| Author | Message | ||
     Hippyjoe |
Got a line on a '96 with hard bags. 29k miles, 4 grand. Buddy owns it, says it's a good one. I don't know shit about Buells. Built an '82 fxr but I want something lighter, quicker, and more suitable for touring. Been riding and wrenching on Harleys for 20 yrs, never rode a sport bike before. So I'm hoping to hear back on whether this is a good bike, any issues with a '96 that I should know about? Haven't had a sporty since the iron head days, the transmissions in those bikes would blow if the motor was built too strong. How are the trannies in the Buells holding up? Joe | ||
| Josh_ |
I haven't owned one (had the next model (S3) and have the prior model (RS)) so I can't comment from personal experience, but many consider the S2 to be the best "old school Buell" made. $4k is a very good price on a bike you know is good. 95/96 was essentially a stock Sporty motor with a different aircleaner and exhaust (unless it was a California model) and the transmissions have been very sold on stock and modified bikes. For touring you'll want to verify it has the taller factory touring bars, and you might consider the even taller aftermarket bars. Coming from an HD the controls will feel right at home as will the kickstand - but make sure it doesn't roll forward on you and drop the bike. Has happened to many. I'd buy it before he posts on here and someone else swipes it  | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Joe, The S2's rock! If the one you are looking at is anything like the 96 I've got (and the 95...), jump all over it! The S2T should have the higher bars already on it. Just check to be sure they are not pre recall. It should also have he peg lowering kit. both help in the long range comfort department. If you are doing solo touring, it's damn hard to go wrong with the S2T. Two up might be different though. Brad | ||
| Hippyjoe |
Hey, thanks for the info. So, how do I tell the taller bars from the non-touring ones... was there a handlebar recall, what was wrong with them? What does the peg lowering kit look like, compared to a non-touring bike? Reason I'm asking is because my bro isn't the original owner, he's also more into big twins than Buells. I'm not really sweating small stuff like pegs or bars, but it is good to know going into this what I'm looking at. Any other differences in the touring models in '96, i.e. rear suspension, fork length, etc? I've been searching here and I'll search some more, but things are moving pretty fast and I'll probably get after it tomorrow. Bike is 200 miles away, so I can use all the dope I can get beforehand. Thanks again-- Joe | ||
| Jimincalif |
Yeah, the S2 and S3 ergonomics are the "least squidly" of all Buells made (read: the most comfortable, but they ARE still Buells and even the old S2 "owns the corners" compared to damn near anything else). As noted, the S2 had basically a stock Harley Sportster engine whereas the S1 of the same year was the first of the Buell-tuned motors with about 1/3rd more horsepower stock. In '97 the S3 replaced the S2, the S3 more or less WAS the S2 but with an S1 motor  . Suspension and handling on the S2 rocked. And the motor can be pumped up just like all other Sportsters. | ||
| Josh_ |
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| Samc |
S2 is a sit-in; S3 is more sit-on. S2/S3 bodywork different,not a lot of things interchange between S2 and others. Fortunately, lots of Sportster stuff fits, and the supply lines for these older bikes seem to still be working fine. I shopped hard for my S2T, and I'm glad I finally found it, it's a delight to ride, kind of a Swiss army knife bike; does lots of things well. Go to Don Casto's web site for lots and lots of information. http://home.comcast.net/~buellstuff/ | ||
| Ricky |
I had a '96 S2. Biggest piece of crap I ever had. It had a recall list the size a phonebook. Now if everything on the bike you are looking at is or has been replaced/fixed and then if the price is right... I just re-read and saw that he wants $4K. Offer $3200. (Message edited by ricky on February 15, 2006) | ||
| Rex |
I love my Buells. I have a 97 M2 and a 95 S2. The M2 has over 40,000 miles and I would not be afraid to take it across the country and back tomorrow. The S2 I have not driven as much, but several of my friends have rode the wheels off of theirs. All across the country. They love em. REX  | ||
| Doughnut |
Ride the S2, You'll love it from the first moment. | ||
| Deltacruiser |
Hippyjoe, A lot of us, including me, had never ridden a sportbike before I jumped on a Buell. It will feel a little weird at first riding with your feet underneath you instead of out in front of you, but after a few 100 miles it feels normal and you'll actually start to like it. When I bought my X-1, I was used to riding a cruiser. I rode it 100 miles home and by the time I was home I was in love with the Buell. I still love the looks and sound of Big Twins, but riding a Buell is so much fun I don't know if I'll ever ride anything else. Just be careful getting used to having much better brakes and a shorter wheelbase than you are used to. Do not grab a handful of front brake when you ride the Buell for the first time. 2 fingers is all you need on the front brake. The rear brakes are very weak and seem weird until you realize they are like that on purpose, so you don't lock up the rear wheel too easily on a short wheelbase bike. Somebody shared the same advice with me when I bought my Buell and it proved good advice. If that bike is solid, buy it. Once you ride it, you'll love it. Ride safe, Brett | ||
