| Author | Message | ||
     Timn |
I have been researching buell's for a while, and think the S3T would be a good fit. I like the hard bags and the fairing. What do you think the best year for this model is, i.e value, reliabilty, comfort, power. Thanks for any help | ||
| Spiderman |
2002 for FI 1998 for Carb | ||
| Hughlysses |
There are very minor differences in the 2000 and 2001 models which can easily be updated to 2002 specs: strengthened primary chain shoe, improved shifter linkage, and front exhaust Y type mount are the three significant ones. New parts to do these upgrades cost less than $200. If you can find a deal on a 2000 or 2001 model, don't pass it up. | ||
| Naustin |
I have a 2001 I bought used with 6,500 miles on it, and it already had all the updates. Don't know if it was recall work or not, but I'm fairly sure that it wasn't and that it came factory with the improved primary shoe, linkage and exhaust mount... So, I'd recommend either the 2001 or the 2002. Nick | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I would only consider selling my 1998 S3T to purchase a Uly or BMW GS. It has been a GREAT bike for almost 8 years! | ||
| Essthreetee |
I like my 2002...but then again I'm kinda partial. | ||
| One |
I only have my 2002 S3T to BRAG about but I would say with all the improvements culminating in 2002 that year has to be the best.  Mine is one of the last made and in the perfect orange/Volcanic grey combo.Everything works well except for the short windscreen and shaky mirrors.At 21000 miles it has finally worn out the shock but I have no other oil leaks or stains anywhere.my .} | ||
| Bad_karma |
Timn I have a 99 and it is the worst buell I have. But I will not part with it. The list of problems I can remember is to long for here. Joe | ||
| Timn |
Bad karma I am curious, why would'nt you part with your 99? What makes that year problomatic? Should I avoid That year? Any other years to avoid if any? I am trying to learn as much as i can. Thanks (Message edited by timn on December 14, 2006) | ||
| Tunes |
I own a '99 S3. 23K miles. I have performed all the upgrades... bike runs superb. | ||
| Djkaplan |
The 2000 model may have that horrible SRP shock still on it. Not sure if Buell is goodwilling the updated units anymore. That could be a significant expense. I already wore out the updated unit, and the Penske shock I want to replace it with costs 1/3 the total value of my bike... OUCH! | ||
| Hughlysses |
2000 shock replacement is a recall which falls under DOT regs. I bought my 2000 S3 used and had mine replaced 2 years ago at my local Buell dealer, no questions asked. | ||
| Mcgiver |
'98 was the best year, but needed a 99 or later seat. Last of the carburated thunderstorms, great bike, still have mine.  Brian | ||
| Bad_karma |
Timn I won't part with the bike because it does it job very well when it works, S1 performance with enhanced distance. I don't know why this year is a problem child, but the fuel/ignition problem has lead me on a merry hunt. Failed ignition switch, muffler inlet pipe failure, 250 miles on the front cylinder only, poorly adjusted bags causing back half to fail, rocker box leaking, primary chain adjuster failure, alternator to regulator connector failure, Throttle cable return cable failure leaving you with a stuck throttle, lifter worn out by 20K, intake manifold seals every couple years,Buells top secret paint, steering head bearings worn out, just to list a few off the top of my head. But it is simple to maintain, air cooled, pushrod engine performance, fuel economy, great to modify, driven away from several lowsides, it is the essence of what a motorcycle is. Kind of like a wife! When she is good she is good but when she is bad she is bad. | ||
| Fuelledbuelled |
I have a 98 with a current electrical fault read( Help engine cutting out) and you will read some problems that do occur. Mainly small issues which are cheap fixes, and then you have a great bike. Good Luck. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Those old carbed S3's aren't supposed to be as fast as the injected ones, but I've ridden with some guys than fly on them in the mountains. It's kind of sobering to be hustling to keep up and noticing the bike in front of you has saddlebags that are almost scraping the asphalt. | ||
| Gomo |
