| Author | Message | ||
     Hardway |
i've recently inherited an S1W. I've almost got it ready for the road. This is my first buell and the previous owner did a lot of engine work. It should have around 115 hp. So those of you experienced on this bike please help a rookie out. What should I expect when riding this bike? What common quirks should I be prepared for? Anything you think I should know before the first ride would be great to know. Thank in advance. | ||
| Hardway |
I guess i'll just have to adapt and overcome as things pop up. roger that and Semper Fi | ||
| Randy_spann |
Eric - You should cruise this board. There are many little details that should be attended to, to forstall bigger problems. Exhaust yoke, there's a Y type that helps with header cracking. Shock recall. Aircleaner spooge, Etc. Basically a real strong bike, but with a few quirks. With 115hp engine work, should be a blast to ride. | ||
| Fahren |
Um.... it likes corners. It gets quite hot. It's loud. The seat's no armchair. You may get a lot of looks from people. I can't tell from your profile if you are used to Buells, or even air-cooled v-twins, or even motorcycles. It would help to know what background you are coming from with bikes, to help you to know what might be different. | ||
| Hootowl |
Hey Eric, Congrats on the bike. Do you know what exactly the PO did to the engine? There have been many improvements since 98, most of them fairly simple to install. If there has been recent work done, you have a pretty good chance of them already being done. No real quirks wrt riding it that I can think of, though if you really have 115 HP, you're riding a mousetrap. Go easy on the wheelies  Also, consider a more comfortable seat if you plan on riding long distances. The stock seat is more of a maxipad than anything else. If you post up some pictures from various angles, we'll be able to tell you more specific things about the bike, and what you may still need to do. Jeff | ||
| Hardway |
Thanks all. i guess i should have told you a bit more about me. I was mostly asking about the ride. I've ridden several different sport bikes in small stints. all of them a bit different with their own quirks. I spend most of my time on a cruiser, so the wheelies will be kept to a minimum until i get used to the power and handling of this bike. I've always said if i get a sport bike it'll be a buell. i just don't care for the cookie cutter bikes from over seas. I just want to make sure I don't finish killing this bike. the PO was an experienced well rounded rider and he wrecked it twice. I don't want to follow in those foot steps. Thanks again for all your input. | ||
| Hootowl |
If you're used to cruisers, here are some things that are different. The brakes are strong enough to loft the rear tire with two fingers. The engine is strong enough, and the wheelbase short enough, to lift the front tire off the ground under several conditions, one of them being pulling hard out of a corner. This can lead to some serious head-shaking and potentially a catastrophic tank slapper situation. Take it easy until you learn the power characteristics of the bike. That bike made around 75-80 HP at the rear wheel stock. If you have 115, I'd be real careful about when and how I whacked the throttle open. The riding position is obviously very different. The S1 sits more like a big dirt bike than anything else. You'll find yourself trying to hold yourself up with your arms. Instead, grip the bike with your knees and hold yourself up with your legs. Your wrists will thank you. The rising position is not as aggressive as a repli-racer by a long shot, but it will still put a bit of weight on your arms if you let it. | ||
| Hardway |
Hootowl, thank you. thats the type of info i was lookin for. i want to wave the buell banner high, not get buried in it. | ||
| Hootowl |
Also be aware that the rear brake on a short wheelbase bike doesn't have as much stopping power as you're used to with a long low heavy cruiser. Most of your braking power is up front. The rear locks up fairly easily, more so the harder you hit the front as the weight transfers to the front wheel and the back starts to come up. The rear brake on a cruiser will haul you down pretty well without locking up, not so on your S1. | ||
| Hardway |
it sounds like i'm going to have my hands full if i'm not careful. I think this bike will be a whole lot of fun once I get used to it. | ||
| Fahren |
unlike a foreign sportsbike, or even an 1125 Buell, the power range is at low to mid rev's. Stock, the useful upper end of your rpm range is around 6000 - 6500 max. You will find the bike pulling hard and fun at much, much lower. You will not need to shift as much as you would with a jap sportsbike - the gearing, along with the really useful lower rev range, will get you through twisties with fewer gear changes. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Expect perm-a-grin and watch out for it to last a long time!! | ||
| Hardway |
I get the grin just looking at it. Soon is never soon enough. | ||
| Dave |
"What should I expect when riding this bike?" A bitchin' looking ride with a killer engine that your ass will not forgive you for getting. DAve | ||
| Ratbuell |
Everybody's forgotten...and it's surprising for a bunch of Buellers...to tell you to ADJUST YOUR SUSPENSION. Buells have adjustable suspension front and rear, for rider weight and riding style. Read your manual. Understand the theories. Go to the recommended settings for your weight (preload, compression, rebound, sag), and go for a gentle (but not too gentle) ride. Don't push the laws of physics, but give the suspension a little workout - enough to feel what's going on. Remember the theories. Mental-log the aspects you like/don't like. Go home. Adjust ONE item at a time, and re-ride the same route. It'll take a few passes...but eventually you'll get it right. Choirs of angels shall sing. Beams of light will burst through the clouds. Bueller and Buell shall become one, and all will be good. It makes THAT much of a difference. Take your time to get to know the bike. Short wheelbase and tons of torque definitely equals license-plate-on-the-ground, at any time, if you're not careful. 6 piston front brake equals headlight-in-the-dirt, also at any time. Four fingers on the front brake is too many. Use two. Or one. The good news? The bike is basically predictable. Torque isn't going to spike from 0 to "eleven" without warning; neither will the brakes. You'll see it coming, if you pay attention. Get to know the bike. It will reward you, every time you throw a leg over. And buy the shop manual, if it doesn't have one already. It's not that you're going to "need" one...but it makes life easier if something does come up, if you have the "instructions" | ||
| Ratbuell |
And...before you know it...you'll be out doing silly stuff like this:  | ||
| Hardway |
Ratbuell, thanks. I knew the suspension was adjustable but i didn't know there was a starting point. looked in my shop manual and found the distructions. following this advise should make me a happy camper faster then trying to wing it like i was going to do. Thanks again |
