| Author | Message | ||
     Curtyd |
...because I don't want to spend any $$ on maintenance or repairs and somehow Erik Buell supposedly promised me I wouldn't have to. I don't know but somehow over the last few weeks I hear this same refrain, that there are no costs associated with riding and maintaining a motorcycle. A repair shop scuffs up some bolts, a stator goes bad after 30 thousand miles or so, a gasket leaks some oil for a bit after a service and I CRIED and my wife CRIED because I could have DIED out there. I have never been that lucky and I've been in the game for a couple of decades full-time now. I have crashed multiple times particularly at the beginning, and even some tipovers later with my WIFE on board and everything. I guess I am "old school', FIX IT, either myself or someone who NEVER volunteers for the job and I usually have to pay them something for their time. A lot like people PAY me for MINE. Where does this . "I WANNA NEW BIKE," come from? Riding is abusive to the machinery even when you take it easy. Wear and tear is part of the game. It's a lot better than the old days, I know, I have toured on two-strokes and Goldwings. Hell, some guy flipped a steel rod up into my case of my Goldwing 1500 and knocked a hole in it. I got it stopped and watched all my oil drain out. Guess what, it was a road hazard, not his fault, the other driver's, and I still had to pay the deductible and was VERY HAPPY it was insured and that same steel rod hit the cases and not ME. It must have been all those old air-cooled VW's from the 60's and 70's. I always travelled with a full tool kit and my John Muir "Idiot's" manual knowing I'd be rebuilding a motor by the side of the road. Skinned up nuts and bolts? I was glad just not to skin up all my hands to pieces. I just don't understand, "I WANNA a NEW BIKE" every time some mechanical issue comes up and that the dealer/manufacturer should take your bike back at full price and give you a new one to trash. I assume folks think that if they come here to this site with their latest "whine" somehow the powers-that-be will pull strings somehow with Buell/HD and get them that NEW BIKE. But I've noticed this site is inhabited by a lot of hard core riders and sympathy for this sort of thing is very limited. Some offer help but most eventually just say QUIT already and go bother other folks. Our BUELLS have mostly been top-notch. They still keep on , "I WANNA NEW BIKE." RANT OFF... let the games begin.  (Message edited by CURTYD on July 31, 2006) | ||
| M1combat |
When my stator went out (and I don't think I'm the failed stator guy you're talking about) I spent 13 hours at a Chevron station in Phoenix AZ. It was effing HOT. I was born and raised in Alaska... Where I come from a warm summer day is 65-70. I enjoyed my time at the Chevron. I spoke with a few crackheads, a CRAZY old guy from the war, a few hotties, answered a bunch of questions about my bike, lifted it into the bed of a truck with only one person who drove 100 miles to help me out and have NO complaints. | ||
| Eboos |
While that whole situation was interesting to follow, I don't see the need to bring it up again now. There are all different types here on this board. Some have been riding much longer then others. This guy is frustrated about the issues he has had with a brand new bike. If this was a car dealership, he probably would have gotten what he was asking for. I think that the dealership really did not do enough to ensure customer satisfaction, and should have inspected the quality of their work. Edit: The dealership early on probably could have made things right by simply asking "How can we make this right by you", or something to that effect. To handle an "unreasonable" request, you have to state why that can not be done, but what you can do to make them satisfied. I highly doubt that it would have taken nothing short of a completely new 07 bike to make him happy. But it would have taken the dealer to truely make an effort. (Message edited by eboos on July 31, 2006) | ||
| Whodom |
I think Curt's also referring to a thread in the XB forum. Man, I know what you're saying, and I mostly agree, but I can understand how some people (especially like the dude who had his brand new bike dropped by the dealer) are the way they are. The people on this site are somewhat justifiably criticized by the major-anti-Buell-site-which-shall-remain-nameless for jumping on anyone who criticizes Buell. I don't think anyone intends to come off that way, but if you step back from the keyboard and look at the way threads go sometimes, you can see where that criticism comes from. Lord knows Buell has gotten more than their share of unfair criticism. Now that things are looking up (WAY up) for Buell, I think they can handle the criticism from the few people who have had (and/or continue to have) a bad ownership experience for whatever reason. I think it's better to let them vent than for us to try to defend the honor of Buell. | ||
