| Author | Message | ||
     Gentleman_jon |
I am not too familiar with the tubers, so I hope you will bear with me. It appears to me that the model S-3 seems to be first in the affections of the Old School Buell gang. The X-1, which appears to me at least, to be sportier and a later version, does not. Is this correct? If so, could some one enlighten me further on this subject. If incorrect, perhaps someone will take the time to explain why. Thank you. | ||
| Sleez |
as far as i am concerned, i have a soft spot for the S3 because it was my first buell, i always thought the S1 was neater in the streetfighter/naked bike sorta cool, but really like the versatility of the tour/sport bike (The 'Bolt). now i own a 98S1W and think it is the funner bike for just riding, and it will pull double duty for a couple hour ride at most. i still prefer the carb'd bikes over the FI'd bikes, and the X1 never really appealed to me much...now if someone gave me one....what i do like about the X1 is the ability to change the belt easier with the removable frame section, will consider incorporating this feature into the S3 when i am finishing up her rebuild. it is my perception that most people prefer the FI'd bikes and the S3 and X1 were available in FI, and most people seem to enjoy the Touring capability of the 'Bolt, even though they don't apparently sell good enough to continue the line!!! | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
It's been said on here that most who have multiple Buells always end up with an S2. And of those people the one bike they say they'll never sell is the S2. But that's just what I've heard. My first and only Buell is an S2 so I can't compare it to any other. I do drool over the XB's, but not enough to give up my S2. I'm just gonna have to wait till I can afford 2 bikes. (Message edited by Not_Purple_S2 on February 26, 2007) | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
I personally think that if people could, the S1 would be the bike people would get IMHO .. however, not everyone can ride the S1 for more than a short while, not real favorable as a 2-upper .. but none the less one cool bike .. however, like Sleez said - the versatility of the S3 while keeping with the old school is why it may seem the bike more popular - weird thing is there were less S3/S3T's made than S1's .. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I always thought the S1 was the one dearest to our hearts. For me, that's the highwater mark for tuber brashness and eccentricity. Performance improved with later tubers, but they all got a little more civilized after that one. | ||
| Court |
>>>>>And of those people the one bike they say they'll never sell is the S2. I've had LOTS of bikes. . . . in fact LOTS of Buells. I have two bikes that are "keepers". The Cushman and the S-2. The Cushman is frankly near and dear as the vehicle that stole my heart and changed my life nearly 50 years ago. Many folks dream of having the first bike they ever rode on . . . mine sits next to my desk with the Buell bicycle. The S-2 would stay even if someone offered $100,000. That bike and I are connected. It comes from spending 20 hour days zipping to and fro all over the USA. It's been in 44 states, waiting to see more and I can't wait to ride it this summer. The S-2 gives me the SAME feeling now that the Cushman did the first day Wally Kilker took me for a ride at age 8. Simple, eh? | ||
| Chasespeed |
X1 baby.........!!!!! | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
I picked an S3 because, as an only bike it needed to fill as many niches as possible: Street Sport bike Sport Touring cruising 2 up and: I like FI I like a small fairing/exposed engine/cafe' look So like the others said, it is the best all-arounder! All the tubers are cool, but the above lead me straight to the S3! | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I like the S1s, particularly the S1W (probably because I have one)!!! | ||
| Buellfighter |
I was looking for something different in a street bike when I found my S1. Could've picked out anyone of them (under 10K) but it was the S1 I had to have. My friend has a 900 monster and damn they look good parked side by side. The naked, raw, trellis frame, exposed cylinders, sleek body work, semi-upright seating, basic no extra crap bolted all over it styling sold me straight away and other than a couple of fine Euro machines there is still nothing out there I would care to have. Perhaps one day I'll revert back to my old ways of thinking I need something that goes 150+ but If I do it will be an addition not a substitute! Long live the tubers. Not inferior to the XB, just another choice!  | ||
| Bake |
I have an XB9R and think I have a deal struck on a S1, but almost any tuber woulda done it for me. | ||
| Buellfighter |
Hell ya Bake, do it! Of all the bikes out there. I still wish I had another S1 to try some different ideas on! | ||
| Duckbuell |
Hi Jonathan, The world of Buells opened up to me by riding my twin brothers 2000 X1. His X1 demanded my attention! You have to adapt to the bike's manners and its character grows on you. He and I have owned Ducatis, Moto Morinis, Moto Guzzis, Old Indian Chiefs, and a PanHead. So, we are very bent towards odd-ball bikes. I came close to buying a new ULY or XB12R, but I was captivated by the "hot-rod" rough around the edges look of the Tubers. After 8 months of debating what kind of Buell to buy, investigating prices and availability, a 2001 S3 appeared in craigs list! The owner was a bike dealer and was going to part it out and build a custom bike. But after riding it, he could not bear the thought of butchering it. The S3 gives me most of the experiance of the X1, a more relaxed riding position, wind protection and it is suitable for my wife as a passenger. I also like the swoopy body work. Naturaly I now lust for an S1 and an XB!    | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
The X1 might be overlooked because of its raw look. I've owned and ridden alot more bikes than most people. Not ringing my own bell but its been my experience it fits me well. I have said that about a few. Not many but a few. It seems to me you have to find motorcycling first then fine tune what you ride to suit you. Its all in what makes YOU happy not the otherguy. I'll step down off my soapbox now, thanks for listening........Mattu | ||
| Naustin |
I never liked the tail on the x1. ITs, really nice and trick and beautiful all polished up - but I just don't like it and can't explain why. The S1 is the most beautiful, most hardcore, most purposefully vicious Buell ever. Everything since the S1 has been softer one way or another, including all the xbs. But, like duckbuell I needed a bike that could pull 2-up duty and I really wanted those hard cases, so the S3 was for me. nick (Message edited by naustin on February 27, 2007) | ||
