| Author | Message | ||
     Seventy1 |
Hi, I've just discovered Buells, never knowing anyone with one and press coverage is so limited. I really like the tube frame models and am debating between a FI S3T, or what I thought I wanted before, an ST2 (Ducati). Both called Sport Touring, similar resales, but very different personalities. I'm interested to hear your unbiased opinions... Thanks | ||
| Sooner |
That will be difficult. After riding a buell, you are never again unbiased. Having said that, I have an S3, and I wouldn't trade one for three Ducati's, although I do like Ducati's. | ||
| Ocbueller |
I can tell you as a ST4, X1, and S1 owner that the Buells are much more forgiving when it comes to several things. Maintenance, vibration, rider error, cost of purchase and replacement parts. Am considering replacing my Ducati with either a S2T or S3. I enjoy the Ducati but I'm not in love. SteveH | ||
| Seventy1 |
Ocbueller, good to hear from someone who owns both. My initial take is that the Ducatis are good all around STs, great sounds with more soul than the Asians, but they don't have the personality of the Buells. I really like the retro-cool look of the S2/3 and M2 Buells. | ||
| Duckbuell |
HI Seventy, I bought a 2001 S3 with 2200 miles off Craig’s list for $4700, and a 2003 620 Duc Monster for my wife for $4000. I found the Ducati is more sophisticated, has better brakes, smoother, and more refined then the Buell. But, the Ducati is a bit lacking in the soul and character department, and I don't look forward to adjusting the valves. I realize the 620 Monster, is not the best comparison to the Buell. My Buell S3, is a far better bike than I could have imagined. I love the motor, incredible handling, and hot-rod looks. Maintenance is a breeze! No valves to adjust, and best of all no chain to adjust and lube! The S3 can handle two-up touring, loaded with camping gear! The bike feels rock solid in 100 mph sweeping turns, even with my wife as passenger. The Monster takes the really tight turns better than my tube framed Buell and is more manageable in town. But overall the Buell’s character, looks, motor, handling, maintenance and uniqueness make it a bike I am crazy about. I could live without the Ducati, but the Buell is never leaving! It will take longer to find a Buell compared to a Ducati, and you may have to travel some distance for a Buell. But as long as you hold out for a low mileage bike that has not been abused, you can't go wrong.     | ||
| Lake_bueller |
From my experience, they are two completely different beasts. I own an S3T but have ridden the ST4 (same as the ST2 but bigger motor). The Buell is more fun for everyday cruising and corner carving. The torque is the best part of the Buell. It's a comfortable bike but doesn't offer the best wind protection. The Ducati was a much smoother bike. I felt the suspension was "smoother" and it rode slightly better. If I had to pick one of the two for 500-600 miles per day, I'd take the Ducati. The full fairing and taller windshield make it a better "touring" bike. I remember a bike comparison from either 1998 or 1999. They had the perfect description of the Buell S3T. Instead of calling it a sporting touring bike, they called it a "touring sportbike". More sport, less touring  | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
After reading this, I came to a different conclusion and bought a 99 S3 http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/twintour.ht ml | ||
| Seventy1 |
Thanks for the input. Yea, I read the motorcycle.com article too. They said it was a toss up and chose the Ducati based on build quality. But that was 9 years ago, I think the Buell bugs are worked out by now. So anyone have a low mile '99+ S3T in the Midwest they want to sell? | ||
| M2statz |
Don't rule out the M2! The best thing that I found out about Buells are the fact that you can make them your own. Seats, handle bars, saddle bags, fairings, etc. Alot of the parts interchangable. I have on my M2 an S3 fairing and S3T saddle bags for what I think is the best of both worlds of sport bikes and sport touring. Good luck and they say "Happy Buelling!  " | ||
| Bad_karma |
Fritz, If you can avoid the 99. Joe | ||
| Seventy1 |
Joe: Sounds like you speak from experience, bad FI?? How about pre-'99, the carb years? Thanks | ||
| Cactusjack578 |
Joe, can you tell us why you would stay away from the 99's? Is it just the FI or are there other problems specific to the 99. Thanks, Jack | ||
| Bad_karma |
The 99 has the same recalls as the others, shock, exhaust hanger, rear isolators, primary tensor, throttle cables, tank retaining system, fuel tank vent and a few others that I have forgotten. Damaged voltage regulator to alternator connector, caused by the tie rap holding the two halves together wearing through a wire. Failed ignition switch. Yes the major problem was with the fuel injection system/wiring. I would run on a single cylinder the front, frequently. The rear cylinder cool and dry. It spent three weeks out of its first six months at the dealer. They believed they found the problem in the rear injector wires. But that was not the problem or their repair failed. I ended up changing to a stand alone ignition, matching coil and a HSR42. Too late, rear piston had blown a hole in it just under the exhaust valve. Now installing a zippers 88" upgrade. With that said I would not part with the S3. Good distance and excellent handling with ample storage.The early motors (none thunderbolts) don't have the power but they have an excellent low to mid rpm power delivery. I had always thought that the motor in my 96 S1 was better suited to the sport touring role of the S3. | ||
| Cactusjack578 |
Joe, Thanks for the reply. I have a 99 S3T I bought off a 78 year old guy. He rode the bike to Alaska. He sold it he said because he wanted something faster. He also told me that all the recalls had been taken care of. But now the bike sits in my garage and I can't figure out why it won't start. It too started out by running on one piston every now and then and then went to not starting at all. Any suggestions? Jack | ||
