| Author | Message | ||
     Rightpecial |
I introduced myself in the guest book and also ride an 07 V-Rod, but I guess I should explain what I'm looking for. I love the V-Rod for what it is, but it is my first cruiser and I miss the light, nimble approach to motorcycles that I used to get from my 400bandit and 600katana. I've always wanted a buell, but rode used suzukis for the last six years because that is what I could afford at the time. Now, I came to this forum expecting to come up with an 06 or newer xb9 sometime in the next month, but after doing a little research I flat out fell in love with the tubers. From what I understand the cyclone is the least focused, most comfortable tuber. True? I want an all arounder that handles corners better than the V. Is it really a torque machine? Is it hard to get the front wheel off the ground? Finally, is the airbox cover on the right side of the bike really necessary? | ||
| Nevrenuf |
will never give up the o2m2. it is probably the most user freindly of most of the bikes. it is quite comfortable for a sport bike. my profile pic is up at the dragon following guys who were riding solo last year at march badness. and we were gettin it pretty good. most of the people go with the force intake instead of the airbox because it is out of the way more. if you have a chance to get one then don't hesitate. you won't regret it. on the other hand i am looking at trading the nightster for a uly xt which i test road over the weekend and i have to say i am impressed. | ||
| Torquemonster |
Its a pretty comfy bike and depending on your stature, the front wheel should come up easily. Im 5ft 10in 215lbs and it only takes a good yank in 1st or a triple blip of the throttle. Careful doing wheelies though...a bad one can crack the cases. Plenty of options when it comes to ditchin' the breadbox. Good luck in your search. | ||
| Beachbuell |
I think my M2 might the best all around motorcycle I've ever owned. This bike does everything good and it soaks up the highway miles with comfort and ease. I've had everything from 150 horse power superbikes, Italian machines to HD cruisers and I really love this M2. I had a X1 years ago, but I don't remember it being this good and comfy! | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
you cant go wrong with an m2 just ask court | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
ohhh yeah try to get an 02 | ||
| Rightpecial |
Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated. I also considered the uly and I love the looks of the nightster. Truthfully, I like the XB9 and can afford it, but I want to get ahold of a cyclone now before they're all hacked up or wrecked or belong to somone who will not sell. Basically, there won't be another cyclone, but I can always pick up a cheap XB9 further on down the road. As for the wheely question, I weigh 215 also and don't even want to do it that often, but I don't want a bike that can't do one when I get the urge because I will not get away with more than two bikes and I will not part with the VRCDX. | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
i weigh 220 and my m2 will do first and second gear power wheelies, and i can clutch it up in third, its actually hard not to wheelie in first at any point of the rpm range, its fun however there are some here that have broken parts from doing em, mainly the front motor mount, there is a billit aluminum mount that remidies that issue. | ||
| Rightpecial |
It's settled. I must have one! | ||
| Littlebuggles |
That is the correct answer. Welcome brother  | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
I'm 6'2" 230 and I fit perfectly on my 02 M2. I play all day with the front wheel in the air. Make sure you pick up a manuel for service and up keep. GOOD LUCK!!! | ||
| Djkaplan |
The M2 wasn't the fastest or the quickest or the most agile handling Buell even when it was brand new... but it is everything between those highest points. Not just the best Buell ever made, but truly the best motorcycle ever made... for me. | ||
| Jayvee |
"least focused" Hey, you mean most broadly focused ! Do everything; commute, tour, sport-tour, cruiser, stunter, track-day, racer, even sidecar rig. There's a picture of all of these here somewhere. Hard to believe you can buy them slightly used, and often tricked out, for less than $4K. Best deal out there. | ||
| Aesquire |
My M2L is the first bike I ever did a stoppie on. ( see Story Time section in the M2 subheading ) 200 mile expressway drones, cranking the Dragon, commuting. Cyclones rule. Airbox changes are easy, & if you drag pegs too much, rear sets are available. I seem to drag the outside of my toes, but I'm bowlegged. 2 sets of boots later, I'm still happy with the stock pegs.... but I don't hang off much, or often need to. I have freaked out a few people... "When you pulled out of the drive I thought you were going to crash! you were leaned over so far..." | ||
| Cbig |
I just bought a used M2 with less than 1000 miles ont it for 2800. I like it - at this point tho I think I realize the suspension sux as far as comfort - square edged bumps in particular. I don't anticipate spending a lot of money on it tho to fix it. Seat's a little soft, but the bike is great for all around riding. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I like it - at this point tho I think I realize the suspension sux as far as comfort - square edged bumps in particular. Unfortunately... all Showa equipped tubers suffered from sub-par damping. Not just the M2 suffered from this incredible malady. If you still have a Showa cannister shock, it might be worth keeping for originality (in the future), but it's essentially worthless if you ride the bike. | ||
| Cbig |
Looks like works may be in the works! How about redoing that front fork? Can't find X1 parts ... a revalve OK? | ||
| Rotchcrocket51 |
I will "second" the statement that Beachbuell posted. I have said many, many times that my M-2 is the best all-around bike I've ever owned. If I was forced to sell either my RC-51 or my M-2....the Honda would go. I have so many good M-2 stories but two that are sort of cool are the time I passed an RC-51 at Deals Gap and left him and the time I passed a GSXR-1000 on the Patriot course at VIR and he was never able to get back around me! Now that's FUN! Go out and find a good M-2 and that will be one more that will be saved from the "chopper mill". | ||
