| Author |
Message |
    
M2nc
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 01:48 am: | 
|
You know on another board, there was someone taking about a Suzuki blowing oil out the back at 30,000 miles. Everyone at first said, how strange and how unusual. But then more started to jump in and I started to notice a trend. Those with less mileage were taking about how great the bike are. Those with more than 30,000 miles started taking about how common top end rebuilds were at about that mileage.
I have 44,000 miles on the M2. It has it share of problems, mostly leaks that were more than likely caused by me, one of those mechanically challenged. I accidentally plugged the vent tubes and push oil up and out the clutch cable. Gee, are my leaks a Buell failure or an owner failure? Don't answer, I know the answer. The transmission leave something to be desired. Buell/HD fixed that problem in '06. Sweet transmission, every bit as good as my old Honda with a more durable clutch.
The M2 starts right away even after sitting for a month. No smoke out of it even at full throttle. Many comment on how solid the motor sounds. With the sportster cams the motor does not make as much racket as the XBs. It is still as strong as the day I bought it and other than seals, a side stand safety switch and a rear brake light switch, the bike has been flawless. It has carried me to nine states so far and carried me back every time. I plan to go though and replace the seals on the M2 and fix what I have done and start touring it again. The bike is allot of fun to ride.
Yes, I have the M2's belt I tore the teeth out of sitting here next to me. I did it at the drag strip, beautiful launch by the way, left a Gixxer 1000 sleeping at the lights. Am I upset? No. Why? Because I stretched the chain and tore up both sprockets on my CB750 doing the same thing. I didn't blame either bike.
Buells are performance machines and most of us have pushed them to see what they can do. If you compare other performance machines to Buells you will see what Court is talking about. How many performance Japanese 600cc or 1000cc bike do you know with 50,000+ miles without an overhaul. You may find the rare few that were babied, but not many.
Ducatis? Please, great machines but if calling them exotic forgives them for their fragileness then let it be. They are as mechanically sound as Ferraris. They are not known for their reliability to say the least. They are beautiful and powerful Italians, and they prove it over and over.
BMW - Great machines and I just saw a picture of a final drive in flames. Recent too. Busted belt can be fixed in about an hour versus pull out the fire extinguisher guys the bike on fire!!! BMW has had more recalls than any other motorcycle make in the past seven years. Most of them are in the brakes and suspension and crashes are a common result.
KTM was tested against five other Adventure bikes. They stated that the KTM was the most capable off-roader and the BMW GS the second. But both crashed in front of the Buell that was third in line and the Buell did not have any problem. The KTM's water pump was leaking during the test. The only mechanical failure during the test. KTM's are know for this and some owners find out when the motor blows due to coolant in the oil.
My Uly turned 1yo today. Approx 14,500 miles. I have had some problems with it but it has never left me stranded, unless the two blown rear tires count against Buell.
I was pretty PO'ed about breaking the latch on the side case. Then Bruce called from the factory and Next-Day aired one to the house so I would not miss my trip to Daytona. Buell cared when I needed them too.
I did have to get the bike retimed at the 1000 mile service because of pinging. The dealer did not charge me for it. It has not pinged since, but Lee @ Shelton's HD/Buell in Goldboro NC knows his Buells.
The D616 did weave at speed. Buell has changed this for '07, good thing.
The bike does dive while breaking, Buell fixed this for '07 as well. It doesn't really both me though.
I put the new '07 seat on and really like. Ulywife loves it. 100 miles non-stop during our getaway last weekend.
I changed out the kick stand due to the recall. Never had a problems with the first one, but hey it was free.
I checked the wires under the seat and they did show some evidence of contact and rubbing. I look at the service manual and the harness was out of place. I am on my third seat and I could have done this. Either way I put it back in place and will keep an eye on it and see it continues. Thank Badweb.
I did blow my first headlight Friday night. I have been wanting to replace them with Silver Stars anyway and did tonight. I am not a fan of the headlights.
I am also not a fan of the fan and the heat in 90+°F. Some here have had problems with the fan, but mine is okay for now. After a year, those are my only complaints about the bike.
