| Author | Message | ||
     Wannab |
Hello. A local dealer has a 2000 S3 with 1523 miles for $5995, and a 2002 X1 with 10 miles for the same price! These prices are a lot closer to my beer wallet than the new CityX and Ulysses. I want a bike for a 500 mile/week commute for the next four years (100,000 miles!) It's mostly straight line, flat, interstate, and mpg is a consideration (please don't tell Eric I'm considering such a mundane use for such a regal instrument). How can the miles be so low? Which is the better choice? Is expecting 100K miles from either unrealistic? Thank you from a Buell Wannabe | ||
| Slaughter |
Take the S3 but not without running it first and doing a compression test "just in case." I have a 2001 with 33000 miles and only minor problems (rocker box gaskets swapped at 8000 miles, temp sensor fail - both fixed under warranty) Not a bad price but I kinda wonder why the miles are so low. I am very confident that I can just light up the motor and ride the beast pretty much anywhere. I've heard enough bad about the X1 that I'd just stay away from it. | ||
| Essthreetee |
My thinking would be that the S3 would be more comfortable for any commute than the X1...but what do I know... | ||
| Tramp |
stick w/the s3. 100,000 miles from it's a legitimate expectation. use good oil, change frequently, and always......... always........... allow at least a minute (up t- 4 in severely cold weather) for warmup. then, avoid taching it out for the first 10 minutes of riding, as well. it'll go many miles. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
The S3 is the better tool for the job. Follow tha above advice, all of it good. One thing you may want to do is change the 26 tooth front sprocket for a 29 tooth. It will help keep the revs down on the highways. Like Slaughter said, you can count on the rocker box gaskets leaking. Probably the primary too. You need to change it anyway as the primary chain tensioner is probably the old style fragile version. Maybe you can talk the dealer into doing the above items as part of the deal. Brad | ||
| Iamike |
My S3 just gets to where it likes the RPMs at 70mph. At 60 & under it kind of lugs. But if you are looking at top gas mileage keep it at 60. | ||
| Tramp |
my /95 S2 still has it's original primary chain tensioner, AND the primary's NEVER leaked. definitely change out the sprocket, though. they should have stuck with the gearing of the S2. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I have an X1 so I am a bit biassed the other way. The X1 has a removable plate on the side of the frame to allow you to replace the isolators and belt more easily. Also, the 2002 will have the new isolators. But who cares if they're both under warrantee, right?  Most of my X1's issues happened in the first 20,000 miles. So RIDE THE SNOT OUT OF IT in the first year. | ||
| Steveford |
I'd go with the X1, add a race kit, fairing and some soft bags and find a better route to work! | ||
| Curtyd |
X1 gets you a warranty, right? I consider all pre-XB Buells as "primitive", that's how I characterize my old M2 against the XB9. I didn't have an X1, I almost did a couple of times and thought they were nice and have heard all the bad reports but still it has the New Warranty, so I'd probably go for that. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
2002 is the best year for any tube framed Buell. But a Tbolt is a great commuter rig if you want wind/weather protection. Ditto the above regarding warranty, if it is to be had on either bike the S3 is prolly the better for your needs. Regarding primary tensioner, my Y2K M2 had the upgraded part from factory. I did switch out the front muffler mount, get that done before it rolls off the floor if the bike has the old flat style bracket. Awesome price for either bike, even more so for the S3. I haven't heard much about the X1's having reliability issues. Maybe you can get a demo ride to help you decide... **I've heard that white X1's are particularly nasty and problematic and any color but a white S3 would be a far superior bike, especially the green S3, those are the good ones. | ||
| Tramp |
2002 is not the best year for tubers. the earlier carburated M2s and S2s were superior machines in many aspects. the S2 frame, alone, with it's removeable iso-plates wins my vote | ||
| Wannab |
Hey, folks, this is some excellent feedback. Makes me less nervous about their "age," and more hopeful that a Buell is within my reach. Nothing against rice burners - I've had a first-year CB400F, first-year GoldWing, first year V-twin later called the SilverWing, and the first-year-for-a-4-stroke Suzuki GS750. It's been about 18 years since I've ridden. I wish I could get a more fun commute. I lived 10 years in LA and between there and San Francisco (and some MotoX racing at Indian Dunes) is where I developed my taste for bikes. Just had to leave them for awhile. Warranty? Since they both have miles, I assume the "date into service" would be too far back to get even the HD extended warranty. Thanks again and please send any other advice you have time to share. Wannabe | ||
| Steveford |
I respectfully disagree with Tramp. '02 has all of the upgrades and the X1 has removable plates. What's not to like? No fuel injection problems in 15000 miles. Detente plate clip got pushed out twice, though, and there was a ton of swarf blocking an oil passage right off the bat. My 98 S3 is nice but I'd take the 02 X1 anywhere. Avoid the white ones, though... | ||
| Jc000 |
Hey Tramp, isn't the '02 Cyclone carburated? Are there other reasons an '02 cyclone would be problematic? | ||
| Tramp |
"Hey Tramp, isn't the '02 Cyclone carburated? Are there other reasons an '02 cyclone would be problematic?" never said it wasn't. there are many reasons any motorcyle will be problematic. (?) | ||
| Bigdaddy |
IMHO,,,the '02, carburated, Cyclone in my barn has been (it's tied with one another bike) the best motorcycle purchase I've ever made. It's never been babied, post break-in period, and it's only consumed tires, oil, and gas (knocking on huge piece of American hardwood with that statement.) The Uly hasn't really moved me away from the M2 at this point -- don't know that it ever will either. G2 | ||
| Gomo |
You can always purchase a warranty package for either bike up to 4 years of coverage - check with the dealer how this works. It is not cheap, I believe 4years for a Buell or Sportster was about $1300. In my case it was well worth the $$$. Just a thought | ||
| Jc000 |
"never said it wasn't. there are many reasons any motorcyle will be problematic." I misread your earlier post regarding '02 cyclones and carburation. Would you mind explaining why a '02 M2 would be inferior to an earlier model? | ||
| Cowboy |
The X1 before 2001 has had a few problems,but I have found the 01 and later to be toughter than justin boot leather | ||
| Blackbelt |
I would take the 2002 X1, just because they both have the EFI but the 2000 will have more gremlins than the 2002. Look at it this way, do you want a comfy commute then get the S3, if you want a more forward/speed feel then X1. I have an X1 and drove 142 miles a day when I drove it to work. in michigan w/ the weather i put over 15,000 miles on every year.. and not many problems.. I still drive it close to 100 miles a day... so there is no worries there.. |
