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Xb9srider
Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 10:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My XB9S kicks a$$!!!! It does it all with a soulful quick engine and looks right to boot. Today, I rode 2 1/2 highway hours to a meeting. Sat in on that for 3 hours and then rode 3 hours home on the back roads. What a great bike. It ran like a clock, was very comfortable at 80+, smooth as only a Milwaukee V-twin and an aircraft radial engine can be, and just felt "right" all day. I used to own a 2000 VFR that may have been a better "choice" for a ride like today, but, I'm not a big fan of sewing machines. No personality, no soul, no rhythym. I'll take my Buell any day. I've had 4 different stable mates come and go during the XB's time in the barn. The Buell always stays though. Today I had a choice of my XB or CBR600RR. I chose the Buell. Thanks again. Ride safe.

Mark Roberts
Never Give Up!
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Xb9srider
Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 10:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Oh, and I got 50, 48, and 52 MPG at my fill ups. A lot cheaper than my truck.

Never Give Up!
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Reducati
Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 11:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

i bought a vrf 800 before i had the xb12r...only japanese bike i would own...but still didnt ride it very often. came from 2 duck s prior...great fun bikes, but not as much fun as a v twin from wisconsin
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1badbuell
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 10:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"I've had 4 different stable mates come and go during the XB's time in the barn. The Buell always stays though."

Yeah, me too! Mine has survived a Suzuki GSX-R600, Ducati 748s, Suzuki Volusia, Kawasaki ZX-10r...although it has been introduced to its new "barn-mate" 2006 HD Street Rod!

Jeff
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Bullen
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 10:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nothing beats the XB!
I got mine back now after 3 months in the workshop after my crash in may, it really sucks that the bike season here in Sweden will end within a month!
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Sweatmark
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 12:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yep, Mr. Buell, we're XB fans.

My kid asked the other day what "fan" means, as the term relates to my Buell, sports teams, pop music groups, favorite flavors of ice cream (and microbrews!)... I told her it's short for "fanatic", but I'm not exactly correct:

Meaning of FAN
courtesy http://www.hyperdictionary.com/search.aspx?define=fan

WordNet Dictionary
Definition:
[n] a device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces
[n] an ardent follower
[n] an enthusiastic devotee of sports

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
Definition:
\Fan, n. [AS. fann, fr. L. vannus fan, van for winnowing grain; cf. F. van. Cf. {Van} a winnowing machine, {Winnow}.]

1. An instrument used for producing artificial currents of air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad surface;
2. That which produces effects analogous to those of a fan, as in exciting a flame, etc.; that which inflames, heightens, or strengthens; as, it served as a fan to the flame of his passion.

My own definitions:

1. At my 1st motorcycle trackday a week ago, I was the only Buell present, and one of very few naked bikes; a fat old guy (F.O.G.) riding a "tiny" XB9S, both of us looking a bit out of place compared to the swarm of angry rice rockets and Ducatisti, all in full bodywork.

2. I wasn't sure what I'd gotten myself into, until midway during the first track session - when the tires got warm & sticky, and the XB's Trilogy of Tech gave me the confidence to carve the road course turns. The XB and I kept with 'em in the twisty sections, even with OE rubber!

3. Yes, I got passed down the straights by GSXRs doing 150 to my 100 MPH, but I grinned inside helmet with every roll on the throttle to hear & feel that soul-full H-D V-twin throb.

4. One of my best motorcycling days ever! The XB fans the flame of this Buell rider's motorcycling passion.

Now I'm converting the XB9S into an XB*RR for improved trackday performance, all in the best traditions of American hot rodding!

Mark
Oregon
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Xb9srider
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 02:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The stablemates to the XB have been a VFR800, Ducati 748S, SV1000S (died in a tragic accident), and a CBR600RR. I don't always ride the Buell, but it has outlasted them all with personality, looks and a soulful, willing attitude.

Never Give Up!
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Sweatmark
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 03:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Suppose I should add that my Buell's garage competition are BMW oilheads, one of which is my R1150R road trip "appliance", and the other a seldom ridden R1200C (just sold to help fund the Buell XB*RR project).
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Xb9srider
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 08:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

What is an XB*RR? Sounds fun.

Never Give Up!
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Reepicheep
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 08:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hals can build you one... hows an XB1350RR sound!?!?
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Diablobrian
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 08:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

the Hal's bikes rock, or at least mine does.
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Davefla
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 10:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

hows an XB1350RR sound!?!?

Sounds GREAT! Can I get that with a six-speed?
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Reepicheep
Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 08:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If you have 6 digits... yes! ; )

No reason the XB cases could not be machined to take the baker 6 speed. If baker is making it for the new sporties, then it would probably just have to be a "make clearance" job, not a full blown machining job, and might not be that bad.

