| Author | Message | ||
     Rd350 |
If anyone has any questions on recalls on anything made under the sun look up this website. This proves that Buell is not the only one with recalls. www.safetyalerts.com | ||
| Justjoe |
Sigh, the cheerleaders still miss the point. No one claims Buells are the only one with recalls. However, Buell is disproportionately represented in any recall survey for the motorcycle industry. JustJoe | ||
| Court |
>>>However, Buell is disproportionately represented in any recall survey for the motorcycle industry. Prove it. I suggest (and have no idea if it's true) that Buell, as the first wheeled vehicle company in the world, to have a www. site, may be the victim of an ownership with much great presence and participation on the internet. Just a thought..... Court | ||
| Davegess |
Court I suspect that JustJoe is right. buell after all recalled every motorcycel they ever made to do a whole buch of fixes. OF COURSE MOST OF THOSE FIXES COULD HAVE BEEN IGNORE OR TREATED AS PRODUCT IMPROVEMENTS AND NO RECALL ISSUED. Buell issued the recall to assure that every problem got taken care of. Most of these issues would have been below the radar of NHTSA and would never have been recalled but Buell wanted to fix as much as was possible. I for one feel that Buell's recall record reflects two things, one is of course a small, new company struggling with quality issues but also a company committed to taking care of problems EVEN IF NOT LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO DO SO. In sum, Buell has recalled a greater percentage of bikes than any other manufacturer ever and it is in some ways a positive thing. Perhaps the smart thing from a marketing thing would be to have avoided the recall at all costs and just have done the bikes that were needed to keep NTSHA happy. It might have helped Buell's reputation, at least on the surface, but would have been a disservice to owners. dave | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
I agree with Court,  The support & presence here is amazing. I don't think you will find it anywhere else (Other than the SAAB enthusiast site). Heres to Buell for keeping up and making good on the recalls.    As you can tell I just discovered the Clipart and how to use them. This is too  I have been dringing way too much  this morning. Time to get back to  before I get  | ||
| Justjoe |
Court, How would you like the statistics? Total number recalled vs total manufactured? Total number of recalled models vs total models available? Recall percentage vs market share? I don't really have the time, but since you've decided to lay down the gauntlet, I'd be glad to pick it up. Dave, Notice my post did not give an opinion on Buell's motives for the recalls. I would also say, that your statement as to their intent is conjecture. Perhaps my first post should have started "In my opinion..." on the recalls. However, I'm willing to do the digging to prove it as Court suggested. Can you prove your statment? How many other things did Buell not recall that they probably should have? Specifically, the sticking clutch cable that killed a demo rider in Daytona a few years back comes to mind. How many riders on BadWeb alone have complained about that? Isn't there a "homemade" fix for that in "Home Court Advantage"? Why was the Rocker Box gasket leak not recalled? Oil all over and possibly getting on the rear wheel not enough of a safety issue? (I know there is a fix now, but did Buell offer it at no cost to previous owners?) JustJoe | ||
| Court |
Justjoe: I, a student of mathematics, stand corrected. I, enlighted by the aging Santa looking chap, am doubtful that ANY company, except Buell, has recalled EVERYTHING it ever made...JUST IN CASE. Interesting.....anybody EVER hear of a shock failing? I think the "in use by owner" occurances was zero and that the chronology of events that lead to that recall consisted of one of the most amazing sleuthly lining up of the planets to find out "under these circumstnaces it COULD occur". Buell faced with the dilema of knowing, regardless of how remotely possible, opted to spend the $2.8M (roughly the profit realized by HD off t-shirt sales between 9am and 11am on a Monday morning) rather than place anyone at risk. The number prompting the front brake drive pins deal was TWO (both in Europe and both harmlessly at a dead stop) after Buell discovered that someone with Ape-like strength distorted the circlip on reinstalltion. When ya know a couple of the anal retentaive right wing liberals at Buell who make the call on this stuff, it goes a long way to understanding  I eat my prior words. Court | ||
| Justjoe |