| Bad_karma |
Jack, If you want to keep the fuel injection get a good mechanic or start digging. Don't wait too long though. I converted to HSR42, NHRS intake, Crane Hi4 stand alone ignition and matching coil. Gets rid of the wiring and allows tuning to what ever level you prefer. I use the race curves. But check compression and make sure it's not hurt. Easy to do in a weekend. Also may need parts for air cleaner mods. I was running the Carbon buell race air cleaner and it bolted up to the carb without problems. I added a catch can for the Crank case ventilation instead of back to the breather. Now for tank mod. I initially just removed the pump and regulator and installed an inline shutoff. I'm installing a pingel petcock and retaining the low fuel light using a modified pump housing. Joe | ||
| Cactusjack578 |
Hi Joe, am I getting this right? You had FI and converted to a carb and that carb is a HSR42? NHRS intake? Where can I look at this or who sells it? How does it perform compared to the FI. How does it compare in mileage? I'm not much of a mechanic but I can usually fix what is broken I'm not crazy about FI (I'm definitely "Old School") but if I understand correctly FI is a good thing isn't it? Or is the FI in the 99 S3T Buells faulty? I also own a Suzuki V-Strom with throttle body FI. It has it's quirks and although I haven't tried yet I understand that it can be adjusted...at home. Not so with the Buell? By the way Joe thanks for letting me pick your brain. I love this Buell and just want to get it running. It will be my daily runner. Thanks, again, Jack | ||
| Naustin |
Fuell injection is simple. You just have to have a computer and the VDST software it you are going to work on the bike at home. I'd never even SEEN a fuel injector before, and I was able to pull the entire fuell injection system apart, replace the intake seals, and use the software to reset the TPS in an afternoon. Much simpler than tuning a carb. You are trading mechanical gremlins for electrical gremlins. I like the fuel injection system. Its advantages outweigh its flaws IMO. (Message edited by naustin on May 25, 2007) | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
without getting into a point by point discussion - keep in mind that many of us have FI '99's with the recalls and upgrades done and have no issues with performance or reliability... | ||
| Cactusjack578 |
Okay Scott now we're getting somewhere. What are the upgrades? Where do I start? I'm having trouble with the Buell now so do I start there? And is it expensive to upgrade? I would like to get rid of the bread box for a Force Winder but man is it expensive I'm not positive but I don't think I need a puter to set the TPS on my Suzuki why do I need one to do the Buell? Sorry if I'm asking too many questions but I know no one that rides let alone someone with a Buell. I finally got a Service manual so I'm ready to get this thing on the road again. | ||
| Cactusjack578 |
Hi Naustin, my biggest problem is I know carbs better than I do FI. If I'm broke down on the side of the road with a carb problem I know there's a good chance I can get her to at least limp home. But if I need a puter to get her right I'm up poop creek. What I do understand about FI is it's newer technology and it's supposed to be more efficient, better throttle response so and and so forth. I like that idea but I'm still a neanderthal mechanically speaking (and maybe age wise) and this new technology is hard for me to comprehend. But I'm trying. But it does kind of remind me when bike ignitions went from contact points to electronic ignition. I knew many guys who trashed the electronics on their new Harley's and went back to points because they understood that. I just don't know where to start. I have fuel, spark and air and the damn thing won't start and because this bike has a puter on board and FI and sensors I don't have a clue what to do. I've talked to guys at red lights who told me they put another $4,000 dollars into their Buells taking it to a dealer trying to figure out what was wrong with it. And still not getting it right. I should have asked what dealer to make sure I never go there. But anyway. Any help you guys can give will be greatly appreciated. | ||
| Josh_ |
I put NHRS stg1 heads on my 99S3T and put a ton of miles on it (44k+ but I forget when I put the heads on) with no problems. I did run the Race ECM, race header and aftermarket muffler. (there's a dyno chart around here somewhere) Only problem I had was the injectors fouling (I blaimed the recall fuel filter) and my local injector shop didn't have an adapter to clean them. New ones were $45 for a pair. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
I do not yet have a lot of experience troubleshooting Buells Jack (a good thing)but tell me how you know that you have fuel and spark before we get to the upgrades! | ||
| Clarry |
I like Ducatis, too, but, never having ridden one, dunno how they compare to Buells. One thing I do know is that they are way more complicated, mechanically, leastwise where the engine is concerned. | ||
| Cactusjack578 |
Hi Scott, I know I have fuel because the plugs are wet when I pull them out. I know I have spark because it's big fat and blue at the electrode when I put the plug against the engine. And the compression is good too. The problem was a gradual thing. It started sputtering from time to time while riding. Then it became hard to start, usually starting on one cylinder before the other one finally kicked in. And it smoked black smoke like it was running too rich. Then it just quit starting. What do you think Scott? | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Does your check engine light operate normally (come on with key for about 4 seconds and then go off)? If so, does it come back on after going out? P.S. I suggest you start a new thread descibing your problem so that the experts can chime in as well. (Message edited by scott_in_nh on May 27, 2007) | ||
| Onahog |
2000 S3T 4 sale in Manitoba Canada @ HD dealer... 750 original miles...Silver.. $8000.00 cdn obo 1- owner...1-204-254-3974 I looked at it...AS New...! |
