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1999 Buell X1 Lightning

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

1 reports
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12,000 miles · Aug 18, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUELL X1 LIGHTNING MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A BELT INSTEAD OF THE CHAIN, THE REAR BRAKE LINE SEVERED BECAUSE OF THE BELT. AFTER RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE THE CONSUMER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE, AND THE PLASTIC MOLDING OF THE MOTORCYCLE. ALSO,…

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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BUELL X1 LIGHTNING MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A BELT INSTEAD OF THE CHAIN, THE REAR BRAKE LINE SEVERED BECAUSE OF THE BELT. AFTER RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE THE CONSUMER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE, AND THE PLASTIC MOLDING OF THE MOTORCYCLE. ALSO, THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND WHERE THE CONSUMER PARKED THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSING COMPLETELY DOWN BUT NOT STOPPING AS WELL AS IT HAD BEFORE. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TWICE. THE LOCAL DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HAD JUST BEEN PERFORMED ON THE MOTORCYCLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10133297

Official recalls

7

03V427000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Oct 30, 2003

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED EXCLUSIVELY WITH A FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, THE IDLE CONTROL CABLE CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM CABLE GUIDE DUE TO IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE THROTTLE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR'S HAND IS REMOVED FROM THE TWIST GRIP, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THROTTLE CABLE CLAMP, WHICH SERVES TO ENSURE RETENTION OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLES IN THE CABLE GUIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUELL AT 1-414-343-8400.

99V133000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

May 24, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR HOSE CAN CHAFE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE RIDER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF REAR BRAKING CAPABILITIES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR HOSE AND REPLACE THE HOSE IF NCESSARY.

99V134000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

May 24, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CAN CONTACT THE BATTERY CARRIER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE MOTORCYCLE COULD STALL OR QUIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE ROUTING AND CORRECT IT IF THERE IS ANY SIGN OF CONTACT.

99V105000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

May 6, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE THE CARBURETOR TO OVERFLOW FUEL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO PREVENT SUFFICIENT FUEL FLOW, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE OR STALL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY.

99V096000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Apr 29, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN CHAFE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE RIDER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF REAR BRAKING CAPABILITIES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LINE.

99V097000 · Unknown Or Other

Apr 29, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE03043 · Throttle Fails To Return To Idle

Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Oct 30, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE, BUELL IS RECALLING THOSE FUEL-INJECTED MOTORCYCLES THAT IT BUILT WITHOUT A THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL CLAMP.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE REFER TO THE MEMORANDUM ENTITLED THE SCOPE OF BUELL'S SAFETY RECALL, 03V-427 COPY ATTACHED.