| Author | Message | ||
     Passthegravy |
(Note: Thread title is incorrect. It's a 2001 S3, not a 2000.) Hello folks. This is my first post here. I have an opportunity to purchase a 2001 S3 with 8,000 miles, all recalls done, and some nice aftermarket upgrades that I'd probably want to add anyway. I think I can buy it for under $4,500. Is that a good deal? Fair deal? Are these things generally reliable? I understand that any bike needs regular maintenance, and that things can go wrong. But I have little enough time to ride, and I'm not looking for a wrenching project. I test rode this bike, and what a ball it was. I can see how you guys get hooked on these things. It vibrated like a paint shaker at idle, but was smooth as silk at highway speeds. Tons of torque. Help me make a decision on this bike. Thanks in advance. (Message edited by passthegravy on August 30, 2005) | ||
| Rek |
Snag it. I paid $5K for my '00 S3 and haven't regreted it once. Rob | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
If you turn the idle down from 1100(factory spec) to about 950(Nate spec), it will vibrate a lot less. | ||
| Deltacruiser |
Sounds like a good deal. Buy it and ride the snot out of it. You won't regret it. | ||
| Marks3tbillet |
Buy it. And, if you don't, let me know where it is. I love my 2000 S3T, but always looking for another at a good price. The 2001 has the better isolators too. | ||
| Tramp |
very good price. buy it and don't look back. | ||
| Tom_b |
Does it have the PM wheels or the mags, is it an S3t or just s3. Difference being saddlebags and extra bling. If it is an s3t for sure jump on it and send to me. regardless it still a good price. Try buying a sportster of comparable condition for the money. I second what Tramp Sez! | ||
| Passthegravy |
Well, I made a deal on the bike. I gotta go pay for it and pick it up on Saturday. It is a 2000 (not a 2001 - sorry for the confusion). S3 (not S3T). Has PM wheels, Sargent seat, carbon fiber hugger, some sort of aftermarket windscreen that provides nice clean air at highway speeds. I can't tell what the exhaust is, but it's loud (a little too loud for me). Dealer says all recalls done. Woohoo! Can't wait to get it. Will post more details once it's paid for and sitting in my garage. | ||
| Tramp |
You'll be very stoked with it, passthedutchie! | ||
| Tom_b |
Sounds like you did good! ask for the stock windscreen if they still have it. I just love the s2/s3 windscreen. I would put it back on. a little wind ain't bad for that clean look. | ||
| Tunes |
Since you already bought the bike, Congratulations! I have a '99 S3T. Yer gonna love your bike. Mine has been reliable as a stone since I bought it new. All recalls done on my also. That's worth something right there. I use the long oil filters for a "little" extra oil capacity. Plenty of muffler choices. I run the Race Kit, including the muffler. If ya repack 'em right and eliminate the baffle pipe from rattling itself to death, then they're worth the sound... (in my opinion). Keep the primary chain lubed and adjusted, keep your engine oil clean and it'll last many miles. The windshield is most likely a ZeroGravity ... I just recently put one on my S3... I like both screen sizes. They deliver different results at varying speeds. A personnal choice. Again... enjoy your new Buell and welcome to the fever! | ||
| Essthreetee |
"Welcome to the fever" is right...you will LOVE it! I have had my '02 S3T since late April. It has already become my favorite bike EVER!!!!! Since then I have installed a Race ECM, Gutted AIrbox, V&H exhaust. I too have the ZeroGravity windshield...I like it. Blocks Some of the wind, but still feel some. ENJOY!!!!! | ||
| Passthegravy |
Well, I picked up the bike on Saturday, and I've been riding the snot out of it this weekend. This is REALLY a fun bike. Handling is great. Pulls like a locomotive. Did I mention this is a fun bike? But, there are a couple items that need attention. First and foremost, the rear brake. It really feels dead, to the point of being useless. I like to trail brake into turns, and the rear brake is useless for that. Here is my plan. Tell me if you think I'm going about this right: First, I'm gonna bleed the rear brake. I don't think this is going to help because it is not spongy feeling. Instead it just feels wooden. But, nonetheless, I want to start with fresh fluid. Second, I'll replace the pads with something more aggressive. (I'll have to do some research on which pads.) Third, if 1 and 2 don't work, I'll buy a rebuild kit for the existing caliper. Surely, new fluid, pads and rebuilt caliper will give me decent braking (I hope). Finally, if all of that doesn't work, I'm gonna have to look into upgrading the rotor and caliper. Ouch, that will be expensive. | ||
| Tramp |
relax- just do an aggressive pressure bleed & pad change. it's an anaemic system at best, but that 'wooden' feeling is consistent with pad wear (thin pads impacting caliper travel , as well. | ||
| Mbsween |
Pass, the rear brake on all the tubers I've ridden will seem weak compared to other bikes you may have ridden. There is a giant front brake that will stop you in a heartbeat, stand the bike on the front wheel etc etc I believe the point in the "weak" rear brake was to reduce the chance of locking the rear wheel in a turn. The brochures referred to it as a "high effort" setup. That being said, I recently rebuilt both calipers on the X1, and now it will lock the rear brake, with healthy pressure. read the brake section from this (97) brochure.  | ||
| Djkaplan |
I've heard the same comment from other riders that depend on the rear brake for most of their stopping power. | ||
| Denfromphilly |
I totally agree that the rear brake sux big time BUT.. you do get accustomed to it and the front brake is so effective that it makes little difference. My X1 can out brake any other bike or car I have ever driven. | ||
| Passthegravy |
I called DaveS yesterday and ordered the service manual and a set of rear brake pads. I know everyone says the rear brakes stink on purpose, but I do think mine is even less effective than it should be. I'll throw a new set of pads in there, replace the brake fluid and see what happens. Doesn't cost much, and it can't hurt. I appreciate everyone's comments and insight. I'm looking forward to a long relationship with this bike. If I can figure out how to post pics, I'll post a couple of pics of the bike. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
One other thing to check on the foot controls is the paint can flake off of the frame and bind the pedals a bit. This can cause missed shifts and a dragging rear brake. I scraped off my paint behind the plastic bushing at about 15K miles. | ||
| Tramp |
ummm "passthedutchie"...I never said they suck on purpose. frankly, mine's been fine, i don't buy that 'they suck on purpose' cold-fusion mumbo jumbo.... | ||
| Ceejay |
That's a cool little brocure "...in other words, do not ride the bike like an ill bred yahoo." but, but, but, that's what I bought it for! Sorry, didn't mean to hijack said thread, back to your usual gentlemanly selves. | ||
| Passthegravy |
That brochure looks like it was a test-ride handout. I rode a City-X at the Honda Hoot this year, and they gave us a similar speech before the ride. They warned us to get a feel for the front brake in the parking lot, just to keep some goober from grabbing a big fistful on the road. | ||
| Mbsween |
That is the 1998 Official Buell Brochure, they did the same thing in the 97 brochure, thats a s far back as I have them. My department at work modified the Ill bred yahoo line to "Ill bred Yahoos with a plan" of course no-one at work got it. Those test rides were unreal back then. I think they we're cultivating Ill bred yahoos The later brochures are a little more corporate, in my opinion anyways |
