| Author | Message | ||
     Court |
Uh, that bodywork, correct me if I am wrong, is the work of Rickie Morrison AND, look closely...it's one piece bodywork. If you can't find him here, shoot me an e-mail, I've got contact info buried somewhere. His workmanship is stellar. Court | ||
| José_Quiñones |
MikeJ Got your stuff in the mail, THANKS! Love the Shirt  Can you spot your posters on the roof of my garage:  | ||
| M2me |
The Minneapolis StarTribune featured an article in the Saturday, July 13 Motoring section about the Firebolt XB9R!! This is exciting because it is mainstream press. Most people around here have never heard of Buell. They think it is German made.  They liked the Firebolt and said all the usual things...gas in the frame, short wheelbase, not as much top end speed as other sportbikes. There were a couple of technical errors, for example, "Like other Buell models, the Firebolt is powered by Harley's signature V-twin engine." And, they had one photo reversed. The exhaust is on the left side?? Anyway, here is a link to the text of the article in case you want to read it. Vehicle review:Buell motorcycle | ||
| Highoctane |
Hi Buellers!! I am looking foward to purchasing a Buell. That would be the seven'th motorcycle in my history. I'm a japaneese sportbike lover not a H-D type of rider not to offend anybody or anything. Anyways, I was getting interested in the M2 Cyclone. I would like to here some of your comments about different models. What would be the best buy in Buell. I was looking at the Buell web site and I noticed that the M2 Cyclone seems gone for 2003 is that so??  If so, I hope I can get a hand on a M2. There's a X1 around my place but I think the M2 might be a better bike??? So I don't know if I should try to find a M2, get the X1 or the firebolt? What do you think? carb or injection?? Thanks guys! | ||
| Reepicheep |
The M2 is a great all around bike, the X1 has more top end. I love my 2000 M2, and if I were to do it again, I would try to find a 99 or earlier version. Still has the more powerfull engine, but with the older nice narrow profile, very cool. Also look for an older S1W. More expensive then the m2's, but truly a work of art. And don't worry, we are for the most part not the Harley types either... I appreciate and enjoy the character and legacy of my 45 degree pushrod aircooled engine, but have no interest in any kind of cruiser. Your Buell (unless you get the firebolt) will probably require a little more maintenance then your Japanese bikes did, but parts will be cheaper and the bike is far easier to work on, and ultimately I suspect the Buell is more durable. On the plus side, the Buell is much more interesting, has a lot more character, and is far more adaptable to your particular preferences and styles. The M2 was a very nice ride 600+ miles over superslab to and from Deals gap, AND a great ride through all those twisties. It is comfortable alone and two up. The cams are set up to give great power anywhere from idle to redline, just twist the throttle and forget the gear. It is great to have a single bike that does so much so well. Though the extra 15 horses on top on the X1 are no doubt fun as well... | ||
| Aaron |
Octane: '96-'98 S1: slim tank/seat, 91 claimed hp @crank '97-'98 M2: slim tank/seat, 83 claimed hp @crank '98 S1W: fat tank/slim seat, 101 claimed hp @crank '99-'02 M2: fat tank/seat, 91 claimed hp @crank '99-'02 X1: fat tank & appendages that hide the motor, medium seat, 101 claimed @crank All domestic M2's use stock "D" grind XLH cams. '97-'98 use Lightning heads, '99-'02 use Thunderstorm heads. All S1's & S1W's and X1's use "Lightning" cams. S1's have Lightning heads, S1W's and X1's have Thunderstorm heads. X1's are injected, My personal observation is that a stock S1W will pull a little more on the dyno than a stock X1. An S1W will have maybe 10 more hp than a late model M2, an X1 typically has 6-7hp more than a late model M2. There's lots of variation and a good M2 is sometimes actually stronger than a weak X1. My recommendation: S1 or S1W if you want a true streetfighter, raw, naked, purposeful, destined to be a classic. M2 if you like that basic theme but you're willing to give up a little of the rough edge/hooliganistic attitude in favor of an actual seat. I have a '99 M2 and a '96 S1. I like'em both but I ride the M2 more. | ||
| Orngm2 |
to high octane: there is a 2000 m2 for sale near atlanta ga for $4200.00!! only 4500 miles!?! it has the billet tach kit, 2002 shift linkage, and a v and h slip on. i looked at it last saturday and it looks real clean. needs a wash, no crash damage. the place is millenium cycle works, there phone# is 770-638-8373. it is in the cycletrader. the bike is yellow in color.the bike still needs the shock and exhaust mount update. i DO NOT work for the bike shop, just trying to recruit for the club... cheers! orngm2 | ||
| Jocklandjohn |
Octane - what nobody tells you though is that when you ride a Buell small boys will wave at you, retired men in uniform will salute you, women in gas stations will show you pictures of their children whilst their husbands sulk, dogs will run off with their tails between their legs, car alarms will go frantic as you pass, and you will immediately be 4 inches taller. And trying to explain to the plastic-crotch-rocket folks what the exposed V-shaped thing with the fins is, and why you have no rear chain is a real hoot.......come, come, come over to the dark side.....  | ||
| Eeeeek |
Great googly moogly, it's not often I get to correct Aaron! '99 and up S3's have FI, too. Vik | ||
| Anonymous |
Didn't somebody say that the M2 was the greatest bike and that they could prove or words to that effect  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Sorry Octane, I thought for sure the 99 M2 still had the narrow tank and seat, I thought it was the one year that the older (cooler) body style overlapped with the newer (more powerfull) engine. My bad! While the 00 M2 is wider, it has great range (200+ miles) and the passenger seat is very comfortable. Bill | ||
| Raymaines |
