| Author | Message | ||
     Hauntedmyst |
Hi All, I'm new to the board and have come seeking advice. I stopped by our local dealership the other day and saw this funky frankenbike looking thing and asked the sales guy about it. Turns out they got a very nice 1996 S1 Lightning in on trade. I've seen the newer models but never saw the older style and it was love at first site. I took it for a test ride. Despite one online review I've read of the seat being uncomfortable, during the 30 minutes I rode it, it felt great and the whole bike just seemed to fit perfectly which is a rarity with me. The ride was sporty without feeling like a pocket rocket - just what I like. Then there was "the sound." Sweet merciful crap! Its the best sounding bike I've ever heard! All sounds good huh? So here are my concerns - 99% of my riding will be in an urban environment. Is the 96 Lightning good for that? My test ride says yes but for those of you that have one in a simillar environment what (if anything) am I not seeing or that I will grow tired of with more experience? The mileage is minimal on the bike and I know they've cleaned the carbs, replaced the tires and replaced all the fluids. They haven't done the recalls and the recalls were not done by the previous owner. Will Buell still do the recall repairs? My motorcycle experience is with Honda's and BMW's, both of which will run forever with basic care. Dad was a BMW guy, my uncle was a Harley guy. They always fought about which was best. Joke though they may, my uncles bikes seem to need lots more engine work than my dad's BMW. That was 30 years ago though so how do the Harley engines in the Buell hold up? Will routine maintenance be what I should expect or do the engines leak oil or other fluids with regularity. I'm hoping thats all a thing of the past. Also, the bike is in great shape for a 96 but it is a 12 year old bike. How do these hold up with 20K, 30K, 40K miles under their belt? I really appreciate your feedback! | ||
| Mick |
An S1 is a beast of a bike, and are getting rarer , the 96 was the first of em it did'nt have the thunderstorm heads of the later ones , but with the recalls should be a perfectly sound bike. all the tubers had probs with leaking rocker box gaskets, so that will happen, but its no biggy. I dare say you can still get the recalls done . I'd buy it, specially if its in good condition with low mileage. Buell engines are the best all round motor for street IMO, so if you can put up with the seat (I have one on my M2) go for it. | ||
| Kilroy |
Congrats Myst - you have stumbled across one of the greatest bikes of all time. Enjoy it. You will develop a true "relationship" with this bike - unlike any other you have ever had with any other bike. Take care of it and it will take care of you. (And yes, it will leak) | ||
| Eshardball |
You hit it right on the head with Frankenbike. The seat sucks but you will love it anyway. The seat can be modified or replaced. Buell will honor the recalls. Call them with the VIN#. Watch the front iso (Upper motor mount) My S1 has about 20K and the rocker boxes have not leaked yet. Other than the seat, you will find it like no other bike. It is the best application of the XL engine. Bad Web is the best place for information on your Buell. Buy a FSM immediately but don't count on the dealer for accurate information or a mechanic that actually knows how to work on it. you will become one with your Buell. | ||
| Wardan123 |
If you were me, would you buy an S1 Lighting? yes. | ||
| Zipper |
hi i have a 97 s1 and i just had all 9 recalls done about 2 weeks ago and payed for nothing.this is my favorite bike of all time i dont mind the seat and i just had my back fused together so i didnt no if i would ride again your gonna love it | ||
| Court |
It's an amazing bike. It's an amazing company. | ||
| Reducati |
 is the one you are looking at Illinois Harley? red, 800 some miles...yea its sweet. i bought mine there last january from one of their employees. this is/was my second buell...sweet, until this june when someone pulled out of a side street 20 feet in front of me...still recovering from acl replacement surgery last month. you will love the s1, i would replace the seat. as a bonus, that dealer is fantastic for buell work, and if sam is your saleman, he will make sure you are a happy customer. i would watch for leaks, as the seals probably are dried out. im still a month or so away from getting the strength back to get back on a bike, but it will either be an s1, or x1...kinda hopping you dont buy it so i can...dan | ||
| Rde48 |
Well if your dads a BMW guy and your uncle a Harley guy then I would say that you should be a Buell guy. You won't regret it. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I would buy it. Oh wait...I *did* buy an S1 about three years ago. Looked for the right bike for years and finally found an 1100 mile 98 S1W in pearl white. I love it and will probably never get rid of it. Recalls are free, have your dealer run the VIN as mentioned above and they'll bring it up to date. HD (and thus, Buell) reliability has come a LONG way since your uncle's bike. Get a manual, stick with badweb, and you'll never encounter a problem you can't handle. ESPECIALLY if (and it sounds like the case) you have a supportive dealer. Like Court said - amazing bike, amazing company. Truer words have never been typed. | ||
| Hauntedmyst |
Wow, All these replies in just a few hours! I really do appreciate it. Its always hard to pull the trigger on something this big but its helpful to know its a very easy to live with bike. | ||
| Jespo_m2 |
I would get it. This S1 is an instant classic. I just picked one up myself. I find that the pre-thunderstorm engines are smoother at lower RPM's than the 99-02 tuber thunderstorm engines. They don't make quite as much power but this will be helpful for urban riding.  | ||
| Buellfighter |
