Motorcycles · Buell · Sport & naked
IllustrationIllustration (AI-generated) of a 2008 Buell XB (Firebolt, Lightning, Ulysses), not a photo of a specific motorcycle. Free to use under CC BY 4.0: credit The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Download and credit text
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2003 to 2010 models.
15 of 19 describe the headlights going dim as the reflector coating flakes off.
14 of 15 describe the headlights going dim as the reflector coating flakes off.
4 of 12 describe the headlights going dim as the reflector coating flakes off.
2 reported a crash.
After 2006, no model year drew more than 6.
Fewest complaints on file: 2007 (4), 2009 (5), 2010 (1). Few complaints is not a clean bill of health, just fewer owners filing.
What each year's complaints describe comes from reading their text. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.
Popular years get more complaints just because more were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect them. There are no U.S. sales figures by motorcycle model year, so these are counts, not rates.
The front brake line may contact the front tire.
The subject motorcycles have a front brake line which may contact the front tire.
The windshields may become dislodged and allow the windshield to either strike or distract the rider while the vehicle is being ridden at a high speed.
Certain motorcycles may have a vibration at the mounting location of the bank angle sensor which, if combined with the misrouting of various wires that impinge on the sensor or its pigtail, can compromise the isolation o…
Certain motorcycles may have been built with two issues that could compromise the sidestand's performance.
On certain motorcycles, the sidestand may not retract as designed if contact is made with the ground when the vehicle is in motion.
On certain motorcycles, the wire that provides power to the horn, due to misrouting, can become frayed from contact with the horn bracket mounting bolt.
On certain motorcycles, the side stand leg can break without notice.
On certain motorcycles, the side stand legs have the potential to bend or break.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
103 (XB12) hpClaimed crank figure
From the makers' U.S. spec sheets (the EU sheet for horsepower where the U.S. one leaves it out), checked against a sample on Nov 11; years and versions differ.
Filed as: FIREBOLT XB9R, XB12R, XB12X, XB12S, XB12XT. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle
More sport & naked: Suzuki GSX-R · Ducati Monster · Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R / ZX-10R · Yamaha YZF-R1 · Ducati Panigale · Buell 1125R / 1125CR · Honda CBR · Kawasaki Ninja 300/400/650 · Every motorcycle
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