In 2018, should I buy a (new, 0 miles) 2014 EBR 1190 SX

[pmuhob]

Hi Folks,

As the title states I am in the market for a bike, and a dealership near me has a 2014 EBR 1190 SX with 1 mile on the odometer, list price of $7,500.00.

Should I buy this thing?

My budget is something under $9000, desired charicteristics are something with upright/standard seating position, 100 hp/ 60ft.lb torque or better, less than 20k miles, wet weight less than 500 lbs. obviously the 1190 sx fits the bill. however, I have concerns.

About me- I ride all year round, at least 3-5 days of the week. On my last ride ('15 FZ-09) I was putting on average 8,000 miles on the bike in a year. I try to do most of my maintenance myself, but I would not consider myself any kind of mechanic by any means. I have light experience tweaking/customizing/fabricating things for my bikes that I can't find on the shelf.

That being said, is the 1190 SX a good fit for me? I have heard a lot of things about EBRs, that they can be quirky or can occasionally have electrical gremlins, that parts are now becoming scarce or more expensive, and that aftermarket parts are scarce. I'm also concerned about the reliability of these bikes, and how hard they are to work on. As with any bike I own I plan to pack the miles on. I suppose it's worth noting that other bikes i'm looking at include used KTM superduke 990, Yamaha FZ1, Kawi Ninja 1000, Suzuki gxs 1000f.

Any opinions you all may have would be greatly appreciated.

-Pmuhob

[gdisaac07]

The SX is pretty much the perfect bike for what you're looking for. The service intervals on this bike are really good. The manual states that you have to perform service after the first 620 miles, and then not again until 6,620, and every 6k thereafter. The parts are pretty easy to find honestly. This community has compiled a list here: http://ebrforum.com/showthread.php?1464-Aftermarket-parts-lists of aftermarket parts to keep the bike on the road, including all the parts that will inevitably degrade or fail. LAP, who purchased EBR, has to have a rolling parts stock for 3 more years, per DOT. Quite a few of the Buell 1125 parts, which are plentiful, fit this bike (including clutch packs, springs, etc).

I would absolutely recommend that you purchase the service manual. It will make it so that anyone with even a little bit of mechanical know-how can service every single inch of the motor and chassis.

Because it is a '14, there are some minor problems with it that the community can point out, but they're all relatively easy fixes or upgrades. I have a '17, so I don't have to deal with those issues, but the rest of the forum has a ton of information on it.

Also, that's a great price, but I bet you can push them lower. It's been sitting in their showroom for 4-5 years. They want it gone.

Welcome (hopefully) to the club!

[Cooter]

I agree it's well within the specs you listed that you want. It is quite a bit more than a commuter bike though because FYI, there is a BIG difference to "100 hp/ 60ft.lb torque or better," and a 185hp - 102ft/lbs rocket ship. 8k miles/year isn't crazy to ride it that much. I ride at least that much on my SX and a few guys on here commute on RX's.

If you are worried about parts availability, search on here. There are a TON of threads of people unfamiliar with Buell and EBR with that same concern. It will be fine for many many years and for many many reasons.

If you are worried about a warranty, use some of the $10,000 you are saving under MSRP to buy an aftermarket one from the dealer. They will be happy to sell it to you.

If you are worried about dealer service. Do you even take your bike to the dealer now? Any maintenance you don't want to do can be done by a regular M/C shop. A V-twin shop could do the valve adjust every 6K miles if you don't want to (it's a weekend job for a rookie). There isn't much that is EBR specific, and EBR is still open to help with that stuff.

$7500 is an excellent price for a new 2014, I wouldn't hesitate to get it at that price. IMO, It's the best deal of the century for a new bike with an MSRP of $17,995.

2014's were the first year and as the exact same bike was built for three more years they got a couple changes (not many). The only ones I would worry about is sending your dash and ECM to EBR for the latest updates.

Search around this site, BuellXB.com and badweatherbikers.com or even the Book of Faces if thats your thing. Lots of easy info to find. Us Buellers are a passionate bunch who really appreciate the love and sweat that Erik but into each one.

