2006 Buell XB12X: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
32,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 5 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Engine operation
1
20.0%
Braking behavior
1
20.0%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
2007
3
2008
1
2023
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2007
3
2008
1
2023
1
2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
RIDING THE BIKE TO WORK I PASSED A SPEED BUMP ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE REAR PART OF THE CHASSIS THAT HOLDS THE SEAT RIGHT SIDE BROKE; LATER ON NEAR MY WORK SITE PASSED ANOTHER ROAD BUMP AND THE LEFT SIDE ALSO BROKE. *JB
2006 BUELL ULYSSES XB12X WITH A BANK ANGLE SENSOR MALFUNCTION CUSTOMER BELIEVES THAT THE SENSOR MALFUNCTION CAUSED HIS ACCIDENT**CC CONSUMER STATES MOTORCYCLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND WAS ISSUED A TICKET FOR CARELESS DRIVING AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT AND CONSUMER ALSO STATES HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. UPDATE * 4/16TR THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED A LETTER FROM OF CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING AN ACCIDENT WITH A BUELL MOTORCYCLE AND COPY OF THE RECALL LETTER. UPDATE 05/14/07*TR
2006 BUELL ULYSSES XB12X CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PULSES RAPIDLY DURING BRAKING AND MAKES IT HARD TO CONTROL THE MOTORCYCLE AND THIS IS WHAT CAUSED HIS ACCIDENT AND HE BELIEVES THAT IT'S A DEFECTED MACHINE**CC THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER WRITTEN TO BUELL BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. *TR
TRAVELING ON RTE 495 AND EXPERIENCED TWO VERY SHORT EPISODES WHERE POWER WAS LOST THEN QUICKLY ( 1-2 SECONDS) RESTORED. DURING DECELERATION WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS RELEASED BACK TO NEUTRAL THE ENGINE STALLED. SUCCESSFUL RESTARTS COULD ONLY BE MAINTAINED WITH SIGNIFICANT TURNING OF THE THROTTLE. SHORTLY AFTER THE THROTTLE "FROZE" AND COULD NOT BE MOVED EITHER WAY. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR WHILE CORNERING IT MAY HAVE VERY WELL RESULTED IN A CRASH AND INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
The contact owns a 2006 Buell XB12X motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 50 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the motorcycle. The contact notice that the rear wheel had partially detached from the motorcycle, causing the contact to lose control of the motorcycle. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the roadway. The contact became aware that the rear wheel bearing had fractured. The contact replaced the rear wheel bearing and the axle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000…
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
06V245000 · Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand
Reported: 2006-07-11 (July 11, 2006)
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH TWO ISSUES THAT COULD COMPROMISE THE SIDESTAND'S PERFORMANCE. EITHER THE PIVOT BOLT FOR THE SIDESTAND LEG OR THE MOUNTING BRACKET BOLTS COULD BREAK, POSSIBLY WITHOUT NOTICE.
Consequence: IF EITHER OF THESE FAILURES OCCURS, THE MOTORCYCLE COULD FALL, POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND ASSEMBLY AND FASTENERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-342-4680.
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 OF THE BANK ANGLE SENSOR.
Consequence: THIS MAY CREATE A FALSE 'TIP' SIGNAL AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MOVE THE BANK ANGLE SENSOR FROM THE ORIGINAL LOCATION ON THE BATTERY TRAY TO A LOCATION ON THE SEAT LATCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
40.0%Usable mileage2 / 5 records
100.0%Valid incident date5 / 5 records
100.0%Valid filing date5 / 5 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates5 / 5 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
120.0%ODI 10188988
2006 BUELL ULYSSES XB12X WITH A BANK ANGLE SENSOR MALFUNCTION CUSTOMER BELIEVES THAT THE SENSOR MALFUNCTION CAUSED HIS ACCIDENT**CC CONSUMER STATES MOTORCYCLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND WAS ISSUED A TICKET FOR CARELESS DRIVING AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT AND CONSUMER ALSO STATES HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. UPDATE * 4/16TR THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED A LETTER FROM OF CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING AN ACCIDENT WITH A BUELL MOTORCYCLE AND COPY OF THE RECALL LETTER. UPDATE 05/14/07*TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUELL XB12X. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN CRASHED WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS THE SAME AS NOTED IN RECALL # 07V026000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR ROAD RASH AND BRUISES DUE TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE CRASH. THE # OF CYLINDERS WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89. T…