That's been my experience with Buell so far. Hope to own other makes in the future but it will not be because I have had any more problems with this bike than with other brands. I love the bikes and the people I have met because of them. I will continue to look at all motorcycles and maybe one day I will see what the fuss is all about, but for now, I don't. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 07:55 am: |
|
Interesting write up, but I sure hope you aren't implying a BMW commonly flames its final drive. I'm working on my second 100,000+ mile Beemer and this is actually the FIRST time I've heard of a BMW final drive going up in flames. And just like BadWeb, I lurk in all the BMW discussion groups, too.
I DID have the infamous final drive bearing failure at 46,000 miles (10,000 miles out of warranty) but BMW replaced it for free anyway. By a stroke of luck it happened five miles from home as I was RETURNING from a 3,000 mile road trip. 52,000 miles later and it's still holding up. BMW is now blaming the French, saying it was the parts sourced from a French outfit that was prone to the failures. |
Brucelee
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 09:28 am: |
|
Hey, lets face it, none of us has any data.
So, without data, what is the point of this so called dialog.
We all know that Pup and RMAN have a point of view. We GET IT!
Lets move on.
If someone has a way of obtaining comparative repair data by manufacturer, by all means post it.
Otherwise, you can see the same argument on just about any auto or bike site.
I own a Porsche Boxster forum and it is the same deal over there. Porsche either never has a defect or they are the world's worst POS. Truth is, we DO have some JD Powers data to suggest they DO have defects.
Here, No data, just anecdote and "my friend's .......
Hey, life is too short. If you don't like your Buell, sell it.
Of, simply state what problems you have had and perhaps why! In the case of my clutch cable snapping, it might have helped if I lubed it from time to time.
We call that operator error, no? |
Thepup
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 09:37 am: |
|
Blake says
"What in the way of useful information did you imagine you'd gained from any of the posts by pupkpy jerk? Please enlighten me."
As much as they would get from you Fake Blake |
Glitch
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 09:39 am: |
|
Blake is BadWeB.
Thepup is ___. |
Thepup
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 09:46 am: |
|
Glitch is______? |
Glitch
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 10:32 am: |
|
I'm here to help as best I can, and yourself? |
Glitch
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 10:34 am: |
|
Glitch is_____.
Opps, forgot the link. |
Bikerjim99
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 10:46 am: |
|
Please, people, try to be civilized and accept reality. Some motorcycles are just lemons from day one. That includes all brands, not just Buell, believe it or not. the BMC does try to help, and in my experience, is usually successful in handling cases where an unexpected problem occurs. Listen to Court on these matters, he really does know what he is talking about. Most Buell owners are happy with their purchase, but no bike is perfect. I have owned from new motorcycles from almost all major brands, and most of them have been great bikes. Some have been lemons. I purchased a new airhead BMW years ago, and the bike had nothing but problems. A new Goldwing in 1998 left me stranded the first month I bought it. Yet I would buy a new BMW again, and most Goldwings are great. My 1999 S3 Buell has never let me down, or had any serious problems. Never. This is the first year of the fuel injected Buells, and yet I have had nothing but praise for BMC and my dealer. Yes, I had recalls,yes I had the usual rocker box gasket leaks, but I have always found out that if I was courteous and cooperative with the dealer, the problems were fixed.
Over the years, I found that you should get rid of a problem bike if you don't like it anymore, and move on. The important thing to remember is there are great motorcycles being made by all modern manufacturers, and ride what makes you happy. My Buell always leaves a smile on my face after a ride!
Enjoy life, it's too short to be miserable.
Ride safe
Bikerjim |
Doncasto
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 11:13 am: |
|
If I might elbow my pot bellied, gray haired ol' self up to the bar for a moment . . .
Some of the other "ol timers" around here may recall when I was both a Buell owner and a Buell enthusiast. I can admit to at one time having Buell motorcycles as a "primary identifying characteristic" in my life. Like other contributors to this thread, my Buell was something less than trouble free . . .and in the end I lost faith in it and sold it as parts.
I still have an active interest in the Buell community . . .as many friends still keep the faith I have lost. I even consider the possibility that Buell might some day learn from its past design challenges and offer a bike that can offset my previous experience . . either that.or I will become so loopy with age that I will no longer remember all the 1998 S3T design flaws I had to deal with. If and when either happens, I will once again put my green rectangles down for a new Buell. I like the concept, I like the Buell community, and I would rather be in the wind on a "non-cookie cutter" bike like a Buell . . . as opposed to some more generic brand.
