How reliable is your XB12X, R, and S?

[steve92106]

Bought my '09 Uly XT with a little over 13K on the clock three years ago and now have just under 28K. ECM went bad last year but I think my aftermarket saddle caused that problem. My rear bearing went out at 24K. The forks had to be overhauled at 22K. I'm at the point where I work hard enough and I'd rather pay someone who knows what they're doing to work on the bike so, other than oil changes, brakes and stuff like that, I spend my time riding it. I don't have much experience with other brands but it's been a lot more expensive to maintain than my 2010 Softail, for sure.

 

[go cytocis]

I'm on an '06 XB12Ss. It had ~12,000km (8,000mi) on it when I bought it from a meticulous first owner. I've had it for 2 years and it's at ~24,000km (15,000mi). I don't baby it, but I don't abuse it either. During that time, I've not found my XB to be especially troublesome, but not extraordinarily reliable either (read: it's not a Honda, but it's not a Ducati either).

Electrical components seem to be the biggest hassle, with the VR, stator, fuel pump, grounds, harness/connectors being particular issues to watch out for. I've been preventative about items like fluids, bearings, & belts, so I haven't ever been 'stranded', but I recently required a new clutch pack which I hadn't anticipated.

 

[818Guy]

On a scale of 1 to 10, 5 being the highest, I'd say mine has been a C.

LOL.

Sorry to the OP and the question but good stuff. Those Orlando guys are just too zany sometimes!

 

[glenn r]

Don't beat on it and it will be reliable have had my 2006 xb12x over 3 years now put on 6000miles a year no problems just rode from cornelius North Carolina to cocoa beach and back over 1200 miles in 3 day no sweat change oil often , check wheel bearings cheap insurance and easy to do at home get service manual bike is easy to work on with minimal tools

 

[fireinxb]

The great thing about the XBs is the simplicity of them, not a whole lot of maintenance to do other than change the oil. Mines been super reliable, i love the damn thing.

 

[unlucky1]

The only couple things that have gone wrong for me were the fuel pump wiring (which it telegraphed so I could fix it before it left me stranded) and I snapped the belt. Those considered it's been pretty-reliable over the 20,000 miles since I got it with 37,000ish.

The belt happened about 1100 miles from home. Would have sucked if I wasn't on a trip that I went overboard on planning, including bringing a spare belt. 2 hour delay in the morning, and we were off. Kudos to the engineers in East Troy for making a belt change in a parking lot not a huge ordeal.

I've seen every state in the west on it, plus South Dakota and Texas.

 

[WileyXB12X]

I love my Uly, but I wouldn't ride farther than an overnight trip. Pretty sure I got a lemon though. Consensus seems to show that most people think they're reliable.