| Author | Message | ||
     Captainkirk |
How did you come to choose a Buell over other motorcycles? What was the deciding factor(s) that really pushed your buttons? Doesn't matter if it was last week or 20 years ago. What's your story? | ||
| Captainkirk |
Well, I guess I'll tell my story. It was looks first, then sound, then handling. The back story, if you're interested; My brother had bought a '97 M2 in black to replace his 81 Yamaha Seca 550, which I bought from him. I got the Seca cleaned up and running. Meanwhile, he kinda blew up the Buell and had the dealer do a bunch of mods including Thunderstorm heads, Wiseco pistons etc and he put on a Forcewinder, Force exhaust, Jagg oil cooler and did the Thunderslide carb mod. One day after both our bikes were up and running we went riding together. At one point, I was leading and he was following...we were blitzing along about 70 when he comes blowing by me like an F5 tornado, leans peg-deep into a right turn down a side road and...vanishes. The shock waves from the Force exhaust hit me like a tsunami and the sound was like nothing I'd ever experienced before. When I finally caught up with him waiting patiently at a stop sign, it was like a switch flipped inside me...I knew I had to have a Buell and no amount of talking to myself or making excuses was gonna change it. The very next day I started looking in earnest at the local dealers, and less than 3 months later I was unloading my very own '99 M2 Cyclone off the trailer in my driveway (it was late February with snow still on the ground...but I couldn't wait!) That bike is special to me...no other bike I've ever owned is or was as exciting and visceral as my Cyclone, which is why I'll always keep it no matter what other bikes rest in my stable. (Message edited by captainkirk on May 01, 2020) | ||
| Court |
32 years ago count? Hahahaha | ||
| Captainkirk |
Of course, Court! My story took place right after 9/11 so...like 18 years ago. Bring it on! | ||
| Jolly |
Back story: Wheelied, at a “decent speed”.... road gets bad...and tumbled a 1985 VF1000R, totaled the bike, shattered 5 bones, broken and separated by over an inch, surgery, 4 steel pins, and lots of recovery time, can finally walk again, and my buddy calls for a favor.... “hey now that rain stopped can you take my FZR1000 in for tires, they are bald, girlfriend will give you the key......” Pick up bike, hammer the throttle, stand it up, yep wet roads, bald tiire.....I’m an IDIOT...... save it.... call him and tell him he can pick his own bike up IM DONE!!! For 10 years... 30 years later I still hurt every minute of every damn day...... Then I ride a silver 97 S1...... AND HAVE TO HAVE ONE!!!!!! Going through a divorce... do the only wise thing and buy my first Buell and return to riding... | ||
| Ebutch |
I wanted a modern bike with electric start disc brakes with more Power & Looks of course & GREAT SOUND + HANDLING.Test rode a 96 S2T and fell in love with it.Everyone before that Was 1959 Cushman Pacemaker scooter Two Bsa's Lightnings & two BSA thunderbolts & a Bsa Rocket-Three & a BMW R60/5.And like easy maintenance of Buells.  (Message edited by ebutch on May 01, 2020) | ||
| Gusm2 |
As a spotty youth growing up with various jap bikes I always lusted after a Harley, In the early 90's I got a chance to ride a 1200 Sportster and was appalled at how slow and feeble it felt along side the Kawasaki GPZ500 I was riding at the time. Roll on a few years and seeing a Buell for the first time had me interested again and time for another road test, this time on an M2, I had to have one. Found mine at Wheels International in Milton Keynes that was 2001, still got it and never selling it | ||
| Mstrfrz |
My first bike was a 1983 VFR750. Interceptor. Rode it into the ground, sold my drumset, and bought a 1987 Ducati 650SS. My college roommate, who's last name was Buell, asked why I don't get a Harley. I told him "when a Harley can perform like my Ducati, I'll get one." Fast forward many years to 2000, the Ducati was in need of a rebuild and I had just completed my first Deployment. $ burning a hole in my pocket, I go to buy a brand new Ducati M900. I go to pick it up and there's a 99 X1 sitting in the shop. I told the salesguy "I'm gonna test ride this while you draw up the paperwork." I returned, cancelled the sale, shelled out 2 more grand, and bought the used X1. Stil have and ride it, about 47k on the clock now. (Message edited by Mstrfrz on May 02, 2020) | ||
| 99cyclone |
