Anybody get any riding in?

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I was able to ride a short one Sunday it was mid-50s and sunny I only saw one other Buell out riding.

[Rogue]

We had a huge change in our weather out West.

80's...that's right!  mid to high 80's in Socal!  Sunny blue skies and no fog.  So...everyone went out riding.  Me and another Buell rider, Aspalt_Carver, got about 225 miles in.  We went to worship THE Mountain (Palomar Mountain in northeastern San Diego County).  There were a ton of sportbikers doing the same thing.  Quite a few posers too.  Can't stand some of those....they go about as fast in the corners as does a turtle, then nail the throttle in the straights!  Grrrrr.......  I nearly passed one on the OUTSIDE of a turn just to make my point.  But better judgement kept me from doing so. Saw those new 1098's for the first time, and a BMW R1200S.  Handsome motorcycles.

We saw a few other Buells along Highway 76.  Mostly Lightnings if I remember correctly.

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Funny thing I was at a gas station and was aked what the heck kind of bike is that I was told I would get alot of that owning one of these. I just bought it the Buell a few months ago so it was my first ride Sunday. I had a bad gas problem so it didn't run the greatest till I was able to get some fresh stuff in there and cleared almost all the way up. I will run her down again and add some seafoam to it to clean the injectors.

[Rogue]

We get that all the time!  

The bike will sometimes draw a small crowd with questions like:  Is that THE Buell?  They're small!  How do you like it?  

I guess when it's sort of rare, people are curious.  

Of course the 1098 drew the biggest crowd!

The BMW R1200S....not even noticed.  

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Mine is kinda bright  

[Rogue]

Nice!  

That was THE Buell that got me interested in the brand.  I remember the ads and the road tests.  The bike just has that attitude no other bikes at the time had.

[naustin]

I went riding on Sunday too.  It was only 43 degrees here though, but I still got a solid hour in.  

Blackbird, that's a nice X1.  When I bought my S3, the dealer tried to tell me it ran bad because of bad gas.  With good gas, like you - the bike ran better, but not perfect.  I took it back to the dealer and they screwed me over 6 ways from Sunday and even lied about changing the oil and primary fluid.  There are only about 4 dealerships in the country who are trust worthy when it comes to working on a buell, so I hope you do your own work.

I would defiantly suggest that you check your intake seals for leaks.  This is a common maintenance item because the little rubber seals degrade over time.  My bike had an occasional stutter, burble, gurgle issue at low rpm, and it would miss once in while at about 4 grand.  It turned out to be the intake seals leaking(right where the Intake runner meets the head) causing the bike to go lean.  

Test for leaks by spraying water with a garden hose set to mist.  Don't use carb cleaner, wd40 or anything else, just water.  Any chemicals can degrade the rubber seals and make it worse.  Don't be shy about spraying a good healthy amount of water up there - if the rpm changes at all you have a leak.  Even if you don't get a positive test, you might want to replace them just to be sure.  I tested 3 times before I got a positive result and wasted a lot of time screwing around with the fuel injection and sensors.  Once I changed my seals, the bike ran perfect.  They are cheap.  You can order them online at www.americansportbike.com from Al Lighton.  Give him a call and he'll get you everything you need.  A lot of "old school" bueller's will replace these seals every 3rd or 4th season as preventative/regular maintenance.  You might let him talk you into the Software to interface your computer to the bike's computer for fuel injection diagnosis as well, if you plan to do your own work in the future.  

Like I said, you're nuts to hand a buell over to an HD technician. They're more likely to sabotage it than fix it in my experience. Luckily, Buells are about as easy to work on as any bike ever made.

Also keep an eye on your front isolator.  The rubber there will also degrade with time and temperature (Heat cycles and wheelies seem to be the culprit).  Thankfully, they are cheap and easy to replace as well.  

   Glad to hear you were out on the Buell.  It's defiantly a good looking Bike!

Nick

EDIT - PS - I Blackbird, I figured out your location.  You're lucky to be so close Appleton HD/Buell.  If you are going to take the bike to a dealer, they're the best in the country.  Talk to Andy in Sales.  People fly to appleton from all over the country just to buy their buell from a dealer that actually knows Buell.

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Yeah changing the gas was night and day. I still have a little of the bad in there but its better then when I first started out. I hope I don't have all the problems people say I am going to have with this bike. I hope its just people just saying that to bash the bike.

[PlayWithGravity]

I got out on Saturday (in northern Ohio) for a short hour and a half.  FINALLY the weather's starting to break!!   LOOOOOVE IT!!  I've been waiting for months for this good weather!!  Think I can even get it to work Tuesday

[Kootenanny]

The BMW R1200S....not even noticed.  

