2009 Buell 1125CR: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Mar 5, 2013 · Electrical · 9,800 miles · CA

Prior to the first incident the motorcycle had been running for about an hour traveling at a conservative speed behind a leader of a pack of riders. The vehicle was parked at a location where the air temperature was roughly 45 degrees f for about 30-45 minutes. Upon attempting to start the motorcycle, power would successfully cycle and the electric starter switch would produce cranking with the operating switch engaged and key turned to on, but the vehicle had a considerable amount of trouble getting to an operational idle state. The electrical system's ability continued to deteriorate, resulting in more delayed starts and severely impacted operating integrity. During moving operation, the motorcycle's lcd display backlight would extinguish along with the headlights. The RPM needle would regularly drop to 0 and stay there, making it difficult for me to keep the motorcycle around 5000 rpms (recommended operating RPM to preserve life of notoriously defective stator). The vehicle presents a bucking and jerking motion while operating at conservative speeds (under 6000 rpms accelerating very gradually), resulting in sporadic accelerations/decelerations and reduction of operator control. The motorcycle has completely lost power on 4 separate occasions in dangerous environments, and 7 times with relatively safe surroundings. The motorcycle is currently in a state of solitary non-operation (needs external power source to start) and I do not feel responsible riding it. This is a widespread issue and something needs to be done on the manufacturer's behalf in terms of recalling the stator assembly and other electrical components that are well-known for their failure. Buell forums online clearly reflect this, they can be cited upon request.

Filed Feb 22, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 4,551 miles · TX

On february 21, 2013 at 10:40pm, I was travelling north on interstate highway to work when my instrument cluster which reads my speed and vehicle gauges turned off and my low-beam headlight bulb flashed and burned out, causing me to lose sight of the roadway temporarily. I switched my high-beam headlight switch to have light to see the roadway and a second later, it also flashed and burned out, as if my electrical system was faulty, again. This happened at mileage 4551. I just recently had this system serviced with another voltage regulator at mileage 4488, which means I only travelled 63 miles on the new voltage regulator. I was almost involved in an accident at mileage 4480 when my electrical system turned off during operation and nearly had another vehicle strike me from behind when vehicle electrical system turned off and stalled vehicle in traffic. This is a safety hazard and needs to be repaired by manufacturer. This is the 2nd safety issue I have been involved in and luckily no accident had occurred. I will be sending vehicle to maintenance shop for a 2nd time to try and have this safety issue repaired, again. Any help that the federal safety agency can do to help solve this safety issue is greatly appreciated.

Filed Feb 5, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 4,480 miles · TX

I was exiting interstate highway when my 2009 buell 1125cr electrical system shutdown, causing motorcycle to turn off, all electrical lights turned off, and was unable to warn a vehicle behind me that was also exiting. Driver in vehicle behind me almost struck me and shortly stopped and warned me that my tail-light and brake light were not functioning. Motorcycle skidded to a stop at end of exit ramp and I had to turn ignition key to off position and try to re-start motorcycle. Electrical system displayed 'system voltage' and battery light illuminated. I tried to re-start engine and the lcd screen would turn off and then read 'comm error', then it would start and the engine would run ok, but lcd screen would turn on and off. During drive home, my low-beam headlight would turn off and on repeatedly until it flashed itself off completely. Now while driving motorcycle, it has no tail-light, brake light, or low-beam headlight and only able to operate with high-beam headlight. I have motorcycle parked at my residence at this time.

Filed Jan 31, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 5,900 miles · OR

I recently moved to a new city and the charging system failed on my first ride there (30 miles). I noticed that the battery light and check engine light had come on approximately 10 miles from the house. Battery voltage had dropped from the normal 13.5-14.3 range to 11.1 and was dropping fast. There was no warning that this would occur. I was able to pull off onto the side of the road and remove the headlight fuse in an attempt to make it back to the house. Removal of the fuse greatly decreased the rate at which the battery discharged. I was able to make it 9.5 of the 10 miles back before the engine died and had to push the motorcycle the remaining distance.

Filed Oct 18, 2011 · Electrical · 3,900 miles · FL

I was cruising down road and headlight started to flicker and get dimmer and dimmer. Not wanting to get hit by someone I pulled off road and checked instrument cluster and said charging system failure. Not even 4,000 miles on brand new bought bike and just out of warranty. This is a safety concern and could cause serious injury or death their should be a recall as alot of people who own these motorcycles have had this happen more than once.

Filed Oct 11, 2011 · Electrical · 11,500 miles · CA

Voltage regulator failed, headlight bulb burned as a result, no headlight. Instrument cluster lost backlight, turn signals were out.