| Author | Message | ||
     Peter |
Greg, My understanding of the differences is that in 2000 they changed the front rotor, 2nd gear ratio, lifters, pressed (instead of bolted) lighter crankshaft, camcover, and ......... I can't think of any more at the moment. PPiA | ||
| Greasebag |
I was set on the 2001 or 2002 X1, because I had written off the Firebolt as an underpowered- problem-waiting-to-happen. Then I started reading posts from other parts of the BBS. There are a lot of good/valid opinions about the Firebolt. But what I havent seen anywhere is how fast it SHOULD be. Given the weight, torque, hp, rpm, etc, etc, should the Firebolt be AS fast as a stock X1, faster OR slower? I don't have the mental capacity to put all those numbers into a foot long equation.  | ||
| Mikej |
Greasebag, The Firebolt will be different. It's not the same as an X1, and can't really be compared to it. Lighter weight, higher revving engine, lower cubic inches. Erik mentioned about some differences when he was asked if the Firebolt was supposed to "replace" the X1 in the lineup, and he basically said no, it's different (my paraphrase since I don't remember his exact words). As to which is faster, I'd say it depends on what you mean by fast. Some people will be faster over a given course on the X1 than on the XB, others will be faster on the XB than on the X1 over the same course. Erik did say that the bike was designed to inspire confidence, a very easy handling bike, in my words "sneaky fast" as in you won't know how fast you were really going until you see the track times. He said that on the track the riders were saying that they didn't feel like they were going any faster on the Firebolt, but then they saw the times they were turning which were faster than they realized. It should be a very nice bike to ride. Latest word is that the XB should be here for the spring riding season. | ||
| Peter |
If I was going to buy a new Buell now, I'd be waiting for the Firebolt. PPiA | ||
| Greg_Cifu |
Okay, I think I have a deal on a bike. A 2000 x1, equipped the way I want it (thanks to the classifieds here). The problem is that it's in Virginia and I'm in California. I have been riding for 24 years and have no problems with distance riding. Heck, I rode my ZX11 700 miles on Sunday to look at a Lightning. My question now turns to reliability. Realistically, I will put 3-4000 miles on it over about 10 days to ride it home. Hey, it's a rare chance to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway and anything else I pick out along the way :-) It aint a touring bike but I think I'll be fine (if it doesn't break). All my other distance bikes have Corbins. This seat is stock. Am I going to die after 150 miles? What about the muffler mount? It has a carbon fiber muffler so the loads will be lower but is it likely to fail? Any other areas that I should be concerned about? I don't plan to stop for oil changes or anything else, unless I need a tire on the way. It will be easy miles but a lot nonetheless. Before I get advice on how to ship it (I already considered that), know this. California requires that it has 7500 miles or be 5 years old before I bring it into the state. It only has 2K right now so I've got my riding cut out for myself. I really don't have a choice except to ride it. | ||
| Jeffsd |
Greg, a couple of questions. What part of Va? What part of CA? I bought a 2000 X1 about 2 months ago with 2600 miles. It has the stock seat and it gets to me after 100 to 150 miles. I made one stop riding from San Diego to Bartel's Harley (west of LA) and no stops on the return trip. (65 ha-ha) But heck, if you rode 700 miles just to look at a lightning, you should be fine. I am going through the muffler/header mount dilema now. The only problem I have had with the muffler is that the clamp that holds the header to the mounting bracket broke. (check out the latest postings on the exhaust page). I can't remember where, but I saw an excellent Buell pre ride check list somewhere on this site. I'm at 4k miles now,so I've put 1400 miles on the ole X1 with no problems. Just check all (most) of the nuts and bolts when you stop for rest/gas. I did have one of the rear axle adjusters vibrate loose. THe bike got so wobbly I thought I needed a steering dampener. Best of luck and enjoy your ride. Jeff | ||
| Greg_Cifu |
Jeff, Thanks for the reply. The bike is in the DC area and I'm riding it to Lancaster, Ca. 2645 miles according to Yahoo. I'll ship the extras and ride the bike home. I understand these bikes are half metric, half SAE? Two sets of tools for the road? Maybe only the vibrating bits will come loose (stuff bolted to the engine). I'm planning on using my BMW GS tank bag (also has a big hump in the tank) and a soft ice chest lashed to the seat (cheap) for luggage. Does the X1 have bungie points on the subframe? I don't remember. Any other warnings/advice? | ||
| Tripper |
Greg_Cifu: Print out the RIDER ASSISTANCE NETWORK page and carry it. Tools: take a Torx and Hex folding sets. Small crescent wrench. Compact set of sockets, metric and english. Good philips and straight screwdriver. This in addition to the best bike kit from your other motorcycles. I carry a cheap DVM also, but without a manual it may not be usefull. Better to have too many tools and then the Quirks& Gremlins will be warded away. In case of breakage you will find Buellers more than willing to get you going, like no other group I have known. | ||
| Greg_Cifu |
