| Author | Message | ||
     Edgonzalez |
Howdy, I found a 2002 M2 Cyclone for sale and I'm looking for some tips on what to look at/for as I go over the bike. This will be my first motorcycle (I currently ride a scooter). I've noticed that it needs new tires, but it doesn't take a genius to figure that out. I'm hoping you can tell me any areas that might rust often, common trouble spots, or anything that could point me to mis-use. Cheers, Ed | ||
| Dueller |
Welcome aboard, Ed.Goiing from a scooter to a Buell is a pretty big leap. Tell us a little more about the bike you're looking at: mileage, condition, price, maintenance records, recall records, etc. Will you be doing your own work/maintenance or rely on a shop? Some pics would be helpful...you'd be suprised at what some guys in here can gleen from photos.As far as tires you're looking at $300 or so to replace those with basic long wearing rubber. M2's are great all around bikes. And they are at the bottom of the depreciation curve so even if you tire of it you won't lose a lot of money. In the interim check out this link from the Knowledge vault...lots of varied topics for you to consider. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/3611.html?1206931476 | ||
| Mick |
2002 is the best of the lot all the probs were sorted by then, so if it looks like its been looked after, low Miles no oil leaks,can't see you going wrong. | ||
| Edgonzalez |
I'm gonna run through Dueller's questions and answer them the best I can. milage: 10,050 Condition: Looked good to me, engine area could use a little cleaning (that could help me find any small seepage). I didn't spot any rust on the exhaust. Tires need replacing. I'm a novice, so there's no telling what I've missed Price: $2.8k Maintenance records: I'll have to call back for that. Recall records: I'll look these up. Work/Maintenance: I want to do my own work. I will take it to my local H-D Buell dealer to let them give it a once over, however. Pics: I'll work on these. The bike is an hour away from me. It may be few days or two before I can get down there. Other notes: Dueller, you're right about the big leap. I'm driving a 125cc scooter. I took the MSF course on a Buell Blast, which put the bug in me for a bigger bike. The scooter's great for be-bopping around town, but the feel of a bike was something else. (Message edited by edgonzalez on March 31, 2008) | ||
| Dueller |
If it does not show signs of abuse, i.e., appears to be fairly well maintained, not scraped up from crashes, etc., that is a very good price. I'd offer $2500 or so on account of tires needing to be replaced. At 10K miles, the front brake pads likely have not been replaced so that's coming but cheap and a DIY job. You need to look at the top of the engine to see if it is leaking oil from rocker covers. It should shift easily with no grinding in any of the gears. Inspect rear shock to see if its leaking. I would probably try to find someone who is an experienced rider (preferably someone familiar with Buells or atleast Harley sportsters) to test ride it for you. With only experience on scooters and a Blast, the M2 is going to be pretty visceral and imposing...not to worry, you will get comfortable with all the power that it has. You might even post in here to find someone in the area that would go with you. They're pretty damn reliable and simple to work on with even modest mechanical experience. Good luck and let us know what you do. (Message edited by dueller on March 31, 2008) | ||
| Rotzaruck |
Edgonzalez I just now got around to reading this thread. Do we have another Tennessee Bueller yet? You said it's an hour away; which way? If it's my way,(Chattanooga) it's pretty close!! I bought my M2 for 2800 in sorta mangled shape a few months over a year ago and it seemed pretty decently priced at the time, course, I've seen better deals since. The only mechanical issue it had was rocker box leaks. BadWeB guided even me through that with no, well, not many problems. I never rode a scooter, but I rode a Blast for a while and it severely affected me mentally. I got that M2 going and I'll never be just right again. M2 is patiently waiting on me to get it back together( I broke it much quicker than I fixed it). I can't manage time to work on it because every spare minute I have, I'm riding the XB9. I love them all, but I'm fickle, I love the one that's running the most. If they are ever all going at once, I think I'll love the M2 the most though. What all this drivel is heading toward is if you are still debating, quit it!! Go get that thing before somebody grabs it for a project. Though still a novice myself, if it's down this way, let me know, I'll help you look at it and goad you into buying it. Rotzaruck!!! | ||
| Crashbuell |
One thing I noticed with the tubers and sportsters is that if you don't allow them to run and warm up before you ride them, the jugs will leak around the bottom where they bolt to the cases. All three of my buells have done this when someone borrows my bike for the day and doesn't know about "the warm-up". If your bike has dark spots around the bottom of the jugs, then the previous owner either disregarded this riding ritual, or didn't know about it. The "ritual" is complete once the jugs are warm (uncomfortable) to touch on your bare hand. | ||
| Jayvee |
Nothing worse than leaky jugs ! (My wife is still breastfeeding our baby...) | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