Buy it, post pics, be a part of this awesome community, and wipe that stupid grin off your face!:301:

[MakingPAIN]

I like mine so much I have been looking at getting another just to park and look at lol. Super fun bike. Easy to work on and like cooter said if you have problems the community will try to help out as much as possible.

Pick it it up and post pictures. We are like small children on here pictures are a big thing

[CTFutura]

"The only ones I would worry about is sending your dash and ECM to EBR for the latest updates." Is this service still being offered by LAP? As an owner of a recently purchased used '14SX I have the same concern. Is there a way for me to tell if possibly it has previously been done?

BTW - I agree with the others; that's a great price for a lot of motorcycle.

[d_adams]

"The only ones I would worry about is sending your dash and ECM to EBR for the latest updates." Is this service still being offered by LAP? As an owner of a recently purchased used '14SX I have the same concern. Is there a way for me to tell if possibly it has previously been done?

BTW - I agree with the others; that's a great price for a lot of motorcycle.


Yes, Dan still does tech support and dash updates. Just spoke with him maybe 20 minutes ago, I usually chat with him 2-3 times a week. Email him at tech@ebr.com with any questions.

[Cooter]

You can check the ECM calibration on the diagnostic screen of the dash to know if it's been done. Dan will help you with that. Super fast turn-around. help them by sending yours in with return postage in it.

If the dash has been updated your turn signal indicators will be green circles with black arrows inside. If the arrows themselves are green, you'll probably need to send it in.

[CTFutura]

Didn't mean to hi-jack OP's topic but that's good info on the upgrades for ECM and dash. I'll be checking that out this weekend and getting in contact with Dan. I guess it does relate to the OP's original concern about support for brand; it's all right here.

Thanks guys.

[Cooter]

Tech@EBR.com for the dash and ECM updates.

If you end up removing the resonator to add 'tips' or changing your muffler to something cool like a Keda, Dean Adams can supply the muffler and ECM (or Tim@IDS.com) is the source for the ECM to match it. Don't do one without the other!

Thats a great Rush quote BTW:pimp:

[konarider94]

Honestly I wouldnt spend anywhere near that on an EBR, the only reason i got mine is because of how cheap it was. My opinion of a bike to fit what you want is a 2017 FZ-10. There are some new leftover models for $10k but I think you can get a used one around $9k. The Yamaha even has cruise control, riding 8,000 miles a year and spending $7,500+ you are going to expect something super reliable.
https://www.cycleworld.com/2017-yamaha-fz-10-naked-bike-motorcycle-review-road-test#page-8

I luckily havent had any issues on my 2014 1190sx yet so I shouldn't talk negatively (I've only got 2,000ish miles on it though). If you go go the EBR route I hope you are mechanically inclined because while there is some support expect to be doing maintenance yourself. When i rode it with stock ecm and exhaust it would cut out and die all the time and i would get an O2 sensor code. I got a new IDS ecm and exhaust that seems to have cured all of those. Good luck. The EBR is stupid fast, and its a ton of fun, but its going to be a challenge. Its like a red-headed hairdresser named Tiffany if you know what I mean.

[Cooter]

Konarider, those are odd choices. Spend $1500-$2500 more for a used comparable bike vs. a brand new one?? Um, ok?
And why are you expecting more problems with your EBR? You had one strange issue but they are super reliable according to the experience of the riders on all these forums.

Maintenance is easier than many other bikes (ahem... Ducati...) and can be done by any motorcycle shop if you aren't so inclined to do it yourself. The valve adjust (same as the FZ with 1/2 as many btw...) is the standard shim under bucket most OHC motorcycle engines have so it's nothing weird.

Don't get me wrong, I love the FZ-10. Just seems like a apples/oranges thing.

[konarider94]

Konarider, those are odd choices. Spend $1500-$2500 more for a used comparable bike vs. a brand new one?? Um, ok?
And why are you expecting more problems with your EBR? You had one strange issue but they are super reliable according to the experience of the riders on all these forums.

