| Author | Message | ||
     Henry_the_8th |
Hello All, First post here, please be gentle. So, I'm currently looking for my first Buell. I would like to get a black S1W, but I just found what seems to be a smoking deal on a very low mileage '96 S1. I talked to the Buell mechanic at the local dealer, to find out about recalls and just get some info on the '96. He said I should pass it up and get an X1 or XB. He told me the S1 uses obsolete technology, ie. carb, the suspension and that they are plagued with problems. Now I'm not sure what I want. I still prefer the looks of the S1, but I don't know. What I would like to know is, aside from the S1W, are there any differences in the '96-'98 models and what are the pros and cons of S1s and X1s. Thanks | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I remember your song matey. As for the bike, I've got the M2 with the "obsolete technology" carb on it I bought that model because I didn't want the injection. If you do your own maintenance the carb does have a niggle or two but the solutions are here in the knowledge vault, if you have an injection problem you gotta go to a dealer. The best advice I can give you is go try them all before you decide, but whichever you choose it'll put a huge grin on your face, enjoy.  | ||
| Smoke |
the s1 is full of rough edges, but i dig the mimimalist apptoach to this bike. motor and wheels. best sportster based platform i've ever had. it helps ro have some mechanical skills and a shop that you trust to do the rest. if you want stone cold reliability, see xb series or japanese or triumph. good luck on the hunt. tim | ||
| Reepicheep |
I (ducking) would choose an S1 over an X1 in a heartbeat. The X1 is arguably a better bike, but the S1 is better, if yaknowwhatImean. IMHO (why do I set myself up for these kind of flame wars?) the S1 was a work of inspired genius, the kind of stuff all the people in East Troy (including, but not just, Erik Buell) do. The X1 seems like a "design by consensus" excercise that built a better bike then the S1 in every regard... except that it wasn't. Leave that approach to the Japanese makers, they do it VERY well. I think the XB platform is back to the BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) "mad genius" type approach. But it lacks some of the "exciting recklessness" that personifies the S1. The XB will be far more reliable then any of the tube framers, so if you are going to freak out about leaking rocker box gaskets or broken primary chain tensioners, go with the XB. If you can be a man about that sort of stuff, and "deal with it" and move on, the S1 would be a very satisfying ownership experience. | ||
| Buelliedan |
If you are not afraid to do minor wrenching on your own stuf get the S1, especially the 98 S1WL. If you prfer to have a dealer do your work go with a XB series. The X1s are probably the most trouble prone of all Buells ever built. They had a ton of quality contol issues. Stay away from X1s unless you are a good mechanic! | ||
| Mikej |
If the comment from the "Buell mechanic" is any indication of the dealership overall you may just want to also consider using a different dealership. Food for thought. As a test, consider it a dealership test, go back to that dealership and see if they have any obsolete S1's in their building. Ask the "Buell mechanic" to wheel out the S1 and any XB. Once he has both bikes sitting side by side ask him to perform one simple test: ask him to remove and reinstall the spark plugs from both bikes. If you'll be doing your own work on the bike make your decision based on this test since you already said you like the looks of the S1's. And I've never found one single niggle in any carb'd bike I've owned, maybe I've been deprived.  Keep us posted of how things go. Oh, and welcome to the board. | ||
| Tom_b |
If you like the S-1, buy it. Love the looks, and hopefully most of the bugs were worked out by the previous owner. Your not buying an antique, it is only an 8 yr. old bike. Like most HD based carb bikes, simple to work on. | ||
| Road_thing |
Henry: I'll echo the previous comments. If you're not afraid to do your own minor repair/maintenance the S1 won't disappoint you. I've had two, still have one, they've both been rock-solid machines. But if you want long-distance comfort and "turn-it-off-and-forget-about-it" reliability, you might want to look elsewhere. rt | ||
| Xb9er |