Even in the absence of a Buell in the garage, I have kept up with Badweb . . .mostly from the sidelines. I generally have to bite my tongue and stay out of the more "personality" based discussions . . .preferring to offer occasional contributions in peripheral topics. The key, IMHO, to both continuing to be a part of the Buell community and to making the Badweb experience a positive one is the word . . .contribution
I would amend this slightly to include the word "positive" . . .giving us the phrase positive contribution I have been, and continue to be, opening critical of Buell and HD when they disappoint me . . .but always try to keep my ego in check, my language neutral and my skin thick. To do otherwise would put me in the realm of "negative contribution" . . .which I believe is not for Badweb and destroys the community I have learned to value so much.
It has taken a great deal of work by Blake and many others to provide this community a meeting place. I don't agree with everything that is said and done here . . .but out of respect for both the effort and history of the Badweb I exercise what little self control I have mustered over the years and let the conflict/confrontation slide off into the archives.
I have found that the theory of "positive contribution" has served me well . . .and hope that the other motorcycle enthusiasts/Buell aficionados here might also profit from this approach.
Now gimme a cold one and I will go back to the corner and read my AARP magazine. . . |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 08:09 pm: |
|
How many performance Japanese 600cc or 1000cc bike do you know with 50,000+ miles without an overhaul. You may find the rare few that were babied, but not many.
There's another difference that comes into play with Japanese superbikes. They change hands more often than any Buell on average, and not just once or twice but several times. Each and every owner at some point thrashes them. Each and every owner at some point modifies them. Not each and every owner somewhere down the line maintains them, which includes not changing oil and filters.
Ducatis? Please, great machines but if calling them exotic forgives them for their fragileness then let it be. They are as mechanically sound as Ferraris. They are not known for their reliability to say the least.
Please state which Ducati's are fragile? Better still, please say where you have information that Ferrari's are not known for their reliability?
You are making this stuff up as you go along. Ferrari motors are very very reliable, as are Ducati's and these are well published facts in many many books and journals.
What are you reading M2?
Rocket |
Bads1
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 08:23 pm: |
|
Got nothing against Ducati,great bikes but replacement parts are way out of line. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 08:55 pm: |
|
Not here they ain't, and there's always Ebay.
Rocket |
Bads1
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 09:02 pm: |
|
If I had a mint Duc and new ebay is not an option for parts. I'd want new. Buells are way cheaper |
Glitch
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 10:54 pm: |
|
Not here they ain't
And there lays a major issue.
US = Cheap Buell parts
US = Expensive Ducati parts
I think I may have stumbled upon a reason for some of the difference of opinion.
Rocket, is the support for Ducati in good shape over that way?
It ain't over here, it's good when you can find it, and if you can afford it. |
Bads1
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 11:00 pm: |
|
Here ya go Glitch for instance. A basic black 2006 Ducati Monster S4R fuel tank $2400.00 and if not instock or another US dealer cannot get it from one another the wait could be a month. For a couple hundred dollars more you can buy 2 complete Buell XB frames/fuel tanks. |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 11:11 pm: |
|
Great post Don! Thanks compadre! |
M2nc
| | Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 11:39 pm: |
|
Car & Driver, Road & Track, Auto Weekly to mention a few. Cycle World, Motorcyclist. I have an extensive archive of past publications. There is a reason why Hennesses, Lingenfelter, Renntech, Callaway win the super car challenges and One Lap of American events. The Ferraris enter, they just never finish. Their motors are better than the Lamborghini which blow motors regularly in past test. Ferraris have drive line failures. For a road test of one of these makes, it is successful if they don't break something major on it. On the last road test between a 911 Turbo, Z06 Vette and Ferrari F430, (Two months ago) C&D was not allowed to do any standing start test with the Ferrari because the owners feared it would break the clutch. They used past test data for the article. The Z06 by the way cleaned the other twos clocks.
I know you love your 916 and heck who can blame you, I would love to have a modern Monster but Ducatis are fragile in comparison to most major makes today. Here is one published quote...
"When I announced I was riding the Ducati to Vegas, the staff asked me if I were on crack. Ducatis aren't exactly known for their reliability" - Mark Hammond - Managing Editor - Motorcyclist Online
Very much like early Buells, Ducatis are not known for major failures, but small failures that still park the bike. Then when they break, parts are few and far between. Here in the USA part deliveries are measured in months.