I wadded up my Y2K M2 a few days ago, I think it's repairable but if it isn't I'm going to go looking for a '98 S1W.  | ||
| Aaron |
Vik, I know that, but I was explaining Lightnings and Cyclones. Poor choice of wording on my part, I'll fix it. | ||
| Leeaw |
Check out this auction. A "pair of X1 carbon fiber wheels". They are damaged, and supposedly repairable. I did not know carbon fiber could be straightened. Buell has really come up with some innovative stuff http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1844226439 | ||
| Choptop |
Octane, You are looking for a Buell at the right time. Resale prices are low right now, and dealers have "left over" models on the showroom floors. Like everyone said, the S1 is a true raw streetfighter bike. Fun like all get out, but not so great for longer trips (although not as bad ergo wise as say a GSXR, not by a long shot). The M2 is a more "friendly" version of the S1. But it hasnt lost all of the streetfighter feel, just smoothed it around the edges. If you buy a Buell off the showroom floor, get an extended warrantee. Its very cheap insurance. Buells break things here and there. Some models/years have some reliability issues so the extended warrantee is a good idea. The M2's and the S1's seem to be the most bullet proof though. I'd go for a S1W. Kind of the "purest" of the modern era Buells. | ||
| Highoctane |
Guys! So far I found a new X1 white/metalic blue frame for 13999$cnd and a new M2 Volcano gray/orange frame and wheels for 13500$cnd or XB9R for 15500$cnd. I think the 1200 carb (M2) is better to modify and to repair. Don't you think that the 1200 motor will always stay a little bit more nostalgic than the XB9 engine?  | ||
| Mikej |
José_Quiñones, Glad everything got there okay, the poster stuff looks good. I think I'm going to start collecting those pics whenever I'm at the dealerships as they make nice little extras to throw in for people. MikeJ (figured out that if I highlight your name and paste it in I don't have to remember how to do all those accent symbols ) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Octane... Buying from a dealer and getting the extended warranty are great ideas IF: A) You have a good and reliable local dealer. B) You do not enjoy working on motorcycles. My first local dealer, during the recall shock experience, through a combination of idiocy, disinterest, and flat out lying, took 6 months from start to finish before I got the new part in. When I had a rocker box leak, the EARLIEST they would schedule me was 90 days out, and they wanted something like $300+ for the repair. I got the parts and did it myself in a single relaxed evening for about $30. For me, the extended warranty would have been a total waste of money. In order to get any repairs done under it, I would have to park or ride a broken bike for months at a time before they could schedule me in. The only time it would pay off is if you had a catastrophic failure, which is not impossible but is pretty infrequent (and on Buells is not much more frequent then BMW's or even Honda's). It's a REALLY easy and fun bike to work on (except for broken exhaust header studs, but most of that misery was self induced). I got a 2000 M2 in Feb 2001 with 3500 miles on it for $5200 from a private seller. Granted it was the dead of winter and I had to drive 4 hours to the middle of nowhere (actually, Fort Knox believe it or not) and truck it home, but there are some EXCEPTIONAL deals out there on used Buells. A $5000 Cyclone is the most motorcycle for the $$$ I can currently imagine. Buy it, ride it for 20 or 30 thousand miles, then put another $4000 of CycleRama magic in it, and REALLLY (like 105 horsepower worth of smiles) enjoy it for the next 20,000 miles. That was my plan anyway, until they started turning my head with that darned XB9S anyway... | ||
| Eeeeek |
If those wheel are Carbon Fiber, I'm Jean-Claude van Damme. Vik | ||
| Libnosis |
highoctane S1 or S1W are your only REAL choices. Come over to the dark side. BUHAHAHAHA lib  | ||
| Sarodude |
Hey Jean-Claude- I feel the flying monkeys tickling my butt... -Saro | ||
| Roc |
Firemanjim - Thank you for the bars! | ||
| Jdog |
Does anyone know how to tell the difference between a stock header and a race kit header, for a 2000 M2 ??? I just bought the bike, it has V & H slip-on and Forcewinder intake, but, I don't know about the header or ignition. If the header is stock, how much horsepower/torque will I gain by adding the race header ??? | ||
| Eeeeek |
Jdog: The fact that it has a V&H tells me it's a stock header. The race header will give you a couple extra ponies across the board and open up the midrange by a few, but you're looking at under five. Vik | ||
| Peter |
Greetings from the Greek islands. This was the view from the dinner table about an hour ago.  (Don. Feel free to give me a kick in the arse whenever it's warranted. Like now, probably..........) PPiA | ||
| Spike |
Jdog, Vik(Eeeeek) is right, if you have the Vance & Hines slip on you don't have the race header. I don't have exact numbers on the gains, but it is definitely noticable. For future reference the race header is longer and the collector is further down the pipe. Stock exhausts have the collector in front of the motor. The race exhaust runs seperate pipes until the exhaust turns toward the back of the bike and under the motor before it is collected. Mike L. '99 Cyclone | ||
| Blake |
Eeeeek is right. Additionally, the race header is 9-1/2" longer than the stock pipes. Stock header collector ends is in front of engine cases and points left and slightly downwards. Race header collector ends under the engine cases and points rearwards. The muffler needs to be short to work with the race heaer. | ||
| Doncasto |
Peter: It can tell it really sucks to be you and have to live your life. NOT! Enviable, compadre. Enviable. Don | ||
| Aaron |
I hear the women run around nekkid on the beaches there. Peter, you suck. | ||
| Peter |
Don, Sometimes I need to pull my head out of my arse and appreciate it. I'm doing that now. Thanks mate. Aaron, So I've been told........... Ditto. PPiA |
