| Author | Message | ||
     Ryaniniowa |
I'm a new owner and am slowly picking up answers but maybe real quick can somebody help me out? I have a '99 thunderbolt S3. I know it's fuel injected. Does anybody know is this the 100 hp motor? What's the difference between the S3 and the ST3? and last what are my options on getting rid of this HUGE air box??? Thanks all. | ||
| Captainkirk |
Ryan; No, it's the 101HP motor  A few of the differences between the T (touring) model (among others; I know just a few of them) are; 1) the handlebar profile 2) the bags and fairing lowers on the later models 3) the front fairing as opposed to the flyscreen 4) mirrors mounted to the fairing (Anyone else feel free to jump in here) What can you do to eliminate the Helmholtz? 1) Forcewinder (probably the most popular decision) 2) Buell carbon fiber race cleaner 3) Hypercharger 4) Are you SURE you want to get rid of the Helmholtz? It was designed for 2 purposes; a) noise reduction, and b) efficiency. It works very well. Ok; it's...like, UGLY, but I miss the knee clearance. | ||
| BadS1 |
Yeah the S3 didn't have a Fly screen it had the same as the S3T mdel as for the bars they were the same also. | ||
| Rex |
paint the buell airbox to match the bike...looks really good that way...I put the force and mikuni under the cover....sure helps when you go down...better to mess up the cover than the bike...works good to keep your right leg dry in the rain too. REX | ||
| Captainkirk |
I'm thinking of the '97's, maybe? | ||
| Twowheeldream |
nope, my 97 S3 has the same front fairing and the mirrors are bolted to the fairing support through the fairing I think there are 2 different style handlebars, but you could end up with them on either model. I read in a post somewhere "the touring handlebars have a 2" rise from the clamp... same ones on the blast, then there are the standard ones that just come up over the forks" Im not 100% on this... and i think it was in a post about clip ons but i have seen pics of other S3's that look like the handlebars have a higher rise than the bars i have I think the only real difference, for 97 anyway, is the fairing lowers and the bag hardware  (Message edited by TwoWheelDream on April 12, 2005) | ||
| Josh_ |
Trick question, in 99 there was no S3T. That year was a "dial-your-own" where you could take an S3 and add any of the availible "T" options. All were called S3s tho. Typically other years, the S3 had the same bars as the S1/M2. The S3T had 2" higher bars, same as you see on the Blast now. | ||
| Ray_maines |
The stock air box makes a good bumper if you tip the bike over on the right side. | ||
| Ryaniniowa |
Thanks guys... really appreciate your input! | ||
| Aaomy |
not sure on a s3 but the difference between a s2 and a s2t was taller bars, 1" lower driver foot pegs, hard bags and leg lowers. all else was identical as far as performance and could be switched between. s2t also had powder coated side plates.. not that an s3 has side plates any ways | ||
| Captainkirk |
I guess my judgement is flawed. My local dealer has a '97 S3 with a S1 flyscreen and dash that I've admired for some time now. I'd love to add it to the stable but they're asking WAYYYY too much for it (might even be a consignment based on the price) Anyway, I thought that was a factory bike but I guess not. My M2 has the S3T bars (love 'em, BTW!!!) and I know some of the earlier S3's don't have these. | ||
| Slaughter |
I went round and round about taking off the breadbox stuck on the right side of my S3 (liked the look of the Force but didn't have the $$$bux$$$ I did the race mod to the box - remove the snorkel tube, plastic throttle body throat, K&N intake. Life is good. Makes pretty decent power with race kit ECM and exhaust. (hate to break it to you but RWHP is gonna getya something like 87HP) | ||
| BadS1 |
Captain I know the bike you speak of at Ukes.Someone put a S1 dash and fly screen on it.And yeah their asking way to much cash for it. | ||
| Rex |
I also put the S-3 T bars on my cyclone....one inch makes a difference to me...very comfortable....rex | ||
| Al_lighton |
I took off the T bars that came stock on my 99 S3..did not like them at all, no forward lean, not sporty enough. Much prefer the non-T bars, with the Banke peg risers. The riding position feels pretty neutral with the non-T bars, never feels like there is too much wrist weight to me. Overall, the S3 is a very comfortable bike. Al | ||
| Ryaniniowa |
The bars I have are not sporty at all.... IT IS AWESOME! I can actually take my wife and not have her laying on me and killing my arms.... This is the first bike I've had we can both enjoy. Picked up a supertrap slip on off ebay yesterday and I am just loving this bike. My last bike was a ducati and it had personality, but this bike has TONS of personality! | ||
| Captainkirk |
That's the nice thing about the T bars. You can *sit up* and be comfortable if you wanna, but still get down & dirty if you need to. Countersteering is effortless. No carpal tunnel or wrist numbness either, unlike my Yamaha. An hour on that thing and your arms are numb for half a day. BadS1 You nailed me...that is indeed the very bike I was talking about. Like I said...WAY too much cash. It is a sharp looking bike tho- too bad it's been there SINCE BEFORE I BOUGHT MY M2!!!!! You'd think they would've caught on by now...... | ||
| Twowheeldream |
Capt. or BadS1... could one of you guys get a pic of that bike and post it... I have a 97 S3 and i want to change up the front of it... it would be awesome to see what that looks like! i cant decide if i want dual headlights or a single... |