Maintenance is easier than many other bikes (ahem... Ducati...) and can be done by any motorcycle shop if you aren't so inclined to do it yourself. The valve adjust (same as the FZ with 1/2 as many btw...) is the standard shim under bucket most OHC motorcycle engines have so it's nothing weird.

Don't get me wrong, I love the FZ-10. Just seems like a apples/oranges thing.

More for a bike that will fit his needs better. I'm sure the fz10 is more comfortable to commute on. The stock ecm and gearing was miserable in traffic. I like it now with a 43t sprocket but add that up with a new ecm and exhaust and you're right near that extra 1500.

Look at what people are spending on front sprocket options, shorai has discontinued the battery, people are stocking chain sliders. It just isn't a bike for the long haul. There are what 1500 ish total bikes made? I love the bikes too but they really aren't for everyone. The op said he isn't very hands on. Just my opinion. I've had a buell xb a long time and love the ebr. Certainly is a small but passionate group of owners. I'm just adding a different perspective the op might not get a lot of in this forum.

[Cooter]

I see your point about other options, like a cruiser or Versys may fit him. I'm not singing the praises of EBR only. He is looking at one tells me it's his type of bike. The FZ is dang near exactly the same ergo's and built to be the same naked/superbike thing the SX is. The EBR is a staggeringly better deal.

You don't need an ($800) ECM and pipe to commute. Theres a couple guys on here with 30K+ miles in 2-3 years, that would disagree with your "long haul" comment. A sprocket is a good idea (the best $30 spent on an SX IMO) maybe softer clutch springs for a stock engine. $150 for a quick shifter is a good idea too! I bought a new Shorai direct from Shorai 2 weeks ago, no worries. People can stock up whatever they like, theres still plenty in the system of dealers... and LAP... and e-bay.... but I see you point about not many made. I won't have this bike in 20 years. XB's are a low production niche bike thats now 15 years old, and no shortage of parts there.

Besides, theres really not that many proprietary parts on it and none of them are maintenance items (like most other bikes). Any fixing can be done by a regular bike mechanic, nothing special. No need for 'dealer training' BS. If someday you fall off a cliff, I wouldn't spend $7000 to fix my BMW. I'd have another brand new EBR delivered to my door for that much.

They aren't perfect, but it's a hell of a bike for $7500 BRAND NEW.

[Lorne]

Hi Folks,

As the title states I am in the market for a bike, and a dealership near me has a 2014 EBR 1190 SX with 1 mile on the odometer, list price of $7,500.00.

Should I buy this thing?

My budget is something under $9000, desired charicteristics are something with upright/standard seating position, 100 hp/ 60ft.lb torque or better, less than 20k miles, wet weight less than 500 lbs. obviously the 1190 sx fits the bill. however, I have concerns.

About me- I ride all year round, at least 3-5 days of the week. On my last ride ('15 FZ-09) I was putting on average 8,000 miles on the bike in a year. I try to do most of my maintenance myself, but I would not consider myself any kind of mechanic by any means. I have light experience tweaking/customizing/fabricating things for my bikes that I can't find on the shelf.

That being said, is the 1190 SX a good fit for me? I have heard a lot of things about EBRs, that they can be quirky or can occasionally have electrical gremlins, that parts are now becoming scarce or more expensive, and that aftermarket parts are scarce. I'm also concerned about the reliability of these bikes, and how hard they are to work on. As with any bike I own I plan to pack the miles on. I suppose it's worth noting that other bikes i'm looking at include used KTM superduke 990, Yamaha FZ1, Kawi Ninja 1000, Suzuki gxs 1000f.

Any opinions you all may have would be greatly appreciated.

-Pmuhob

Just Purchased a new 2014 EBR 1190 SX I'm in Australia I have previously had a XB12 SS it was good but this new bike is awesome. Have just got up to first service the only trouble I have had is the starter motor brushes where stuck as the bike had been sitting around for 4 years.