Long story short, I've not followed the EB saga since the inception, but I bought a one-owner M2 last year. Friend of a friend suddenly became critically ill and was selling his stable to simplify life prior to his passing. The bike has the optional dash (with tach) and has had the shock recall done (according to the PO). All original including the breadbox air cleaner. PO was a HD mechanic when and bought the bike from the dealer where he worked. At the time, he said Buell was offering a "travel package" that consisted of Buell-branded soft luggage--tank and tail bags--as a limited edition during the new model introduction. He also bought a flat-slide Mikuni carb that he never mounted and is still NIB!!! Is there any value in these "odd" items that came with the bike? I've ridden it regularly for the past year and it's a fun ride, but I'm 70 and probably need to simplify my garage space--had 3 other bikes already. Advice accepted gracefully.
Being 74 and owning two Buells and a Victory Judge I'm probably not the one to comment. If you don't need the money or you've run out of space entirely I'd just keep 'em.
Thanks for the advice. Not an issue of money, as these aren't exactly the bitcoin of used motorcycles. I just hate to see perfectly functional vehicles--2 or 4 wheel--sit and collect dust. I'm pretty sure I'll be long dead before--or if--these become collectibles.
Saw your location in your profile. Did a roadtrip from the midwest out to the AZ/NM/UT/CO area spring of 2018. Rode the old Devil's Hwy, now 191, north from Morenci mine. Great road with awesome vistas!
Out of curiosity, have you ever heard of the travel package offered by Buell in '99? Any idea what a NIB Mikuni would bring? Unlikely that I'll even break even on the sale but would like to recoup most of my money.
(Message edited by Icantdrive55 on April 03, 2021)
I knew of them but the 97 S1 was the big year for me. I got to take one out for an hour long do what I want test ride. If you can live through that you will buy a Buell!
I first rode a friend's Buell way back in the late 90s. Had owned a couple of HDs previously and was amazed at what EB had done to wake up the engine! Can't remember what year--thinking it was a '96 and can't remember the model, but it was strongest HD I'd ever ridden! These are incredibly fun bikes and I SHOULD make an exception and keep it...just not sure it doesn't belong with someone who will love it more than me!
@Two seasons: Actually has approx 19K on the odo. One owner (before me), always garaged, and well cared for by the PO who was a HD mechanic. No clue about the rotor. Has the same slot pattern as rear, tho.
(Message edited by Icantdrive55 on April 03, 2021)
If that is a 99, the front rotor has been replaced with a later model OEM part. The buttons that connect the rotor and carrier were bolts and washers in 99.
I have a 99 M2. That is the later model front rotor. The original would start rattling somewhere around 20,000 miles. I changed mine around 30,000 no new rattles on the new one at 114,000 miles.
That’s a nice looking bike. I’m old enough to remember the 99 Cyclone, but honestly (back then) a Buell or Harley was the last motorcycle I wanted. I was all about the CBR’s, YZF’s and GSXR’s back then.
Nevertheless, that is a very nice bike you have there!
Yea....remember when the '96 Lightnings came out. I traded my Sporster for one.
Had bought every option available then. The factory "clip on bars" and the rear set package. Vance and Hines fiber muffler.....and a few other tweaks. Still have all the stock parts, including the "Ham can" intake.
From the prices I see these days, I lost at LEAST 10 grand on that deal!!!
But still have it, probably till the day I kick off.....and no, the stock parts will go with the ENTIRE package, one year. So please don't ask if they are for sale!
How bout selling the luggage? 😁 I remember seeing a bright yellow buell in door county wi back in maybe’92 and had no idea what it was.... but damn I had to have one!
If I would be further ahead to part out a low mileage Bike....rather than sell it whole. I could never bring myself, to do that.
Just sucks, that I will be long dead, before the prices go back up.
I just cannot figure out why they are now worth so little. Buell's are by far the "rarest" of the "newer" Motorcycles? Especially ones that have not been all hacked up!
Ah, but that is true of all motorcycles. Almost no one with money collects motorcycles. Jay Leno and Barber are exceptions. Only a handful of production motors sell for high numbers, and those are nearing, or over, 100 years old.
I still do not understand the high price for the custom motors. Look completely unrideable for more than 50 miles, no bag space, usually hard tails, (OUCH!), tiny or no passenger seat. Performance or braking capability?! Forgetaboutit!
I am fortunate to own a 1989 Buell RS1200. I am not the only one who believes it is worth over $10,000.00. Will never get that, even if I did want to sell. Remember only 17 were built that year and they sold for over $12,000.00, which is over $26,000.00 in today's dollar! (I looked that number up. Inflation is a killer.)
Will keep my Buells till I die. Then, I hope, my children will keep them whole and in good shape. Any one have Jay Leno's phone number?
I scanned all the posts and don't any response to your question regarding a "Travel Package".
I followed Buell closely in the late 90's and early 00's and I don't recall the factory advertising ever listing such a thing.
My local dealer put together a "race package" back then that was just the ignition, pipe and intake sold at a set. I wonder if the dealer he was with did something of the same sort with all the [Wolfman made] soft luggage.
I'll try to post back here the original prices for the tank bag and saddle bags from the old accessory catalog I have in my storage, so you can consider the value in selling them... to the right person they're probably worth the value of good quality luggage that was set up specifically for the Buell.
Yours is a beautifully stock M2. It's very, very rare to see one as stock as that is, and they were so great just like that!