| Author | Message | ||
     Ustorque |
hey all, over the last 4-6 months i have become completey enamored with the tubers and have decided to begin the search. actually my search came to an abrupt halt when i laid my eyes on Frank Skinners #35 S2(i fell in love)! I have decided that whatever the S2 or S3 would be a great compliment to my cityX and that this is the model i would like to aquire. With the current economy i hesitate to rush to purchase something that i might have to immediately sell if things went bad, so i've decided to gather as much info as i possibly can in the meantime and would appreciate all the insight you guys have to share. Currently i'm trying to figure out the differences between the S2's and S3's and the pros and cons of those differences. I am truly in love with #35, but i also don't expect it to sit and wait for me, so i need to be prepared and well informed if i have to look elsewhere when the time comes. thanks in advance  | ||
| Gowindward |
You are in so much trouble. Walk away while you still can. LOL This coming from someone who was in the same boat six months ago. I own one of both now. LOL What are you wanting to use the bike for, beside motorcycle man love. I bought the '02 S3T as a 2 up touring bike after owning a XB12R and logging 40K+ miles on it solo. The S3T is pulling that duty off in grand style, and it's a hoot to ride solo or with a pillion. It's a very comfortable bike. Well...the S2 was purchased purely on LUST!! The ergo's on it are much tighter feeling than the S3T...much more like the Firebolt with just a little less forward lean, but still pretty high pegs. I have only taking here for a spin last night, and to work this morning, a little lunch time errand, and then the long way home tonight. She is very different is all I can say, yet still a Buell. | ||
| Limitedx1 |
tubers can be had cheap right now!!!! look for isolators and the typical ratty worn stuff. in stock form they are pretty solid, if you get one just make sure all adjustments are in order and it should be a hoot! this coming from a guy who bought an x1 a year ago and i have probably 600 in just replacing parts as i go. brake system, isolators, hoses, cables. just because i want it new!!! | ||
| Thunderhead |
i have question about these tubers also. the x-1 and s-3 look an awful lot alike to me? whats different on these things?i do know that the x-1 looks a little more evil. | ||
| Jramsey |
Besides the obvious cosmetic differences the X1 has lower handle bars, steeper steering head angle, higher and more rearward peg position,removable rear sub frame/tail assy. and right side frame plate. | ||
| Mudshuvel319 |
Also, X1 is fuel injected while the S3 uses a carburetor. | ||
| Kilroy |
S3 also is fuel injected. Only the M2 came carb'ed. | ||
| Mudshuvel319 |
D'oh. My mistake | ||
| Gowindward |
'97 & '98 S3's are carbed. Starting in '99 they went to FI | ||
| Kilroy |
D'oh - I forgot to mention that - | ||
| Court |
>>>Currently i'm trying to figure out the differences between the S2's and S3's The S2 and S3 are completely different animals and ride much differently. The S2 is frankly a narcotic of motorcycling . . . I've been in 44 states and there were days I started riding at 6AM and, on the way from Orange, VA to San Diego, came into Weatherford, OK in the wee hours and kept getting the urge to ride on to Amarillo. The bike just exudes passion. My factory "company vehicle" was the black 1997 S3-T with the WWW.BUELL.COM on the bags that some of you recall. (yep, the very bags that got me busted while in the "suit drying" speed mode after a drenching in Altoona on the way from East Troy to NYC) and I really enjoyed it. The best way for me to sum it up is that I liked the S3 but would not hesitate to sell it to get another bike. The S2 however. . . . I wouldn't take $50,000 for and joins my brand new 1953 Cushman in the "not for sale at any price" club. I screwed up and fell for the "money is no object" offer for my XLCR and XR-1000 from an Arab fellow . . . never again. Ride the S2 and you will immediately fall in love and be flush with memories of why you began to ride in the first place. Each time I get on the bike (and I've not ridden it in 4 years) I recall the thrill, when I was a kid, of being taken for rides on the neighbors motorcycle. | ||
| Ustorque |
thanks court, thats the kind of stuff i'm lookin for! | ||
| Sleez |
i have to chime in! asking this question is like asking a chevy forum; "which muscle car should i buy?" you are going to get answers from the vette guys, the camaro guys, the chevelle guys, and the nova guys. all are cool in their own rite. you need to decide the look and feel you are after first, then decide which vintage you want. you seem to have done that in wanting a Thunderbolt, which i liken to a chevelle in this scenario. now you need to decide which vintage; 60s or 70s? each has advantages and disadvantages. S2 being associated as a 60s and S3 as a 70s, and knowing that the S2 will be older school and the S3 being a bit newer, therefore less collectible, but still a great ride. almost any buell can be tweaked to fit your personal style and performance level. personally, i like the S3, mainly because it was my first buell, just like the 72 chevelle was my first car! but i am still lusting for a nice S2, just like i lust for a nice 66 chevelle!! but i would love and enjoy any one of them. as i am sure you will too!! i am sure some ford guys are going to let me know the error in my ways, but oh well, i like what i like! just like the bmw, honda, yamaha, suzuki, triumph, ducati guys are going to think you are crazy for wanting one of those "slow, archaic" american motorcycles. motorcycling is about, or at least SHOULD be about passion! get the one that "turns you on", and tweak it to fit your style, and enjoy the hell out of it! | ||
