| Author | Message | ||
     Desertwndrr |
I've been looking for a while now for a really good used Buell. Some of you read my earlier thread (Thanks) on what to look for in an S3. Well, an M2 popped up this morning in the online classifieds and I just got back from looking at it. I need your help as to what recommendations that this board may have. Here is a breakdown: S3 2000 16,000Miles $2900 Full race kit, (just found that out) Parked outside under a cover Kind of dirty and so-so maintained, (The owner is not mechanically inclined and has the local V-Twin shop take care of things as it needs...supposedly.) M2 2001 6015 Miles $4200 Bone stock and unmolested aside from an aftermarket air cleaner. Unbelievably clean....seriously cleaner than those on the showroom floor. Appears as new as the day it was purchased. Always garaged Meticulously maintained. Has not been ridden since last July but I rode it tonight and it fired up and drove fine. No recalls have been performed...if there are any. What I am struggling with is twofold. 1-Price...$4200 is a bit of a stretch and looks to be a bit more than people are paying for these Cyclones. 2-I have no real practical knowledge of the Buell bikes. I mean until tonight I had never ridden on one, I don't know which will hold resale, which will handle better, which will be more comfortable, etc, etc, etc. A couple of short test drives just won't give me the best info to work from. Again, thanks for any input between these two. (Message edited by desertwndrr on May 19, 2008) | ||
| Cbig |
well, fwiw - I bought an almost brand new 2001 M2 for 2800 with about 1k on the odo. Seller was afraid of it so it sat for 7 yrs..Brand new. So - this guy's a bit high. Your negotiating skills will dictate the deal. IMHO nothing beats a stock bike you can work on yourself with no special tools and turn into what you want. | ||
| Desertwndrr |
Yeah, that's kind of why I am having a hard time. No doubt that it is way clean but the price is a bit high and the $4200 is after working him over a bit. His response was, "I hold the title and really don't need the cash. I am only selling it because it doesn't get ridden." I'll admit that they are getting a bit scarce what with all the cutters and carvers. In fact, he was considering making this into a Redneck Chopper!! I am pretty sure after our conversation that he will carve it up if it doesn't sell as he is really a chopper guy at heart. Oh the horror! Maybe my justification to myself is that I keep one more M2 in circulation. | ||
| Buellsrule |
The S3 and the M2 use a common frame. The S3 has an inverted fork and is fuel injected. A race kitted S3 is faster than an M2. Some like the M2 because it is carb'd. I've owned my '99 S3T since new and just bought a '99 X1. I love the "tubers". X1 is getting a 1250 kit from NRHS. You will be happy with either bike. I prefer the FI bikes. In your case, offer the M2 owner less money. It is the nicer bike of the two. Ride safe. BR. | ||
| Skntpig |
for the price difference I say S3. It depends on the type of riding you like. Will you appreciate the faring or no? You can make a kick a$$ s3 for the difference. You could customize the front end and the rear and still have plenty of cash for extras. Mileage isn't a huge factor...so what if you had to do a top end. Maybe shop around. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Troy I'm with Brian, all depends on the type of riding you are going to do. The M2 is tuned more for torque and is traffic friendly. The S3 is more open road friendly. Of course the optioned that you haven't considered is both. Good luck Joe | ||
| Igneroid |
Cant comment on the S3 as Ive never ridden one, but I have a 2002 M2 and love it. It was/is super clean and I paid a little more than what your guy is asking. I wanted it so I paid it...Im not sorry. The thing is bad ass....  | ||
| Desertwndrr |
Bas_Karma, both may be an option for others, just not for me. Not in the cards right now. Hopefully my test ride on the S3 today will be the determining factor. I am going to see the dealer that has worked on it and ask him about the bikes history. For those of you that have a fair amount of seat time between these two bikes, is there really that much of a difference? | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
16,000 hard miles (race kit) can make a difference when compared to 6000 (just broken in) miles. Plus I'm a carb. guy, much easier IMO. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"is there really that much of a difference?" A stock S3 is noticeably quicker than a stock M2. They both have the same top speed, however. | ||
| Djkaplan |
If the S3 is running good, $2900 sounds like a great deal. | ||
| Brokeneck |
I'd buy the S3 in a heart beat -- FI -- inverted forks -- Thunderstorm Heads -- and the Full race kit is getting rare -- Buy the fast one -- | ||
| Adrift1371 |
s3t1200  nice ride////////////// | ||
| Slaughter |
S3 Good suspension (but probably should get a new shock given the age and miles) - USD forks are damping-adjustable. If you can have it compression-checked, do it before buying. It'll tell you a lot that you might not feel in a test ride. The M2 is a sentimental favorite but that seems a bit spendy. I'll never ditch my S3... even with an XB, Suzuki, Honda, and a couple projects - the S3 is my daily bike. 2001 bought in 2003 and I have put 40,000 miles on her. | ||
| Adrift1371 |