Tripper, thanks for the tips. Yes, I carry a DVM. I could troubleshoot on the side of the road. The bike comes with a manual so I COULD trace it down in a hotel parking lot. Muffler bracket?!? It's the old one. Is it going to break? Do they ALL break? I have a 2000 Excelsior Henderson. They ALL break the throttle body bracket. Those who "haven't broken" yet, probably haven't checked it--IE: they are all broken or waiting to do so. Any other problem spots? I heard the air cleaner housing on the lightning has half metric, half standard fasteners and vibrated loose in 30 minutes of riding. I don't remember if it was the S1 or X1 so forgive me if I'm quoting the old one but that stuck out in my mind when it was told to me. My decision to buy this bike is hinging on whether I can ride it 3000 miles home without more than gas and oil. Nobody has a crystal ball, but if I know the muffler will likely fall off, I can bring bailing wire and if I know...you get the idea. | ||
| Jeffsd |
Greg, check the front pipe/muffler mount and keep an eye on it when you stop. It sounds like bailing wire would be a good idea. Buena Suerte, Amigo. | ||
| Hootowl |
If you put the charcoal canister on it would CA allow you to bring it in the state without 7500 miles on it? | ||
| Silversurfer |
Well, I did it..... I traded in my Blast for a Volcano Grey 2001 M2 today!! Yipee!! This bike is awesome. It is so much more than the blast! Thanks to everyone for their advice. I tell you, this 500 mile break in period sucks. This bike just wants to GO! -Jeff | ||
| Court |
WOW....you done well! The M-2 will provide great enjoyment......it is one of the best bikes ever made. CONGRATULATIONS Court | ||
| Tripper |
Court any proof of that? just kidding  | ||
| Court |
Tripper: Absolutely Court | ||
| Tripper |
OK Court, now that I have your attention: Do you still communicate? the underlined word is a HYPERLINK, click on it. It contains a clue... Hurry before you get busy with another LSR attempt. | ||
| Greg_Cifu |
Hootowl, no, I don't think a charcoal canister would get a 49 state bike in. There is a certification sticker they will look for. It's easier (and more fun) to rack up the miles. Last questions (I think :-)), rocker box gaskets? What's up with those? When they leak, do they just get some oil residue or do they LEAK (like replace it NOW or wear oil until you do)? What about breather puke. It's going to be 1000 miles of highway droning across the midwest. My Excelsior Henderson would PUMP oil out the breather at cruising speeds like that. I've seen a few posts regarding this problem. Is it a common problem that I should fix before starting out or a hit-n-miss problem on modified engines? | ||
| Mikej |
Greg, When the rocker gaskets start to leak it will start small, then may either stay as a small leak or will gradually get worse. Imagine up to a 1/8" gap in the gasket. But if it isn't leaking when you pick up the bike then just go for the ride and don't worry about it, but make sure you practice good warmups with the engine. A good warmup is to start the bike and let it idle without revving the engine until you can feel the rocker box warm up to the touch. On the blowby oil, it will vary. During my westbound ride from Milwaukee to Washington state I was averaging between 450-677 miles a day just taking my time in no hurry. Sometimes I'd be running steady at 65mph, others averaging 80-90mph depending on the road, traffic, local speed limits. Oil loss or blowby was between nothing a day to over half a quart per day, with no real rhyme or reason for the difference that I could figure out, or that I tried too hard to figure out. Pack a quart or two just to be safe, and check the oil at least daily. Figure out your approximate route, then hit the Buell web site and print or paste copies of the local dealerships on your route corridor. I never needed to stop at any on my trip, but it was nice to know I had a list of where the nearest dealer was along the way. But most importantly, just enjoy the ride. | ||
| Tripper |
Greg: The Buell is like an airplane, if you top the motor oil it will blow it overboard until the engine is satisfied. On a Buell that level is halfway up the dipstick AFTER The engine has been run and pumped all the oil back into the bag. Remove the clutch cover and check that the tranny fluid is just covering the bottom of the clutch spring. Any higher than that may get puked when you ride aggressively. Carry a quart of motor oil as when you run 80 or faster the pressures build up and any possible leak will be found. On my bike it is the front of the motor under the oil filter. A little simple green takes care of it at wash time. Go for it and have fun. | ||
| Greg_Cifu |
Mikej: on the subject of oil puking, you mentioned "up to half a quart per day." Where did this oil end up? Sucked through the engine or on the side of the bike (and you?!?)? On my Excelsior, the breather exhausts into the bottom of the airbox, where most of it just collects, drools out the bottom and then sprays the side of the bike. Since it's got a feet forward riding position, MOST of it ends up on the bike--though I am NEVER happy when it happens. With the sport riding position of the X1, I can see having a really oily knee after a few days of this. | ||
| Mikej |