As far as for BMW, maybe a blip in the history of BMW, but the R1150 series was problematic to say the least. You can look up Recalls on line and you can verify what I wrote if you like. The most major problem was the transmission on the R1150 series bike which would jam between gears and lock up the rear tire. This of course could cause the rider to crash. Again I would rather have a broken belt than a locking transmission at speed.
That said, I would love to own a Ducati or a BMW, maybe one day in the future. There have been very few motorcycles that I have ridden that I have not liked for one reason or another. My post is to balance the Buell problems mentioned here with those on its competitors. Several Uly riders have stated that they left BMW because of quality issues. So to blankly state that Buells, at least XBs quality is sub-par with the industry, that would be incorrect.
Here are a few competitor recalls.
- GL1800 - Weld failures in the frame.
(Suzuki Owners are complaining the GSX-600 & 750 have the same problem but Suzuki has not issued a recall to date)
- VT600 - Dropping the kick stand
- R1150GS - Transmission locking up.
- HP2 - Exploding clutch that exits out "The engine casting"
- ZX10R - Bolt holding the steering dampener can come loose locking the steering.
- ZX-14 - Down sensor failures causing the engine to stall.
- BMW with ABS systems failures
- Suzukis, Hondas, BMW had fuel leak recalls that could cause fires.
- In 2006 Victory also recalled their kickstands for deploying while riding. Now that is a problem.
- Ducatis - Those equipped with a KTM oil cooler can leak oil onto the rear tire.
2003 - 749S - the front brake hose can become trapped between the lower steering flange and the steering lock peg when the vehicle is cornering. Cause the line to break and loss of the front brake.
2004 - ST4 - the air box breather hose may come in contact with the horizontal cylinder exhaust pipe. Fire hazard
2005 - MTS620, MTS1000, S2R, S4R - The incorrect rear shock absorber rocker arm was installed during production. The rear suspesions will break causing accident without notice.
Hey don't believe me, the Internet has the data. Find a good search engine and just type "Motorcycle Recalls" I've posted this stuff before. Read the Buell stuff and the other makes stuff. The XB line is better than allot of bikes out there. Real hard facts. No bull! |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 03, 2006 - 05:44 am: |
|
Ferrari don't make their latest road cars as traffic light racers. Their clutches are designed for high performance use compatible with electronic transmission shifting systems.
Ferrari might have issues on a race track, like any other marque. That is a harsh environment. I thought we were talking about Ferrari's used as daily transport and I thought we were specifically talking about engines, in which case please point me to a source where I can study the unreliability you refer to.
"When I announced I was riding the Ducati to Vegas, the staff asked me if I were on crack. Ducatis aren't exactly known for their reliability" - Mark Hammond - Managing Editor - Motorcyclist Online
.............because of the crap that those who don't know, like Mark Hammond, spout, and is the self same ignorance that blighted Buell in the late 90's.
Monster C/F fuel tank for sale new in the US
Monster fuel tank for sale (used) in the UK.
There exists another source of new parts in the UK. Specialist breakers buy new bikes, such as Ducati's and MV's, as well as R1's and GSXR 1000's etc, and break them for parts. Maybe there's more demand over here for all the unreliable Ducati's I see scattered about the UK.
Rocket |
Skyguy
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 03, 2006 - 09:24 pm: |
|
Wow, This thread is off and running.........
For what it is worth I got a Friday before the divorce, wife is cheating on me bike. I don't think every Buell is a POS at all. There are plenty of people with a much better experience than I have had.
That being said, MY experience has really left a bad taste in my mouth. BMC has done less than nothing for me.
The result is that I will not be buying a Uly. I really wanted one and will have more than enough cash to pay for it straight up be the middle of summer. BMC has lost a future sale due to the belts, headlights and stator issues costing me a ton of cash. My neighbor was also going to buy a Uly and due to my problems bought a GS1200 instead.
I have said before that treating us 03 owners as R@D and making us pay full retail for the privlage is just wrong.
Sad because when my XB has been working right it has been the most fun I have ever had on two wheels. I will miss it when it goes away. |
Blake
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 01:43 am: |
|
I agree. The belt upgrade should have been a recall. Not sure about the stator. What type of tranny lube did you run? |
Aldaytona
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 07:33 am: |
|
I know lots more guys that have not had belt issues with the 03s than those that did. Owners who followed handling instructions and replacement intervals, seemed to fare best. I would have liked to see BMC offer 03 original owners a break on parts to upgrade to the new 04 setup, but that didn't keep me from buying another Buell. My 03 XB9R was the best bike from new through it's warranty period, needless to say my 04 XB12R which is out of warranty now was the same, no issues, no warranty claims. I do have a bad habit of following BMCs maintenance schedule and using the exact fluids and materials recommended.
