Buell support in NZ?

[raziel1983]

Does it exist? And if so, for how much longer?

I'm looking for a new bike, and have stumbled across the Buell 1125r, It seems to tick most of my boxes, It has a reasonable pillion seat ie: not sitting 2 feet higher than the rider, has a 20+ litre tank, and is extremely light compared to the other two up able sport(touring) bikes I've previously limited myself to..

So the only question that remains is servicing such a beast going to prove bothersome?

Any Buell owners care to share there experiences?

Cheers!

[Big Dave]

Harley gave some guarantees about parts availability when they pulled the plug, but they didn't mention time frames. My guess is it will devolve to online ordering ex-usa with minimal stocks locally - so not much different to before they closed.

The 1125R is a Rotax engine too, which are still going strong.

[SPman]

The 1125R is a Rotax engine too, which are still going strong. ..and is the basis for the 1190 motor in the new Buells looming on the horizon.....

[AllanB]

I'm sure I read on several occasions that HD would support parts for 10 years. Not sure if this applied to the Rotax ones though.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Does it exist? And if so, for how much longer?

I'm looking for a new bike, and have stumbled across the Buell 1125r, It seems to tick most of my boxes, It has a reasonable pillion seat ie: not sitting 2 feet higher than the rider, has a 20+ litre tank, and is extremely light compared to the other two up able sport(touring) bikes I've previously limited myself to..

So the only question that remains is servicing such a beast going to prove bothersome?

Any Buell owners care to share there experiences?

Cheers!


Harley gave some guarantees about parts availability when they pulled the plug, but they didn't mention time frames. My guess is it will devolve to online ordering ex-usa with minimal stocks locally - so not much different to before they closed.

The 1125R is a Rotax engine too, which are still going strong.

They've (HD) told us they'll back Buell with spare parts for ten years from the time of pulling the pin.

And I have a gorgeous 1 owner from new (sold by me from new, serviced by us) 1125R, just 5000km's old if you're interested. I'll fly you to Wellington, and pay for your fuel home if you buy from me.

Pete

[Ocean1]

Harley gave some guarantees about parts availability when they pulled the plug, but they didn't mention time frames. My guess is it will devolve to online ordering ex-usa with minimal stocks locally - so not much different to before they closed.

The 1125R is a Rotax engine too, which are still going strong.

In my experience correct on all counts. For the next several years at least HD dealers will supply care and feeding skills for the 1125 at levels at least as good as the European bikes. By the time that service is unavailable there'll be other (EBR) franchises offering it.

You simply can't beat the Japanese marques for general support. The flipside is that you really can't see much difference between them. With the benefit of hindsight I think Buell geniunely did identify a gap in the market which hasn't been addressed as well since. That makes them a worthwhile choice for some, still, in spite of the fact that they didn't fit into the HD masterplan.

In performance terms it's numbers may not stack up to those of either the big Jap sports machines, (although it's a fair bit lighter) or a 1098 / 1198, (although they were released with a RRP a third of the Ducatis). But then I've watched a far better rider than me on my CR completely outclass Ducatis best on Manfeild. On the road I'd take the Buell any day, it's just got good tractable power everywhere. You can tour on it all day and still walk normally. Just make sure it's got the latest EMS loaded.

[raziel1983]

And I have a gorgeous 1 owner from new (sold by me from new, serviced by us) 1125R, just 5000km's old if you're interested. I'll fly you to Wellington, and pay for your fuel home if you buy from me.

Pete

Tell me more... :yes:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Tell me more... :yes:

White with the blue screen/wheels. Feel free to email me at work, and I'll send you some good pics of it. pmcdonald@wmcc.co.nz

Pete

[raziel1983]

White with the blue screen/wheels. Feel free to email me at work, and I'll send you some good pics of it. pmcdonald@wmcc.co.nz

Pete

Consider it done.

[raziel1983]

My guess is it will devolve to online ordering ex-usa with minimal stocks locally - so not much different to before they closed.

To be honest I do this now...with my Honda! remarkable the coin you can save this way..

[Crasherfromwayback]

Consider it done.