If you are not afraid to do minor wrenching on your own stuf get the S1, especially the 98 S1WL. If you prfer to have a dealer do your work go with a XB series. With this statement Buelliedan seems to be implying that it's difficult to do your own minor wrenching on an XB. Nothing could be further from the truth. All regular maintenance work is no different than any other bike. If you can change your own tires and you buy the tool to do your own TPS reset, then you never need visit your dealer for service, except maybe to buy OEM oil and air filters. Major mechanical issues are going to be few and far between. But if you want long-distance comfort and "turn-it-off-and-forget-about-it" reliability, you might want to look elsewhere. Surprisingly enough, you can get both long distance comfort and incredible reliability with an XB_R. Mike. | ||
| Road_thing |
But if you want long-distance comfort and "turn-it-off-and-forget-about-it" reliability, you might want to look elsewhere. Xb9er, no argument there, my comment was just directed at S1's with their, um, minimal seating arrangements. I can't speak to the XB series, I have no personal experience with them. rt | ||
| Budo |
I owned a 1998 S1W, and it is still my favorite Buell. The recalls were not a big deal, they were all done, be sure to check that. If the motor is stock, and the ignition system is stock, ecm, etc... they you will probably be ok. Be sure to check or change out the intake seals. My rear seal leaked and holed the piston, I think they should be changed out at 10k miles. The S1 is a simple bike, lots of info in the x1files. Good luck. Oh, you might want to find antoher dealer, I would be suspect of that one. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
RT what are you talking about??? My S1 has been stone cold reliabile...................Until Grumpy sniggled with it this past August.........then again after he drove my car the rear muffler fell off too... I am seeing some kind of a trend here.......... ah never mind - I'd let him use it again. I'd take another S1 in a second, the looks of it is just nasty - bare, basic motorcycle and the sound with the Vance & Hines pipe is nice. Of course I have had my minor problems, isolators and leaking shock are the real pain in the arse problems but were taken care of by way of recall. Other problems were tires (keep wearing them out), brakes (keep wearing them out too), STATOR - easy fix. I have upgraded the primary chain tensioner while in there to the heavier unit even though the original was still good. Of course the rocker box gaskets too but since replaced with steel - Nooooooo Problems. Trade my S1 NEVER. | ||
| Road_thing |
Of course I have had my minor problems, isolators and leaking shock STATOR - easy fix primary chain tensioner rocker box gaskets too Newfie, that's the stuff I'm talking about. Your experience matches my own, and I consider all that stuff to be "minor repair/maintenance". Did it all myself and enjoyed it. But for some folks, who may have grown up on Japanese bikes and have come to expect Maytag-style reliability because of that experience, that kind of stuff may seem more daunting. That's all I was trying to convey to Henry. I doubt I'll be turning loose of my S1 anytime soon, either. But I doubt I'll be taking any long trips on it either. Nothing to do with reliability, just don't think my wide 50+ year-old butt can handle more than a couple hundred miles at a stretch on that seat! rt | ||
| Newfie_buell |
RT, Your right about that Maytag reliability!!!! I enjoy working on the S1 and figuring out the little things that allow me to become more intimate with her. | ||
| Henry_the_8th |
Hello again, First off, thanks for the overwhelming response to my questions. You all rock! I kind of thought my question would get some attention, but I never figured on so much so quick. My thoughts of the S1 go right along with Smoke's, the minimalistic styling is unbeatable. If it's needed it's there, nothing more. I think my mind may already be made up and I just need to hear that the S1s weren't as bad as some people say. I plan on doing most everything myself, short of machine work. I always have gotten my hands dirty wrenching. I also like the idea of not dealing with any injection. Maybe the whole reason the mechanic was pushing the XB is because that's what the dealer has in stock, but no, they would never do that. Another question then, was the S1W available in black? As far as production numbers go, will it be tough to find one? I don't think that anyone touched on my other question yet, aside from the S1W, was there a better year for the S1? I'm enjoying my time spent here already and can tell that there is a lot of knowledge and experience to be tapped in to. Thank you all. | ||
| Josh_ |
Another question then, was the S1W available in black? There's a color breakdown on here somewhere but I beleive so. It's also easy to paint or just wait for the correctly-painted parts to turn up on eBay. As far as production numbers go, will it be tough to find one? I believe they made as many 98 S1WLs as they did all other S1 years combined. (about 2200) >was there a better year for the S1? First year (96) may have more value as a collector bike. Otherwise no real differences. | ||
