| Author | Message | ||
     Turtle71 |
Hi I have been shopping for another bike as my 98 Super Hawk is losing compression(82k miles on it, so I got my money's worth). I will be using my bike as a daily driver - about 24 miles a day. I love the looks of the Lightning, and after poking around I have decided that I'd like a Lighting Long - the XB12Ss is the model I believe. Reading this forum has been a great help - I had started out thinking that I would get an 1125cr and mod it like I saw on a thread and get the Lighning look with more power. After reading up on that board, I realized that i didn't want to have that much in the way of reliability issues. How reliable is the Lightning? I don't mind some problems (I also drive a 78 CJ5, and have replaced about everything on it) and can do quite a bit of wrenching myself. From the feedback on the 1125 boards, it seems that I will get an honest answer here. Any particular year that is desirable? Any and all help would be appreciated Thanks Turtle | ||
| Gunut75 |
I ride an 05 XB12R. 17k miles so far. Only failure was the front isolator. Easy fix. 04-05 seem to be the most dependable, while getting great fuel economy (45-50 mpg here). We have a few members here with fantastic amounts of miles on their engines, and nothing going wrong. I look forward to many, many more miles on my XB. Keep up with the maintenance, and you will be fine. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
XBs are very reliable. My 03 XB9R just clocked 15k and running like a champ. No major issues except for a belt replacement... and that belt had about 14k on it anyways so it was due for replacement! | ||
| Iamarchangel |
'03 9R: 55k kms. Everything is solid. Very little maintenance required. A sensor and wiring issue, easy fixes. Belt was replaced a long time ago by previous owner. Contemplating getting belt on next stateside visit. Go for it. Most probs for that model have already been discovered here. Right off the top, there's a wire under the seat that may be an issue: electrical tape fix. There's a connector under the "sprocket" cover that may be an issue: number of options. Stock ECM seems to be okay for high revvers, fixable for low revvers. | ||
| Xb12mel |
'07 12Scg here with 29.8 K Miles on it. Bought it new. Only problem I had was self-induced from being not only a new owner, but a new rider. I beat the heck outta it and it keeps on going and going and going.... I couldn't have asked for a more maintenance free motorcycle. Good luck!!! | ||
| Turtle71 |
Thanks to all here for the input. the next step is finding one in my area..... Does the Long really have that much more room? I am six feet tall, which is not all that big, but I have a bad leg that doesn't like being too bent up for too long - the Hawk was just fine. It seems that the Long is harder to find example of a hard to find motorcycle. | ||
| Gunut75 |
I'm 6'2 on a Firebolt. I run a Buell select seat, and S pegs (1 inch lower), with no problems at all. This winter, I'm even going to a Lightning top triple, and some bars instead of the Firebolt's lower clip-on positioned bars. My bike is a daily commuter. 70+ miles a day. The long IS a little harder to find, as there were not as many made. I'm simply going to switch mine to a Ss, or TT suspension. | ||
| Aptbldr |
I'm six-feet, 190 lb, 32-in inseam. '04 XB12R; stock seat, XB-S (1-in lower) foot pegs, and it fits me just right. I ride at front of seat... even its air-box cover is perfectly shaped, according to my belly  Buell Select seat would add nearly an inch to seat height. And, seat's then slippery & bars/grips feel lower. One way commute of 24 miles should be enough to get bike warmed-up properly year 'round, but it may take whole trip four months a year in TN. Reliable? Yes (excepting neglected & cowboy'd machines). 100k miles without major overhaul? Nope, given exceptions. Beware of corrosion/weathering issues on machines stored outdoors or daily riders in Seattle-like environments. (Message edited by aptbldr on October 15, 2010) | ||
| Turtle71 |
Good to hear - if it comes down to it, I can compromise on the Long for a more common model. Aptbldr - It's 70 degrees out right now here in Crossville. I ride from March/April all the way to November. It doesn't get cold around here as much as you might think. The reliablity of the XB sounds like it is on par with anything else - My Hawk had normal issues, the tensioners, replaced the carbs, and a few sensors. Nice to hear the XB has a good chance of being the same. Anyone near East Tennessee who has one for sale? PS Thanks for all the responses. I'm getting excited now. The Hawk was a great bike, but I have always slobbered over the Buells since the ZB9Scg came out(is that the right nomenclature?) | ||
| Bads1 |
Haven't seen a XB do 82,000 yet though. | ||
| Turtle71 |
Bads1 - About what would you expect? 50k or so? I really didn't think the Hawk would make it that far - it just kept on going. I will put about 6,000 miles a year on it, and I like to do my own maintence(nothing against service departments, I just trust myself more). I have been known to flog a backroad or two, but my bikes don't see redline every ride. I get my jollies by hitting the perfect line. | ||
| Bads1 |
On this board theres a handful with 40k and 50k or so but thats about it. How far will they go?? Have no idea but more uncommon to see then common. IMO | ||
| Dhays1775 |
i picked up my '07 xb12r with 35,000 on the clock. before i left for afghanistan, i racked it up to 42.5k. i had a few issues, but nothing i couldn't fix myself. the motor and tranny is still pretty strong, but my lust for power will win out for a bigger motor. i love everything about my bike, hiccups and all. i wouldn't hesitate to say that i could rack up 50k miles and still be solid as a rock. the biggest killer of any motored vehicle is catching the problem in the beginning stages before it's too late. Semper Fi | ||
| 1324 |