Actually Court, I've changed my mind. I'll prove the recall issue right after you prove your statement. Do you remember which one I'm talking about? here's a hint: "The M2 is the best motorcycle ever made and I can prove it!" You go first. JustJoe | ||
| Josh |
JustJoe, you said "disproportionately represented" try running total bikes recalled vs total bikes recalled and see what you get. Then figure BMW still claims none of their bikes surge, MotoGuzi and Triumph say "Sorry" about their first FI models not running right (and no maps avail), Hyabusas cracking the rear frame section, CBRs eating camshafts... and figure none of that was "recalled" Never heard an update on the demo rider who was killed, but court doesn't have a fix for a sticking clutch cable. Ask HD about the rocker box leak. | ||
| Mikej |
JustJoe, Not wanting to be accused of "jumping on the bandwagon jumping on Joe", but I just have a comment or observation: If you want to make a discussion or argument based on facts and numbers then leave the subjective analogies out of it. Two, if you want to make a claim about some unfortunate accident, at the very least get your facts straight and verify the source if you can. Okay, carry on.  | ||
| Hootowl |
Recalled: Showa shock-not made by Buell sidestand switch-not made by Buell isolators-not made by Buell (manufacturer changed manufacturing method without telling Buell which led to failures, specifically the texture of the metal where the rubber gets bonded to it.) I know there are others, but the Big Three everybody always bitches about are third party quality control problems. Buell just paid for it and took the heat. | ||
| Mikej |
Non-recalled items often blamed on Buell: Leaky rocker box gaskets; Failing speedometer sensor wires or modules; Primary chain tensioner. | ||
| Ebear |
Dont remember any issue with Clutch Cables on Buells.....Are you sure about that??????????Never heard of a clutch cable killing anyone.And I think that unless your in a coma a leaking rocker box gasket would be seen long before it could soil a rear tire.... my 02 cents.... | ||
| Madduck |
The accident in daytone was a sticking throttle cable. Throttle would stick open, I think there were 5 or 6 real life accidents due to that one. Pau | ||
| Mikej |
The throttle cable issue was (I believe) followed up with a throttle cable clamp, and also followed up with reinforced directions to maintain proper cable adjustment, and also followed up with the safety wire details from Court. | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
On the subject of a sticking throttle cable, I hate to point out the obvious BUT, when a throttle cable sticks wide open didn't anyone ever think of grabbing a handful of clutch or hitting the engine kill switch with the thumb!!!!! Why do you think they put it there!!!. I hate to comment on bad situations but some of these accidents are avoidable. Recently I observed a Kawasaki 1200 sport toruing bike at a dealership with the side scraped off of it. The owner claimed he dropped it because of a stuck throttle, what he failed to mention was he was into a nice sharp corner and obviously ran out of talent. This started out as a recall post not a post to discuss individual accidents or situations. Accidents or near misses are sometimes the fault of the operators inexperience. How many kids out there turn 16 years old and their parents go out and buy them the latest 600, 750 or 1000cc sportbike. A lot of times this is the first bike the kid has owned. Back to the recalls, when I picked up my 98 S1 all recalls were completed with the exception of the battery replacement, the dealer took care of this about one week later when it arrived. I commend Buell and the dealer I have used in the past for the excellent service I have received. Recently my front exhaust mount cracked and when I called to order the part the dealer indicated that they would cover this at no charge as well. As far as rocker box leaks go, how many have owned a car that developed a top pan or valve cover leak. Mine leaked but I replaced myself in about an hour at a cost of about $15.00. Due to the nature of the paper gasket that H-D used it was bound to leak at some point. Remember that these wonderful machines are built by PEOPLE and until we are perfect then our machines won't be either. I am just glad there are a few people working for manufacturers that have the sense to recall these items so we may enjoy our bikes. Oh Shit I am blabbering again  | ||
| Crusty |
"The M2 is the best motorcycle ever made and I can prove it!" I can prove it. It's sitting in my garage. | ||
| Ray_Maines |
