| Author | Message | |||
     Zenbiker |
My question to my fellow Bad Web Bikers (I am not trying to start a riot) is which is more preferred the late model M2 or 94-96 S2? I had a very sweet S2 years ago and my then girlfriend, and career change forced its departure. I always thought that the M2 was a nice bike, simple and effective. While the S2, being beautiful had some quality issues. I tucked behind that fairing more than once on a cold ride miles from home. I have ridden a lot of M2s, they are a great all a rounder, The M2 model I am looking at has the T-Storm heads and all recalls done with low miles. The S2 has been completely rebuilt with all updates. Some my question is: Is the M2 (2001 – 2002) really sorted out so you don’t see all of the ‘classic’ tuber problems? Will an ‘updated’ S2 be as reliable as an M2 or is this wishful thinking? If the cost and mileage were about the same, which would you buy and why? Thanks in advance for your opinion. | |||
| Firemanjim |
The S-2 was remarkably free of the "tuber problems" you mentioned and I have seen some with remarkable mileage,Gordon Buhle had 110k, Bart and a couple others I can think of offhand had as many. I have over 75,000 on mine. relatively trouble free, most problems could be traced back to my fiddling. I think the S-2's are a better handling/riding bike, more intuitive to rider input,not to mention being gorgeous. You get better wind protection and better front suspension by far--and don't forget the self-cancelling turn signals!! | |||
| Mikej |
S2 vs M2 (I currently own one of each) If you're going to be carrying passengers then I'd opt for the M2. If you're going to be wanting a luggage rack then I'd opt for the M2. If you're going to be hopping up the engine then choose either bearing in mind that the older S2 has a heavier flywheel than the newer M2, good or bad depending on personal preferences and build parameters and goals. If you're going to be mostly riding solo, or taking long trips with just a set of saddlebags, or can get by with just the half-sandwich fairing bags, then I'd opt for the S2. My M2 is the hot rod and passenger bike and general all rounder, and used to be the BattleTrax bike. My S2 is the rider. I like both. Both have been for sale at times. Given the choice right now I'd sell the M2 before the S2. I'm currently working on a Yamaha, repairing it to be the passenger bike in the household. The M2 will then get some mods or get sold or swapped towards a bagger barge FLH of some undetermined vintage. The S2 will get some minor mods, minor stuff to the engine if anything, different handlebars and exhaust, but otherwise will remain pretty much as a rider. Knowing what I know about them, if they weren't mine, and if I walked into the garage and could pick either one to keep, I'd opt for the S2, but would be happy and just fine with the M2. Different in their own ways, and just fine in either case. Let your butt decide. YMMV. | |||
| Hippyjoe |
I have an M2 that I work on. I helped a friend buy an S2T that I also work on. My M2 seems easier to work on, whether Buell used more loctite on the S2 or the older vintage has more rust, I have found a lot fewer frozen bolts on my M2. Depending on what you want to do to the motor, you may need to do less to the M2. Thunderstorm top end is already on there. Also the lighter flywheels. Cams also give more grunt. Both engines have the opd drive gear that should be watched/replaced, so cams can be done during that job, but there's still the matter of the heads. My M2 flat walks away from my friend's S2, basically stock with X1 cams. In fact she is feeling her bike underpowered after less than a year, and she is a mellow rider. There is also that scary kickstand on the S2. M2 has lower footpegs, more comfort, less clearance. And a bigger seat. I put the S3T bars on my M2 and I sit more upright than on the S2T. I'd ride both bikes and lett your butt decide as mentioned above. As some people say, S2 is sit-in, M2 is more sit-on. Drawback to the M2 is the lack of a windshield but there are options for that. As for quality issues I think much depends on care by the p.o., and some is outright luck of the draw. | |||
| Not_purple_s2 |
The only complaint I'd have about my S2 is the height. If you have a 32" or shorter inseam then you might want to look for an M2-Low. With a 33" inseam I'm about 1/2" from standing flat-footed on my S2. Power is easy to fix with a simple head and cam swap, but the height seems to be harder to fix without effecting the handling of the bike. I'd like it to sit just a wee-bit lower but I'm not that worried about it. | |||
| Phat_j |
i'm partial to the s2, i've owned both, but will never sell my s2 | |||
| Tnm2 |
Since when are motorcycles rational purchases, anyway? Which bike calls to you? Pick that one. | |||
| Wolf102 |
l'll never sell my s2. | |||
| Hippyjoe |
Since when are motorcycles rational purchases, anyway? At least since the depression. Actually before then in the teens and 20's they made for practical, user-serviceable transportation. Not to mention the explosion in Europe in the 40s after the roads and economy there were bombed to hell. I would say that bikes are still rational today, at least in our case. I see Buells as an extension of the old V-twin reliability, updated to stay ahead of modern traffic, which is arguably the biggest danger to the contemporary motorcyclist. Not to mention fuel economy in the era of oil baron oligarchy. If this is true, then both bikes under discussion here, M2 or S2, fit the bill. As long as you take care of your preventive maintenance, you shouldn't find yourself stranded under a bridge in a rainstorm trying to figure out why your bike won't start, the way so many "irrational" motorcycles will leave you. So you can concentrate on more important things, like survival in a teeming sea of F-150s, Hummers and Hondas. | |||
