| Author | Message | ||
     Ratbuell |
So, I rode the old girl to work today. My "commute" is 17 miles - four on slab...the rest is mountain twisties. I am continually surprised at how planted, stable, and controllable the S2 chassis is. Near-dead PR2's, Works shock, factory forks, 30k miles, and I had toes/pegs touch down on both sides, more than once. Infinitely tossable, very responsive, and on the slab...dead-stable, no headshake, no wander. Mostly stock, with a Thunderstorm top end, X1 cams, S1W race ignition, stock exhaust, and EBC front rotor. Rides like today are why I continue to fall in love with a near-20-year-old motorcycle. And it doesn't hurt that the bodywork is dead sexy  | ||
| Hootowl |
The old girl catches me by surprise when I have to change lines mid corner too. She forgives me for my incompetence every time. | ||
| Jvv |
You guys are right......there is "something" about the S2's that certainly awakes the primitive mc senses. Many bikes have come and gone, while I had the S2.......I put over 10K on a RC 51, before I sold it.......sure it was faster, cornered better and had brakes to die for, but not near the "fun" factor. Very most likely, the S2 will be the last mc I let go of. | ||
| Reducati |
i went from an new xb in 2004, sold, then a s1....loved it, got ran over, later bought a second s1 really loved the soul of those bikes, sold it  then during the fire sale bought a cr...fast, unique, ..then traded it for an s2(t). i work in an urban environment with its share of stress...then i my days off i grab the s2...and roll...not the fastest, or quickest bike, but damn, it always leave me with a big  | ||
| Rex |
It seems like you think the S2 thru the corners, vrs. steering it. Other bikes, seem like you have to steer them.... | ||
| Lynrd |
Rex, That's funny - my very first impression of the S2, back in 1995, was exactly the opposite. I think it has to do with saddle time. At the time, I was running a 1974 R90/6 (Gertrude) that I had put over 100K miles on, including running the Cal 1+1, the Cal 24, and the Utah 1088. It was not the fastest thing on the road, but for endurance riding it was very hard to beat. I had even gone one year when I didn't own a car at all - I went EVERYWHERE on that old Beemer. When the first S2 finally showed up at Modesto HD (So far as I know the first one in this part of the state) I rode out there and took her for a test drive. I still vividly recall the first turn I tried to make - I tried to turn it like the BMW, which basically consisted of thinking "lets go THAT way" and the bike would do it. That S2 stood straight up and absolutely refused to turn. "Ah-hah" I thought "This one needs more direction..." and at the next corner it was the full on load the pegs, hard counter steer, and lean - I basically threw her around that next corner - and the bike responded...well, like an S2. She changed direction faster than I had anticipated and purred up at me "Yeah, that's it. Ride me like you mean it..." And I did. By the end of my test ride I was mentally selling everything I own to have this hand built beauty - but it was not to be. I didn't get to own one for almost 20 years... | ||
| Hootowl |
I've not ridden the beemer you're referring to, but I can tell you that I can steer my S-2 with my ass cheeks. | ||
| Court |
Recommendations for S2 tires . . . please gents. I actually . . . after some careful going over . . . . fired up the S2 today. OHMYGAWD This could be fun. | ||
| Lynrd |
I'm liking these fancy Michelins I splurged up for Rhonda about a thousand miles ago. - I believe the specific model is the "TheOnly170/17WeHaveInStock" at Cycle Gear. I am pretty sure that is what the sales guy called it. It says "Pilot Road 4 GT" on the sidewall. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Michelin has had generational improvements on the Pilot Road dual compound tires. I currently have PR2's on my S2, and I LOVE THEM. These are, literally, the same tires I rode the bike on at the 25th. And, did the "parade lap" at Road America, 2-up, passing folks on the outside. Rock-solid tires, excellent "stick", beautiful transitions due to a very nice profile, and (as you can see...2008 to 2014)....outstanding tread life. I went to get PR2's for my S1W when it needed new shoes. They'd been superceded to the PR3 - better wet siping, still dual compound, all the great characteristics of the PR2 with (supposedly) even BETTER treadwear. I've ridden both the PR2 and the PR3 through standing water (measurable in INCHES) and not eaten pavement and not even puckered up. Super-stable, no issues whatsoever. I have PR3's on my S1W, my M2, my Ulysses, and a front on my CR (the rear is a near-done ContiMotion). Michelin now has a PR4. Talking to a local club racer, the change from 3 to 4 is in compound - even BETTER (!) treadwear from the center compound, but it is a silica-composite that, even though it is h-a-r-d-HARD for tread life, it gives you the "feel" of a softer tire for cornering. He loves them. And...I strongly suspect (since my PR2's have nearly 15k on them and are 6 years old now) my S2 will get a set soon. And when I scrub off the rest of that ContiMotion...my CR will get a rear. I know you Court. These are not "bargain" tires...but I promise you will love them and you will enjoy them for years and years. Glad to hear you fired up the beast - you must (let me rephrase that - you MUST) come to Maryland with it for a visit! | ||
| Hootowl |
Good info Joe. My xb needs a new front. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Six year old PR2 - it only gets sketchy when I'm over far enough to put a peg on the ground, lifting the rear a bit (whoops, heheh...shouldn't be pinching those apexes...):  Near-new (*maybe* 800 miles) PR3 on the M2. You can see the new grooves for the improved siping. Also rock-solid all the way to peg-down lean angles  | ||
| 4speeder |
After 43 years of riding on a multitude of tires on different bikes, I decided that the original Dunlop K81 TT100 was the best tire I had ever ridden on. Those tires were real peg draggers on the English bikes I used to ride. That was until I put a set of Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires on the S2. Oh my..... They are really lightweight with less gyroscopic effect, and stick like glue even when way over. The only negative so far is wear. It looks like I might get about 3,000 out of the rear. | ||
