| Author | Message | ||
     Bikerjim99 |
Lately we seem to see many posts about problems with Buell motorcycles, or criticism of the Buell factory. I guess that the Internet is a natural place to vent about problems, but we must realize that for every negative post there are many positive experiences that no one hears about. In my case, I have a 1999 S3 that I bought new. Many people have said that this paticular model was one of the most unreliable Buells available. It's a good thing I researched and drove the bike for myself, for this motorcycle is the best bike I have ever owned. For the curious, I have 30.000 miles on it now. I did have the recalls and updates done, at no cost to me. The following is a list of problems I have had. 1. None. Really, nothing has gone wrong! I still have the original battery, the final drive belt looks new, the fuel injection works better than ever. Now, I'm not saying I'll never have a problem, but this bike has been the most reliable and fun machine I personally owned. I would like to thank Court, Blake and others for their positive comments and observations on all things Buell. I appreciate the help and information I have received over the years. Ride safe! Jim | ||
| Tunes |
I too own a '99 S3 that I bought new. No significant problems to speak of. I think it's been pretty damn reliable. 26,000 miles and still runnin' great. | ||
| Cowboy |
I have a 2001 X1 lighting nearing 50000 miles very reliable tuff as justin boot leather | ||
| Rex |
my 97 m2 has 42,000 miles, and my S2 has 17,000 miles. REX | ||
| Court |
Jim: You comments are consistent with what the large majority of Buell owners are having. It's easy. . . here in cyberville . . . to mistake our 1% corner of the world as a "trend". I think many folks here are pretty picky (that's a good thing) and bring a lot of really good ideas. I spent 10 days in the most gorgeous parts of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park escorting the foreign press prior to the launch of the 1999's and I had a total hoot. Fun part was that the day the event conclude and it was time to take the Buell Demo truck from the West Coast to the East Coast . . they found out there were 19 bikes to go to Philly and room for 18. I told'em "gimme the keys". I tossed my luggage in the demo truck, gave the HD gal my plane ticket and I was on the road. . . brown-nosing my way across the USA . . slept in Dillon, CO that night, Indiana the next and rolled into Philly neigh on about 4:30 am. Lost one nut off an exhaust stud on the PA Turnpike in the wee hours . . . if you need to know the nut off a passenger peg (threaded a tad different) works in a jam. Gads . . now you have me in a fever to go ride! Thanks for the "non-report".  Court | ||
| Danger_dave |
Shhhhh!!!!! - You will upset the balance of the intarnet! I've done bits in the past on this - For every schmuck that broke something on any given motorcycle on any given day and who will post about it (and attract 20 replies) there are 10 to the power of X who didn't and won't. Allowances should always be made for DD's 'Law of the f***ed-up interweeb.' | ||
| Glitch |
True that Double D. Funny (not really) how the negative are loudest. At the very least we (should) know, loudest means not typical. BTW, I have way over 60,000 miles on my 03 XB9, no factory caused problems, I have that covered by my own dumb ass. | ||
| Iamike |
Ditto on the '99 S3. I have 63,000mi. on mine and the only problem that stranded me was the stator that died and the battery went dead 7 miles from home. I had a couple of side-stand switches go bad and last summer and injector acted up but I've had cars with many more problems in that many miles. I also have a Honda ST1300 and if you read the board that I go to you'd think that they were a piece of junk by some of the posts. | ||
| Swampy |
I am really happy with the Blasts I have...except for the front motor mount bolts that mount the "Do Not Remove" bracket to the head. I have had so many of them break I lost count. I think I fixed them by installing 2 helicoils per hole. Oh yeah, and an ignition module that took forever to crap out after running poorly for over a year. And the original right rear wheel bearings that regularly crapped out until updated. They are a labor of love, you learn what to look for. | ||
| Ezblast |
 | ||
| Swampy |
I actually hated to post that, I didn't want to sound like I was complaining. | ||
| Jramsey |
Eight plus years on the original battery living up north, you must be living right. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I have had every problem known to an 06 Uly except pinging. None of the issues have been major nor expensive to repair even if they were out of warranty. I guess the question is whether you would want a really complex machine to break or a really simple machine to break. Buells are stone axe simple. They might break, but unless you spin a bearing, jack up the transmission, or lock up the engine, you probably aren't looking at a very expensive repair. I'm looking to add another Buell. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I have an 06 Uly with no problems other than normal wear on my bike with over 16,000 miles on it. A new rear tire was put on at 10,000 and the rear brake pads were replaced at 16,000 miles. I guess I should add that I've replaced several oil filters and oil also. My 97 M2 Cyclone had to have the rocker box gaskets replaced a couple of times but I felt that was because of all the heat the motor gave off when I was sitting in traffic and no way to cool down the engine. The is why the XB fan doesn't bother me because it's just doing what it's suppose to do. Buell, American made motorcycles! You got to love them! | ||
| Ezblast |
FB - been there - done that - yes all of that - with both bikes - thank God for extended warrantees. EZ |