Cheers mate. It's my rostered Monday off tomorrow, but I'll go in early and send you the pics before I bugger off to play some really bad golf!

[Latte]

Sorry for the dredge but I thought it better than starting a new thread (as it's of the same topic). I'm looking to fit the Buell headlight/windscreen from an XB Lightning onto my bike (common mod in the states) and am looking for places to buy parts, is there a NZ dealer that could help?

the other option is importing from the states but very few places seem keen on International shipping (I've even had trouble with the local "reship" address I tried for one supplier). Is there any known options for getting this stuff sent over without too much hassle/expense? (I've found one option but the freight is more than the parts).

[Str8 Jacket]

Oh, sorry I thought you meant a support group for people who are depressed about owning buells..... *backing away*

[5150]

Oh, sorry I thought you meant a support group for people who are depressed about owning buells..... *backing away*

:killingme:clap:

[Hailwood]

Sorry for the dredge but I thought it better than starting a new thread (as it's of the same topic). I'm looking to fit the Buell headlight/windscreen from an XB Lightning onto my bike (common mod in the states) and am looking for places to buy parts, is there a NZ dealer that could help?

the other option is importing from the states but very few places seem keen on International shipping (I've even had trouble with the local "reship" address I tried for one supplier). Is there any known options for getting this stuff sent over without too much hassle/expense? (I've found one option but the freight is more than the parts).

I always talk to my local dealer first to see if they can get the stuff I need for my bike. If they can't then I use ebay and also badweatherbikers.com (great Buell forum) for info and advice on who to use in USA......so far great help with the 1125r now with a saddleman seat, EBR ECM and some matching blue windscreen bolts...yes I bought the white 1125r Pete was talking about earlier in this thread.......

[SMOKEU]

The flipside is that you really can't see much difference between them.

Except for the poor build quality of Suzuki vs the high build quality of Honda. I've owned both.

[SVboy]

Except for the poor build quality of Suzuki vs the high build quality of Honda. I've owned both.

Well thank fuck you have the depth of experience to make a make a generalisation like this. Make a comment about the build quality of my Suzukis in my earshot and see how far you get.......:facepalm:

[jrandom]

Except for the poor build quality of Suzuki vs the high build quality of Honda. I've owned both.

What model Suzuki(s) did you own that had poor build quality, and can you be specific about what exactly was wrong with them?

[SMOKEU]

Well thank fuck you have the depth of experience to make a make a generalisation like this. Make a comment about the build quality of my Suzukis in my earshot and see how far you get.......:facepalm:

It's a well known fact that Suzukis have suffered poor build quality for quite a while now. My GSXR600 has just about every second nut and bolt rounded off, the switches feel cheap, the paint is quite thin and chips easily, the swingarm markings are terrible, and the whole bike feels badly made compared to my previous Honda which was 10 years older than the Suzuki. The Suzuki is a lot of fun to ride though and handles great. The Suzuki is a great bike, but it's a shame that it's let down by cheap Chinese fittings. Oh, and I own 2 bikes. Both of which are Suzuki so you can hardly call me biased.

Stand next to a 15 year old Suzuki and a 15 year old Honda. Note the differences.

[SMOKEU]

What model Suzuki(s) did you own that had poor build quality, and can you be specific about what exactly was wrong with them?

GSXR600 SRAD. Read my post above this one.

[short-circuit]

Well thank fuck you have the depth of experience to make a make a generalisation like this. Make a comment about the build quality of my Suzukis in my earshot and see how far you get.......:facepalm:

Shut up he's had both a mid 90s gxr250 AND a mid 90s cbr250 - so he is an authority on BOTH suzuki and honda you ignoramus

[jrandom]

It's a well known fact...

Shhh. Logical fallacies are bad karma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argumentum_ad_populum).


Suzukis have suffered poor build quality for quite a while now.

I don't think that's ubiquitous. My 2007 GSX1400 was pretty solid.

You may have just struck one from a bad patch. I had an SRAD 750, but there wasn't much stock about it by the time I got it, so I can't really comment on the cosmetics. Motor was strong as, though.