| Lions |
I got a new bike and I beat the crap outta this thing and all it's needed so far were new tires and a few oil changes...It's called a Kawi....Who the hell wantsta be stuck by the side of the road when you're about 3 states away from home? Not all of us enjoy "toying" with our bikes in 120 degree heat or under a bridge during a hail storm! Screw that...Never really had any serious issues with Honda or Kawi...but my Harley and Buell???????....nuff said....  | ||
| No_rice |
i keep expecting mine to break. i play hard, VERY hard. the way i look at it you play you pay, as with everything in life. for every ying there is a yang, its just the way it is. i pound my bike, and end for end my bike, and pump more power through my bike than it was close to being designed to handle. all i have to show for it is alot of broken belts and this HUGE STUPID GRIN ON MY FACE!!! other than that i have done nothing, not even new gaskets on the inspection covers or drain plugs. some day i'm sure the motor or tranny will grenade. i think it should have already, but it wont give up yet. when it does i'll build it even bigger and stronger. push stuff till it breaks and then build it even better then do it all over again... 13,500 and counting. 6,500 on the other | ||
| Steve_mackay |
 But, But, But Tim... Doesn't Buell *OWE* you an upgrade kit or something like that... Since you broke, like 5 of the '03 Belts?  | ||
| Court |
>>>>John Muir "Idiot's" manual One of the best books ever written and the source of my "get a milk crate and sit down" philosophy. This discussion has done been previously had. I said I'd handle it, I am.  | ||
| Curtyd |
It's more of a generic discussion, not meant to go after any one individual, REALLY. 1.I am stressing whether anyone thinks it is a viable remedy that any dealer would ever make good on a used bike with a new machine, I never heard of it. 2. The danger is inherent in this activity, if anyone enters into this not knowing that, they are not being REAL. One day it's oil on the tire, a stray animal from the road or a soccer mom on a cell phone. You can get killed or maimed doing this every single time you ride. 3. A certain amount of maintenance and repairs goes with any vehicle, some more than others, and YES I am lusting after old air-cooled VW vans for "family camping", better get my tools cleaned up. 4. Some people just can't see anything but a half "empty" water glass when others see half "full". If I was one poster I'd be darn happy I made a deal for a 7 year extended warranty and was getting a chance to get my money out of it, instead of just throwing $$'s away for insurance, which I do very month, it seems. 5. Motorcycles are NOT cheap transportation, add tires and belts/chains to the cost equation and your F-150 might be more cost effective, we ride them because we like them. Why ride something if you HATE it or are afraid of it? Doesn't make sense. Don't forget the "Whole Earth Catalog" on your milk crate, that's what started me down the VW Van path along with the 1960 work van my dad gave me to drive in H.S, after painting it up and doing the interior. Kept the whole cheerleader squad warm in there one football season, their boyfriends absolutely HATED me, most friday nites. "In a Universe far, far away and a long time ago..." | ||
| Mb182 |
Curtyd As some one who has followed this issue, I agree with you!! Court, I admire how you are still in there batting for him tho!! Nice to know guys like you are there! MB (Message edited by mb182 on July 31, 2006) | ||
| Glitch |
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| Glitch |
Shut up and RIDE!  | ||
| Eboos |