My 03 XB9S was flawless for 13k miles until a bad starter gasket oiled up my rear tire and sent me to the ground. This is abnormal, though. My 05 XB12S is/has been great. Almost 16k miles (bought at 8k last year): front isolator is on its way out and I had the dreaded 77 connector leave me stranded a few weeks ago. Both are simple, inexpensive fixes. All in all, very happy with XB reliability. | ||
| Migs16 |
1324 what is the 77 connector?? | ||
| 1324 |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/597733.html?1286835290 | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
it was not a xb but I do remember reading on here some were of a guy with a tuber with some were around 200k or so I think it might have been tramp or some one like that. In any case I would think if one of those bikes could do it that a xb could do it as well. | ||
| Glitch |
Haven't seen a XB do 82,000 yet though. I'm only 10K away! | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
Glitch don't you have some un logged miles on your bike as well though? | ||
| 1324 |
Glitch, that is awesome. Just out of curiosity's sake, do you log major maintenance? I'm interested in when you replaced certain items like steering stem bearings, swing arm bearings, drive belts, engine parts, etc. | ||
| Bads1 |
I'm only 10K away Now compare notes on the maintenance with the guy above with the Honda. I bet he did next to nothing. | ||
| Glitch |
Glitch don't you have some un logged miles on your bike as well though? Yeah, the speedo sensor has stopped again at 67K. Charlie has one for me, I just have to get over to the Barn. Just out of curiosity's sake, do you log major maintenance? Nope, other than the regular stuff, I just fix it when it needs it. I bet he did next to nothing. Who cares? I'd not own a Honda. ABH | ||
| Bads1 |
Who cares? I understand that Dave. But I think the original poster wants to know what to expect out of a XB. Yours is one of the very few. And even then... the maintenance is way more then he probably had to do to his 996. I'm not saying that he shouldn't buy one. Just expect to turn a wrench is all. If you don't want to turn a wrench the Buell may not be his cup of tea is all. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Bads1: don't know where you're going with this. I also have a very low maintenance bike. Considering I'm the third owner, I've been pleasantly surprised by that. | ||
| Bads1 |
I think my last post sums it up. | ||
| Socalbueller |
I have an 88 Honda Hawk and an 05 Firebolt. Both have about the amount of miles on them (55k). I'd have to say the Honda is more reliable, has given me less trouble, and has less oil leaks even though it's 17 years older. So far at least once a year my Buell has been towed home, once for broken throttle cables and 5x for the charging system. The reason I got the Hawk was the Buell wasn't cutting it for commuting. Some things that I have found that wear semi frequently that are not mentioned in the service manual under the maintenance section are - intake gaskets rubber mounting grommets for the instrument cluster front and rear isolator oil pump drive gear (at least check it) voltage regulator The Honda on the other hand seems to be the opposite. Items they want you to replace regularly or check don't necessarily need it. I recently checked the valves for the first time I've owned it, 4 years and 25k miles, and only 2 out of 6 were slightly out of spec. I think in the manual it recommends checking the valves every 4k or 6k miles. Also the Hawk tends to run great to pretty good 98% of the time. There have been numerous times the Buell has run like crap and has taken some time find the problem - sensors, isolators, leaky intake gaskets, etc. If you have owned Japanese bikes for a while you might be disappointed in a Buell as reliability goes. Once I stopped going to HD dealerships for service and accepted my Firebolt is not as reliable as a Japanese bike I have been happier. On the plus side parts are dirt cheap compared to Honda parts. | ||
| Blake |
Go with a 2010 model if possible. The dual O2 sensor configuration is worth it. 2008 saw the new improved oiling system, built-in TPS Reset, and beefier bottom end, all also very much worth it. No chain to lube, clean, adjust or replace; no valve lash check or adjust needed; no carb synching required, no engine coolant to check and replace. More maintenance? Not likely. (Message edited by blake on October 19, 2010) | ||
| Blake |
My experience is opposite that of Socalbueller. My Yamaha was a nightmare. My Buells have been great. | ||
| Luxor |
When I bought my 03XB9 I was fully expecting that the Buell would require more maintenance. I knew about Buells and decided that the bike was going to be worth all the wrenching it might need. But to my surprise the Buell didn't need any wrenching aside from the common stuff like fluid changes and mileage maintenance, still to this day hasn't had a single problem aside from a clutch cable break, and clutch assy that I messed up due to my adjusting it completely wrong. I was so happy I bought a 2004 XB12S stable mate and it hasn't had a single problem yet. I was an avid Honda fan for years and owned many models from Sabers, Nighthawks, and CBRs. All of which were far more labor intensive then my XBs in the long run. This is just my experience. | ||
| Turtle71 |
Social, and Bads I had to replace the timing chain tensioners twice on my honda, as well as various electronics. The tensioners are a potentially serious problem, but it is a known issue. Both carbs had to be replaced All in all not bad for a motorcycle. I do expect to wrench a little, and I don't mind it. I enjoy doing my own work. As far as I can tell from some serious googling, the XB has a pretty average record...with most pro lems being electrical/fit and finish. I have had problems out of jap bikes. My girl's TL1000 is on its third clutch basket. Would I be wrong in this impression of the XB: Most have had good luck with the exception of the 77 conector, the front aluminum isolator, stator issues (less than the 1125), and the engine not wanting to lose RPM off idle. I really do appreciate the objectivity of this board. Fanboy sites are just useless |