| M2statz |
Cheers for Wile_ecoyote! I rode several bikes before I found one that felt right. Not just good but right. I have to put in my 2 cents for the M2 tubers. But then again I am very biased. I love mine because it fits me. I believe motorcycles are alot like beer, there isn't a bad one, some are just better than others! M2statz | ||
| Kyrocket |
If your pulling double duty you probably wouldn't want the X1. It is my favorite just because it's a mean looking SOB and everywhere you go people look and stare, then when you start it up they look again. I rode it from Ky to Fl and back one week and had no problems whatsoever. You definitely have to adjust to the nuances of the bike because it is not forgiving but once you adjust you can put it anywhere you like, and the torque will twist a steel girder in two. Awesome man, awesome. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"I believe motorcycles are alot like beer, there isn't a bad one, some are just better than others!" Now here's a guy who's had better beer and motorcycles than me. I didn't want to stick my opinion in anyone's face, but M2's are simply the best motorcycles Buell has ever made. I'll eventually get another motorcycle, but the M2 stays in the stable until I can't ride anymore. It was a great new bike, and it'll be a great vintage bike when the time comes. | ||
| Rick_a |
I purchased an S1 because it is the only streetbike that's suited me ergonomically. It is also raw, bare, and purposeful. Even after having sampled several XB's I still prefer the S1. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Thanks to all you Tuberista's for your passionate enthusiasm for your own tuber. I hope no one will take the slightest offense when I point out that no one bothered to answer my original question, but the responses I got were so informative, it doesn't really matter!  Duckbuell - Your post was particularly interesting to me because I also have a twin brother who is a keen rider, and we have had some of the same eccentric bikes you have had: Ducatis and Moto Morini, back in the day when they were singles. Danny - you better get that thing put back together in time for MB IV, Thanks again, everyone. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Danny - you better get that thing put back together in time for MB IV" That's the plan! | ||
| Hodakaguy |
I think the main reason that the X1 isn't as popular as the rest of the tubers boils down to aesthetics. The S1, S2 and S3 for that matter just look so hand formed and sculpted, the X1 lost all that. I own a S1 and fell in love with the warpish waistline and hand formed raw look of it the first time I saw a picture. The X1 on the other hand looks fat, porky and edgy compared to the others. The X1 just doesn't have anything that special that makes it stick out and become a classic like the other have. Of course this is all just my opinion and I may be a little biased owning an S1  | ||
| Jc000 |
It was a great new bike, and it'll be a great vintage bike when the time comes. I'll have to second that, I've been wanting an M2 since they started making them, finally picked up a 'like-new' '02 and I love it. I think it's the perfect balance between reliability, simplicity, performance, and versatility. It will be a classic in 20 years, no doubt, in the vein of a Norton Commando... | ||
| Djkaplan |
"It will be a classic in 20 years, no doubt, in the vein of a Norton Commando..." There's another bike I always had the vapors for. | ||
| Rick_a |
The X1 was one of those bikes that looked awesome in pictures but was a bit of a disappointment in person. It had the same horsepower, quicker steering, yet more weight and bulk than the S1W that preceded it. I guess the S3 was never trying to be something it wasn't. I know most racers seemed to prefer the X1's despite their tendencies to be a bit twitchier exiting corners. (Message edited by Rick_a on March 01, 2007) | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I love my S2 AND my M2. They do everything I want/need them to do. But, they are very different. I've said this before but I think it bears repeating. You ride ON the M2. It is a bit more flickable than the S2. It's a bit more hooligan feeling than the S2. The M2 is a killer all around bike. With the S2, you feel more like you are riding in it. You become much more at one with the bike. After a short adjustment period, it begins to feel like a part of you. Smooth deliberate input is rewarded with a smooth fast secure experience. The S2 is the good girl that likes to be treated like the class bike she is. The M2 is the bad girl that likes to be naughty and get spanked. It's great to have both. Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't. The S1 is the saucey fun loving redhead down the street with the big cans that no one can stop looking at. The redhead is my next on the list............ Brad | ||
| Rhinely |
Well, here's my 2 cents. I've owned a 2001 M2, then a 2005 XB12R, and now a 1995 S2. The M2 was the most comfortable all-around but I wanted something faster. The Firebolt was the fastest and smoothest, but I was afraid I would die or go to jail, and found myself doing 120 every time I rode it. The S2 feels like a Sportster in a sport bike chassis, slow enough not to get too many tickets, fast enough for fun, but the sidestand needed garage engineering and the motor is a bit old school. Now I've got a 'Jones for the 2007 TT. I hope to test ride one at Daytona next week! Never got to ride an S1, but my guess is that if you can't get the bike you want, love the one you're with! | ||
| Captainkirk |
Yeah, the M2 is a saucy little minx, all right- especially since the mods. Now she spanks ME. I've had to learn to fear and respect that right wrist a bit more these days. But when I'm cranking it on after a deep twistie, there's nothing like it in the world.  | ||
| Jayvee |
I agree with some of the previous comments about the aesthetics of the X1, it just didn't work, for me. The S1 is radical cool looking, but just not practical for a one-bike garage. (I like having girl passengers...) The S2, well it's ok. X1 to me, just ugly, sorry, that's my reaction. The M2 puts it all together. I like the looks of the early ones, but the seat of the late ones in real life. If you can only have one bike, can't beat an M2. | ||
| Djkaplan |
The way something looks is so subjective. I don't think the X1 is ugly... I think it looks like a pregnant guppie (I like the lowboy frame, though). Performance and handling-wise, the X1 is closer to what I wanted than the M2, but the styling just doesn't appeal to me. |