15+ years ago, had my mind up that a Ducati Monster was the bike for me. Looked at an M2 on a whim, as an alternative, and fell in love. Still have and ride that M2 today. Quite a few Buells have come and gone since. Never did buy that Ducati... | ||
| Falloutnl |
I told the salesguy "I'm gonna test ride this while you draw up the paperwork." I returned, cancelled the sale, shelled out 2 more grand, and bought the used X1. Stil have and ride it, about 47k on the clock now. Lol, that could have been me had it happened to me earlier. For me it went like this: (first bike in 2005) Monster 620 then a Ducati 998 in 08 + Yamaha YZF750R after that back to Monster 1100 in 2010. Rode that for a few years until I made the mistake of trying a Firebolt on a whim. I didn't end up buying that Firebolt (would have, had things worked out with the seller) but I did get an X1 Lightning a short while later (traded in the 750). Monster 1100 was gathering dust after that so I Sold the 1100 not too long after getting the X1 and bought like 5 more Buells after that. I had been aware of them previously but didn't consider buying one partly because they seemed out of reach somehow (and partly due to reliability horror stories). The extreme styling of the XB series might have to do something with the initial intimidation I felt. Think it was the sound that drew me in eventually. Best sound I ever heard which - when I got one - translated to the most intoxicating kind of power delivery I've ever experienced. Just so much fun. Once that single testride on the Firebolt gave me a taste, riding the 1100 afterwards was never the same. It felt almost boring... Another thing is handling, though I didn't learn about that until I owned one of course. I finally came into my own in riding terms once I threw my legs over the X1. Just phenomenal. Despite being over a decade older than the 1100, it gave me so much more confidence. Fantastic bike. I want to write fan mail to Erik every time I'm done riding that thing.} | ||
| Mstrfrz |
Sounds like A lot of Monsters lost out to Buells. The Monster is far and away sexier, but there's nothing like the ride of an X1. Dodn't know there ever was an M1100; kinda quit keeping up with the latest and greatest after Owning my X1. No need to. I'd known about Buells a while too before ever straddling one. Never cared much for the Thunderbolts. I did like the M2, though I've never ridden one, and the X1 was even better. | ||
| Simond |
Motorcycling had become boring for me. I was commuting daily on a TDM850 but rarely rode a bike for any other reason. I saw a red S1 parked up outside Liverpool Street Station while having a pint or two with work colleagues. We popped out to have a look and a little later heard the owner start it up and ride off. That weekend I rode my first Buell - it was like someone had designed the perfect bike for me - I ordered a molten orange/nuclear blue X1 within days. As for the S2....... Court made me.......! | ||
| Court |
Simon: Hahahahaha. . . . . Actually, in terms of motorcycling enthusiasm. . . . It’s tough to beat the Europeans and the Japanese. In the earliest days of Buell. . . Whilst the ink was wet on the HD & Buell negotiations. . . . I was crying out for info on “how Europeans use motorcycles”. I received a gift when Chauly (I call him Chuck) we’re on the CompuServe RIDE and a fellow named Mac McClellan (I likely have the name wrong. . . Working with 30+ year old memories) answered my call. He and his son sat out. . . . Collected data on numbers of bikes parked in places .....first turned me on to how Brits interface with motorcycle. . . . To Americans they are primarily a luxury/recreation. . . . To the Brits they are a commuting tool. Your riding and behavior is far more disciplined than ours in terms of lane control and situational awareness. I learned a LOT from Brits and kept feeding info to Erik and, later, The Scotts (Miller and Habbeger). You ... years later... and your friendship were another gift. To this day when I see a post with your name my eyes light up. You, for years, have been a great friend and a window into the wonder of motorcycling. I’ve not ruled out a trip to the UK. On my bucket list is riding on the “wrong” side of the road. I suggest that you’d derive such enjoyment from watching me try....it wou,d add flavor to YOUR bucket list. All the best, Court | ||
| Falloutnl |
So who did the styling on these bikes then Court? | ||
| Simond |
That X1 took me to work; to France, Belgium, Ireland, Scotland & Wales; and many hundreds of laps around Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park and Rockingham. I've never really regretted selling a bike but I'd have that one back in a heartbeat. After several weeks of lock down and home schooling there are two over serviced and very healthy Buells sitting in the garage if you should ever drop by Court. Cheers Simon | ||