Stand next to a 15 year old Suzuki and a 15 year old Honda. Note the differences.

There are some pretty shitty 15-year-old Hondas out there man. And some pretty mint SRADs.

[SMOKEU]

You may have just struck one from a bad patch. I had an SRAD 750, but there wasn't much stock about it by the time I got it, so I can't really comment on the cosmetics. Motor was strong as, though.


Mechanically they're great bikes, very successful on race tracks as well. It's just a shame that such a great bike is let down by little things for the sake of saving a few $. None of those things affect the way the bike rides, but it's a bit of a pain having to remove and replace rounded off nuts and bolts when I service the bike and having dodgy markings for when I adjust the chain tension.

I've never had any of those issues with a Honda.

[Str8 Jacket]

I've never had any of those issues with a Honda.

So, how do you feel about Buell support in NZ?

[jrandom]

So, how do you feel about Buell support in NZ?

I'd totally race an 1125CR in BEARS if someone sponsored me onto it...

[SMOKEU]

So, how do you feel about Buell support in NZ?

I've got a mate with one and he has no complaints.

[jrandom]

I've never had any of those issues with a Honda.

I've never owned a Honda, on account of Honda only ever making one road bike that wasn't mind-numbingly boring, so I can't comment.

[Str8 Jacket]

I'd totally race an 1125CR in BEARS if someone sponsored me onto it...

Touche!


I've got a mate with one and he has no complaints.

I know what you mean, i've got a mate with a suzuki and he has no complaints either....

[SMOKEU]

I've never owned a Honda, on account of Honda only ever making one road bike that wasn't mind-numbingly boring, so I can't comment.

Which bike is that?

[jrandom]

Which bike is that?

<img src="http://i39.tinypic.com/e02zpc.jpg"/>

[SMOKEU]

So are you saying that a CBR1000RR is boring? Or an NSR250?

[jrandom]

So are you saying that a CBR1000RR is boring? Or an NSR250?

Mmyes.

Also uncomfortable.

[SMOKEU]

Also uncomfortable.

Yes, but at least you get to feel like you've just gotten out of an African prison after a long ride.

[jrandom]

Yes, but at least you get to feel like you've just gotten out of an African prison after a long ride.

While an entertaining description, that's not really what I'm looking for out of my long rides.

[SMOKEU]

While an entertaining description, that's not really what I'm looking for out of my long rides.

Each to their own. :first:

[SVboy]

It's a well known fact that Suzukis have suffered poor build quality for quite a while now. My GSXR600 has just about every second nut and bolt rounded off, the switches feel cheap, the paint is quite thin and chips easily, the swingarm markings are terrible, and the whole bike feels badly made compared to my previous Honda which was 10 years older than the Suzuki. The Suzuki is a lot of fun to ride though and handles great. The Suzuki is a great bike, but it's a shame that it's let down by cheap Chinese fittings. Oh, and I own 2 bikes. Both of which are Suzuki so you can hardly call me biased.

Stand next to a 15 year old Suzuki and a 15 year old Honda. Note the differences.

Suzukis have suffered poor build quality for quite a while now!!! Based on your experience with an old SRAD? Fuck me-I suggest you search KB for posts from SKIDMARK....you may be the man to fill his shoes. And you wont find any rounded bolts on my GSXR...not sure they were ever standard from the factory....:no:

[jrandom]

Each to their own. :first:

Yessssssssss

<img src="http://i42.tinypic.com/2e6ab9f.jpg"/>

[SMOKEU]

Suzukis have suffered poor build quality for quite a while now!!!

And the fact that a mate of mine had a 1996 Bandit 250. The overall build quality was clearly lacking in that thing. One day we were out for a ride and the clutch broke. Took the clutch cover off and there was a very thin piece of metal, about the thickness of a paper clip that had snapped. This was on a bike that had done around 15,000km from new.

My 1973 TS185 is still going strong though considering the way it's been abused. It's been left out in the rain heaps, it's pretty rusty (as you'd expect with any bike that has been left in the weather for that long) and yet it starts first kick when warm and goes bloody well.