If it is the old trannies, that will become a pretty major engineering effort...
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Ezblast
Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 02:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

STEP THE VALVE GUIDES! More options for the Blast,tach., XB12 Stroke with the 4.08" RR cyl/pis. at 10.5 comp. for 809cc of thumping madness in a XB9 City X rolling chasis - 44Kehin CV with an upstack to a stack filter/airbox in Kickashe with a black frame and wheels, with a 6 speed! Now thats a begginner bike! eheheheheheheheheh.....I have seen the light! Amen Erik Buell!
GT - JBOTDS! EZ
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Flrider7
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wow! Calm down EZBlast.
I love the Blast with it's standard 492.
How about ditching the cheesy plastic timing cover and shifter that falls off if loose on the new models. If there is something that could be done about the infamous intake boot then you have a perfect bike.

(Message edited by flrider7 on July 25, 2006)
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Bad_karma
Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 04:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

old idea but still a good one. bring the XBRR to the street. I will buy it just for Deals Gap!
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Panhead_dan
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 01:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dear Mr. Buell,
Thank you for offering what is to me, the most perfect motorcycle on the planet. My '06 XB12X is my fifty fifth motorcycle and seems to me to be the culmination of all of that experience. It has the bags and low seat. I am, or rather was, in love with the bike and could not be made to stay off of it. Then it happened- popped an ign fuse and wouldn't keep from popping one as soon as I sat on the seat. A close examination revealed that the seat pan was in contact with the ECM and both electrical connectors. This put downward pressure on the rear connector causing a tiny crack in the back of the ECM. After ten long weeks at my local dealership, I was informed that warrantee repairs were complete and I could have my bike back. The fix was to install a second low seat spacer on the other ECM mount and spacing of the rear seat mount with washers. This worked for about 200 miles and it popped the ign fuse again. Another close examination of the seat pan revealed that it is still in contact with the ECM, both conectors and both spacers. It is now back at the dealership and nobody seems to know what to do. All I know is that I can't ride my new bike all summer. I make the payments, pay the insurance be patient and polite at the dealership all to no avail. That "new bike" feeling is gone and it hurts me to the quick. I am unable to recommend this bike in good faith to fellow riders who are shopping for their next bike. I am sure that if you could be made aware that this situation exists, you would find it as unacceptable as I do. Contact with Buell Customer service was of no use to me so far. They told me that there was no file on my case, openned a new file and told me to give my dealership the file number and to contact Buell. My dealership is not cooperating very well and claims that they have indeed been in contact, told to add the second spacer and check for mis-mounted battery box etc. I get the feeling that somewhere in the chain, there are weak links resulting in my summer being wasted. I cannot use a different dealership because the next one is at least 200 miles away. I am at wits end here and all I want to do is be a happy Buell rider and get on with the business of racking up many miles on a spectacular bike. Yes, even with all the problems, I still believe it to be the best bike on the planet for me. If nothing else can be done, please send me an ECM and I will figure out how to mount it out of harms way.
Respectfully,
Dan Kenshol
80524 Sunshine Lane
Hermiston, Oregon 97838
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Court
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 04:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

>>>It is now back at the dealership and nobody seems to know what to do.

I do.

Send me an e-mail and your bike will be fixed by the end of the week.

Court
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Panhead_dan
Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 08:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Court,
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
(email sent)
Dan.
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Court
Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 03:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You problem is currently being addressed by the technical service group.
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Panhead_dan
Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 07:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I can't thank you enough, Court.
I got your email and will keep you posted.
Thank you, sir.
Dan.
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Skyguy
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 01:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

To whom it may concern,

My bike has been proven to be a serious POS. Right after the warranty ran out it suffered many issues.

Three belts all failed prematurly.
Three speedo sensors failed.
Rear brake disk warped badly.
I can not get the blue sealed wheel bearing changed out at two different dealers now (despite purchasing them myself)
My headlights are so dim as to be dangerous.
My stator failed due to poor routing of the wires. There have been a variety of other things but all pretty minor in comparison to the safety issues with the belts and headlights.

I have placed a total of five calls to CS and got zero results. I have been to three dealers with the same results as CS.

I have tried and tried to get my problems handled and despite being very nice about it have been blown off repeatedly.

I currently have no direction to turn other than to be very vocal and try to make the public at large aware of the problems and perhaps seek a legal solution. This is not and was not my first choice.

I am a few days away from talking to several reporters, sending off a few letters to several agencies and building a website that will place top ten when searching Buell on the net.

I do not want to go this route. Please contact me so that this can be handled in a manner that leaves us both happy.

Tim Nelson
909 659 8012
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Blake
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 02:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Tim,

"I currently have no direction to turn other than to be very vocal and try to make the public at large aware of the problems and perhaps seek a legal solution."

That is horribly inaccurate.

Have you sent an unimpassioned factual letter to CS or Erik Buell respectfully documenting your issues, your previous efforts to resolve them and asking for help? No?

Are five telephone calls really the limit of what you would consider a reasonable effort to communicate your concerns and document your issues for Buell CS? Five phone calls?

Put it in writing, absent the emotion and inflammatory commentary and send it to Buell Customer Service.
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Blake
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 02:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)


quote:

I currently have no direction to turn other than to be very vocal and try to make the public at large aware of the problems and perhaps seek a legal solution. This is not and was not my first choice.