I find this odd--I ride a Buell, and yeah I've been asked a few questions, but I think the R1200S is one cool bike, and if I saw one parked I'd be all over it!

[naustin]

I hope its just people just saying that to bash the bike.

You will never have a shortage of naysayers and bashers....  Most people just don't get it.  Of course, most people have never riddin a bike with 90ft lbs of torque at ~5000 rpm before either.  

You won't have any real problems as long as you know your bike and what it needs.  No machine is maintenance free.  Think of the two areas I mentioned earlier as making up for the lack of valve adjustments and drive chain maintenance.  

[tankhead]

I did get a ride in this Saturday down here in southern New Jersey.  I drove to Barb's Harley Davidson in Collingswood.  I went there by route of back roads and no major arteries.  When I got there the receptionist snarled a bit about the Free Buell give away hats.  She said that they were not participatiing in this.  "Don't be offended," she said, "but we have sold about three Buells."  I said well that is odd I got the sling bag here when I bought my City-X from you.  So I just ass-umed that you would be participating in this give away. There was some type of celebration going on so I indulged in three mini italian hoagies and got the hell out of Dodge.  Very pretentious typical Harleyesque attitude.  Last weekend I rode Saturday for about two hours and all day Sunday.  Temps in the low 40's, three layers of shirts, two layers of biking tights, full leathers, neck warmer, hot pad inserts in the gloves, and rode about tow hundred miles last weekend.  I really dig my City-X.

[PlayWithGravity]

the receptionist snarled a bit about the Free Buell give away hats. Very pretentious typical Harleyesque attitude.  I really dig my City-X.

Ahhhhh, yes . . .    this deserves a THREAD of it's OWN!!  I couldn't agree more.  Here in Ohio it's tough to find a Buell dealership to give you the time of day, since they're all H-D dealerships first and Buell dealerships second.  P*sses me off.

F&S Harley/Buell in Dayton is the only place worthy to wear the Buell badge on front of their building.

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

  When I got there the receptionist snarled a bit about the Free Buell give away hats.  She said that they were not participatiing in this.  

I got two free Buell hats    

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Rode to work today I hear temps up to 75 yahoo.....

[PlayWithGravity]

I rode, too - can't wait for LUNCHTIME!!  (Although its ONLY supposed to reach 69 or so here.)  

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Same here I have a meeting across town and I can't wait for it...  Boy thats sounds crazy but gives me a excuse to go ride the bike

[grlryder]

Took my bike out for the first time since Jan 1.  The temps were around low 50's, but perfect for a short cruise. She started right up and I never stopped smiling the whole ride.

[naustin]

RE: the snarling hat hording receptionist - that's typical.  After you buy your buell, never, ever go back to the dealership and under no circumstances take it back to them for service.  They'll be much happier and so will you.  

Do your own service, and if you have a problem, call Buell Customer Service directly.

[Mastros2]

Tankhead- In the past, I did go to Barb's for parts and to look but got the same attitude as you did.  And at that time, there was about 3 Buells on the floor.

If you live a little further north, Brian's HD/Buell in Langhorne, PA is a much "happier" place to go.  

[tankhead]

Mastros,
I will keep that in mind my Buell brother.  tanks

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Took my bike out for the first time since Jan 1.  The temps were around low 50's, but perfect for a short cruise. She started right up and I never stopped smiling the whole ride.

Very nice looking bike.  

[Prubert]

EDIT - PS - I Blackbird, I figured out your location.  You're lucky to be so close Appleton HD/Buell.  If you are going to take the bike to a dealer, they're the best in the country.  Talk to Andy in Sales.  People fly to appleton from all over the country just to buy their buell from a dealer that actually knows Buell.

Looks like I am set if I get a Buell, eh?

Just found out that Dave S. left Appleton H/D...Bummer, he was a good guy.  

[naustin]

Dave was the go to guy for all Buelldom.  Andy is his hand-picked replacement.  

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Well fixed my issues with the Buell bad gas plus bad plugs and the plugs before were gaped wrong holy crap is it a different bike now.  

[naustin]

  Great news!  I thought something didn't sound right.

It was only 35 degrees here today, but I got about 2 hours in before I succumb to the cold.  She'll still do 120, but boy is that wind chill wicked.

[PlayWithGravity]

Well fixed my issues with the Buell bad gas plus bad plugs and the plugs before were gaped wrong holy crap is it a different bike now.  

That's fantastic!!  What a great feeling to have fixed the problem and crank up the performance.  Hopefully it warms up soon so you can reeeeally enjoy the new 'thump'

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Its a whole new bike funny thing is the plugs looked good I mean looked almost new  

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Ahh what a great ride for 3/25/07 was in the 70s instead of the 20s yahoo. Took the old girl out for a good ride and not the rain is coming all week says Mr. Weatherman  

[PlayWithGravity]

Ahh what a great ride for 3/25/07 was in the 70s instead of the 20s yahoo. Took the old girl out for a good ride and not the rain is coming all week says Mr. Weatherman  

+1 for northeast Ohio.