 Buy it and your guaranteed to have fun! | ||
| Bad_karma |
No dough buy it. Take the VIN to the closest dealer and check the recalls. Don't waste your time with the stock shock. The lightning motor is dialed in for the urban environment. Power from idle on. +1 on the FSM and parts book. Get to know the bike and the rewards are limitless. Joe | ||
| Road_thing |
Personally, I wouldn't buy it. But that's only because I've already got two in the garage! Seriously, S1's are great bikes IF (1) you don't plan on taking any real long trips on them (no storage and skinny seat) and (2) you don't mind spending a little garage time keeping after the minor stuff like oil leaks. If you're at all mechanically inclined, keeping them going is a snap.  rt | ||
| Preybird1 |
Wow i have an 01 x1w and you guys just made me want this bike also! Resist the force to buy one!  I really like the 06 xb12r its a sweet little number. | ||
| Brinnutz |
YES! (Message edited by brinnutz on September 24, 2008) | ||
| Hauntedmyst |
Hey reducati, it is that one! It looks like they sold it though since its not on the sales floor any more and the Neanderthal behind the counter couldn't tell me if it was still around. I was looking around the board here and saw my near perfect vision of the way I want mine to look when I find one and mod it. Its the one Johnnymceldoo just sold.  | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
Hauntedmyst, you have good taste. | ||
| Hauntedmyst |
Bikertrash05, were you the one that bought it? It is a very cool looking bike. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
Yes, and thank you. Click my name, that is a pic of me riding it home.  | ||
| Hauntedmyst |
Nice ya lucky bastard! That is one sweet ride. But you don't look right on it. I'll tell ya what, I'll help you out and buy it from you while we find you a bike that fits you better (I've always been a giver like that) I see you are into R/C cars. I used to be too and have a site on how to paint them http://www.rctech.net/articles/painting_hauntedmys t.shtml How is the flat black paint holding up? Is it paint or truck bed liner. I know I can paint mine with the flat black on my own (I've done a small bit of painting) but was thinking the TBL might be more durable. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
I was into RCs, until I got an ATV. I think the paint is Krylon, and it is holding up. Got a little spot around the gas cap, but since it was originally black, you can't really tell. | ||
| Hauntedmyst |
Well, I think I found a 98 for a reasonable price with around 6K miles and tires and breaks recently done but I'll have to fly there and then drive it home. I have a couple of questions I'm hoping you guys can answer. 1. What kinds of things should I look for on the bike that a noob wouldn't see that an owner would that would show wear and tear/damage, that sort of thing. 2. Is the S1 tank metal? Can it use a magnetic tank bag? Which tail bags work with this bike? 3. What are the differences between the 96 and 98? They look the same in the pics but are they? Thanks! | ||
| Usmoto |
I owned a Firebolt in the past and now own an 1125r. Both in my opinion are great Buells. I also really like the tubers especially the S1. It's got an in your face bad a$$ look and attitude to it. Hopefully in the near future I can find one to customize and play with. Rock On Buell !!! | ||
| Smoke |
haunted, how far of a fly and ride? plastic tank. haven't seen a tailbag. try a small backpack. thunderstorm motor on 98S1W(Y in VIN), some 98S1's with lightning heads is the biggest difference. good luck, tim | ||
| Ratbuell |
Things to look for: Rocker box leaks (top of cylinder heads, the 3-layer aluminum sandwich pieces). Stock gaskets back in the day were paper; current issue is coated metal, much better. Minor repair, but common, especially with lower miles. Intake manifold boots can dry out. If you have a can of brakleen or carb cleaner handy, start the bike and spray the manifold where it meets the heads. If the idle changes, you gotta leak. Again - minor surgery, but fairly common. Front rotor button play. The buttons that hold the braking surface to the center carrier can wear, or the rotor/carrier can wear around them. Grab the braking surface by hand and try to shift it around compared to the carrier; side to side is OK, rotational is bad. EBC makes an awesome replacement rotor; if it's worn, just brake carefully on the way home and replace as soon as possible. Speedo drive cable - they're driven off the front wheel. If the gauge is jumping or inop, could be cable, could be drive gear at the wheel. Easy fix. If an aftermarket exhaust, check for cracks and / or broken mounting tabs. V&H cans especially like to lose their mounting tabs due to the vibrations - ask me how I know  These are most of the 'ID it without taking stuff apart' items that I'm aware of. As mentioned above - plastic tank, no magnetic bag here. Depending on which tail (solo or twintail/2 up), best bet is a stretchy-net cargo holder and a backpack or small duffel bag. Or some throwover saddlebags, but don't weigh them down too much. Where's it located? If it's in Maryland, drop me a note - we can go over it before you hit the road home, no problem. Gives me something to do until I can go back to work   | ||
| Hauntedmyst |
Thanks for answering! The drive is from Buffalo to Chicago, which by Yahoo map calcs is 550 miles. Ratbuell, That is a great list of things to check for! I am going to print it out and take it with me. Your offer is hugely generous but the bike is in Buffalo. The guy says there are a few dealers there so I will drive it by one of them and have them give it a once over. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I'd buy one and ride the hell out of it!! You'll never get the smile off your face! | ||
| Brinnutz |
Haunted, you'll be taking 80/90 through South Bend, IN... That's where I live. =) |