I HAVE A 2009 BUELL ULYSSES THAT HAS AN INTERMITTENT CEL THAT OCCURRED WHILE RIDING ~50MPH (STEADY) ON HWY 89 S/B IN PRESCOTT VALLEY. WHEN THIS OCCURED, THE IDLE BECAME ERRATIC & POWER DROPPED NOTICEABLY. THE BIKE NOW SHOWS DTC 'FUEL PUMP SHORT TO GND ' DTC 33-1-3'. JUST A LITTLE BIT OF ON-LINE RESEARCH LEADS ME TO WHAT SEEMS TO BE A WELL-KNOWN & SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED MANY OTHER BUELL OWNERS; HTTP://WWW.BADWEATHERBIKERS.COM/BUELL/MESSAGES/142838/227943.HTML HTTP://BADWEATHERBIKERS.COM/BUELL/MESSAGES/142838/687395.HTML?13429…
THE MOTORCYCLE HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH TWO TROUBLE CODES AND INTERMITTENT STALLING. FOUND SEAT IS PRESSING AGAINST ECM HARNESS CONNECTORS. ECM IS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ADDED A SPACER TO THIS MODEL YEAR.THIS SPACER IS NOT SUFFICIENT. IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE BUELL BIKES FOR SOME TIME. *TR
HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS ARE PITTING AND DISCOLORING REDUCING LIGHT OUTPUT TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. MULTIPLE BLOGS RELATED TO THE BUELL XB12'S REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS DISCOLORATION IS IN BOTH HEADLAMPS. AS IT IS A SEALED UNIT THE ASSEMBLY CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND MUST BE REPLACED. BIKE IS JUST OVER 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS JUST OVER 1000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR
I HAVE A 2007 BUELL FIREBOLT XB12R, AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE BECOMING DULL AND FLAKING OFF. I'VE NOTICED A SUBSTANTIAL DECREASE IN THE LIGHT OUTPUT SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THIS BIKE. *TR
2009 BUELL XB-12X MOTORCYCLE: ENGINE STOPPAGE BROUGHT ON BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM. RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE WITH ONLY A PARTIAL TANK OF FUEL SEEMS TO RESULT IN THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP OVERHEATING OR OVERLOADING, RESULTING IN A BLOWN FUSE. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. MY 2009 BUELL XB-12X HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN THREE TIMES, RESULTING IN MY BEING STRANDED IN TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AVOIDING A CRASH. REPLACING THE FUSE IS A TEMPORARY FIX. ACCORD…
I HAVE A 2009 BUELL ULYSSES THAT HAS AN INTERMITTENT CEL THAT OCCURRED WHILE RIDING ~50MPH (STEADY) ON HWY 89 S/B IN PRESCOTT VALLEY. WHEN THIS OCCURED, THE IDLE BECAME ERRATIC & POWER DROPPED NOTICEABLY. THE BIKE NOW SHOWS DTC 'FUEL PUMP SHORT TO GND ' DTC 33-1-3'. JUST A LITTLE BIT OF ON-LINE RESEARCH LEADS ME TO WHAT SEEMS TO BE A WELL-KNOWN & SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED MANY OTHER BUELL OWNERS; HTTP://WWW.BADWEATHERBIKERS.COM/BUELL/MESSAGES/142838/227943.HTML HTTP://BADWEATHERBIKERS.COM/BUELL/MESSAGES/142838/687395.HTML?13429…
THE MOTORCYCLE HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH TWO TROUBLE CODES AND INTERMITTENT STALLING. FOUND SEAT IS PRESSING AGAINST ECM HARNESS CONNECTORS. ECM IS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ADDED A SPACER TO THIS MODEL YEAR.THIS SPACER IS NOT SUFFICIENT. IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE BUELL BIKES FOR SOME TIME. *TR
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle Assembly
Too few reports for a range
50,000 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 11528131 · 50,000 mi
The contact owns a 2006 Buell XB12X motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 50 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the motorcycle. The contact notice that the rear wheel had partially detached from the motorcycle, causing the contact to lose control of the motorcycle. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the roadway. The contact became aware that the rear wheel bearing had fractured. The contact replaced the rear wheel bearing and the axle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000…
The contact owns a 2006 Buell XB12X motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 50 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the motorcycle. The contact notice that the rear wheel had partially detached from the motorcycle, causing the contact to lose control of the motorcycle. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the roadway. The contact became aware that the rear wheel bearing had fractured. The contact replaced the rear wheel bearing and the axle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000…