jay so is mine, i say nothing better than leaky jugs... | ||
| Edgonzalez |
Jugs aside, the bike is still there, but the owner hasn't called me back. I've still not popped down to take another look and get some pictures. I may go this Sunday, depending on how bad the rain is. The bike is in Monroe county, but it's off the beaten trail. I may take you up on your offer Rotzaruck, if I can get a hold of the owner. Maybe he's having second thoughts, I wouldn't blame him. | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
come back with the VIN there are some on here that can get you good info off that number alone, the engine case number too it is on the let side of the bike below were the cylinders make a V | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
I love my 02 M2! No Problems!!! Just a few adjustments (carb., exhaust, and a little rewiring) | ||
| Rotzaruck |
Ed Life is so distracting lately, I can't seem to keep from lagging behind here. If you didn't make it last Sunday and want to try it this coming weekend let me know. PM me if I don't respond quickly here, my number is in the BRAN, call any time. I think I'm loose between ball games(my yungun and two grand yunguns), unless I've forgotten some critical obligation which is entirely possible these days. I could use a Buell related distraction to distract me from all these other distractions. There's a lot of "off the beaten path" in Monroe Co I need an excuse to zig zag through anyway!! Ed | ||
| Littlebuggles |
BRAN, is that the Buell Rider Assistance Network?  Ed, if it's clean, that is a good price. If the shock is blown figure $700-$1100 for a Works Performance or Penske replacement. Or $300ish for a tune and rebuild from Aftershocks. Not a huge issue but a consideration to be sure. You can commute on a bike with a blown shock, be careful on the curves though, it's kind of like riding a 1200cc pogo stick. Most will recommend trying a different tire than the stock Dunlop as a replacement. Conti Road Attacks, The new Pilot Roads (PR2 I think), Avon makes a good sport touring tire too. Michilins, Pirellis... Just don't put another set of D205's or D220's on it, okay? -Mike | ||
| Rotzaruck |
Yeah, the BRAN is like the old RAN just with more fiber. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Sweet, I should get more of that... uhhhhh, sorry to hijack the thread a bit, it's something of a talent. or is it just narcissism? -Mike | ||
| Edgonzalez |
Folks, I didn't go last Sunday. I couldn't get a hold of the owner. I will give it another shot this weekend before I write it off and start looking around again. | ||
| Sportbiker87 |
im going to tell you to get it, didnt think to look as to when you posted the thread, but my buell has been very good to me. ive often thought of having a different bike but every time i get serious about it i change my mind. first off buells get insane milage for their size, i get 50cty/98hwy on mine, and yes it is the 1203. secondly the seemingly one of a kind look that buells have will always turn heads. last and most important, the sound, i couldnt dig having a rocket after having a buell, that lions roar you can throw at someone just makes that annoying insect sound all other sportbikes make second hand. you wont be dissapointed, biggest recomendation, get pipes and a new seat enjoy | ||
| Sportbiker87 |
oh one last thing. this is a huge jump from your scooter, she'll fly out from under you if you let her | ||
| Unix |
hehe... u gotta be crazy to buy a Buell 1200cc after owning a scooter... good luck anyway. Oh, the Buell is also more "hardcore" than any other bike out there. ps/ in my opinion a 250cc or max 500cc would be more appropriate. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
What size main jet / pilot jet are you using to get 93 MPG? That is incredible mileage. | ||
| Kilroy |
Don't shortchange him - he is getting 98 not 93!! | ||
| Unix |
98 on a 1200? hehe, have the pistons melted already ?  | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Maybe he's speaking in metric terms? Kilometers per gallon or something. | ||
| Sportbiker87 |
lol sorry i do mean in miles, not kilometers. and to answer the size of the main jet i currently do not know. i had it rejetted a very long time ago, ill ask my mechanic. and the last three times that ive gone to and from ruidoso to here in las cruces ive been getting anywhere from 93 to 101 mpg on the highway. | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
wtf... with what method of calculation are you getting that figure. | ||
| Dreadnaught1 |
To get that kind of mileage, he is running 80 lbs of pressure in the tires, running 100 octane gas, drives 40 Mph and turns it off downhill and pushes it uphill..  | ||
| Dreadnaught1 |
There is no-way that is right. I own a 2000 M2 & I also own a 1982 Honda Passport C70. 70cc with a 1.18 gal tank, weighing 185 lbs Bike. I get over 100 Mpg if I ride nice. I would recalculate. I average 45 - 54 Mpg tops mixed traffic and highway running 91 min octane gas. DRIVING NICE. Adding 300 more lbs for bike and 1133 cc <> 93-101 Mpg. (Message edited by dreadnaught1 on June 24, 2008) | ||
| Rainman |
I don't know, I get 63 city on the Blast and 74 on the highway driving at Camry speeds. I can't imagine an M2 getting better mileage than the Blast....traffic tickets yes, mileage, no. |