If you had your brand new car at the dealership for service and they said "we accidently drove into a wall and the air bags went off, but we replaced the bags, headlights, fenders, hood and bumper", wouldn't you suspect that every thing that went wrong since then would be related to that accident? Add to that the repair were done halfa$$, I'm sure that you would demand some type of satisfaction. As far as cheap transportation goes... My bike I expect gets about 40MPG, My car gets something like 17 on a good day. I've had my bike for a year and put on 1800 miles, I had my car for 3 and put on 38000 miles. I paid $30,000 for my car I just finished 3 out of a 5 year loan. I paid $3200 for my bike. In addition to the cost of the bike, I added about $2000 in upgrades and have about $2000 in riding gear. After a series of calculations, I found that given the average number of miles driven in my car, at $3.00 a gallon, I would spend $11,176 on gas. On my bike, I didn't get to ride much this year due to some mechanical sorting that needs to be done (bought it used, and I wanted to be able to work on it), but I would have spent only $675 on gas over 5 years. The total cost of operation for my car per mile over a five year period is $0.65 not including maintenance and insurance. My bike would be $0.88 per mile, but that number would drop fast if I rode it more. Motorcycles could be very cost effective if they are ridden often. Edit: Glitch, that is sweet. Where is that? (Message edited by eboos on July 31, 2006) | ||
| Diablobrian |
For interesting reading along the path this thread is heading: http://www.stellaawards.com/ They don't spam you, and the email is worth a laugh most weeks | ||
| Dbird29 |
Curtyd, DYNA says to quit mentioning his problems, re: "I want a new bike". http://tinyurl.com/rsbgr I assume that is who this thread is about?  | ||
| Buellgrrrl |
Curtyd, what you whinin' about now? Little 'ol BuellGrrrl makes a few comments about HDI's lackadasial reliability and customer service; And you and your "locker room" buddies suddenly become self appointed PR flacks for HDI. Losing the argument, your little gang of bully boys turns to personal attacks on me. Sorry boys, it isn't working. To set the record straight, I really don't want a new Buell. I mean, given my experience with the current Buell why would I want another? I do want my Buell fixed when it breaks in a reasonable period of time, just like you guys probably expect your vehicles to be. I only suggested a trade for a new Buell as a compromise- manufacturers are more likely to buy back a lemon if you trade up to a newer model. So boys, go ahead and whine about that uppity 'ol BuellGrrrl. Do you think an old lady that's driven the biggest trucks on the road for over 3 decades now cares what you boys think of her? | ||
| Buellgrrrl |
Curtyd, what you whinin' about now? Little 'ol BuellGrrrl makes a few comments about HDI's lackadasial reliability and customer service... And you and your "locker room" buddies suddenly become self appointed PR flacks for HDI. Losing the argument, your little gang of bully boys turns to personal attacks on me. Sorry boys, it isn't working. To set the record straight, I really don't want a new Buell. I mean, given my experience with the current Buell why would I want another? I do want my Buell fixed when it breaks in a reasonable period of time, just like you guys probably expect your vehicles to be. I only suggested a trade for a new Buell as a compromise- manufacturers are more likely to buy back a lemon if you trade up to a newer model. So boys, go ahead and whine about that uppity 'ol BuellGrrrl. Do you think an old lady that's driven the biggest trucks on the road for over 3 decades now cares what you boys think of her? | ||
| Dbird29 |
Buellgrrrl Do you live in Rio, WI? The chorus sounds familiar. I still think you should do a chopper with the Buell and be happy. | ||
| Glitch |
Edit: Glitch, that is sweet. Where is that? The top one was taken about a mile or so north of Turners Corner, the other was taken on Wolf Pen Gap, both of which are about an hour north of me in Georgia. Both are a few minutes from March Badness. So boys, go ahead and whine about that uppity 'ol BuellGrrrl. No whine, you're good comic relief. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Even though I really tried I'm reminded of a line from the movie Cool Hank Luke: "Some men you just can't reach" I guess it hold true for women as well.  I wash my hands of this one BuellGrrrl I can't help someone that doesn't want to be helped. Granted there is little I could do for you, but I did extend my hand. Why you may ask? The continued surly and antagonistic attitude. To state your problem and ask for help politely is one thing, but to come here and beat your drum day after day is another. That attitude and the self righteousness with which you carry on here is what has gotten people so stirred up. If you feel as strongly as you say you do why not try taking your problems to the source, Buell Customer Service makes their living trying to help solve customer complaints. Were I in your shoes, and as upset as you claim to be, I would be on the phone with them every single day trying to get satisfaction. Or I would attempt to avail myself of some of the resources on this board rather than alienating them. But that's just me.  Time's up | ||
