The 2000 Buell X1 Lightning has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 9,049 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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
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.
SUSPENSION00V1630002000-06-166,219 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER CAN BREAK, DRAGGING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE GROUND.
Consequence
THIS COULD AFFECT THE HANDLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHOCK REINFORCEMENT PACKAGE (SRP) WHICH PROTECTS THE STRUCTUAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. A NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS CURRENTLY BEING DEVELOPED. WHEN THE NEW SHOCK ABSORBER IS AVAILABLE, IF AN OWNER CHOSES, THEY CAN HAVE IT INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE THROUGH THE DEALER NETWORK.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION:REAR
3
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
3
Total complaints6
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 buell x1 lightning. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign id number 00v163000 (suspension:rear), which stated that the dealer will install a shock reinforcement package (srp). The package is intended to protect the structural integrity of the suspension system. The…”
“I own a buell motorcycle year 2000 model x1 lightning. There was a recall for a defective rear shock absorbers, nhtsa campaign id number: 00v163000. The recall was completed and a shock reinforcement package was installed. The old defective shock was left on the vehicle. There is a warning on the…”
“Recall 00v163 000/rear shock absorber: dealer unable to honor recall because no parts were available. Recall notice stated at parts would be available 24 july 2000. Manufacturer contacted, and informed consumer that parts were available . Can nhtsa help in this matter. *ak”
“Consumer received recall 00v163000, but dealer doesn't have parts. *slc”
“Consumer received recall 00v163000, but dealer doesn't have parts. *slc”
“The rear shock absorber is leaking oil very heavily. Found recall number 10808 00 v 163 000. Please provide any further information. Nlm”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE03043 Opened 2003-09-23 · closed 2003-10-30
THROTTLE FAILS TO RETURN TO IDLE
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.
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2000 Buell X1 Lightning as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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