Faults:

Rocker box leak, new style metal seal kit fix.

Fuel injector plugged, probably due to lack of fuel filter change.

General Comments:

- Loud and obnoxious if you are not careful.

- Loves to cruise on the highway with lots of power to pass mostly anyone.

- Handles awesome; surprising for something out of Milwaukee.

- Ride it hard every time with no issues.

- Like any motorcycle it requires regular maintenance and attention to perform at its best.

- It's hard to beat a motorcycle with a real heart beat you can feel.

- Eric Buell is a real motorcycle engineer.

- If you ride motorcycles, you are missing out if you have never ridden one.

Faults:

Rear brake pads worn at 1000 miles! I adjusted my braking technique to only use the rear brake in parking lot maneuvers.

Rear brake hose chafing on the fender at 1000 miles and replaced under warranty.

Side stand switch failed at 5000 miles. It was replaced again under a subsequent recall.

The buttons holding the front brake rotor started falling off at 5500 miles. Later upgraded under a recall.

Front faring stress cracked at 7000 miles and replaced under warranty.

Rear shock and swing arm replaced under a recall.

Shifter arm broken during fluid replacement at 15000 miles.

Intake manifold gaskets failed at 20000 miles.

Swing arm bushings failed at 20000 miles.

Throttle cables failed at 20000 miles.

Front rotor warped and replaced at 28000 miles.

Rocker box gaskets failed at 30000 miles. Cylinder base gaskets weeping, but not replaced.

Shifter arm broken again during fluid replacement. Changed to an upgraded item from the 2001 model.

Fork seals leaking at 50000 miles. Internal fork bushings found to be worn and were not available from Buell. The dealer would not source replacement parts from fork manufacturer WP. I was forced to replace both fork legs.

Clutch failed at and replaced 53000 miles.

Rear wheel bearings failed at 58000 miles.

Rear brake caliper mounting bracket stripped at 63500 miles. Bracket not available from Buell. Dealer would not source a replacement part from Brembo. Entire caliper replaced.

Rear brake rotor under thickness specification and replaced at 63500 miles.

Fork seals on the replacement forks leaking at 64000 miles.

General Comments:

Handles great and is fun to ride.

It is very, very expensive to maintain.

This bike spends three to seven weeks each season at the dealer for repairs.

Faults:

The side stand switch went bad.

The rocker box gasket leaked.

The stator went out at 40,000 miles.

General Comments:

I have had several different types of cycles, this one has been the most enjoyable.

The new style are more reliable, but not of the sport-touring that I am interested in.

Faults:

Leaking rear rocker box gasket (metal gaskets introduced in 2002 fix this).

Clogged fuel injectors.

Speedo sensor failed.

Rear shock leaked.

No factory issues after warranty expired (1 year) (some issues with after-market products)

General Comments:

Great bike, plenty of power for touring, very comfortable. Good bags with great liners.

Went 2-up distance riding, commuting, drag racing, and track riding (CLASS).

Very good brakes and handling. Not too heavy, just right for sport-touring.

Short warranty (1 year).

Pretty much requires the "Race ECM" for the best ride/performance/feel. $150.

No longer made.

Low on power compared to Japanese sport-touring (ie FJR), though feels better in the lower RPM range.

Faults:

The side stand switch failed unexpectedly. Although it's a known issue.

The front motor mount broke, dropping the engine into the frame ~1.5 inches.

General Comments:

This bike is loads of fun. Handles great, incredible acceleration.