TRAVELING ON RTE 495 AND EXPERIENCED TWO VERY SHORT EPISODES WHERE POWER WAS LOST THEN QUICKLY ( 1-2 SECONDS) RESTORED. DURING DECELERATION WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS RELEASED BACK TO NEUTRAL THE ENGINE STALLED. SUCCESSFUL RESTARTS COULD ONLY BE MAINTAINED WITH SIGNIFICANT TURNING OF THE THROTTLE. SHORTLY AFTER THE THROTTLE "FROZE" AND COULD NOT BE MOVED EITHER WAY. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR WHILE CORNERING IT MAY HAVE VERY WELL RESULTED IN A CRASH AND INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2009: 1 complaints · 2010: 0 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2009
0
0
1
2010
0
0
0
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2009
2
0
0
2010
0
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Seats:Motorcycle
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Structure
Structure:Frame And Members
Suspension:Rear:Axle:Non-Powered Axle Assembly
Suspension:Rear:Motorcycle Fork/Swingarm:Bearings
Vehicle Speed Control
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Seats:Motorcycle
0
—
0
1ODI 10185132
RIDING THE BIKE TO WORK I PASSED A SPEED BUMP ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE REAR PART OF THE CHASSIS THAT HOLDS THE SEAT RIGHT SIDE BROKE; LATER ON NEAR MY WORK SITE PASSED ANOTHER ROAD BUMP AND THE LEFT SIDE ALSO BROKE. *JB
RIDING THE BIKE TO WORK I PASSED A SPEED BUMP ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE REAR PART OF THE CHASSIS THAT HOLDS THE SEAT RIGHT SIDE BROKE; LATER ON NEAR MY WORK SITE PASSED ANOTHER ROAD BUMP AND THE LEFT SIDE ALSO BROKE. *JB
RIDING THE BIKE TO WORK I PASSED A SPEED BUMP ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE REAR PART OF THE CHASSIS THAT HOLDS THE SEAT RIGHT SIDE BROKE; LATER ON NEAR MY WORK SITE PASSED ANOTHER ROAD BUMP AND THE LEFT SIDE ALSO BROKE. *JB
RIDING THE BIKE TO WORK I PASSED A SPEED BUMP ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE REAR PART OF THE CHASSIS THAT HOLDS THE SEAT RIGHT SIDE BROKE; LATER ON NEAR MY WORK SITE PASSED ANOTHER ROAD BUMP AND THE LEFT SIDE ALSO BROKE. *JB
RIDING THE BIKE TO WORK I PASSED A SPEED BUMP ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE REAR PART OF THE CHASSIS THAT HOLDS THE SEAT RIGHT SIDE BROKE; LATER ON NEAR MY WORK SITE PASSED ANOTHER ROAD BUMP AND THE LEFT SIDE ALSO BROKE. *JB
RIDING THE BIKE TO WORK I PASSED A SPEED BUMP ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE REAR PART OF THE CHASSIS THAT HOLDS THE SEAT RIGHT SIDE BROKE; LATER ON NEAR MY WORK SITE PASSED ANOTHER ROAD BUMP AND THE LEFT SIDE ALSO BROKE. *JB
The contact owns a 2006 Buell XB12X motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 50 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the motorcycle. The contact notice that the rear wheel had partially detached from the motorcycle, causing the contact to lose control of the motorcycle. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the roadway. The contact became aware that the rear wheel bearing had fractured. The contact replaced the rear wheel bearing and the axle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000…
The contact owns a 2006 Buell XB12X motorcycle. The contact stated while riding 50 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the motorcycle. The contact notice that the rear wheel had partially detached from the motorcycle, causing the contact to lose control of the motorcycle. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the roadway. The contact became aware that the rear wheel bearing had fractured. The contact replaced the rear wheel bearing and the axle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000…
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
1 mentions · 20.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 14,500 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10248376 · 14,500 mi
TRAVELING ON RTE 495 AND EXPERIENCED TWO VERY SHORT EPISODES WHERE POWER WAS LOST THEN QUICKLY ( 1-2 SECONDS) RESTORED. DURING DECELERATION WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS RELEASED BACK TO NEUTRAL THE ENGINE STALLED. SUCCESSFUL RESTARTS COULD ONLY BE MAINTAINED WITH SIGNIFICANT TURNING OF THE THROTTLE. SHORTLY AFTER THE THROTTLE "FROZE" AND COULD NOT BE MOVED EITHER WAY. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR WHILE CORNERING IT MAY HAVE VERY WELL RESULTED IN A CRASH AND INJURY OR DEATH. *TR