Considering xb12s...

The_Stache · Jun 10, 2013

Greetings from NY. I'm considering an xb12s for my next ride. A friend of mine owned one, not sure what the year was, and had terrible electrical problems with it for a while. He has since than advised me to stay away from buying a buell unless im willing to dump money into it and having a lot of downtime fixing it. I'm curious about a Buells reliability. I have read some on here that certain years. particularly 2009-10 had some serious electrical issues originating from the new stator design. What should I look for in my buell seach? What years to avoid? What years to shoot for? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Enemy Zero · Jun 10, 2013

I recently acquired my 2009 XB9SX in May and have been riding the piss out of it ever since. It's gone a good 3k with no problems but the stator was replaced before I got it so I guess that's been handled.

I was worried about the reliability of a harley motor as well but the fun factor has far outweighed my worry. I stayed away from this bike for years based solely on it being a harley motor and I feel like I missed out on something truly great for a lot of years now. I'd say you shouldn't walk into it expecting Japanese reliability. I've owned italian bikes and I can happily say that I'm sure this buell will never be anywhere near the headache of an italian motorcycle. It's like anything else, if you don't fall behind on maintenance and keeping up on checking the little things we should all be checking anyway, it'll be just as good as any other bike out there.

earwig · Jun 10, 2013

My 08 Ulysses has 22,000 miles and no problems (knock on wood). Before this bike I had an 04 12s for a few years and the only problem I ever had was a snapped clutch cable.

user_deleted · Jun 11, 2013

between the 4 Buell XB's that i own/have owned in past 5 years...and customer bikes i've had in and out of here and am familiar with....i can give you a total of approx. 15 Buell XB's with accumulated mileage of 250,000 miles that have never had any mechanical or electrical problems and needed nothing other than routine maintenance and perishables replaced. all were stored indoors by conscientious owners, well maintained, ridden sensibly, and never subjected to the blistering temps of 100 degree day "stop and go" situations.
having said that there are "lemons" possible with every mechanical device. if the seller brags about 1/4 mile long wheelies, power shifts, dazzling the cocktail lounge parking lot crowds with smoke shows and other assorted nonsense.....run for cover. the 2008 and up models had significant production changes including the EFI system, ZTL-2 front brakes, different cams cover, many other improvements. i am 6ft. and change tall and about 197 lbs and find the Uly and Lightning Ss (long) to be the most comfortable of all models. others even taller than i find the firebolt quite comfortable which i never did. IMO

Enemy Zero · Jun 11, 2013

After reading your post, Lunaticfringe, I feel like I have to retract my statement about riding the piss out of my bike

I'm not the stunter type and haven't been doing any of that so luckily my bike hasn't suffered any abuses. I have been riding this bike everywhere I possibly can since getting it and I'm riding it to the level which I am comfortable with no problems. Now unfortunately living in Las Vegas, our summer is 100 degree + for over half the year and has been for the past few weeks but the bike has rode through it without a complaint. It does get hot on the sides of the frame when at a stop light, but all Buells do from what I've been told. I absolutely love the bike and get the itch to ride it all the time. Leaving for work soon and riding it in [cool]

user_deleted · Jun 11, 2013

After reading your post, Lunaticfringe, I feel like I have to retract my statement about riding the piss out of my bike

enemy: i greatly respect your comment and don't retract anything on my account. i think Buells in general can be ridden pretty damn hard without a complaint or major mechanical failure and the bikes i was referring to in my post we're mostly owned by older dorks such as myself. The essence of my post to this perspective buyer was to offer up my general overall opinion that i have found Buell XB's to be no more problematic or prone to mechanical failures than Jap-bikes of similar age and mileage. as a sidebar, know what bike seems to have more electrical gremlins, glitches, oddities,hydraulic problems and dash indicator warning lights constantly illuminated than anything else i see here? BMW's. go figure.

Enemy Zero · Jun 11, 2013

No worries. I wasn't knocking you. I was making fun of my prior comment about not riding my bike up to the level you were saying others were. Maybe it came off wrong. More of a joke about my timid riding compared to the guys that stunt and do burnouts with their Buells. I agree with everything you're saying as well. I've seen bikes from all places with their fair share of gremlins and all out lemons.

The_Stache · Jun 11, 2013

I really appreciate your comments. My friend swears all Buells are problematic. I am glad his experience is not universal.

go cytocis · Jun 11, 2013

Too bad your friend had such a bad experience, but based on my experience, I don't think his generalization is warranted.

I had my own reservations before I became a Buell owner but after 16000 Km (10000mi) my 06 Ss hasn't been any more or less troublesome than any Japanese or German bike I have owned.

The_Stache · Jun 11, 2013

Sweet. What's the average life of a buell motor (before a rebuild/major part replacement)? Kind of a noob question - I've only owned one bike and haven't had to worry about that yet. If i buy a buell I intend on keeping it for a long long time =D

go cytocis · Jun 11, 2013

What's the average life of a buell motor

That's really a maintenance-dependent question.

The XB is tuned for more power than an equivalent HD motor, so I'd expect it to wear a bit quicker, but none-the-less, I see no reason why at least 100,000 Km (60,000 mi) couldn't easily be achieved without either abusing or babying it.

ccdirtrider05 · Jun 11, 2013

im new to buell and previously rode rice grinders.. my 06 Ss is a problem with overheating that im zeroing in on, not as much riding as id like, but too much fun to sell!! absolute love everything about how it fits and handles the roads. my jap bike worked great... when it wanted to.[mad] every make and every model will have people hating it for one reason or another. just find a bike that fits right and handles great. anything other than dealer warrenty new could be a risk due to PO! good luck with finding the perfect beast.

Considering xb12s...

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