Rode to work today, too.  Think an afternoon of riding over the weekend satisfied me?  Nope - lol, now I want MORE!

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I also had to take the Wing out to stretch her legs and blast the radio  

[tankhead]

Sunday I took the BUELL out for a date.  We headed North on the garden State Parkway.  Up to Tuckerton Exit.  Went east to the WAWA to get HOT coffee.  Then gas.  Up 539 to Princeton area, got a little lost or sidetracked and then found 206 N up to 518 w to Lambertville.  Over to New Hope PA.  did some hilly foresty roads.  A year ago last winter my family and I took an over night trip to New Hope.  I remember staying at a Best Western now the New Hope Inn, and took some roads down the street from there on the left.  I mentioned to my wife that even though I am not sure what type of bike I am going to get I know that it has to be an athletic type of bike. At the time it was a toss up between a WeeStrom and a Boulevard m50.  After that trip I totally new that the boulevard was not for me and those type of roads were for me and I would hunt them down. Well Sunday I did just that.  Mission accomplished! Came back over into Lamberville and headed east on 518, almost hit into a SUV that hit it's breaks after the SUV slammed theirs on just to make a last minute turn.  I should have been alittle bit farther away from them.  I was about 1.5 seconds instead of the two seconds behind going about 35 MPH.  I know now that my tires are on their way out because the back tire skid to a stop and I always use mostly front brake to stop.  Thanks to my many years of mountain biking the skidding was not a big deal and it didin't freak me out but I was pissed at myself for being too close to the SUV in front of me. I headed back to Princeton and then sidetracked again though the conjestion and ended up on 533 south I stopped to get gas and heard a nice bike, I looked and saw that it was a Firebolt.  NICE.  Then I passed a guy on a older model BUELL while wearing a skull cap type of helmet. The strange part was that I passed him many miles before that going the same opposite direction from me.  Twilight Zone.  Anyway, I found myself back on 206 but farther down through all the conjestion and right down toward Hammonton, turned right to go towards Batsto and then back to my home near Atlantic City.  Left at 10:45 am and got back to my family at 6:15 PM.  Great, wonderful, thrilling day.  I ordered Conti Road Attacks and should have them installed before my trip to WV in two weeks.  Have a nice 70-80 degree day today.  I can't ride today.

[PlayWithGravity]

Thanks for the run down on your ride.  I love that you hit those roads in a cage and knew the Boulevard wasn't the bike for you!   "...I'll hunt them down..."  

+1 on mountain biking skills transferring in a positive way to Buelling  

[naustin]

yesterday i was out riding and was about halfway through a 30mph down hill sweeper when my front tire washed on the leftover sand in the middle of the lane. (Stay in the wheel tracks!)  Talk about scary.  Reflexs kicked in and just like that I was all good - but I think I almost tore my seat.  

[PlayWithGravity]

Yikes -  glad you (and your bike) didn't spill...

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I took it real easy on my ride went the way of all back roads with little or no traffic.

[Mastros2]

Tank, I love riding those roads near New Hope.  I grew up in the town where 518 and 206 intersect.  If you haven't already, try Rt 29 north from Lambertville to Frenchtown.  Jump the Delaware into PA and take River Road/Rt 32 (I think) south to New Hope.  What scenery!  I know it's a distance from AC but well worth it!  

It might be easier for you to take 539 to I-195 west and then Rt 29 north.  You have to pass through Trenton but it's not a bad area.  I travel the road every day to commute to work.  Maybe a 4 hr round trip to Frenchtown and back?

Also, once you get into PA across from Frenchtown, look to the left.  A side road passes though the canal!  Quite interesting!  I want to try it in low tide/water level for the giggle factor!  

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Ahh it was nice to ride Friday.

[Mastros2]

Yes!  The weather finally broke for us in the East!  

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I road 80 miles Friday I wish I could have rode more but what can you do?

[PlayWithGravity]

What a weekend in Ohio!  Two beautiful days strung back to back so bikes were out in full force!  My brother and I rode 600 miles this weekend, majority being backroads.    

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I wanted to ride but I had pulled lawn duty. It looks great, Now I hope this weekend is nice as well.

[theroamr]

I had a great ride with about 14 other bikes in southern Oh. We hit 556, 536,800, 147,148 and 255. Rt 255 still has pee gravel AVOID. Was a great sunday ride, logged in about 450 miles .

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I wish more Buell riders were around here I never see them but in the show room or 1 guy that rides in Region 4 has one other then that.