| Court |
Mileage is of no consequence. . . . .the bike hasn't had 100 miles on it the last 10 years and it won't get many going forward. It's just too significant a Buell, in terms of history, to not have running. But . . having it running and hearing that gorgeous sound makes me want to at least take it for a little journey. The current Dunlops are cracked very badly so my next challenge is finding someone to do Buell tires. I may load it up in a truck and take it someplace. Thanks all for your help. Having just bought new tires for the car . . . motorcycle tires almost see free. | ||
| Court |
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| 1313 |
I bought my 1995 S2 on this very day 19 years ago! Definitely an S2 happy thought/day for me! 1313 | ||
| Ratbuell |
Court - there's a UJM shop here who's used to my tire work, they do a great job for me and will do tires while i wait when I carry in Tue wheels. Depending how far you want to truck it...c'mon down. Spare room, nice garage, good whisky...all here | ||
| Ratbuell |
...and excellent roads, so you'll be able to get them properly scrubbed in before they go back on the truck | ||
| Screamer |
Happy Anniversary BB (that doesn't sound weird - does it?) In about two weeks - I'll be at 20 years. Got a current photo? R | ||
| 1313 |
Got a current photo? The most recent photo I have was from 'wash day'. On March 15th I washed all of my bikes in preparation for the arrival of my Defender. There are some battle scars but, all in all, not bad for a 19 year old bike with about 117,000 miles on it:  The one that started it all for me, 1313 | ||
| Jolly |
Looks GREAT !!! Are the single seat tails and seats still available from anywhere? | ||
| Lynrd |
Yesterday, Rhonda and I had some happy moments. In the spirit of getting her dressed up for the S2 Rally (and her 20th Birthday in July) we went down to Hollister from San Jose (about 40 miles each way) and had her seat recovered at Corbin. She has been sporting a 2 up "Gunfighter and Lady" on which I had had to do some impromptu surgery when the seat lock failed. For the last year or so the back if the seat was held together with "200 MPH tape". I woke up early on Saturday, put on my gear and threw a leg over her, pointed her south. Great morning for a ride - these engines love those cool mornings with just a little fog in the air. We were the first ones at the shop, and I explained what I was after - specifically, change the seat to a "Gunfighter" as I do not ever carry passengers. I picked out new leather and piping that matched the old seat, and went and had breakfast in Corbin's cafe while they did the re-cover. Yep - they still have the "While you wait" service. They no longer have the S2 bases, but can still do a great job on a recover. I stopped in Gilroy on the way hame and took a few snapshots  By 9:00, the shop had filled up - about half of the guys there were ridding Big Twin HDs, most of the rest were UJMs, a couple of BMWs and a single Ness Signature edition Victory. Still, I was out in a couple hours with what is, for all practical purposes, a brand new seat for just over $200. One of the betterer deals I have struck lately. They were even able to duplicate the "Thunderbolts" on the sides of the seat. I could not get them to leave the "Corbin" logo off - but for this level of service, I do not mind too much.  I just looked through my files - I did not think to capture a "Before" picture of the seat with Tape all over it - it wasn't something I was particularly thrilled about. But here is the seat as it looked as a two up. All of the area at the rear below the white piping was black duct tape...unsightly.  We took the long way home... what a great day for a ride! | ||
| 1313 |
Are the single seat tails and seats still available from anywhere? Not that I'm aware of. As far as I know, everyone that has done one has done it based off a standard tail and seat. At least one used RSS tail geometry and presumably an RSS seat. A friend of mine more skilled with paint and bodywork (and with more patience) did most of the work on mine with me there as whipping boy, 1313 | ||
| Screamer |
1313 - the bike still looks great, do you still have your previously modified cam cover - or is this the same one with more machining? Lynrd - it's nice to see red ( paint looks great!) with white wheels, that's always been a good combination. Court - where did you find the pricing on the Michelins? Thanks R | ||
| Screamer |
1313 - Looks Great! Still have the previously machined cam cover - or is the one shown the same one you used to have but now with more machining? Lynrd - Red with white wheels is still one of the nicest looking combinations. | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
Nice seat  and your canyon jumper still looking good! | ||
| 1313 |
Still have the previously machined cam cover - or is the one shown the same one you used to have but now with more machining? Sorry for the somewhat lame phone pics, but it's the same as it's been for the majority of it's 19 years:   I guess I should've/could've cleaned up the Jet Hot coated header a little better... 1313 | ||
| Screamer |
Couldn't notice the flames in the other photos - was wondering if it still had them... | ||
| Ratbuell |
Somebody say "red and white"?  | ||
| Screamer |
Today's "happy S2 thoughts" - for me... 20 years ago (actually on June 22) 1994, I bought my first S2. I still have the S2 (052), and I've kept the original warranty registration form, B.o.S., temp license plate, and the original shipping label off of the crate. I had the original complete crate until I moved to Wisconsin, when I decided that the oversized plywood box was too big a pain to move. I think I have (almost) every piece of paper from Buell that I received in those early years, and (much to my wife's dismay) every year since. The S2 was a fresh change from the hot-rod H-Ds I'd had up to then, and was a life-changer for my career. |