I am a few days away from talking to several reporters, sending off a few letters to several agencies and building a website that will place top ten when searching Buell on the net.

I do not want to go this route. Please contact me so that this can be handled in a manner that leaves us both happy.

Tim Nelson
909 659 8012


Black mail and threats are rarely productive ways to gain resolution to a problem. That you choose such tactics might say a lot about who you really are. Might want to reconsider that kind of behavior.

(Message edited by blake on October 11, 2006)
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Skyguy
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 03:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

After the discussions with CS, the dealers and most recently Court I decided that I was going to get nowhere being non emotive and non inflamatory. I have asked many times even recently for alternative solutions.

So I decided to save the letter writing for an attorney if going online and asking for help from people that were connected to the factory did not work. I asked. I not only got nowhere I got flat out B.S.

These are my levels of dealing with CS stuff.

Level 1. Be nice, deal with the first row of CS.
Level 2. Be nice but firmly request the second level of CS.
Level 3. Be nice, joke around and deal with only that row of CS.
Level 4. Be firm, ask for third level of CS.
If refused access threaten to take it over their heads or to an attorney, ask for legal dept.
Level 5. Go public with issues be as nice as possible.
Level 6. Go very public, toss out being nice, threaten to involve as many people and agencies as possible.
Level 7. Call a lawyer, Write letters to all possible agencies/companies, Sue somebody.

Many people go through the entire letter writing thing before level five. I however am not a big fan of how most of Corporate America has evolved or how most seem to treat their customers.

BMC CS made me believe after call five they were a company that did not deserve the "professionalism" of going through all of the steps.

Keep in mind I still tried Court before I truly gave up. I still don't understand why he said what he did. Accused me of screwing up the wheel bearings (and other things) when in fact I never touched them.

This and the reaction of a few on this board have left such a bad taste in my mouth that unless I actually heard from someone like EB himself my course of action at this point is not one that will be popular with BMC or this board. Not holding my breath though.

I do however recognize that this board is an Enthusiast site so I will confine my complaints to other boards, forums and soon my own website.

Ciao, Tim
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Glitch
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 09:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"Level Six" ought to get you what you deserve.
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Panhead_dan
Posted on Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 11:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dear Mr. Buell,
Just an update on the problem I had with my new XB12X. Aside from the failure occuring at the busiest time of year for my local dealership, resulting in a layer of dust on the bike rather than a repair for a while, I would like to report that the bike has been successfully restored to like new condition and I am very pleased with the service. Buell Tech showed great interest and involvement with this case and I do appreciate that very much.
I have a request however; would you consider relocating the ECM to an area with a bit more space around it? Say just ahead of the tail light, near the underseat 12v outlet. Lots of space there and I would be willing to spare some of it for the piece of mind this relocation would provide. I would be willing to do the work myself as it would be as simple as drilling two holes to mount the ECM and plugging in the 14 inch wiring extenders. Rout the wiring along the left side, in a protective loom and held with zip ties. The pre-made wiring extenders should be inexpensive to make and to ship. I would be willing to pay for this. I cannot build and install this set up myself without your blessing due to warrantee concerns. Please advise.
Sinceerely, Dan.
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M1a65
Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 02:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

5 calls to CS and still no help? Sounds like the tuber days. 1 call should be all you needed. I'd recomend you get familiar with the maintenance manual unless you like waiting on someone else to fix your sled (or have very deep pockets since your warrentee is up). Trust me, no one cares more about your bike or you riding it than you do. The shops are all backed up with RUBS 20K road slobs in need of bolt on bling. These bikes are easy to work on if you can read and have basic skills with tools. Don't let a few shxty problems sour you on what is a fine bike but as with any machine will need some form of care sooner or later. Good luck.
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Swampy
Posted on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 03:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dear Mr. Buell,

Thank you for your wonderful product. I am amazed at the engineering that has gone into the XB line. I am not in the position to be giving you advice but would still like to air my thoughts through the Badweb.

Reguarding the XB TT, it might be a fun bike but not practical for me, I'm not interested in a repli-racer, I think of the snowmobilers out there, biggest, baddest, fastest, fixin'ist, egotists.

I have to keep the Sporty around to carry the wife when she "HAS" to go, but the ideal new Buell for me would be the one that I could sell the Sporty for. So until the wife sprouts legs, or Buell comes up with a sport tourer, I'm going to have to wait patiently. I deserve to only have to own one bike that can do it all!( or almost all) Start thinking like the great communist Henry Ford. A Buell for the masses! I don't need off road capabilities, I don't need number plates, I do need Buell performance and handling in a sport tourer.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Rob Latimer
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Swampy
Posted on Monday, November 27, 2006 - 08:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Someone,
Please remove the retarted post above. Obviously I don't know what I am talking about and in a weaker moment decided to write something down without thought to what you were trying to do and what I, in reality need. I was trying to fit a bike that is required to meet only 2% of my riding needs.
Thank you for another fine product!
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