03 Bolt a bad buy?

[misternikko]

The more and more I scan through the bolt subforum the less and less a good idea picking up an 03 bolt seems.

Have the chance to pick up an 03 bolts with less than 4k miles and am trying to figure out if this is the best move.

Seems like their are belt, fuel pump, stator, etc. issues. Can anyone one with one chime in on your experiences from day 1?

Thanks!

 

[Bolty]

Mine has been great, my only problems have been self inflicted.

 

[wolfo68]

the belts on the 03's had an upgrade for the 04 style. see if it was done. stator issues happen, keep in mind that this is 10 years down the road from when the bikes came out. even if a part is just sitting it can have issues once you start using it again. Fuel pumps I don't remember being much of an issue unless the rider lets it get low and in warmer weather. I'd say you're pretty safe and we can help you out if something actually does go wrong.

 

[GAXB9R]

I love my 03 bolt

 

[user_deleted]

have a 2003 XB9 bolt and love it. no problems with it in 5000 miles of reasonably gentle riding. stock brake pads were chinese crap but other than that a wonderful bike at a good price to boot.

 

[Iamarchangel]

An '03 with less than 4k?

What is the problem?

That's too new to worry about anything.

Value is always the same: how much are you willing to give up in order to get?

Blue book the price and go from there.

 

[Kid1620]

I put about 6000 miles on my 03 bolt last year and about 1200 so far this year and haven't had any major problems besides the clutches needed to be replaced. It's got over 20,000 miles on it and still going strong. I ride it pretty hard at times and she handles everything I can throw at it with a loud roar from the exhaust and a smile. Snitch it up and have fun

Edit I did break a belt be it was the original with 14,000 miles on it which is about average for the original belts

 

[chiligrease]

bought mine from some mope who molested it. i've replaced the battery, stator, tires and now a fuel line. not bad for 18k miles. have never had bike that you didn't have to turn! just lean, put your bones on the line and roll on the throttle.

no matter what you buy, your bike will have issues.

hope that helps