| Author | Message | ||
     Essthreetee |
I am getting tired of reading all of the "how do you do this?" or "what should I check if this happens?" threads in here... so, let's see... What TUBER do you think is the end-all-be-all bike and why? Now give me a good reason, not just the old "...cause I ride one..." For me, I think it is the Thunderbolt (S2 and S3). The S2 was the bike that introduced me to Buell back in the early/mid 90's. That was the first bike I test rode. I have always loved the looks of them. I never got one, but not too long ago I had a chance to get a S3 (Love the looks of them also) and haven't looked back since. The S3 is comfortable, agile enough for me, and has plenty of power for the riding that I do. It is unique enough and I love to make peoples heads turn when they hear a "Harley" coming down the road, but see a "Sport Bike"...I never get sick of the totally confused look (but I guess that could be true with ANY Buell). OK, so who else is in...I need a little something to read, and would love to hear all of your thoughts. | ||
| Buellgekk |
I think the late M2 because of the comfort and thunderstorm engine. But ofcourse I prefer the S1 for the looks and uniqueness in all ways. | ||
| Ceejay |
The S3 is what I want next-cool lines, good enough touring, good enough sporting. The M2 is in the middle, you could make it a touring, could make it a sporting, but it seemed it never looked right as is, which may be the reason I'm always changing mine The end all be all of tubers is the S1. Looked the part of bad ass, makes the monsters look like a bunch of candya--es. The S3 and the M2 probably got more people into Buells but I think most that have an S1 find it hard to change/get rid of, kinda like a bad habit  S1 hands down BTW-Buell can make all kinds of XB's and 1125r's but the tubers have the looks in spades...I just wish I had time to put mine back together! | ||
| Smoke |
the S1 for me. i had been seeing buell in the magazines, but never caught the "got to have" one bug until i walked into the HD-Buell place in tulsa and saw a black S1 on a pedestal in the showroom that really gave me the bug. to me, that is the proper evolution of the sportster. found a nice used 97 at a local BMW shop that was traded in and the madness commenced. since the S1, i have picked up an RS, 2 S2's, a track S1W and have an 1125R on order. was looking to pick up an 07 XB9R this fall, but the 1125 beat it out. the S1's are the most fun, the S2's are the most comfortable and the RS is just plain cool! tim | ||
| Buellboiler |
After following Buell for years from an engineering point of view, it finally came time buy one. After checking out the various models, I liked the looks of the X-1 the best. I liked the tail casting, the fuel injection, and I wasn't ready for the twin headlights of the XB. Boiler | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
I like them all but prefer the X1 because of its raw looks and power. Always dug the trellis frames and the brute good looks they have. Fits me very well as far as "bike size". I fit well on it. Not long or short, high or low, just right. Fuel injection is light years ahead of anything I've owned. I tour on a GSXR 1100 cruise on a KLR and hooligan on my X. Strange? Yeah I know, touring a gixxer? Its big and stable. Cruise on a KLR? Its friendly everywhere. Hooligan on an X? Not hard to figure that one out. | ||
| Nocompromise |
The X1 actually got me looking at Buells because I was too obsessed with sportbikes when the S1 came out. As soon as I started looking harder at Buells I realized that the S1 was what I was looking for - pure, undiluted bad ass. The S2 and S3 have never done it for me - sport-tourers have never pushed my buttons. The 2nd gen M2 is definitely the best all-around bike, but some of the styling elements water it down too much in my eyes. Mind you, I find myself wishing for a M2 seat on my S1 after a few hundred miles.  The X1 is just too funky, although it did catch my eye when it came out. I know the thread specified tubers, but the XB series is pretty dang nice too. The frame looks sweet, but it's too bad it covers up the great engine. Long live tubers! | ||
| Lake_bueller |
What TUBER do you think is the end-all-be-all bike and why? I'm going to assume we can take the RR1000 out of the picture Not that I've ever ridden one. For me, it's the 1998 S3T. It has a unique style, comfortable riding position, plenty of power, easy maintenance and still handles like a sportbike (well, almost like a sportbike). I've done tight twisties (like Deal's Gap) and long open roads (I-80 through Nebraska) on mine. It handles both with ease and grace. But the S1W is still my favorite (accessible) Buell. Two wheels, a motor, a gas tank & a seat. Nothing more, nothing less. A brute force with minimalistic styling. Long live the S1W  | ||
| Sleez |
S1W is raw and mean looking with just enough comfort for 300 miles/day, if you are a masochist that is. i love my 97 S3, my first buell, but always lusted the S1W...i now have one of those too!!! pure sex!!! | ||
| Jayvee |
S1 for looks, M2 for real world use. | ||
| Rick_a |
The S1 for sure. I fell in love with it the first time I saw one on a Cycle World cover back in 1995. Seeing one in person on the road and later in a dealership cemented that. It simply fits me like no other streetbike I've ever come across. I prefer the slim tanks and later style solo seat. Despite the fact that just about anything that could go wrong with it has gone wrong, I still love it more than anything I own. I haven't replaced anything that I wasn't going to eventually anyway, but damn things break too soon. The raw look is like nothing else, and they steer so effortlessly. Sure the XB's are practically unflappable, but they are not as fun to ride IMO. | ||