| S2pengy |
And the rear brake is like not having one.... Get used to using the front brake... | ||
| Bluzm2 |
One more thing, different tires make a big difference on the S2's. They don't like high freeway mileage flat center. The above pictures are of the "good" touring bars. The recalled bars have the bottom cut instead of crimped where they are welded onto the band clamp. A number of folks here have had the recall bars break. If they are still on the this S2, change them! Here's a shot of the peg lowering brackets. Brad  | ||
| Josh_ |
The bars in the pic w/o grips are the touring, bars on the bike are standard RS/S2 bars. | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
S2?...VERY ADDICTING!!...DON'T THINK TWICE!!!.... one of the greatest machines ever made!!! JT | ||
| Hippyjoe |
Goddamn that is a lot of info to digest in one night. Thanks everybody, that is some good intel. I think this site might be the "push over the edge and into the void" of getting this bike. My one question is regarding the guy who had problems with his '96, recalls, etc. ... What are the major problems that were encountered, and what are the corrections? Handlebars I can live with. If it's anything like the '89 big twins spinning the sprocket side race into the primary then I'd like to hear about it. Thanks again, Joe | ||
| Hippyjoe |
Jesus Christ did you guys go out into the shop today to take those pics? Thanks!! | ||
| Henrik |
Joe; if you have been able to keep an '82 FXR on the road, you should have no problem with a '96 S2T. I came off an '82 FXRS myself onto a '96 S2T myself There are some known issues to look out for, but most of it is basic maintenance that you should be used to. I think you'll like the Buell. Keep us posted and post pictures when/if you get it. Henrik | ||
| Ricky |
What are the major problems that were encountered, and what are the corrections? Front rotor warped carb cable broke shock battery cable rocker cover gaskets (some do, some don't... leak) handlebars oil tank seat latch ignition key stuck can't remember any more right now... | ||
| Josh_ |
>did you guys go out into the shop today to take those pics? Yes, but it's kind of a coincidence - I'm in the process of swapping bars and had them right there. Note that's an RS, your fairing/top clamp etc will look different. Most S2s are bullet-proof, but if you don't buy it - post the guy's #s I bet it doesn't last 48 hours | ||
| Ricky |
Most S2s are bullet-proof After those things I mentioned are fixed, I would agree with you. | ||
| Henrik |
I have some 20K sport touring miles on mine. The stuff I've had go wrong was stuff I'd been messing with myself. The S2 being more of a "built by hand, one at a time" type bike, I think the issues S2 owners run into varies more than on the later models. That's just a theory though - no scientific proof Henrik | ||
| 1313 |
S2's just plain RULE! I just turned 106,000 miles on my 1995 S2 this past weekend in an endurance run to our latest BRAG meeting. Normally I wouldn't call the 130+ mile round trip an endurance run, but this time it was in the high 40's-low 50's and it was pretty much a constant rain - NASTY. I've done 600 mile days easy, with my longest 'straight through' trip being 900 miles. I must admit that I have a replacement transmission sitting waiting to go in before I leave for Daytona this year, but hell it's got 100,000 miles on it and the tranny still functions - just doesn't function as good as it should. Obviously I'd have no qualms... 1313 | ||
| Firemanjim |
Ricky,I think yours was a fluke as I have had mine since new with 75k on it and another that I put 15000 on before it went to another friend.The shock was recalled because 1 and exactly one--failed under dubious conditions--never had a rocker cover leak,my front rotor rattled but that was it,never had a battery cable problem,handlebars were recalled because supplier did a bad weld job,and that was only on the touring bars,and the ignition key would stick if you did not lube the switch once in a while.If the bike is clean and has all the S-2T bags etc,4000 is decent price. | ||
| Court |
I've had my S-2 in 44 states. I'm sure I'll have a problem someday. . . maybe. . . we'll see. It's only been 11 years so it's tough to say this early. Most fun I have ever had on a motorcycle. | ||
| Ricky |
Ricky,I think yours was a fluke... It could have been. It really pissed me off though to have so many things wrong. Keep in mind that none of those things were owner induced. I kept that bike completely stock. At least it didn't blow up like Dyna's.  | ||
| Bomber |
Dyna's sccot wasn't an S2 -- it was an X1, so any cross over of data to an S2 is vey, very small I've ridden S1s, S2s, S3s, X1s, M2s, and all the XB series (cept the Uly) -- the S2 is one of those bikes that makes you feel right at home immediately, and will have you hustling over roads much more quickly that you imagined such an "out of date" sled would be capable of -- if it's being regularly ridden today, you can bet that most if not all of the bugs have been worked out -- you can also take the VIN and check on the status of any recalls I'd say ride the old nail, and if it talks to you at all, buy it | ||
