dealers, -4 months without it, a very reliable machine! Never left me standing though!? And since new mechanic a delight; I guess it's down to who's wrenching... Jilles. | ||
| Groundscrew |
Had a 01 Blast no problems(3700 miles) great learner bike Have a 99 S3 typical rocker gasket leak at 2700 miles, figured it would happen just not that soon, fixed the problem. I enjoyed the Blast, I love the S3 Matt | ||
| Littledog1 |
1998 S-1 with race kit and all the Banke stuff. 11.5K miles, no problems other than the inconvience of the various recalls. Just love the S-1's minimalist aspects, with low seat, light weight, great brakes, and torque! Mickey | ||
| Rick_A |
This is a refreshing change from, "it broke again, this is it...I will never own a Buell again!" | ||
| 5liter |
Oh Ya! Brand new S3T. One minor problem(fixed). I don't know how many people ask me if it's a BMW!!!! WTF!!!! One young fella said "Oh, that's one of those bikes that does the wheelies" Smart kid. | ||
| M2me |
2001 M2 with 8000 miles. Only problems have been leaking rocker boxes. First one was fixed for free under warranty and two others I fixed myself. Total cost: $4.14 (for the steel gaskets). If it wasn't cold and rainy out I'd be riding it right now. I actually did put 10 miles on it earlier today but that rain is cold when it's only about 50 degrees out. | ||
| Dueller |
Bought both of mine used...97 M2 with 9K on the clock; 98 S1w with 2300 or so miles. Between the two have ridden 16-18K miles in past 18 months. Problems? Shorted kickstand switch on M2 in rain...dried out and fixed itself. Race muff front flange busted on S1 (replaced free from Buell). Oh yeah...speedo cable on M2 broke last week. They love to eat up back tires but my riding style/habits could have something to do with that. That's about it. I wish my BMW car was this reliable. Shits 'n' giggles makes up for any minor problems I've encountered. Love mine. | ||
| Buellbob |
97 S3T, bought in 99, no trouble, no leaks, The only problem is me learning how to ride it to its potential( wheelies more agressive cornering etc...) but its coming along. Bob | ||
| Joem |
99X1... the most feared of the lot. Plenty happy. Waiting for the big bang, but plenty happy. | ||
| Choptop |
Love my 99 S3T (12.5k miles), but its left me stranded several times. 3 busted exhuast studs 1 bad O2 sensor 1 bad volatge reg. 1 blown shock 2 frayed throttle cables 1 set of blown rocket gaskets 1 broken right lower fairing Love the bike, hate the problems. Probably wont own it once its out of warrantee (extended). Its a shame too. I REALLY like it. But too many people have too many problems with Buells for me to roll the dice to the tune of a new engine. P.S. I like my Buell alot more now that is not my main ride. If it breaks, its not as big of a deal. I just have to hassle with spending the time and money to get it fixed. | ||
| Ccryder |
Hey Stripe'r is over 30,000 miles (In under 2 years)and not a head has been touched. I almost forgot how GREAT it feels to have a new set of tires. Hey Jilles this is what you need for yours:   Anyway, let me know if I can help you out with any of these goodies like we talked about at the Elves retreat. And to all a good night. Neil S. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
check my profile..... Ditto what Choptop said, except I have 32k on mine. | ||
| Al_Lighton |
99 S3- 13K and change, rocker box leak, fork seal under warrantee were only factory issues. I jettisoned a used saddlebag on the cali ride, never found it. Had the old style mounts. 98 S1W- almost 23K, rocker box leaks only. I've done a lot of work to it (all engine external), but it was all of my doing, not caused by anything that failed. It ate a supertrap can, but that was an ST design problem. My Buells have never left me stranded, and are capable of performance beyond my riding abilities. The power delivery and riding position very much suit my likes and needs. Enough people have had issues that I have a little nagging worry that something might happen, but heck, if it breaks, I'll deal with the adventure it hands me and fix it, and make it better than it was before. I won't recommend a Buell to someone that doesn't enjoy some wrenching, they aren't "park it wet and forget about it" bikes. But I've owned a bike like that, and I didn't enjoy the overall ownership experience as much. I *like* farkling with my bikes. Al | ||
| Rick_A |
Seems like the Buellers that do their own wrenching are generally happier with their bikes and have less problems. Just an observation. | ||
| Jmartz |
I have enjoyed my S1 very much during my 7 years of ownwership and nearly 50,000 miles of use. I have had a few mishaps but I always made quick repairs (I do my owne) to keep on riding with minimal down time. Many mods have increased its power output but after so many miles its not quite as crisp as originally. I might have to speed up its retirement day as the stator just started putting out a measly 1.5 volts instead pf its specified 30 some to 50 some. It also has some trans/clutch issues to deal with. What next? is the question... | ||
| Thunder |
I bought my 2000 S3T used June of 00 with 4K on it, only put 1K on it that year. Last year I was only able to get about 4K on it due to a ignition fuse blowing problem and the local HD dealer holding it for 5 weeks to do a shock recall and race muffler recall. With parts ordered 1 month earlier.. so they said. Guess they were busy hanging all the Chrome and my recalls weren't in there best interest. Also while they had it they never looked at the ignition fuse problem. Last winter bought the service manual, built a Lift off the I-beam in my garage and started to sort things out. 2001 isolators (Jay's method ATC) new rocker gaskets did some polish work repacked race muffler new brake rotor (damaged by a tire iron...dealer issue) Found Ignition issue myself (Tank Fuel Pump harness touching rear rocker box cover) The Bike now shows 17K on it and like I said in my previous post I have never been happier. I didn't want anyone to think my experience has been painless, but this is also how I have come to really know my bike too. Along with this web site and all of you! Thanks!! Looking forward to doing another few weeks this winter of sorting and polishing!! Jeff | ||
| Smadd |
1998 S3 with a little over 45,000 miles. And I'm a very happy Buell owner! | ||
| Tripp |
owned my 99 cyclone for a little over a year nowand i will never part with it, even if i were to buy a newer model down the road, i've owned several other bikes and nothing has come close to the joy my buell has brought me. i bought it used with 7000 miles on it now it has 13000 with never a problem only a small rockerbox gasket leak that i'm not afraid of! i bought a service manual and that's my new bible! out of all the bikes i've owned this is the easiest to work on, and what a support network between bad web and atc!!!!!! now can someone post a message at quick board "my front end shakes @ 120mph"lol | ||
| Apex1 |
Still enjoy my 00 Millennium X1 w/ 17k mi. on it, though I may sell/trade it soon so I can start another naked-bike, hot-rod project (XB9S hopefully)! Then again... | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Seems like the Buellers that TRAILER their bikes for long distance events and carry a whole bunch of TOOLS and SPARE PARTS with them are generally happier with their bikes and have less problems. Just an observation.  | ||
| Buellistic |
ATT:HAPPY BUELLER WANTABE'S There are two types of BUELL GURU'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The BUELL TECHNICAN and the BUELL MECHANIC!!! To have a reliable BUELL you have to find a BUELL MECHANIC or YOU become ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In buelling BUELLISTIC and/or Hardley-Harley | ||
| Jmartz |
I rode mine to trailerweek. |