| Buellfighter |
I was looking for something different than the inlines I had in the past. When I saw the S1 I said, THAT'S IT! Been happy ever since. | ||
| Torquemonster |
Im in love with the M2, and not just because I ride (crash) one. From the front, its got the look of an average bada$$ cruiser, but once you pass the onlookers you ALWAYS notice the doubletake. The M2 also graces you with a temporary ability of ESP as you KNOW people are asking themselves, "WTF was that?!" With a couple of simple cuts to the bodywork and removal of a few "non-essential" items (i.e. heatshield) the bike is also easily transformed into the baddest looking streetfighter ever made. (See Eengler's black M2- Oh BABY!!!) The wheelies aint bad, either!!! Like I said before- To each his own, but make mine an M2. | ||
| Djkaplan |
The M2 is the best tuber ever sold. It is the most versatile and simplest of the last gen tubers. You can modify this bike to be a backroad scratcher, or long distance sport-tourer, or anthing in-between. No FI problems to deal with, no TPS reset issues, no fuel pump to fail, a fairly comfortable big seat (maybe too big), and a stiff chassis with no need for bracing. The M2 can easily and inexpensively be modified for more power to make it as fast as any XL powered Buell out there. The carb can be rejetted with just a few dollars, no need for an expensive ECM or PowerCommander. The conventional fork, the only one ever used on a Buell (besides the Blast) is stiff, responds well to simple mods, and is easy to work on. The M2 was also the only tuber that had a 'Low' model... maybe not important if you have a 34" inseam, but a Godsend to those who don't. It's also the only Buell with an effective heat shield to keep your right leg from roasting... pretty important on a hot day. What's not to like? The styling is subjective... the last gen M2 isn't nearly as lean and mean looking as the first generation Cyclone, but that starts to fade away once you're on the bike. It's also slower on top than an X1 or S3, but that doesn't matter a whit in the mountains - the mid-range will rocket you out of corners if you hit it right. This is only an issue of course if you leave the bike stock. If you're lucky enough to get one of the factory race kits, it makes the issue a bit moot... get hotter cams and it's not an issue at all. Am I biased? Maybe, but everything I said is a fact, not an opinion (IMHO). | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
M2..... S1 is the choice for pure looks and raw attitude ... and was probably the bike that really started a name for Buell, and made more people take a closer look at that small American Motorcycle company in East Troy ... (IMO more so than the S2 or S3 ) The M2 however, is IMO the most versatile bike .. can be modified easily to accommodate the person going for a street-fighter or the person going for the tourer/commuter ... That said .. both are in my garage and if I had to get rid of one ... it wouldn't be the M2 .... | ||
| Warlizard |
X1. Very unique look. Even though it's almost 8 years old, it looks as good or better than anything current. No matter how many bikes are parked around me, I generally draw the most attention. I also like going weeks or months w/ out seeing another one. Never been part of the "herd" mentality, disgusted w/ myself that I ever owned a Harley. Actually I think all the tubers look great w/ the exception of the sport/tourers. Just don't think touring and Buell go together well. Saddlebags on a performance bike? Forget about the XB's, better off going w/ Euro bikes ( Triumph/Moto Guzzi/Augusta), if you have to have new. | ||
| Buellgekk |
No matter how many bikes are parked around me, I generally draw the most attention. Try to purchase an S1, you'll be even more surprised  | ||
| Fullauto |
Love my X1 but an S1W has to happen soon. As well as, not instead of. I've done 23,000 kilometres in the last 12 months, with only a crank seal and engine mount to fix. Simple, easy servicing and a big grin factor. I'm happy. | ||
| Milesvdustin |
I think my vote goes to the S1, and not just because I am a proud owner! Everywhere I go, I catch people staring and I know they have no clue in the world what to think. Some of my friends have newer XB's, and the S1 always gets all the attention. Screaming down the road always gets a double-take. Nobody thinks it should make that sound. I love when people call the "cyclone blue" frame purple. I tell them its the baddest purple bike in town! | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
ok how about Buell vs. Ditka | ||
| Buellistic |
BUELLers The BLAST is as it's name implies, IT IS A "BLAST" to RIDE !!! In BLASTing LaFayette Also have a 97S3T with 97,843.7 miles as of the last ride !!! | ||
| Bluzm2 |
That's a tough one. I'm particularly fond of the S2. My M2 is also a favorite but for different reasons. The S1 I built last winter is a hoot to ride and look at but a pain on anything over 100 miles. And I do mean pain! There's a reason it was dubbed the "Thunder Thong". If I had to settle on one I guess it would be my S2 with a fresh motor (at least Thunder Stormed) Brad | ||
| Bad_karma |
The S1 is the essential motorcycle with your face in the wind. It all but disappears from my field of view when I ride it. Kind gives you the feeling it's you and the road. The S3 is the sport tour with wind protection and comfort. For a balance riding life you must have both. To have a well rounded riding life you would need a adventure touring bike. For now I'm balanced but would like to be well rounded. Joe | ||
| Essthreetee |
ok how about Buell vs. Ditka DAAAA...Buells, da Buells, da Buells, da Buells, da Buells.... Ahhh...it's a trick question...Ditka IS God...I miss those guys!!! |