| Brineusaf |
 Oh yeah, almost forgot... Shut up and RIDE! But I CAN'T GLITCH!!!! you need to post more video's though, to keep me entertained until my bike returns from the shop. This board contains a wealth of information and resources.. and sources. IMO it's dumb in my opinion to try to argue with everyone here.. you might one day need one of us. Besides.. all this arguing isn't holding up the "family atmosphere" I enjoy on here... so ask for help, tell a story, state a situation, inform the masses, post pictures or post videos (GLITCH). | ||
| Glitch |
If I get my tires this week, I'll head up with a few 3%ers and shoot some more. Have you seen these? http://putfile.com/glitchster | ||
| Curtyd |
"Losing the argument, your little gang of bully boys turns to personal attacks on me. Sorry boys, it isn't working. " Now if that isn't a "head in the sand" comment I don't know what is. What validation did you expect from a BUELL enthusiasts site? That we jump on saying YES, "by GOD, she's GOT IT." "BUELLS are horrible and unreliable, I panic every time I climb on board, ERIK and Co. won't listen to me and I really made a mistake when I decided not to pony up the funds for that GOD of motos, the BMW." Sorry, most Beemers just sound like sewing machines to me, and I don't like any of the overinflated Euro prices. I've been cross the SE so far on my BUELL, it's holding up OK, you do have to rebuild all the japanese stuff at about 40 to 60K, probably have to do the same here with the big stroke and large piston area. My 1999 M2 had about 40K when I traded it. Sorry for your continuing "battle", Good darn thing you have the warranty, right? I think you enjoy all the struggle, gives YOU validation, right? | ||
| Brineusaf |
Glitch - not sure, work restrictions, I'll check it out when I get off duty. | ||
| Brucelee |
"Do you think an old lady that's driven the biggest trucks on the road for over 3 decades now cares what you boys think of her?" Can we see your biceps pose? | ||
| Ceejay |
we all keep sliding further in don't we???? | ||
| Curtyd |
"RANT OFF... let the games begin. " Waving a RED flag in front of the "anti-BUELLS", FUN, fun, fun... | ||
| Pwnzor |
" Little 'ol BuellGrrrl makes a few comments about HDI's lackadasial reliability and customer service." FEW????? HAHAHAHAHA..... You beat the drum constantly. However, if you were in my area with a problem, my garage would be open to you or any other biker. I saw a biker stranded in the center divider of a busy freeway once, and pulled over to the right. I ran across the freeway and used my flashlight to help the guy walk his bike across lanes to the shoulder. This guy was as hard core as a biker gets, rough and tough looking and even worse smelling. After some poking around I determined he had a short somewhere in the ignition system. With a mixture of tools from my kit and his, I was able to hot wire his bike and get it running for him. As we were giving our parting salutations and exchanging phone numbers he looks at my bike, a 1976 Honda CB750F1, and asks "How did you learn to work on bikes when you ride a Honda?" My reply, "Dad rode Harleys and Guzzi's the whole time I knew him". He nodded his approval and thanked me again, hugging me so damn hard I thought he would twist my head off. Some bikes require less maintenance than others, it's a fact. I'll never trade in my Buell. I will probably never buy another one, but I'll never give it up either. | ||
| Skyguy |
Pwnzor has a great point. I also will likely NEVER buy another Buell but I will likely never sell mine. If I total it I may get another 03 but only used. I figure that with only 8,000 made and at least 1,000 totaled another 1,000 chopped I have the beggining of a collectors item. Now I just have to wait 30 years for it to be worth any real money lol Sorry Erik, That damm mothership just makes me crazy. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Yeah I'm thinking mine has some esoteric value too, being XB12R serial number 3 for the 2004 model year. That makes it one of, if not the first XB12R on the road in the hands of a consumer. If anyone knows the whereabouts of serial number 1 or 2, please chime in. How could I ever get rid of this?  (Message edited by pwnzor on August 01, 2006) |
