| Author | Message | ||
     Samc |
I'm looking at a low-mileage (3100) '98 S3T, supposedly stock except for Supertrapp. What recalls should have been done, what're the problem areas, what should I be looking for (besides the things I'd look for on any bike)? Seller wants $5100, which seems high; NADA is 3340--4390, this is a high-end bike from the condition. Comments? Help? Advice? Also contemplating a '00 Cyclone and '96 S2T, but the S3T is very close to home. | ||
| Easy_rider |
So a search through the KV for recall info. I should do the same, now that I'm thinking about it.... | ||
| Doncasto |
Robert: You might find some items of interest here: S3 Conventional Wisdom Hope this helps, Don Casto Buellstuff Index Page | ||
| Tramp |
the S3 is good bike. that price is kinda silly. the S2 is a superior machine, and it's more of a pure Buell. the S2 was manufactured by a Buell company only around 48% owned/managed by Harley davidson, so it has more 'custom, handmande' styling and features of higher quality, which were not designed, primarily, with cost-effective production in mind. The S2 also has the wonderful isolator plates which allow far easier isolator/drivebelt service. much easier, actually. I've never owned a cyclone, but I far prefer the ride of the cyclone to that of the S2 or S3. The conventional forks allow for a much tighter steering radius, and thus a far more nimble feeling. it handles like a dirt bike compared to the cumbersome S2 and S3. Also, the S2 has 1" bars with actual Harley-davidson controls, which many folks dig. i don't, as I prefer to run conventional bars of independent manufacture, so i installed an S3 front end on my s2. there are many considerations to make, and I would strongly suggest first trying an S2 and an M2 before "hitting the first cathouse in port" off the boat.... | ||
| Doncasto |
Robert: Is the S2T you mentioned the one that is currently listed on eBay? I took a look at that bike a couple of days ago and might be able to offer some insights. Ping me offline if I can offer any help. Don | ||
| Bruce_bueller |
Any H-D/BUELL shop can run the V.I.N. # and tell you what recalls were done and which still need to be done through H-D net. I like the 1" bars on the S2 Harley stuff seems easier to get, ie master cylinder, grips, levers and such. $5100 does sound a little high. I bought a 98 S3T in 97 list was 11,500 with the PM wheels, hard bags and fairing bags. I put 20,000+ mi on that bike the first year I had it. Not as much fun as my S1 but a lot more comfortable especially 2-up. | ||
| Tramp |
bruce- I know of a LOT of guys who agree re: HD controls. however: My front brake master cylinder and one lever were taken off of asiatic scoots in the local boneyard. i've replaced 4 master cylinders on 7/8" bar buells form old sino-wrecks. much easier to find that stuff, and it's chyeaper, than the HD parts, for me. but I am with you, there are many advantages to the HD controls. i hated the big-turn, loose throttle, though. I love this ducati/sino-vendor stuff the S3s use | ||
| Samc |
Don, I pinged you OL. Tramp, good advice. I had an M2, loved it. Rode a borrowed S3 for a while when they were a new idea, loved it too except for the cracking in the left side lower. Never cared for the X1, too much like a rocket-powered suppository. That's why I'm looking at Ss and M2s. I do like the purity of the S2, but the S3's HD influence also means a deeper parts bin. They are different, but I like them both. One of the virtues of anything HD-based is that parts swapping is so easy. The guy's asking price is based on what the dealer suggested, which of course has no basis in reality. NADA says $4500 tops. Any more thoughts? This is helpful. Sam | ||
| Henrik |
I've owned both an S3 and an S2. The S3 was traded and the S2 is still in my garage. The S3 is likely the more "refined" of the two, but some changes were made to the S3 design to accommodate higher/less expensive production levels - taking a bit of the "soul" of the bike away. The S2 has a more hand-built feel to it- which can be both good and bad. As for riding, you're more "on top of" an S3, whereas you're riding more "in" an S2. Hard to explain, but if you have a chance to sit on an S2 you'll know what I mean. The S3 with the T-storm motor has quite a bit more power than a stock S2, but that can be fixed - it's only $$$  The 1" controls is my main quip with the S2. I want to keep the S2 front end, as I believe it's a better piece of suspension kit. But because of the unconventional handlebar setup, swapping to 7/8" bars has proven a bit of a challenge. The short story is, that after Fireman Jim let me ride his S2 in 1999 (bad man that he is  ) I promptly snapped up a Parkway Blue 1996 S2. That was despite the horrible suspension and almost stuck throttle on Fireman's bike. good luck and keep us posted. Henrik | ||
| Old_mil |
Personally, I think that $5000ish is rather high for a 1998 S3T, as I bought my 2002 S3T for a few hundred more than that. Personally, it's the best/most fun bike I've ever owned. | ||
| Tramp |
seems most of us are in agreement that that price is a bit steep. also, it IS september, and Autumn is nopt exactly the season of robust motorcycle sales activity. offer the seller 4k, and walk if he balks. then get yourself an S2 or an M2. | ||
| Samc |
Exactly my thought; if the price isn't right, then this isn't right. M2 and S2 my second choice (in no particular order). One factor is geography; I can eat up a lot of money fast on a bike a state or two away, unless the price is very right. Thanks, everybody. I'd almost forgotten how helpful and just plain nice the Buell community is. Anything else? or PM me if that seems more appropriate. | ||
| Denfromphilly |
"Never cared for the X1, too much like a rocket-powered suppository." I always thought that was an asset!  | ||
| Seth |
Tramp is right, offer the seller 4k, and walk if he balks.... but get ready for the guy to call you back in a week or so to ask if you are still interested. Motorcycle asking prices seem to drop once the thermometer is around 50. | ||
| Tramp |
excellent point seth, as always. the thermometer is like the S&P of M/C sales. when he does call back to say he'll take $4000- let him know you can only spend $3500, now, but split the difference at $3750, telling him you "just won't buy smokes this week". I'm here all week, Try The veal, tip your waitress  | ||
| Jon |
...rocket powered suppository... | ||
| Buelliedan |
I have owned a 99 S3 and I currently own a 96 S2. I can tell you the S2 is the much better quality bike! The S3 was faster but not by much. The S2 simply oozes sexiness when you look at it and the build quality, well lets just say it is obvious it was built by hand! $5100 for a 98S3 is insane! Maybe $4500 if it is perfect. (Message edited by buelliedan on September 10, 2005) | ||
| Hotrodsportster |
2002 S3 $5,000 or RO < 4000m | ||
| Samc |
OK, the '98 turns out to be perfect, a couple of paint chips and that's it. Not even dirty. However, the seller is upside down; he owes more than $4500, doesn't have the title (financed through HD credit, so it takes about a month to get the title after payoff) and hasn't bothered to register it this year--plate expired in June. Alarm bells ringing all over the place. I went down this no-title-payoff-and-wait road once, and it's only worth it on a screaming deal. He'll have that one a while. Also looked at a '97 S3 this morning, maybe a 7/10, they refused my offer of $3000 (which I thought was generous, but some is commission to a shop that's struggling, the local Ural dealer, where they just had two employees shot to death and are putting a portion of the profits into a fund for their families, so it's a charity too). Still looking, and waiting for Hotrodsportster's pictures. Any others out there? | ||
| Samc |
OK, looks like Craig and I have a deal on his S2T. Thanks, everybody! Y'all have been great. By the way, Hotrodsportster's S3 looks pretty good, and that '98 S3T here is probably a good deal, if you have the patience to sit out the lien release period. Anybody interested, PM me, I'll give you the owner's phone number. |
