| Author | Message | ||
     Jespo_m2 |
I want to get another tuber... I can't handle not owning one anymore. There are 2 BEAUTIFUL tubers for sale locally. a 2002 M2L with full factory race kit, 6500 miles and a 1997 S1 silver with 3300 miles all stock except for V&H pipe and jetted carb. The 2002 M2 has the latest is all tuber updates and is more comfortable to ride. The 1997 S1 has that .. well .. classic S1 look.. and a desired collectable. Both are the same price and look new! What would you do?  | ||
| Guell |
the m2 is going to be more sorted, but just doesnt have the look or feel of the s1. Go with which one talks to you. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Make sure you ride an S1 before you decide. I owned an M2, and lusted after an S1. After a 20 minute ride on an S1, I got better. S1's sure are beautiful though... | ||
| Blks1l |
S1's aren't that bad to ride, though I've never ridden an M2, I've got 20,000 miles on my S1. | ||
| Cyclonemick |
If possible, take both out for about a 20 min Test Ride! That should give you a good feel about which one is right for you! But I will say if you are ever planning on riding 2 up, the Cyclone will be much better suited for a Passenger! | ||
| Rjn |
you could buy the M2, converted it into an S1 and make sure you can bolt the M2 parts back. So you've got best of both worlds. | ||
| Fahren |
I'm probably not going to help you, because when it came to deciding between an S2T and an S1W, I ended up with both. They are different, so comparison is hard. You know best your own biking needs/desires, though. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
If you want to look at it, get the S1. If you want to ride it, get the M2. If you can afford it, get both. I love to ride my M2 and I love to look at my friend's S1. The S1 is beautiful but just too hard-core for an old guy like me. | ||
| Guell |
Or! You could get the m2, buy a 97 m2 tail and seat, and have a skinny tail section much like the s1. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
Matt, That is the best idea yet! Go with the M2 and a 97 tail and seat. Good luck. Dave | ||
| Buell_lee |
I've got one of those but now I have to sell a 97 model with the big tank and big seat on it. It really is a nice bike now it has all the good features of the 2002 model with the good looking tank and seat plus it has an S3 fairing great fun to ride. I would highly recommend going this route | ||
| Nhtuber |
I have a '98 S1 and a '01 M2. If you like to ride fairly long distances, I'd get the Cyclone. If you prefer short rides, the S1 is lots of fun! | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
I have the 02 M2. It's a solid machine with all the kinks work out by 2002 then Buell goes and changes the line!!! | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
ask your self what type of riding you want to do...i put a S1 front end on my M2...best of both world cant go wrong either way | ||
| Road_thing |
Buy 'em both. rt | ||
| Kenm123t |
buy both I did | ||
| Jespo_m2 |
I just picked up a 2000 M2 for $2500! Just needed a carb clean... bike runs great! It saddens me that they are worth so little... but it allowed me to get another. This is my 5th M2 I've owned. I keep selling them to get something 'more practical' but always kept an eye out for them. Out of all the Buell's I've ever owned.. (5 S1's, 2 X1's, 5 M2's, 2 XB's) the M2 is the most fun to ride (my opinion)... hands down. Even more fun than my Uly which gives me electrical problems from time-to-time. I bought an M2 brand new in 2000... I can honestly say "the M2 is the bike that changed my life." I'll post some pics up ASAP. | ||
| Cbig |
Have to agree with jespo. I bought a 2000, put 46k trouble free miles on it before selling it. Later bought a 2001 used with 800 miles on it for $2600, put 16k on that bike (practically brand new when I got it) and recently sold it after buying a XB12ss in the out of business frenzy sale of 2009. The xb is a nice bike don't get me wrong, but knowing what I know I would have kept the M2. Easy to fix, bit more character, and a good general comfy ride.. | ||
| Jsunstar |
Thats easy... Buy an s2... | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
I agree with Jespo. My M2 has a Mikuni 42 with a Forcewinder intake and a Buell Race exhaust. It is by far, the most satisfying bike I have ever owned. My other bikes are tough competition though (S3T, Suzuki 1200 Bandit with go-fast stuff, several 1970 Triumphs). I can go out in the garage any time and ride any one of them but the Buell M2 is the one I ride most - so that is the real test for me. | ||