[SVboy]

And the fact that a mate of mine had a 1996 Bandit 250. The overall build quality was clearly lacking in that thing. One day we were out for a ride and the clutch broke. Took the clutch cover off and there was a very thin piece of metal, about the thickness of a paper clip that had snapped. This was on a bike that had done around 15,000km from new.

My 1973 TS185 is still going strong though considering the way it's been abused. It's been left out in the rain heaps, it's pretty rusty (as you'd expect with any bike that has been left in the weather for that long) and yet it starts first kick when warm and goes bloody well.

You arguing with me, or yourself? I would consider all brands have models that have quality issues and poor design, not to mention unsympathetic owners that test the integrity of any bike.....

[buellbabe]

Getting back to what this thread is actually about!!!!

Getting back to what this thread is actually about!!!!

Buell support in EnZed?

Plenty of it. As already stated it is correct that HD pledged to honour parts availabilty for 10yrs.
For tuber owners its same old same old as most of the parts are HD sporty parts with a Buell label on the box and I can't see the good ol' sportster line ever getting dropped!
For that matter its ditto for the 'framers'.

For all those of you contributing to this thread who don't own Buells or know anything about them...Tuber is the nickname given to the early tubular frame models(S1, S3, M2, X1) and 'Framer' refers to the XB range that followed (the name coming from the fact that the fuel is in the frame and oil in the swingarm.

Its probably fair to say that most people who own the earlier models have done so for quite a few years and already have an established relationship with a bike shop...parts are easily available thru an HD dealer or online.

The 1125 range is 'supposedly low maintenance'. I say supposedly as it only needs servicing once a year or every 10,00kms whichever comes first and the super expensive service involving the valve clearance check really only needs doing every 40k (not every 20k like it says in the manual, unless it is being used as a race bike!).
BUUT as a lot of us 1125 owners have found out, the 2009 and 2010 models have an electrical charging system fault which is covered by warranty but the problem is that HD ditched Buell before Buell had the chance to actually FIX the problem once and for all so HD are honoring the warranty and replacing the affected parts...which could be the Stator/stator relay/voltage regulator or the wiring loom OR the entire kit'nkaboodle.
Herein lies the problem...they are replacing with exactly the same parts!

Now after doing a lot of research on the topic I have discovered that the crappy voltage regulator is actually a DUCATI part (yep it even says Ducati on the side of it!) and it seems that Rotax have used the same part in some Aprillias cos I have read a lot of online moaning about it from Aprilia owners!

So that a heads up on known faults with the 1125 if you are thinking of buying one.
There are a lot of aftermarket parts site for this range also and as far as the charging sysytem is concerned you can spend megabucks on an EBR upgrade or there are other options also out there. Any buell forum will point ya in the right direction :-)

For parts for all your Buell needs there plenty of online stores
EBR racing
americansportbike
ironmachine
buellparts
SRWmoto
dumbassbiker (yes seriously!)

plus many more! I have used ASB HEAPS for all my aftermarket bits and its not often that they haven't had something in stock…

[Hailwood]

Getting back to what this thread is actually about!!!!

Getting back to what this thread is actually about!!!!

Buell support in EnZed?

Plenty of it. As already stated it is correct that HD pledged to honour parts availabilty for 10yrs.
For tuber owners its same old same old as most of the parts are HD sporty parts with a Buell label on the box and I can't see the good ol' sportster line ever getting dropped!
For that matter its ditto for the 'framers'.

For all those of you contributing to this thread who don't own Buells or know anything about them...Tuber is the nickname given to the early tubular frame models(S1, S3, M2, X1) and 'Framer' refers to the XB range that followed (the name coming from the fact that the fuel is in the frame and oil in the swingarm.

Its probably fair to say that most people who own the earlier models have done so for quite a few years and already have an established relationship with a bike shop...parts are easily available thru an HD dealer or online.