| Hippyjoe |
Thanks again everybody for all the input, I am learning a lot here. I won't get to the bike today, probably next week. I'm not worried about somebody else snagging it, it's at a chopper shop in the middle of nowhere, the bike came from a swap meet and it's been tipped over. Buddy says it's starting to look like a rat bike. He's been trying to sell it for a month or so already. He always has buells for sale. So, if I understand right, the S2 is one of the more comfortable Buell models, right? Comfort is what I'm looking for, that and hard bags. I don't really care about how cool the thing is or whatever, I'm looking for comfort, performance, reliability. If I cared about cool I'd still be riding a knuckle chopper. F%ck cool, I need comfort. I have been checking around a bit, 4 grand seems like the higher end on a used Buell. Although it looks like the touring models don't come up for sale a whole lot, is that right? Thanks for the beta on the recall stuff, at this point it looks like regular maintenance issues for a 10-year-old bike. One other question I have-- How hard is a bike like this to push/ride in 1st gear in sugar sand, up rocky jeep trails, etc? I do a lot of bike camping. For now I'm still looking into it. All info is highly appreciated. At this point I'm looking forward to having a bike that is fun just to hop on and boogie with. Thanks again. Joe | ||
| Buellistic |
Always get a FACTORY MOTORS MANUAL and PARTS BOOK for YEAR/Model you purchase !!! | ||
| Hippyjoe |
Here's a practice pic of my current bike. If this works then I'll post a pic of whatever Buell I end up getting.  edit: Yeah, parts cat and service manual is the only way to fly. (Message edited by Hippyjoe on February 16, 2006) | ||
| Josh_ |
$4k is a great price on a good condition S2T >came from a swap meet and it's been tipped over. Buddy says it's starting to look like a rat bike. ...but that's not a good condition S2T. $4k minus an honest assessment of damage repair would be a good price. Be sure to check fairing and fairing mounts for damage. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Here's a manual on eBay-- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buell-Motorcycle-Service-Manuel-S2-S2-T-1995-1996 _W0QQitemZ8038907305QQcategoryZ34240QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem and a parts catalog that shows nice pictures of parts. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-Buell-S2-Thunderbolt-Parts-Catalog_W0QQitemZ 8025026399QQcategoryZ34236QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem | ||
| Hippyjoe |
watchin' em, thanks. | ||
| Henrik |
IMO the S2, especially the "T" with the higher bars, is very comfortable. I customized the stock seat with a ProPad, and regularly done 500 mile days and did one 750 mile day some years back. I was happy I wasn't doing another 750 miles the next day, but all in all I was fine. I even find my S2 more comfortable than my S3 was. Henrik | ||
| Hippyjoe |
OK, I went and had a look, the "rat" bike wouldn't run. However, he had another ST2 with 11k miles on it that was pretty sweet, took it for a spin. It was fun to ride, but it didn't fit me. The way I'm built, this bike hurt my hands and my nuts. Also the bags are too small for my needs, and I couldn't see squat out those floppy mirrors. Finally, that f*ckin wobbly kickstand was outright scary. If anyone's interested the shop is in Farmington, NM, 325-3585. Tell 'em HippyJoe sent ya. Asking price $5500, bike is white. Looks stock except for a VH muffler and it's pretty cherry. I have, however, sat on an M2 and it felt a lot better for my body type. I also like the idea of a newer model that may not have as many recall issues, and they look more affordable, as well. I also want to stick with a carb and tube frame, so the M2 is looking pretty good. So, I checked out the M2 thread here, and I see I can get a larger wind screen. My question now is, are rear hard bag brackets available for the Cyclone? I haven't discounted the S3T either, although because it's a rarer bike I haven't found one to take for a spin. So any info on ST3/M2 for touring would help me out, although as I've mentioned I'm leaning toward the M2, if only for availability reasons. Also, the flip-up rear cargo rack, is that available for either bike? Thanks, Joe | ||
| Josh_ |
You can bolt the S3 fairing straight on the M2, but the S3T's bag brackets would require welding on the frame. It can be done - the M2 and S3 frames only differ by those bag mount points. I believe I tooks pics of my S3 for someone wanting to do that a while back, they might be on BadWeb somewhere. The only cargo rack I know of is the Ventura rack system (check American Sport Bike). no flipping, but you can add/remove parts as needed. I don't think Corbin made a back-rest seat for an M2, but they are available for the S3. The S3 with the "T" bars is the most ergonomically correct bike I've ever sat on. Try to get a ride on one before you start modding an M2. | ||
| Deltacruiser |
My X-1 is actually very comfortable since I have S3T bars on it instead of the lower stock bars. Just FYI if you find a bike that doesn't have the higher S3 bars, they are the same as the Buell Blast bars. You can find those real cheap on E-Bay fairly often. |