| Flyingyankee |
The M2 is truly a great bike, My 97 has been a joy to own. In my humble opinion, its truly the versitle bike Eric claimed it would be. It can serve as a long legged tourer or a street bashing hooligan. Friendly to performance mods, and due to its age, becoming something rather ornate. I'll never sell it. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
Agreed, I have several bikes including a 2001 S3T and a 2002 M2L. The M2 is my favorite one by far for many of the reasons mentioned above. My advice is to look for the cleanest example you can find, hopefully a 2001 or 2002. Then be thoughtful and conservative about the modifications you make. On my M2, I have decided not to do any modification that can net be unbolted and returned to stock if I so desire at a later date ie(no cutting or welding). Good luck and welcome. Dave | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'll never sell it. Torquemonster and I were just discussing that at March Badness. I might get another bike as a stablemate for the M2, but I'm pretty sure this is the bike I'll keep to the end of one of our lives. We should ALWAYS be able to get parts for the engine... that's for sure. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I'll never sell it. I've thought of getting rid of mine a few times,,,,,,,got out to the barn and fire it up and take a little ride and those thoughts are immediately gone. I really do like the Uly and it's been a wonderful bike, but if I were forced to decide between the two of them the Uly would be homeless. | ||
| Crashbuell |
Before you give up on the XB9's I've got to tell you to get on craigslist.com and scour the different states. I was on there last night and found scads of 03' XB9's for about $3000. Probably 10-15 of them. Cyclones are actually getting a little scarce because everyone is cutting them up for choppers. I can find parts all day long for cyclones, but complete bikes are becoming fewer....I guess it's all on what you want, but I'm on my second cyclone and I love it. I'll never sell it. Never. | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
me neither we will be together till the end of one of us | ||
| M2nc |
I have the Uly and the M2. I ride the Uly more, but I will not sell the M2. Comfort: In comparison the M2 shakes more and is not as comfortable as the Uly. Where I can run a tank of gas out of the Uly without stopping (180-200 miles), I have to stop on the M2 before I need gas. I had to buy the Corbin seat for the M2 because the stock seat sucked. Even with the Corbin the stock '07 Uly seat is still more comfortable. The Uly is also better two up. Though there is plenty of room for a passenger on the M2, the Uly has more room and the pillion seat is just more supportive and comfortable. The Uly suspension can handle the weight much better than the M2. I can bottom out the rear suspension on the M2 over rough pavement and would never consider taking it off pavement like the Uly. The one area where the M2 is more comfortable is during the dead of summer. The boys get uncomfortable on the Uly in 90+°F temps. It's uncomfortable on any bike, but the M2 dissipates the heat away from the rider better than the Uly. Handling: The M2 is slower to turn in and does not have the lean angle of the Uly. The M2 is more stable and has better steering feedback. The M2 never surprises you like the Uly can. I have peg risers on the M2 and still have everything including the shifter planed. I have had the pleasure of riding with many other Buellers and at times at a brisk pace. As far as I am concerned the M2 can keep up just fine at any street pace. Braking: Though the XB braking system is an Engineering feat, I like the M2's brakes better. There are road test that support my point of view. Looks: Though I love the looks of the Uly, the M2 is the attention getter of the two. The M2's conservative (in comparison to the Uly) and muscular looks make it an instant favorite where ever I go. It is also the bike that I have the after-factory slip-on muffler on so it barks. Power: The XL cams do not have the top end power of other Buells including the Uly, but matched with the '99 and later Thunderstorm heads makes the M2 Buell's torque monster. When riding with other Buells, I find myself shifting less to get the same output. You can pass a car quickly from 55mph in fifth gear. Something the Uly struggles to do. The M2 below 5K RPM just spanks the Uly. I have fiddled with the carburetor of the M2. I run a larger pilot jet to get the bike to quit coughing. Now the throttle response of the M2 is fantastic. It is better than the electronically controlled Uly. I love the M2. Its more raw than the Uly and just plain fun for an afternoon ride. | ||
| Tictoc |
I will never sell my M2 It's a '99 I don't believe the bike will do "power wheelies" That's not my style anyway. I have an attractive S&S teardrop air cleaner on mine. I'm 6'1" and have ridden comfortably for 30 hours straight. I'm 52 years old TT | ||
| Igneroid |
Well, the bike of consequence I had before my M2L was a 1974 Kawasaki 900 Z1. I bought it new in 74. It was the "God" of motorcycles back then. Went like stink, considered to be one of the finest handling bikes in its time. Well, race ahead about 33 years. My m2 would embarrass that old kawasaki in both power and handling. Things have come along way since then. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Well, race ahead about 33 years. My m2 would embarrass that old kawasaki in both power and handling. Things have come along way since then." I just got into a huge argument with an old Z1 owner about this. I said the same thing you did, marveling at how Buell was able to make the modern XL engine faster and quicker than the old Z1 according to the performance specs published in the moto-mags (I never had a Z1). He went apeshit on me and told me I was crazy. Then I really made him mad when I said my 2000 M2 had a higher top speed than his old Z1, and it wasn't even the fastest Buell sold that year. He didn't have a clue... still stuck in 1974 racing wheezing ironheads. | ||
| M2statz |
Yup what they all said!! | ||
| Tictoc |
I rode bitch on the back of a friends then new kz900 z1- whatever -might have been a '74 It went an indicated 140mph ( I was 19 years old then; you would not catch me doing that now ) My M2 won't go 140 TT 139 maybe (Message edited by tictoc on April 18, 2008) |