| Falloutnl |
Which two, tell us Simond  | ||
| Williamscottrobertson |
I had a ysr 50 in high school and college I played around on. More of my friends bought “real bikes” so, I bought a blast and took the msf course in 2003. It was affordable on a college student budget, and was really great for be-bopping around campus and home when I came back for the summers. After graduation I lusted for more, bought a practically new 06 katana 750, last of the katana. Sold it when my buddy’s sold their sport bikes. I still wanted a big boy Buell and bought a new 09 XB9SX, cherry bomb red. I wanted blue, what a fiasco, HD dealer sucked, long story. Kept it a few years, I put 7k miles on it sold it for $6500 in 2011. Then I got into vintage, cafe, and wrenching, owner a ural gear up, some yammy RDs, enfield bullet, an old Honda benly, ect. Buell still in the back of my mind. Ran across a low mileage 00 S3 on Craigslist in my home town, 2500 miles for $2500. Picked that up and got on here, and have been thru a few tubers. I got into guzzis lately and picked up another ural. They are all cool, but my wife goes do you really need 10 bikes, you can’t ride them all at once. I came back and said do you need 20 purses and 20 pairs of shoes? Can’t wear but one at a time LOL | ||
| Lasbuell |
the picture of the M2 hanging in the meat locker caught my eye. Then the harley sound with the naked frame look!! 😍 | ||
| Blake |
I've ridden since turning 16 and commandeering dad's CB450. By 1998, I was tired of dealing with the problematic Yamaha XZ550RJ Vision that had gotten me through three years of college as my only transportation. After starting work, it sat in dad-in-law's barn for six years before being returned to duty. I'd moved from the big city (Dallas metro area) to East Texas, and new friend and coworker Keith (Skully here of Dark Horse Moto fame) got himself a 1984 FXR. But the years in the barn took a toll. Fuel tank oxidation, gunky carburetors, twice-failed alternators, chronic overheating, and always a buzzy but-numbing ride. I took to calling it not a "Vision" but more appropriately "The Nightmare." Something was always going wrong with it. When I walked in to Lonestar HD/Buell/Triumph, I was thinking "Speed Triple"; had no idea about Buell motorcycles. Sales guy said "take this here Buell for a ride; go have fun and tell me what you think;" like I'd be doing him a favor. As he handed me the key he warned "just watch out for the front wheel coming off the ground towards your face, and also the front brake sending you face first and ass over." It was a perfectly tuned 1997 S1 Lightning with a race kit. That's all it took. I had no idea riding a motorcycle could be so viscerally satisfying. It was an angry beast, yet would do whatever was asked of it. Massive grunt, no buzzing whatsoever; it went from the earthquake idle to smooth as silk at cruise and beyond. I never even looked at the Speed Triple. The '97 models were price reduced, factory incentive to clear out last year's models, and a black M2 Cyclone called my name. My 6'-3" fame didn't fit the S1 very well; my knee competing for space with even the Forcewinder intake. I've never been a fan of fared bikes for street riding, so the S3 wasn't for me either. The M2 felt great. I think it ended up being right around $9K out the door with a fair haul of accessories at 25% off, a tail bag, tank bag, saddle bags, some zip-up riding boots, a nice leather jacket, gloves, a bike cover, and a bunch of routine maintenance parts and fluids. I still have a hot rod '97 Cyclone, not the same one. I wrecked it and me a year later—but that's another story. The Uly gets virtually all the riding time now. It may have civilized me some. Aside from removing lots of protective plastic around the belt and front sprocket, and the "Race" ECM, it's still stock. I like the relative quiet. On the rare occasions taking out the old hot rod Cyclone race bike (CMRA #131), it can be unsettling at first. It's like it's angry, needs to destroy something, and won't be satisfied otherwise. Clip-ons, rear-sets, Borla CF muffler, and an engine built for a short twisty track, maximum mid-range grunt and down low. No way I could part it out nor part with it for what the market now values it. Always brings a grin. I'll ride Buell until it's impossible to do so. I'm just an air-cooled twin loyalist. I'm still disgusted at Harley. | ||
| Kc_zombie |