The 1125 range is 'supposedly low maintenance'. I say supposedly as it only needs servicing once a year or every 10,00kms whichever comes first and the super expensive service involving the valve clearance check really only needs doing every 40k (not every 20k like it says in the manual, unless it is being used as a race bike!).
BUUT as a lot of us 1125 owners have found out, the 2009 and 2010 models have an electrical charging system fault which is covered by warranty but the problem is that HD ditched Buell before Buell had the chance to actually FIX the problem once and for all so HD are honoring the warranty and replacing the affected parts...which could be the Stator/stator relay/voltage regulator or the wiring loom OR the entire kit'nkaboodle.
Herein lies the problem...they are replacing with exactly the same parts!

Now after doing a lot of research on the topic I have discovered that the crappy voltage regulator is actually a DUCATI part (yep it even says Ducati on the side of it!) and it seems that Rotax have used the same part in some Aprillias cos I have read a lot of online moaning about it from Aprilia owners!

So that a heads up on known faults with the 1125 if you are thinking of buying one.
There are a lot of aftermarket parts site for this range also and as far as the charging sysytem is concerned you can spend megabucks on an EBR upgrade or there are other options also out there. Any buell forum will point ya in the right direction :-)

For parts for all your Buell needs there plenty of online stores
EBR racing
americansportbike
ironmachine
buellparts
SRWmoto
dumbassbiker (yes seriously!)

plus many more! I have used ASB HEAPS for all my aftermarket bits and its not often that they haven't had something in stock…

Nicely put BB...lets keep this thread back on topic..if you want to flop on about Hondsa and Suzukis then start another thread.......

The stator situation, according to my local dealer, is more of an issue in USA with higher temps than here but not sure if thats true.......

A big +1 for SRWmoto as well..just got a quick release seat bolt kit and arrived so fast it was scary......

[buellbabe]

The stator situation, according to my local dealer, is more of an issue in USA with higher temps than here but not sure if thats true.......

A big +1 for SRWmoto as well..just got a quick release seat bolt kit and arrived so fast it was scary......

Yep! Pete is always helpful :niceone: (he has even offered to set me up with a bike when I do my Ozzie Tour!)

As for the stator situation? Sorry Hailwood but I have got some bad news for you…the charging system fault is not just a USA thing. Your dealer??? Er… that would be Welly motorcycles eh? Well the CR has just been in there with the Voltage regulator shitting itself and a week later a Stator relay crapped out.
I am surprised that they would say that to you because when AJ took the CR in they scratched their heads and said they didn't know much about the model and had NO IDEA about any warranty issues.
needless to say unless its an emergency the bike probably won't be going back there again.
When I told Road & Sport (they are my preferred dealer when the bike is in my custody ) they were surprised that Welly MCs refused to come to the party over the warranty. Basically they didn'y tell us that it was a recall part so AJ ordered it from ASB cos it was cheaper and was gonna get here quicker…which then voided the warranty claim…was not impressed.

Anyways my research has proved that the problem is very much alive and kicking in OZ and EnZed (just go online to Buellersdownunder and see how many of them are having stator or VR issues). And its not just a climate issue, its also caused by long periods of riding at a constant speed.

My Stator went at approx 20,000kms, the VR died at 35,000 and a week later a Stator relay also crapped out…Deanes stator went at around 20,000kms and his replacement part died a few weeks later so he is on his 3rd stator!!!!

As far as warranty claims go Road & Sport are always keen to negotiate with Harley if the bike is out of the claim period. Deanes was no longer covered but HD came to the party… R &S told me that if the dealer goes into bat for their customer that there is a good chance that HD will honour claims outside the warranty period because they assess on a case by case basis taking all the circumstances into account..but that does kinda rely on you having a good relationship with your dealer.

So all that aside…the CR has done well over 3000kms on the new parts while doing constant touring speeds and AJ reports that it hasn't missed a beat.

Still luvin it!

Oh yeah and another thing...my ol' girl, the mighty X1, has done over 140,000kms and is about to do ANOTHER South Island trip...LOVE TOURING ON MY BUELLS!

[Morepower]

A friend of mine just had the Stator fail on her CR at about 10000km ( give or take ) so its not un heard of here.
Buell parts seem to be no more hard to source than Suzuki parts.