| Rick_a |
The S1 is a perfect solo ride and short range commuter. The '98 seat makes them a lot more comfortable, though you lose the ability to carry even the smallest-butted passenger. The M2 is a lot more practical and a bit better put together. All depends on your intended use. | ||
| Tleighbell |
I am also trying to make that call. I test drove M2 followed by the X1 (which I assume is pretty close to the S1) in 2003 and much preferred the M2. The X1 felt wheezy in the engine department unless you revved it (which seemed unnatural for that motor)and the steering/handling felt very wonky after the M2. So, couple of questions: 1. Presumably the bottom end punch can be restored by installing the M2 cams or re-timing the X1/S1 cams to reduce overlap? 2. I understand the S1/X1 has less rake and trail than the M2. Is this in the frame itself or the triple clamps or ride height, i.e. can it be changed relatively easily. 3. Also, the M2 has lower footpegs which I presume can lead to ground clearance issues but presumably there is a bolt on fix for this? If possible I would take the more collectible bike and do some reversible mods to make it more rideable | ||
| Reepicheep |
Between gearing and motor, I don't think the compelling difference between the S1 and M2 is the motor feel... It's the seat and chassis feel. I love looking at S1's, but after riding one, I'd buy an M2 to ride. | ||
| Tleighbell |
So what is it that makes the difference, just the seat and suspension rates? Those are easy to change. I checked the front end geometry on the S1 vs. the M2 and the X1. The S1 and M2 are very close, the S1 is 25 degrees/3.8", the M2 is 24.5 degrees, I think 3.5" and the X1 is 23.5 degrees/ and something less than 3.5" (going by memory here, may be off a bit but the S1 is the most conservative, M2 in the middle and X1 most radical. The reason I ask is I just looked at a 98 S1 with Corbin seat, V & H pipe, one owner, very low mileage, not cheap but pretty tempting. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
The seat is the big difference. You can sit comfortably on the M2. Both handle well and have good power delivery. If I spent more time hanging off in corners than riding while sitting on the seat I might buy an S1. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I own both. First Buell (and first BIKE) was a 99 M2. Tractor-simple to ride and work on. Currently have a 98 S1W and 01 M2L in the garage. Tractor-torque? M2. Mid-and hi-range power? S1W. The S1W is a little more "explosive" as far as power goes. The M2L is nearly as fast...but its delivery is transparent. Seating position is nearly identical, bars-to-seat-to-pegs. But the M2 seat...ahhhh...the M2 seat The S1W, either with my Corbin or the stock Euro seat...is charitably described as "plank-like". There's a reason even Erik, I believe, is quoted as calling it a "one-cheek seat". The biggest difference is the "normal" M2 forks, versus the upside-down forks on the S1/S1W. The M2 was the "econo" Buell, MSRP was $9200 IIRC. Throw some USD forks on it, though, and you'll have a torquey S1 clone...with a seat that accommodates TWO cheeks I concur with the above - in-town hooligan? S1 or S1W. Serious mileage bike? M2. I put 24k on my '99 in 2 years; my S1W, which I bought in '06 with 1,100 miles on it, only shows 6k now. Now there are other factors - my '99 was my only bike at the time; my S1W sits next to four other Buells...but there is a difference between the two comfort-wise. | ||
| Tleighbell |
I remember the Cycle World road test of the SW1 said "that's not a seat its a supository". Can the M2 seat unit be fitted to the SW1? | ||
| Kiwicris |
Jespo, can you upload those photos you said you'd do .reason is there are two 1999 M2's for sale on BWB at the moment. . .one has the rear pipe over the frame - the other has the pipe under. . .Figure one is probably a 2000 so pictures of a "bought New in 2000" gives me a datum point . . I hope thanx Chris | ||
| Ratbuell |
Over the frame should be a 98, with the narrow tank and tail as well. S-curve header. 99 got the Manta tank, wider seat, and T-bend under-frame header. IIRC cosmetics were the only change from 99 to 00; they went from a flat black header to a stainless header. Same physical shape, just different finishes. | ||
| Ratbuell |
If you were looking at the orange M2 in California, that's an aftermarket header. The black one with the "radioactive" air cleaner has a stock header. |