Court, "Interesting.....anybody EVER hear of a shock failing?" Have you lost your mind? Everybody that's owned a tuber has had a failed shock. MikeJ: Leaky rocker box gaskets, failing speedometer sensor wires or modules; Primary chain tensioner.. Why wouldn't you you blame that on Buell? The customer buys a Buell, it's got an engine, transmission and a speedometer. The rocker boxes on that engine leak, the speedometer died and the primary chain tentioner doesn't work. Sounds like a Buell problem to me. Hootowl: What does the customer care who made the individual parts? You buy the bike at a Buell store, it says Buell on the tank, it's a BUELL! All of it! I'm more than pleased that BMC stands behind their product but why do they have too? Why not just build a bike from good parts and be done it. I'm really glad that the XB9 bikes seem to be the high quality units that the modern customer has come to expect. Now if we can get BMC to up the HP and lower the price.... | ||
| Xlcrguy |
Um, Ray_Maines: Court meant, when referring to a failed shock, was one that actually FAILED for the reason it was recalled: the shock eye separated from the body - not just leaking fluid. Not sure if there ever was a "failure" in the field. Sure, leaky shocks are a pain in the ass, but not the recall condition. Go read the recall notice. | ||
| Smoke |
i never understood the slippery slope argument of: 1. my motorcycle is a p.o.s.-so 2. all motorcycles of this brand are p.o.s.-so 3. i'm a fool for ever buying it-so 4. all purchasers of this brand are fools. i don't see the logic there! run what you brung, ride what you want, enjoy life, leave me the f alone to enjoy mine. tim ivanoff | ||
| Xlcrguy |
"Everybody that's owned a tuber has had a failed shock" Huh? My 1995 S2, with over 75,000 miles on it (about 45k on the WP and 30k on the Showa) has never had a leaky shock (or a rockerbox gasket leak, or primary chain tensioner issues, or head gasket issues, or any of the other stuff you read about in gory detail on this and other sites - it's either I got really lucky or it's because I take care of it between rides or both!) I still love this bike and would not hesitate to take a it from NY to LA any time. | ||
| Ray_Maines |
Your a lucky guy unless you rebuild the shock after every ride. Sorry guys, A person should never say Always, Never, Everybody, Nobody etc. etc. There is ALWAYS an exception. | ||
| Stugotts |
Court said: Interesting.....anybody EVER hear of a shock failing? I think the "in use by owner" occurances was zero and that the chronology of events that lead to that recall consisted of one of the most amazing sleuthly lining up of the planets to find out "under these circumstnaces it COULD occur". This is not an entirely accurate statement. There were, as I recall, two "in use by owner" Showa shock failures. | ||
| Mikej |
Ray, Those components are under the control of the Motor Plant. This is so to the point that if there is an identified problem with an engine component that the Buell guys have to set that bike aside during assembly and wait for a Motor Crew to drive down from Capitol Drive to fix it. The bike may be a Buell, but the engine is a Harley set up to Buell parameters but is still a Harley controlled item and is therefore under the domain of Harley for responsibility. Sticky situation, but that's how I understand things and what I've been told. | ||
| Black_Lightning |
I've searched all of the recall listings and have yet to find any notices on my 2001 X1. Am I to assume that there aren't any recalls for this model and year or can someone enlighten me to what I've missed? I bought the bike new in June 01 and the only "problem" so far was fixed with a TPS reset. | ||
| Doof |
Fascinating...BMC has no recalls listed YET for the 2001 model year. Not sure about the Blast though. | ||
| Crusty |
Some people just can't let things go.Buells quality has improved greatly. I thought that people here were Buell enthusiasts, not Buell detractors. If the bikes are such unreliably pieces of crap, why are you still riding one? In 1969, I bought a BSA Lightning. It never ran for more than 2 weeks without a major problem. 7 months later, I traded it for a '65 Mustang that needed a valve job. I never bought another BSA. My Buell only has 25,000 miles, but it's running well and I'd trust it on a cross country ride.(and have, a few times) I've never had another bike that felt as good. I would recommend a new Buell, or any Buell '01 and up without hesitation. | ||
| Hootowl |
There has been one recall on the Blast for the 2000 model year for the rear pulley. There are no recalls for the 2001 and up models. | ||
| Spiderman |
Ummm Hoot. The XB9R had a recall. (runningawayducking) | ||
| Hootowl |
Spiderman, Doof said: "Not sure about the Blast though." I said: "There has been one recall on the Blast for the 2000 model year for the rear pulley." I didn't say anything about the Firebolt. |
