FOAK: Buells

Whilst looking round for a new weekend toy, I discovered that the
local Hardley emporium has a couple of low-mileage S/H Buells that I
could actually afford. They *seem* to be close to what I want:
unfaired, good-handling and well-braked, different, and they do sound
nice, 'cos I rode one once. But...

Would one keep up with a sport 600, riders being equal?

I've read bad things about their reliability, so how unreliable are
they really, especially as I'd want to do the odd track day, and how
is the spares supply? People either seem to love them or curse them.

Or should I be very suspicious of the remarkably low mileages for the
prices and not even consider them?

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Pip Luscher belched forth and ejected the
following:

Bloke at work's got one that he rides in every day.

I was talking to him about it and he reckons (Firebolt) it's as reliable
as anything else he's had and took him across Europe and back last year.

Anyway, if you want it, get a warranty and buy it.

 

Probably good idea to ask Petel if he's still around. Ex test rode one
a couple of years ago and didn't rate their build quality, although it
went pretty well.

 

Ah, I knew somebody here had one but couldn't remember who.

Ta.

 

TBH I've never heard a single complaint before about build quality.
At my local Stealership, they have 'em for test rides. Best get you's along
there.
All the people that have them there are very pleased.with them all round!
(Guessed they might be biased a tad, mind!).
The only complaint I've heard against them, and I've not yet ridden one, is
that they seem little cramped.
Engines and braking allegedly are superb.

--
Greybeard

FLHRCI -01 UK ( 95 cu-in Stg 2. Big Boy!)
Trumpet Trophy 1200 -96, (The Barge) for rainy days

ukrm@foxtails[dot]co[dot]uk


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Came in handy that did. IIRC Darren Robinson benefited from the
contents of Petel's sack on one occasion, and Petel bolted my fairing
back on for me, both at the Star and Garter.

 

Which one's that?

The local place, Black Bear, has rental ones but only the very latest
1200 model, so not a direct comparison what what I could afford.

I did briefly ride an S1 White Lightning and really liked it, but
didn't get a proper feel for the handling, which for me is very
important.

 

"Buell Sparebolt"

 

Eww.

 

I'd just like to clarify that if it's not too bloody late? Oh, it is.
Oh well...

 

Umm before you do have a Google. Someone posted a link recently to the
website dedicated to the awful reliability of Buells

 

Oh, dear. If I was only ever going to use one as a road bike I'd not
be bothered, but no way for track use.

Ho hum. back to Plan A, I suppose.

 

But one never quite gets around to it ;o)

 

Well, my real worry is something catastrophic happening, not just the
odd fastener working loose.

To date on trackdays I've had a camshaft flange disintegrate, a head
gasket leak causing coolant to blow all over the rear tyre and a
radiator to split. In the case of the head gasket, I knew something
wasn't right, but took a gamble (and paid for it), but the camshaft
failure came out of the blue and the radiator leak I fortunately
spotted between sessions.

True, most of the reported Buell problems that I've seen have been
leaky rocker boxes, speedo failures and odd vibration-induced problems
- hardly catastrophic and easily spotted before it becomes dangerous.
I have seen a report of a rear suspension failure, a snapped belt
drive and one of a front yoke collapse, but these were prolly
exceptions and/or poor maintenance.

But being a worrier, I'd worry, and end up wobbling round (even more)
slowly.

Then again, I really fancy one and did enjoy that test ride, and at
least there's no sodding liquid cooling system to fail.

Then again, ISTR that Buells are ins. group 16, which is a bit steep
for the performance and would prolly mean fitting fucking immobilisers
and such shit which drains the battery. Then again, I do have a garage
with mains power now...

<dithers>

 

You saying I didn't prepare the bike properly?

 

I can't see how I could've prepared for a camshaft failure - the bike
had had a major service a thouand miles beforehand, the oil & filter
were changed for the trackday and the oil was a good quality
semi-synth. There were no warning rattles, ticks or anything that
could have warned me.

The others? well, maybe I gambled a bit too much. With the FZR, I'd
seen that the temperature was rising unexpectedly at times even after
fitting a new thermostat. With the TL, I'd bought a secondhand
radiator to replace one that was obviously corroded, but not actually
leaking, but hadn't fitted it in time for the trackday.

 

Oh, hello.

I gather that you're the Buell expert here?

 

Ah, sorry, didn't see this post earlier. The two models were
tube-framed X1 and alloy-framed Firebolt.