| Author | Message | ||
     Jersey_thunder |
SHOULD I BUY A 95' S2? OR 99' S3T?.... TONY | ||
| Chopperboy  |
Tony, Both great bikes, I've owned both. You can't go wrong with either. Todd | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
I KNOW...DID THEY FEEL THE SAME...ARE THEY THE SAME WHEEL BASE?.. BETTER FOR OPEN ROAD? HANDLE THE SAME? TONY | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
MOTOR DIFFERENCES?.... HELP!!!! | ||
| Lornce  |
Tony, The '95/'96 S2 and '99 S3 both have identical wheelbase of 55" and listed weights of 450lbs for the standard and 465lbs for the T models. The only real difference listed between the S2 and post '99 S3 is the rake/trail dimensions of 25 degrees and 3.9" and 24.5 degrees and 3.8" respectively. However, I'm thinking an S2 equipped with the second generation SHOWA shock and recall swingarm likely shares the same dimensions of 24.5 degrees and 3.8" trail with the post '99 S3's . I'm looking at a photograph of my own S2 with recall swingarm and second generation SHOWA parked beside my buddy's S1 with first generation SHOWA and my S2's swingarm appears to be inclined more sharply than the S1's.... Which leads me to believe the rake angle would be slightly steeper (24.5?)and the trail would be shorter (3.8"?) too. One of these days I should stick an inclinometer on the forks and measure it.... I've got a '98 S3T and a '95 S2 and they're both great handling machines, with a slight advantage going to the S2 for it's more sophisticated WP Roma fork (which absorbs road irregularities with greater finesse than the S3's lessor WP units) and higher footpegs providing increased cornering clearance. The '99 S3 you're looking at wears Showa forks, which I have almost no experience with, but hear their better than the middling WP's but maybe not the match of the WP Roma's. Highly subjective to evaluate suspension. Either are satisfying all round riding machines. The seating position of the S2 is more to my liking for most riding situations: It provides slightly more forward lean, which I find more natural and relaxing at highway speed. You don't have to fight the wind blast. The S3T provides a more relaxed, upright seating position in combination with lower footpegs. It's comfortable and confidence inspiring on tight roads and on gravel or other loose surfaces. The S3 also provides a more ample passenger seat. The S3T's Thunderstorm motor has it ALL over the stock S2, however. 101hp vs 76hp is no contest. They're both handsome bikes, but the S2's prettier with it's molded bodywork and polished aluminum oil tank, imho. Just off the top of my head.... best, Lornce | ||
| Court |
S2 | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
I'M LEANING TOWARD THE S2....WHAT WOULD BE A FAIR PRICE FOR A 95' S2 SIGNATURE...STOCK, 15,000 MILES...NICE SHAPE? TONY | ||
| Hdtrader |
Jersey...if I was you I'd buy a 2001 S3T Thunderbolt...and I just know where a real good one is. Check the classified section of this forum or drop me a line hdtrader@bellsouth.net | ||
| Sportyeric  |
I paid $3700 for mine last year and I've seen a few others going for about that. 15k is slightly lower mileage than most that I've seen so I'd say $4000. Its the best bang for the buck in the motorcycle world IMHO. And heads and cams for a grand and you're rockin'! | ||
| 1313  |
Court has nailed it right on the head  DEFINITELY the S2! 1313 | ||
| Captainkirk  |
Also, the S2 is carbureted. I believe the S3 may was injected in '99 as were the X1's. Carbs are definitely easier to tinker with yourself...no mapping needed. Also, if you do your own work, the rear isolators are a hell of a lot easier to change. | ||
| Bluzm2  |
S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 Although I may be a bit biased..... | ||
| Firemanjim  |
Yeah,but Eric got a screamin' deal --if I do say so myself.There are nice S-2's showing up all the time on here,eBay,and Cycletrader,so just shop around.anywhere around 3-4000 depending. S-2 has all the nice hand finished pieces,aluminum oil tank,removable sideplates for easy belt access,and you sit IN an S-2.S-3 was an S-2 on the cheap.Different riding position entirely.You sit on an S-3.Other than the more HP motor nothing really to make it better bike.Add HP to the S-2 via XB heads and 1250 kit and have a much nicer bike. | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
OK.....FIND ME A S2/S2T....I'VE GOT CASH!!!! TONY 1(973)903-1671 NEW JERSEY | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
IS THERE AWAY TO PUT A BACK REST ON A S2 FOR MY KIDS?....CORBIN MAKES A SEAT, BUT NO BACK REST FOR IT. TOURPACK PERHAPS? TONY | ||
| Mikej  |
There used to be one around but I haven't seen a link to it in some time now. You're pretty much in DIY territory now. DIY = do it yourself.  | ||
| Sportyeric |
Hmmm. Mark this date on your calenders. The day the S2 started to appreciate. Yes,I did get a smokin' deal. Would I sell it for a thousand dollar profit? Nope. But there have been a couple on eBay this week alone. Kids don't need sissy bars. Just have 'em grab your belt. They're like baby chimps. Won't let go even if they fall asleep. | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
BEING THAT I ALREADY HAVE A S2...I WENT FOR THE 99'S3T...EASIER FOR THE FAMILY ROAD TRIP THING. PM WHEELS, CORBIN, SUPERTRAP, BAGS, ...A TRUE FAMILY BIKE. TONY | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 Although I may be a bit biased..... OK....I NOW OWN A 95 AND A 96 S2!!!! TONY | ||
| Ara  |
I think S3. Several reasons: - Stock S3s produce more bhp than stock S2s. - Limited lock-to-lock steering head movement on the S2 makes U-turns and parking lot maneuvers very challenging. - In my experience the S2 shakes a lot harder at idle than the S3. - In my experience the S2 is slower to respond to throttle inputs than the S3. - The aerodynamics of the S2 is such that the faster you go the tighter your helmet chinstrap becomes. There must be something about the fairing that produces a suction on the helmet. Same helmet, same speeds, same day on an S3 won't produce the same effect. Odd but I've experienced it first hand. | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
just got back from a ride on my S2...36 degrees, 8" of snow on the side of the road... BUT IT REMINDED ME WHY I OWN THIS MACHINE...IT'S A MACHINE WITH A SOUL T |
