| Author | Message | ||
     Naustin |
I have the opportunity to buy an 01 S3T with only 6,400 miles on it. What should I look out for? Whats it worth? It has the deep bags and cosmetically Good condition. Not, best, but only a few scratches here and there. Thanks | ||
| Essthreetee |
I bought my '02 S3T with only 3k miles on it for $3500. I am not sure what to look out for or what it is "worth". I love mine, so I would pay more... | ||
| Naustin |
What are the known trouble spots? Sensors that tend to fail - Isolators? - Cracking body work? - Gaskets? What kind of maintence am I looking at? How many miles can I expect out of the engine before I need to rebuild? Any help would or insight into life with the S3 would be greatly appreciated... Thanks Nick (Message edited by naustin on August 08, 2006) | ||
| Essthreetee |
I think most of the bugs were worked out by '01 (???) The lower fairings crack, but there are velcro fixes (probably in the Knowledge Vault). I think base gaskets are an issue. Personally I have replaced my O2 sensor, and my Air Intake Sensor. I have a new Head Temp sensor in my garage for when mine fails. I think the kickstand switch fails, but that can be hardwired together. Isolators do go bad (I don't know how long they last). The thing is, I don't think any of these are S3T specific. I love my bike and I figure that the minor service that it takes is part of it. It is fairly easy to work on, and there is boat loads of help available. Just get a Factory Service Manual and a parts catalog for your specific bike. Good luck and enjoy. | ||
| Naustin |
I'm leaning into it. I "grew up" on a blast that I have 8,000 miles on. I just spotted this s3t in my dealer's wearhouse the other day. It hasn't been ridden in nearly 2 years. They are changing the fluids, installing a battery and getting it checked out so I can test ride it.... They offered me a heck of a deal on it... I don't know if I can pass it up. I'm sure when I ride the S3T, it'll all be a done deal. My wife loves the Thunderbolt. If we end up going for it, we'll finaly be able to ride comfortably 2-up which is the biggest reason I'd go for it. I love my blast though... (Message edited by naustin on August 08, 2006) | ||
| Lake_bueller |
If you don't screw around with the bike too much (exhaust mods, intake changes, etc), I think the FI bikes are just as good as the "naturaly asperated" models. I have a 1998 that looks almost as good as new. The bodywork (other than a few scratches in the saddlebags) has held together extermely well. As for "rebuild"....that depends on your style of riding. My '98 S3T has about 40K miles on the odo. Only thing that I've done beside change fluids is replace the rocker gaskets. I recently did a rebuild on my '98 S1W. It was pushing 50K miles at the time. The techs thought I'd get at least another 10K miles before it got bad. Because I needed to replace a base gasket, I decided to have the top end rebuilt also. Good luck with the S3T. I couldn't be happier with mine  | ||
| Bad_karma |
Naustin I have 25K on my 99 S3 with only a ignition switch failure. If you due the maintenance you should get about 20K before more that routine things should be done. | ||
| Naustin |
Did the `01 S3T still have the 'goofy' clutch plate dealie? I was told they dropped it on the `01 sportsters. Should I worry about it? Is there a good way to tell if the isolators are bad when I test ride it since I won't know the difference between the bike's normal vibrations from anything aberrant. Is there an easy way to check if the rockerbox gaskets have been done. On the blast, you could tell if you looked in just the right place where the gasket normally peaked out a little. Thanks for all the help everyone! I'd be spooked of the bike without this good input. Any other things I can have in mind or inspect when I ride the bike would really help alot. | ||
| Bookyoh |
Naustin: I bought my '01 S3T in December 2005. I also have an '00 M2. When I went searching for an S3T I wanted an '01 or '02 because they have all the major improvements already. You didn't mention the price but they are all over the map. Essthree's is the best I have heard so far. If you buy it, I recommend you ride it for a few thousand miles before you do anything other then required maintenance. Get to know the bike first. Mark Cincinnati '00 M2 '01 S3T '03 FXD | ||
| Naustin |
IF I buy it, it will stay stock for good. It has enough power out of the box that I don't need to go looking for any more. I put a Bub exhaust on my blast and it is fricken LOUD. Even guys on big twins glare at me! Its fun, but it gets old and is often embarrassing - especially with the current trend of anti-loud-exhaust legislature and sentiment. | ||
| Buellboiler |
"Is there an easy way to check if the rockerbox gaskets have been done. On the blast, you could tell if you looked in just the right place where the gasket normally peaked out a little. " If someone has replaced the rocker box gasket with the newer metal replacement, about the only way you can tell is that the metal replacement seems to be slightly smaller in outside dimensions. You would need a stock one next to it to see the difference. They are not hard to replace with procedures all over the KV. The metal gaskets do a great job. | ||
| Oldog |
the metal gasket has a strip that holds it together and it is visible on the box perimiter IIRC (Message edited by oldog on August 10, 2006) | ||
| Naustin |
OK - I'm testing this baby out tomorrow. Any final thoughts about buying an `01 S3T?? I see someone asking about reliability of the `98 and `99 models and not getting the most encouraging responses. Were the 01s better? | ||
| Tunes |
I just had the 20K mile service performed on my '99 S3T. I take very good care of my bike and I don't beat it. Sensors are cheap... some go, some don't. I've replaced the Speedo Sensor, Head Temp Sensor, Voltage Regulator, & O2 Sensor. I replaced the O2 Sensor as an upgrade more than a replacement/failure. The right-side saddlebag cracked on the inside around the mounting points and the end/corner near the turn-signal. I roughed up the area and used automotive epoxy to repair the cracks. So far- so good. The following upgrades I did may not apply to your newer bike: - Front Muffler/Shock Hanger - Shifter Assembly - Front Brake Rotor - Buell Footpeg upgrade - Race Kit (w/header, muffler, ECM, Carbon Fiber Air Cleaner Assy-K&N Filter.) - Screw-type oil dipstick - Isolators (Must be replaced during 20K mile service, or sooner.) They tend to sag/stretch with time. The new isolators were an upgrade and made a difference in ride quality.) The bike gives a great ride. At first, it will feel huge compared to the Blast but, you will quickly adapt. The beauty of these bikes are ride confidence. Try to keep your revs above 3000rpm... that's where the bike is tuned to run. Although you can't always keep the revs up, you'll get the hang of it. It's a different beast from the Blast. Enjoy!!!! | ||
| Naustin |
Thanks for all the input. I signed the paperwork and brought the S3T home yesterday afternoon! | ||
| Tunes |
Naustin! Congrats!! Pictures please!!! | ||
| Gmc310 |
Lake, how big of a job was the rocker gasket to replace? please elaborate,thanks , Gary | ||
| Essthreetee |
Congrats!!! Yeah pics of the new addition. Always love to see pictures of S3's. | ||
| Naustin |
I'll get some soon...  |