Timn I have a 99 and it is the worst buell I have. But I will not part with it. The list of problems I can remember is to long for here. Joe Ditto on all counts for my 99 as well. | ||
| Well_ridden |
I have a 97 S3T that was purchased early this fall with 850 miles, practically brand new. Last week I turned over 1650 miles. That's not many miles to put on a bike in 3 months, but it was as many miles as the previous owner put on in 9 years. It brings a smile to my face every time I roll on the throttle and go into a sweeper. I have a 92 Dyna Glide and an 02 Heritage Springer that show signs of jealousy. They'll get over it......  I haven't had it long enough to have any problems. Hopefully they will be minimal. Somethings you enjoy do require that little extra effort. | ||
| Numb_nutz |
Timn I also have a 1999 S3, More problems than anyone should have. Its a love hate thing. I agree with Bad karma, wouldn't sell it for anything. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
I also have a 99 and although this was my 1st season with it and I have only ridden it about 5K, including 2 or 3 dozen 1/4 mile passes and maybe 1K 2-up, the only problem I have had was the voltage regulator quit. Not really a 99 model year problem. Yes the 02 is probably best because it has all of the upgrades, but buying my 99 with 5K on it and doing the upgrades myself was less expensive then buying an 02 with similar mileage. | ||
| Dennis_c |
Buy a 1998 there faster I could always out run the FI  55,000 on my old S3T | ||
| Dfbutler |
I bought my 99 almost 2 years ago and have spent probably twice what I paid for it on repairs. The latest was rebuilding the engine after a connecting rod bearing failed. Like many of the repairs, the first reaction is should I spend more money, but there is truly no other bike that does all the things the S3 does. What I've done is to look for the silver lining and made improvements the add a little to the cost, but makes the bike better. I now have a 1250cc engine with 10.5 pistons, a Works Performance rear shock, a Barnett clutch along with many more replacements too numerous to itemize. Is it worth it? As any Buell rider knows, it just takes a twist of the throttle to answer that. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Buy a 1998 there faster I could always out run the FI 55,000 on my old S3T Got a time slip to back that up brother? I have some from my stock 99 (11.73 @ 113+) that says (assuming the 98 was also stock) you are wrong!  Bike has an 11.6 in it if the rider would stop holding it back... | ||
| Dennis_c |
No time slip. I do have a magazine where they tested a 98 s3t and they did 11.54. I did a 11.1 on a dino drags. 100% stock 86 hp at rear wheel air filter off 88 hp and 48 mpg if i run the hell out of it 59 mph running at 60 mph. | ||
| Nukeblue |
dennis?? dennis?? my 99 S3T is still running great! even after being run over by a dump truck! anyone interested in buying a 98 S3 with an exploded engine???? (minus some parts) | ||
| Dennis_c |
$10.95  For the old green one. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
No time slip. I do have a magazine where they tested a 98 s3t and they did 11.54. I did a 11.1 on a dino drags. 100% stock 86 hp at rear wheel air filter off 88 hp and 48 mpg if i run the hell out of it 59 mph running at 60 mph. Don't take me too seriously and I'm just having fun doing some bench racing and am ok with somebody elses bike being quicker... That said, you obviously have (had?) a good running machine, but the magazine's time was most likely "corrected" for atmospheric conditions. Which is fine, but usually results in a faster, theoretical number that would be very hard to attain. Or, they had Pee Wee gleason test the bike! Dyno drags look like fun, but you don't doubt that my time would also be quicker with the front tire strapped to the "track" do you? Dyno numbers only mean something if we both ran on the same dyno on the same day. I also get similar mileage, I've measured 55 mpg at a steady 70-75 mph. Who goes 60?   Back to the topic, if you want a carbed bike the last year, 98 is probably best. If you want FI, then 02 is probably best, though it is easy to do the upgrades and have the same bike in either case... | ||
| Djkaplan |
11.73 is smokin' for a stock S3. | ||
| Dennis_c |
I won the bench racing   | ||
| Nukeblue |
dennis, you sure the wife will give you the $10.95?? |