This started it for me in 1998:  Then I saw one and I was hooked. | ||
| Bd3 |
I was late... Rode friends' minibikes and dirt bikes occasionally growing up in the 70's, brother had a bike in early '80's, almost bought a friend's Honda in '87 (but he could not find a title), got married, raised 5 kids, built a couple of hot rod trucks, always wanted a bike, at 50 started looking at Harleys and stumbled across a Buell M2, game over... Riding the M2 makes me feel like an 11 year old again riding my homemade, BMX bicycle with playing cards clothes-pinned to the frame and flapping in the spokes | ||
| Captainkirk |
"Riding the M2 makes me feel like an 11 year old again riding my homemade, BMX bicycle with playing cards clothes-pinned to the frame and flapping in the spokes" This made me grin...A few years back I was corresponding via email with my uncle, a now-retired pastor living in Montana. He had sent me some pictures of his newfound retirement hobby; he had bought a recently restored Honda 740 Four and was sharing how peaceful and relaxing he was finding it to cruise the country highways. I sent him a couple photos of my '99 M2 and my brother's '97 M2, to which he replied: "Those are YOUNG men's bikes". I responded with: "We got young AFTER we got the Buells..." So true. I feel like a young gunslinger punk when I'm in the saddle on that Cyclone! (Message edited by captainkirk on May 05, 2020) | ||
| Bd3 |
Funny, my wife says I revert to "punk teenager" | ||
| Court |
Many old timers will recall. . . . From the days of Thunder Press and Battle2Win. . . . That I always referred to the Buell M2 Cyclone as “one of the best motorcycles ever made . . . . And I can prove it”. It’s a true statement, to this day . . . | ||
| Falloutnl |
I'm still disgusted at Harley. Yup. | ||
| Mstrfrz |
"I had a ysr 50 in high school and college" Me too. Loved them around campus. Wish I could find another... " I was thinking "Speed Triple"" Yes! Just like the Ducati M900 I never bought. Great minds think alike. | ||
| Captainkirk |
Many old timers will recall. . . . From the days of Thunder Press and Battle2Win. . . . That I always referred to the Buell M2 Cyclone as “one of the best motorcycles ever made . . . . And I can prove it”. If memory serves, I think you made that statement as "THE best motorcycle made". I never had reason to question that statement.  | ||
| Upthemaiden |
A lot of stories in here! My fascination started back around 2000-2001 or so. Back where my parents live there was a pretty good sized bike night every week. I'd usually park, walk around to take a look at the bikes then take off. I remember one night after I left and was riding up the main road a group of 5-6 Harleys was coming the other way, and right in the middle of them a Harley guy, decked in in the usual Harley gear and fake half helmet, on a loud blue M2. I pretty much fell in love with it(but mostly the S1) immediately. I went through a couple of bikes, moved to the city and for the most part gave up riding. Then I heard Buell was closing, and heard about them selling off bikes for half price just to get rid of them. I panicked and figured if I was going to get one, that was the time before they were too old and too hard to get parts for. Considering Buell closed, I figured it was a safer bet to buy an XB, for reliabilities sake, over a tuber. I didn't find any great deals on new ones, but I did eventually find a used XB9S at a dealership a couple hours away. I bought it, loved it, but eventually sold it because it just wasn't the right bike at the right time... sucked on the highway, had a hard time keeping up 600cc sportbikes… if it had been an XB12 I probably would've kept it. Regardless, sold it and went through a few other bikes, and finally ended up with the S1 I should've bought all long. I was absolutely right that the XB I had was more reliable than the S1. This bike has it's handful of things that need sorted out mostly due to bad previous owners, but it's definitely an easier bike to keep on the road long term than the XB would have been once it got older, so I'm planning to keep it forever. | ||
| Court |
Like the story of Paul Smart’s wife committing him to ride at Imola . . . . The history of motorcycling is seasoned with some glorious stories. . . . Literally things beyond the wildest imagination. Buell, the person, the company and the motorcycles, have more than their fair share. Who thought a capacitor manufacturer in Italy would be a force on World Superbike and thank goodness the German bombs missed. | ||
| Blake |
Court: >>> It’s a true statement, to this day . . . Nah. Not since the 2009 Uly.  |
