Buell riders give me the 411

[Sprinklerhead]

Re: Re: Re: I'm not looking for my impression....

WHAT?!
Where do you get that?
What answer do you think I'm looking for, that they're crap, that they're brilliant??

AGAIN, I'm trying just to get owners opinions good or bad... how is that farming for an answer I want?

I'm not looking to buy. I was at one time, but not now. I've read a lot about them (ads)... heard the smackdown on harly's and buells by people who don't own them.... I just want experienced opinions, man.

Thank you GO. and hkwan, this kind of first hand knowledge is what I was looking for. Nothing major, just your feelings.

Beau owned a Buell and the last time I saw him, he was talking about picking up another one.

 

[creech]

I've owned 2 Buells, a 98 and a 99 S3T.

Why two of the same bike only a year apart? Critical failures in the 1998 include:

* the swing arm TORE OFF
* Rocker boxes leaked
* the motor mounts broke, dumping the motor forward into the front wheel
* a host of fit and finish problems.

So much of a concern one the motor tried to leap out of the frame, they bought the bike back and gave me a shiney 1999. Problems with the 99 include:

* Buring up the wire harness 3 miles from initial pickup
* tareing through 3 sets of rear isolators
* exhaust blowing out all the baffles
* endless EFI problems/poor running
* Lack of retention cables in hard bags (missing, supposed to be there)

I've given Buell plenty of chances... I won't go back. Being told I ride the bike too hard in the corners is unacceptable for a bike who's advertising budget is spent on convincing people to own the corners.

I'll stick to something more reliable, like my Ural.

-Creech

 

[bakadoh]

Now I'm getting the 411

I'll stick to something more reliable, like my Ural.

-Creech

Thank you guys... this kind of honest feedback is what I was looking for.

I'm neither for or against Buells. Just want to know.

nitty p - thanks a lot, this confirms my somewhat clouded memory from the last IMS test ride. didn't remember until I read your post.

Creech - this really goes against what Buell is promising with shooting for a 100% satisfaction/reliability I keep reading about... and some of what I read about (modesto buell etc) confirm the hype/real world difference when it comes to dealers and such.

Thanks guys... now this is good reading! I'd take this over cycle world anyday!

 

[Sidewalk]

I currrently own two, and they are my last.

X1:
-Flywheel nut backed off
-Oil filter vibrated off
-Front engine mount cracked
-Chronic EFI problems (lately, sudden powerloss)
-Bad engine/trans seal, blowing oil everywhere out the breather.
-Broke off an exhaust stud, nice leak.
-So far, two primary cover gaskets have blown
-broken cltuch cable

As far as impression goes, it costs as much as a 1000RR brand new, has less power then a yesteryear 600. It was barely faster then a FZR600 I rode with once, I got stomped by VFR's. It vibrates like mad, but I was able to deal with it. I think it has about 12,000 miles, which means I have a lemon. A lemon in Buell talk is a bike that goes over 10,000 miles, most blow up before then.

The Blast hasn't been nearly as bad. Though, it is putting out a lot less power in the cylinder (25 HP to the ground). It is based on the XB engine (the Blast came out first), so it has a lot of similar problems. It still shifts like crap, you have to slam it into first gear to get it to engage right. I burned up over an entire quart of oil riding it from San Diego to Alameda (yes, and entire quart from a 2 quart system). I also lost two exhaust nuts that ride, they just fell off. It would be great for short distance commuter, better then a scooter at least.

My X1 got a real world 50 MPG highway. My wife's Honda Shadow gets 45 MPG, two up, 90 MPH, full loaded with luggage. So it was carrying over twice the weight, at higher speeds, with only slightly less mileage.

Modesto Ducati is/was the best Buell dealer in the nation. They didn't switch to Ducati, they already sold them side-by-side with Buell, great combo. They got tired of dealing with Buell the company, and dropped them. They hooked me up in the past, and no one who has ever delt with them has left unsatisfied. Why didn't Buell fight to keep them as a dealer, with a record that good? I liked Golden Gate Harley, but I would ride out to Modesto from Alameda to get my parts.

Now I am riding a bike I know to be reliable. Crap, I put on more miles in 6 months on the Honda then I did on the Buell in 2 years, because the Buell was always broken!

So if you want an over priced, unreliable, under performing bike that IS NOT AMERICAN, then go right to your local Harley dealer. If you want a good bike, go somewhere else like Honda/Yamaha/Triumph/etc.

And when they brag about Japanese brakes and suspension, and Italian lighting, and use parts from overseas for the whole damn thing, it is not an America motorcycle!