| Court |
M2 and S2 are totally different bikes in every sense. I wouldn't accept $25,000 for my S-2 and I'd be a candidate to buy, as in add to the stable, an M-2. | |||
| Ebutch |
Hippie Joe: Move your key switch to dash and bike will not stall in the rain!That's how I solved the problem on my S2T.Pull some Gs.Butch | |||
| Hippyjoe |
Butch: I was talking about a '47 knucklehead when referring to bikes that leave you stranded/get pushed around by modern traffic. Or a '72 shovel, magneto Sporty, evo softtail (TM), choppers in general, old Brit bikes, old Jappers... haven't seen a tube frame stranded on the side ot the road yet, damn sure haven't been run off the road on my M2. Whether it's the bike or the operator, tube frames seem to be pretty well sorted-out. I think most of us are over 40 and we've figured out how to keep the bikes on the road. I was just getting philosophical about the question of rationality, since it was asked. Thanks for the tip on the key switch. | |||
| Dwardo |
(ahem) Brit bikes on the side of the road? Who ever heard of that? Seriously, my everyday ride until I bought my M2 a week ago was a Norton Commando. In the 26 or 27 years I've owned it it has never stranded me once and the one I had before it never did. Granted, it requires a helicopter-like maintenance schedule and is a continuous source of minor aggravations. I had a kid who works at a Jap bike dealer tell me a Buell would be too hard to maintain. I told him if I could keep the Norton reliable I could maintain a Buell standing on my head. Anyway, I wouldn't want a bike that is completely trouble-free. That would not be interesting. | |||
| Hippyjoe |
Why you switching over to Buell? You should buy my T bars for your M2...! | |||
| Dwardo |
Because I've been toying with buying a more modern bike for some time and after looking at what is available concluded that the Buells are among the few I could contemplate without throwing up. Based on my limited riding so far, the M2 is a lot like the Norton, just more of everything. You have a spare set of the bars I want? | |||
| Ebutch |
Bells are sooo under valued!And Sportster engine's are,The Chevy engines of motorcycles [meaning cheap,plentiful and-many after market makers also Screaming Eagle(Harley),simplisity,over built) Pull some Gs Butch\jpeg_already uploaded{254321,S2T} (Message edited by ebutch on January 26, 2007) (Message edited by ebutch on January 26, 2007) | |||
| Tnm2 |
I guess I could have put more thought into expressing what I was thinking. I didn't buy my Buell looking for v twin reliability, or primary transport. I bought it because I wanted it. It called to me. If I were a betting man, I'd bet 99% of the people visiting this board bought theirs for the same reason. You'll probably hear rational sounding reasons - "power", "style", "American made","mass centralized" - but it really boils down to "I liked it. It makes me smile. I wanted it." The choice between two clean tubers? Easy. Which one is going to cause you to smile the widest when you think about it? It's the only right answer. 'Course, the M2 Cyclone is the best bike ever made.... | |||
| Ebutch |
I always try anything expensive out before I buy it!Can not figer people out who buy whims?Pull some Gs. Butch | |||
| Ebutch |
PS: Kevin your M2 is Buelltiful!Best I have seen! Butch, Pull some Gs (Message edited by ebutch on January 26, 2007) (Message edited by ebutch on January 26, 2007) | |||
| Hippyjoe |
You have a spare set of the bars I want? Yep. At one point I was thinking of picking up an S1W but honestly my M2 is just about perfect for me. So I don't need 'em. I got 'em from the classifieds here for 25 shipped and will let 'em go for the same price to a badwebber. I guess I could have put more thought into expressing what I was thinking. I know what you meant, I just couldn't resist the old motorcycle-as-transportation argument. I know a lot of old-time, hardcore bikers who now ride Buells because they're the Harley that Harley should have built, or that we've been trying to build our Harleys into, or whatever. I think there are a lot of old Harley riders here on Badweb as well. Didn't mean to come across like a hardass, I've been writing research papers for grad school and am in the middle of applying to law school so my style is probably on the argumentative side at present. Sorry for any misunderstanding. As Ebutch says, pull some Gs- Joe | |||
| Ebutch |
Hippy,joe:a Buell is: (A Harley That Handles)Pull some Gs. Butch | |||
| Ebutch |
S2T  | |||
| Tnm2 |
EButch - Thank you. I love this bike like winos love Thunderbird. Your S2 is mighty nice, as well. Hippie - No sweat. I have to make rational decisions each day in my business. The Buell is my outlet for irrational passion. | |||
| Ebutch |
| |||
| Dwardo |
S3T / Blast bars? I'd be willing to do that if you don't want them. | |||
| Ebutch |
 | |||
| Ebutch |
 | |||
| Ebutch |
 | |||
| Hippyjoe |
I have to amend my previous opinion. If you want more power from an S2, all you need is an Aerocharger, apparently it will double/triple the h/p. Can't run it on a Tstorm motor, it looks made for the S2. Jim is selling one for 1k. With 1k in an M2 you could get cams, Mikuni, race kit (maybe), but no way would that double/triple your h/p. Forget the head, let the seat of pants decide. |
S2T