I do find it humorous reading this site everyday that those who seem to have the most issues are the ones who brag about using cheaper parts or different fluids or trying to perform major repairs with little or no mechanical experience and no shop manual. How about the e-bay bike owner, you know, the guy who bought his bike from the 3rd or 4th owner, from a photo on the net, and this bike has had countless "I done it myself" repairs and mods and maintenance, all unknown to the new frugal owner. I love it when these idiots post what a POS Buells are.
They really don't know they are IDIOTS, the Vonage theme music that's playing in their minds background should have given them a clue, but it didn't, that's why they will remain idiots their entire life. |
Skyguy
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 02:31 pm: |
|
Aldaytona, I hope you are not lumping me into ANY of your thoughts above. I twist a wrench and follow maintainence schedules to a tee. I also own the service manual and have known from day one how to properly handle the drive belt. My bike is also bone stock with no performance upgrades and I purchased it at 2,000 miles in flawless condition from a rich guy who barely rode it..
Don't take this the wrong way but I think performance upgrades on a Buell are kinda silly. No matter how much cash one dumps into aftermarket parts the bike is still pretty slow compared to most other machines in it's price point.
I bought mine because it goes fast enough in the twisties to run with the other bikes at the price point and I have always thought it fun to spank people on machines that were "less".
Blake, I had recently switched to Mobil One synthetic (before the recent oh oh threads about it). I suspect the reason for the failure is the two shorted wires though. Funny thing is that I had not decided to sell it until the second I saw the two shorted wires.
Every time I go for a ride it is at least 250 miles of twisties and I just can't trust it anymore. It was hard enough to focus on driving out of the corners with the thought of failing the belt running through my head.............. |
Skyguy
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 02:32 pm: |
|
I think I will spend some of the cash from the sale on spelling lessons................
Anyone else notice that thieir spelling skills dropped off after spell checker was around for a few years? |
Aldaytona
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 03:51 pm: |
|
I mentioned No names, everyone knows who they are, I hope, but if the shoe fits.......................................
Anyways, good luck with your new R1200GS, cool bike btw. |
Skyguy
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 04:22 pm: |
|
Thanks (: THe 1200 is a few months away yet but now that I am old I have to at least try one out. |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 04:51 pm: |
|
"...now that I am old..."
rt |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 08:35 pm: |
|
Hey M2, you're famous.
Ducatis? Please, great machines but if calling them exotic forgives them for their fragileness then let it be. They are as mechanically sound as Ferraris. They are not known for their reliability to say the least. They are beautiful and powerful Italians, and they prove it over and over.
Schumacher's engine blow up at Suzuka has left him needing to win in Brazil, with Alonso no higher than 8th, in order to win his 8th world championship.
Schumacher's engine blow up is the first in 5 years, since Indianapolis in 2001.
What were you saying about Ferrari reliability? Guess you jinxed 'em this weekend 
Rocket |
Captpete
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 07:13 am: |
|
Anyone else notice that thieir spelling skills dropped off after spell checker was around for a few years?
Quite the contrary for me. The constant nagging reminder of my error eventually gets through and I learn the correct spelling.
But I see by the quote that you're not using it.
I before E? Or the other? Ah, we'll play it safe and do both! |
Skyguy
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 11:36 am: |
|
I had some fun with that little typo. Surprised it took this long for anyone to notice. lol |
Jackbequick
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 12:29 pm: |
|
I often google for spellings but look at more than one hit because your search word can produce hits on misspellings too.
My job in the Navy included proof reading for spelling errors. The only way I could find them with about 99% accuracy was to read backwards one word at a time from bottom to top. Otherwise you will anticipate words and word strings and not actually read the words.
Read this aloud:
Paris
in the
the spring.
Did you say "Paris in the spring"?
Or "Paris in the the spring"? Most people say it the first way.
Jack |
Dbird29
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 04:31 pm: |
|
Sky,
Did you get banned yet?
http://www.sacborg.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=016029 |
|