| Josh_ |
98 S1WL color breakdown 1,258 Ice White Pearl 378 Carbon Black 295 Orange 138 Billet Metallic Do a search and you'll find good info from spidy, Court and Anonymous | ||
| Bomber |
if the S1 in front of you is in great shape, I'd grab it and deal with the color issue over the winter -- the tanks can be problematic to paint, but if you're working with an on the ball painter, there should be no problems waiting for a black S1 to surface in great shape =may try your patience (it would mine, but I HATE to wait!) | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Henry....I'd buy another S1 in a heartbeat. Nothing against the XB line of bikes. I'll probably own one before too long. As for a "great deal", what are you looking at? Could you give us more specifics to help you make a decision (year, miles, recalls, etc) | ||
| 99buellx1 |
As a previous owner of an '99 X1, it was a great bike. I really didn't have problems. (ok rocker box gaskets, yada yada) I wouldnt ever shy someone away from one, but the fuel injection has been known to give some people fits. The S1 on the other hand, this is the bike that made me want a Buell. I saw one in a dealership and said "thats the coolest thing I've ever seen" And I still feel that way. I will have one someday! All years had their share of recalls, but a good dealer can still help sort all that out. An advantage of an S1.......simplicity. I personally would look for a S1W, thunderstorm heads, and its a later year that should have some of the earlier bugs worked out. I now have an XB. It's my only bike, and I like the warranty. I can only have one bike right now and the reliability is what I was looking for (that and I just love the CityX). Ok, dont know if I accomplished anything with this post, but oh well. Craig | ||
| Henry_the_8th |
Well the S1 I was thinking about was sold before I could look at it. There is a '96 at an out of state dealer. The bike has a claimed 147 miles with "many aftermarket mods" for $4500. I emailed them about it 3 days ago and still havn't heard anything from them except to say thanks for inquiring. So I'm going test my patience waiting for a black S1 or S1W. I would rather not deal with having a bike painted. I'm hoping to find one in town to look at so I can at least sit down and see how well I fit. So if any S1 owners here live in the Fresno or Clovis, Ca area shoot me a message, maybe you could show of your bike  . Now as far as the recalls go, I heard that some are not being covered anymore due to the length of time, how can I find out what has been done to a particular bike and which recalls are still being taken care of by the dealer? Again, many thanks to everyone that has taken the time to help out a newbie. | ||
| Sandblast |
I'm pretty sure a call to Buell customer service with the vin number of the bike is all you need to check on the recall status (IE what has been replaced). | ||
| Daves |
Any dealer can also check for recall status with the VIN number. I'd be happy to run any that you find and are interested in. Dave daves@h-dappleton.com PS, I know you are looking for a S1 but I do have two 2002 M2s on hand. | ||
| Buelliedan |
My post was not meant to say that XBs were hard to work on. It was meant to say that XBs are more reliable and won't need as much wrenching as an S1 will. | ||
| P0p0k0pf |
Heya Buellie- I just bought an S1WL from Josh_. After researching for months, I decided to look for a bike with my heart instead of my mind. <grin> I ended up with the S1 and I can't imagine having an X1 or XB now. The S1 fits my idea of a motorcycle more than any other bike. It's a perfect balance of engineering, performance, and perhaps most important, soul. Sure, you want a certain level of practicality, but easy access to spark plugs won't put an ear-to-ear grin on your face... | ||
| P0p0k0pf |
I forgot to add this- Josh did a lot of many smart things to the bike. He installed a lot of upgraded/better designed parts to the bike, and I feel very fortunate to have been able to do business with him, and purchase a bike he has worked with. Thanks again Josh! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Congrats Pop... I drooled over that S1 myself. Excellent choice. | ||
| Court |
>>>and I feel very fortunate to have been able to do business with him You dealt with one of the more sterling examples I've ever crossed in motorcycling, eclipsed only by his wife. | ||
| Josh_ |
Good to hear someone is riding it. Did you repeat my last comment to your girlfriend? | ||
| Stealthxb |
Congrats P0p0k0pf... S1's are amazing machines. I would love to have one myself. If you are looking for riding buddies check out the 3% BRAGging rights club thread in the Storm Fronts section. We would love to have you! |