Right before my trip I just dropped the breather line down infront of the drive sprocket and and capped it off with a filter breather. On the heavy flow days the oil either dissapated off the filter fins or was sprayed onto the underside of the bike's rear half, but never seemed to get onto the tire since the outlet was off to the side of the bike next to the side of the shock. I didn't want the wind spray from the air filter like I had been getting as the oil mist would condense inside the race filter cover and run down and work it's way thru the K&N filter and be wind sprayed onto the side of the bike and my lower leg, and I didn't feel like having my right saddle bag soaked in oil. If I get the M2 back I'll probably play with some ideas, like either using the Blast breather covers, or running a T-vent at the outlet like some have posted about on the site here, where the oil runs down and the mist,moisture runs up. The S2 has the vent lines running up and foreward and the vent filter is resting on the headstock right behind the upper triple tree. I may just add a catch-bag to that and see what happens over time. With the cold/cool Autumn season approaching, we should be getting some condensation burnoff from the oil causing a catch can/bag to become almost a necessity. I'll post whatever I end up doing with a report on how it works out. | ||
| Greg_Cifu |
Guys, thanks a bunch for the information. Don't take this the wrong way but you've talked me out of the X1--for now. I have too many projects in the garage. I thought Harley had it together and that the Sportster engine was better sorted out than it is. Breather problems are just inexcusable. I wanted a low maintenence bike that maybe needed a few things sorted out (like the muffler bracket). Unfortunately, it sounds like it would be the same "charming tinkerer's bike" that my Excelsior Henderson and ATK are (both of which puke oil from their breathers). If I had fewer bikes pulling at me, the X1 would be a welcome addition. For now, I just don't have the time. Thanks again and I will check back when one finds it's way into my garage. | ||
| Blake |
(in the voice of Arnold/Terminator) It's not a Harley; it's not a "Sportster" engine. Plus, I've had three Buells, none have had breather problems (as long as the oil isn't overfilled). Let's hear from the rest of y'all who don't have breather problems. | ||
| Jasonl |
No breather problems with any of my bikes. I've had two, a 97 M2 and a 98 S3. Both had breather hoses routed into the intake and neither ran poorly because of it. I think most guys mess with the breathers because it's cheap and "fun" to tinker with. My experience has been that you can screw with'em all day but you don't have to. Greg Cifu - People just *HAVE* to customize Buells. If that means you've got a different breather setup than the last guy who's to say thats wrong? But none of my bikes have given me any trouble so far. I do my own maintenance and I don't ride like a fool. I'd suggest getting an earlier model just because I like those the best. | ||
| Jeffsd |
At one point, from carelessness, I filled the oil tank on my 00 x1 all the way to the top. Actually, it ran over and made a mess. The next time I took the air box off, I noticed a LITTLE oil residue inside the cover. Nothing ever spit/flew out of anywhere onto my knee. Maybe I'm just lucky. Maybe the less restrictive air box from the race kit helped. Either way, no oil problems here. Jeff | ||
| Greg_Cifu |
On the subject of oil puking: The internet is a wonderful place. Resources like this BBS allow people to share problems which often sound like they apply to "all" the bikes, when in reality, it's only because the minority complains about problems and nobody hears anything to dillute it. On the Excelsior Henderson boards over at Yahoo, there were a number of problems reported. When I got my bike, I had EVERY one of them. Oil puking is one that "doesn't affect everybody." Well, it affected mine--in a bad way. Things would seem fine around town. I could ride it for days without a problem. One high speed ride ride for more than 15 minutes would puke oil out of the breather and ruin my otherwise clean motorcycle. So my point is this. I don't know if the oil puking is caused by non-seated rings allowing excessive blow-by or just different riding styles (not enough sustained cruise?). All I do know is that enough of the bikes seem to do it (the dealer knew about it and people have written about it here) and I don't want to discover mine doing it somewhere in North Carolina and then having to deal with it across the entire US. I would NOT be very happy with it after it bathed my Aerostich for the third or fourth day in a row. The sad thing is that the bike I found was perfect for me (color, equipment, etc). I was hoping to pick it up this Friday and ride it home next week. I already backed out of the deal. If I contact him again, he'll probably think I'm a total flake. I also have to cancel my vacation plans tomorrow. Hey, I'm not happy about it, but I feel better than if it happened AFTER I bought the bike. | ||
| Blake |
Catch can. | ||
| Greasebag |
I put down $500 on a Firebolt on Saturday! I'm hoping Feb is the delivery date. I still have to sell my ElectraGlide though. I just put an add in the Florida Motorcycle Trader. (I'm near Chicago) Hope that works. Bought my wife a Blast about a month ago. I'm teaching her to ride and she is doing great. The bike fits her 5'5" frame perfectly and it's really easy to handle. She's very confident on it. Now I have to get her in a MSF class. Can't to be careful. Counting the days.....Greasebag | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
Hey Guys, 8500km since mid June and no oil puking, rocker box leaks or anything else strange with the motor. However, the reflector inside the headlight came loose and was bouncing around. I would like to have a different Buell for each day of the week. | ||
| Johns |
Hello! I have a couple of questions for everyone. I'm thinking about getting a brand new 2002 M2 or S3T, haven't decided which. Any recommendations? I primarily want to ride around town, the north Georgia mountains and an occasional long distance trip. After I get a bike what should I modify first? And last but not least, are the prices negotiable or is it a take it or leave it deal with the dealers? Thanks |