10500 mi i could use someone to fix speedo & millage | ||
| Desertwndrr |
**UPDATE** So I purchased the S3, but with a catch. It didn't start when I went to test drive. The former owner is not very mechanically inclined and when he tried to start it, the bike tried to turn over but then clicked rapidly. AH-HA!! I thought to myself. OPPORTUNITY!! He thought that it was the whole ignition system, but I know that sound and its just low on juice! So I got him down to $2k and headed home pretty proud of myself even knowing I had taken a gamble by not firing it up and driving it. I mean it only had 16k on the clock, how bad could it be? An ECM cable, several other maintenance items, several other diagnostic items, three days (so far), and as soon as the fuel module shows up next friday, I'll let everybody know. Doing it all myself....PRICELESS....IRRITATING....AGGRAVATING.. ..ETC. P.S. The fuel pump is no longer a serviceable item and now has to be replaced along with everything else as an assembly to the tune of $210. YIPPEE for me. Reason for replacement was 00000 pressure but the pump ran. I think the idiot ran it dry and burned the pump up. | ||
| Chipper6 |
210 sounds about right. My fuel pump just went sporadic on me and its getting replaced. Good luck with your S3. | ||
| Werewulf |
put a carb on it... | ||
| Desertwndrr |
I may be in the minority here, but I would take FI over a carb any day. Besides, it would cost me way more than $210 to remove the FI and install a carb. I really like being able to plug in with my laptop and see everything that is going on. I'll bet a carb would make it start though. | ||
| Jstfrfun |
Check your battery! all of these Buells are subject to poor starting when a little low on batt! | ||
| Jstfrfun |
BTW Al at American Sport Bike is selling one of his babies( think it's a M3, could be wrong) so you know it's sweet, and he only want's 4K!  | ||
| Werewulf |
a fuel pump is currently on ebay... | ||
| Desertwndrr |
Son of a B!@#$%!! I've already paid for and they've shipped a new fuel module. That wasn't on ebay earlier. Battery was charged because I initially thought that it was the battery the way that it sounded. It would go to clicking right after it made a half a revolution or so. | ||
| Jstfrfun |
Your battery can take a "full charge" and still not be able to handle, my 99 was O/E battery and couldn't hold the amps needed. Don't go the easy way check it out, look at the battery and check the age, have it tested for load carry after "full charge"  | ||
| Desertwndrr |
It is a fairly new battery and was charged using a microprocessor type charger. I also checked it with a voltmeter. | ||
| Old_mil |
Congratulations! I still miss my old S3. | ||
| Jstfrfun |
If it still turns over once or twice and then fast clicks, then check the starter load, see if it's drawing too much power. | ||
| Bernd |
I realize everybody's got there own take on the value of money, I make mine with skinned knuckles. Paid $4800 Canadian this weekend for a clean, unmolested, 7000 mile, 2000 M2. I was happy to do it and wouldnt sell it for a lot more. Well, ok, if I found a better one for $4000, I'd sell mine and buy it, but the point is: if you want something bad enough, make the sacrifice. I know I'm late to the Tuber bandwagon, they never really got on my radar until 6 months ago, but are these the coolest bikes or what! Like heck I'm gonna wait, who knows how long, on the off chance that a clean one is gonna come down the pike just to to save a little dosh. And the funny thing about the Cyclone is, I'm not looking at it thinking I gotta change a bunch of stuff to give it the look I want. All the other bikes I've owned or own needed to be rearranged (which is fun). Ever seen a BMWR100GS turned into a slapdash touring motard? Even the sidewalk commandoes know it's bees knees. Thanks for listening  | ||
| Desertwndrr |
Thanks for all the replies. I have the service manual and really did go through all the stops in diagnosing this thing. The point that I am at right now is the fuel module as I had no pressure. The bike would turn over as long as I held on to the starter button. Battery is good. TPS reset. All the diagnostics that ECMSPY had in its arsenal. Funny thing is that I had no trouble codes. That is what led me to buying and hooking up a fuel pressure tester. I even ran the fuel line directly into a container and checked the flow. Once I turned on the fuel pump I had BARELY an increase in fuel flow over a gravity flow. This has to be it. | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
the choice is easy M2 | ||
| Jstfrfun |
Your hard work WILL be rewarded! | ||
| Desertwndrr |
I am up and running!!! The fuel pump was definitely the problem. For the past few weeks I have had the bike torn down awaiting parts. While it was down I updated the oil pump drive gear (needed it bad), exhaust hanger and the primary adjusting shoe. I also replaced quite a few of the hoses and breathers. There definitely is a bit of valvetrain noise but I gather that is normal. It does have a louder tick coming from the front that is an exhaust gasket. I must not have gotten it sealed good. All in all the bike has a few things that I need to tinker with and get tweaked out but it is up. I'll tell you what....the fetching torque of this thing is outstanding! | ||
| Buell78758 |
Great job on rescuing a Buell! A lot of them sit around needing some work. Post up a pic of your bike sometime. Christian |