| Hootowl |
It was the 96 S1 that got me into Buells. Red Snap. Sex on wheels. I have never owned one, but I will some day. Guaranteed. | ||
| Limitedx1 |
x1 = evil race bike s3 = almost as evil touring style s2 = evil carb'd race bike (with more tail and aftermarket accessories available) sometime i wish i could get the s2 tail on my x1....... | ||
| Twowheeldream |
I ride a 97 S3 and I love it. To me its a little more asthetically pleasing but there are a few advantages of the S2. The removable frame blocks at the swingarm pivot make changing a belt a lot easier, and the seating position on the S2 is more comfortable, you sit in it, not on it like the S3. On the other hand, the handlebars are a clip on style that may be harder to find alternatives for, where the S3 has standard triple clamp mounted bars, anything you can find in a 7/8" short of a straight bar you can make work. If you do decide on the S3, go for the newer fuel injected model... by that time most of the flaws that resulted in recals had been taken care of and if god forbid you have exhaust problems, there are more ebay exhausts available for the 98 and later bikes hope that helps | ||
| Ustorque |
thanks for all the feed back so far guys i really appreciate it. i did not ask which one was the better bike, we all know that would be an endless debate, but just what made the two different. to me they look pretty much the same, but i realize there is more nostalgia toward the S2 just because of the more personal build style they got over the S3. As i have spent more time looking i have noticed the S3's tend to get less money. So given the right circumstances and the right price i would definately consider one, but what would i be passing up? i guess where i have never ridden either, would i ever know the difference? I already have the XB9 so i'm looking now for more of a touring style bike for the days when i just wanna take a nice leisurely back road ride(with the ability to still get aggressive). again thanks for all the feed back, every little bit helps! | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
Shawn, How tall are you? If you are taller than average, you might prefer the S3. I am 6'7" and find that it has lots of room and is very comfortable for long rides. To me, the S2 is somewhat cramped by comparison. The decision will come down to one question: What is the right bike for YOU? S2s are really pretty. S3s are well sorted out and make more power. Both are excellent bikes. Whatever you decide, you really can't go wrong with either one. | ||
| Eshardball |
S1 is my Franken bike of choice. Not great for touring though but an absolute joy to ride. Stock seat must be redone or replaced | ||
| Ratbuell |
I own an S1W, an S2, and a Uly. I've had an M2 in the past as well. I won't get rid of my S2. Ever. Like Court said - other bikes can come and go, but some just aren't for sale anymore. Mine's one of them. I'm 6'4" and my bike (a '95) has the '96 S2T fittings of taller bars, lower pegs, bags and leg fairings. I'm totally comfortable on it, and my wife (who rode from the hotel to the track, and lapped Road America on it with me at Homecoming) is also comfortable. The S2 has personality. It has sex appeal - just look at those curves. I put thunderstorm heads/pistons and X1 cams in mine, so now it has comparable power to my S1W. It just *feels right* when you're on it - at least to me. Now, on to specifics. #35 is going to be about as perfect as an S2 can get. Frank is a good friend of mine and he totally redid that bike, because that's what he does for fun. Damned thing didn't even look that bad when he got it, lol. But, if that's the bike in question - don't worry about 'problem areas' or any of that stuff. If it was a problem, Frank fixed it. Any other S2 (or S3), just keep an eye for the "usual" problem areas - leaks, drips, tires, belts, noises. Running issues can usually be traced to an intake gasket (take a can of brakleen with you, or carb cleaner - the spray test is simple). Tubers are simple, straightforward machines with a HUGE "complexity vs. riding rewards" factor. And, it's going to ride and behave completely differently than your XB does. One's not better or worse than another - they just have totally distinct personalities. So go on...you know you want to! lol | ||
| Ustorque |
thanks for the insight Rat, as far as frank's bike goes, i have never questioned what he's done to the bike. i've seen what he does to all his bikes and can see that he genuinely takes pride in keeping these beautiful machines on the road.....and i have much respect for it. hopefully the planets will align in a few months, and we can make it happen. keep it comin guys! | ||
| Limitedx1 |
another tuber that wont be a mutant. yaaaaaaaaah  |
