| Author | Message | ||
     Werewulf |
which is the best bike?: 99 S-3 pristine or a 97 S-3 pristine, everything equal.. | ||
| Sleez |
personally, i like the 97. maybe because i have one???? they just seem more real to me. no tangible reason. technically the 99 should be better, with the thunderstorm heads and FI...but if it were me, and they both cost the same, in like condition...i'd take the 97 every time! | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Lines are going to be drawn as to which one everyone has had and how it treated them. Forget about what you've heard and read - as you say, everything being equal do you like a carb or FI? it really is as simple as that..... Oh and I'd take the 99 every time ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) | ||
| Chasespeed |
Personally, I say the 99... Fuel Injected... Regular bars(more options), 7/8 controls, etc.. Newer swing arm, factory frame bracing.. better stuff... Chase | ||
| Sleez |
the 97 has the same 7/8 bars....?!?! | ||
| Bogie |
I'd say 99 but in spite of the fuel injection. '99 was Buells first attempt at FI and they weren't so good at it yet, however, T-Storm heads, better swing-arm, an exhaust that runs inside the frame instead of outside helps with "Buell leg". I'm pretty sure they all use 7/8" bars...but I've been known to be wrong. L8r, Carl | ||
| Ratbuell |
The last Buell with 1" bars was the S2 ('95/'96). | ||
| Chasespeed |
The last Buell with 1" bars was the S2 ('95/'96). Yeah, thats what I was thinking about when I posted that..but.. I am not an expert with teh S2/3..thus dont know crossover years and stuff... Chase | ||
| Limitedx1 |
my 2 cents even though i run an X1 is the newer model, due to swingarm, frame, and most importantly the heads, many options and more power with thunderstorms. my 2000 FI has worked good with race ecm. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
I've read of some peoples problems with 99 FI Bogie, but honestly mine runs perfect; Starts in any weather without touching the throttle Idles in any weather without touching the throttle Gets great mileage (mid 50's) Runs mid 11's in the 1/4 mile Doesn't sputter or pop Only the rare cough when blipping the throttle (which isn't necessary but is fun) And now with ECMSPY is very tunable | ||
| Koz5150 |
On a Buell tuber, give me a carb any day of the week. Other then that, I would take the '99. | ||
| Bikerjim99 |
My 99 S3 has had no problems with the fuel injection. In fact, I prefer it to any carb because of the easy adjustability I can do to it using ECMSpy. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I think the 97 model looks better. | ||
| Tombo |
I prefer the 97 for purely subjective reasons. I like having a carb, I like the frame color on the 97, I like the looks of the seat (though you need to change to a Corbin or a newer style for comfort, I like the looks of the over-frame header, and I like the S2 style dash, and I like having PM brakes and WP forks. From an objective standpoint, the 99 has a lot of refinements that make it a "better" bike, but I still prefer the 97, and happen to have one in my garage next to the 96 S1 (something about 1st year models that I like). | ||
| Brokeneck |
Gotta say I'd take the 99 --- Thunderstorm Heads are the big difference -- My 2000 with FI has been very reliable since I sorted out the computer, intake, and exhaust. It just didn't support the first generation FI well with the stock components. I believe the 97 has smaller diameter headers -- so instead of having to replace the whole exhaust system it just takes a slip on. I'm also thinking that in 97 that rear pipe comes across the frame -- instead of under -- lots more heat on the leg -- but that may be a benefit when riding in this winter weather. However I also prefer the look of the earlier seat, cause it lets the bodywork flow as one unit -- I sit on a Corbin in the 97 style. I DO GET "liking the bike with the rougher edges" - I think that's the attraction of any tuber in the first place. (Message edited by brokeneck on February 23, 2008) (Message edited by brokeneck on February 23, 2008) | ||
| Werewulf |
will the earlier S-3 seat fit the later models? i also like the look of the earlier model seat.. | ||
| Brokeneck |
Yes it will -- actually when I bought my 2000 new from the Dealer as a leftover 2 years ago it came with the 97 style stock seat. I did'nt know the difference until a few weeks later. They were going to change it out for the later more comfortable seat but when I put it on I hated the look. So I decided to order a 97 style Corbin in plain smooth black leather. They insisted it would not fit so I told them to send the later style seat, but to add some style I had them use the black "carbon fiber" textured leather. Well when it finally got here they had instead shipped me the early style seat but had made it in the carbon fiber leather. Fit just fine and I really liked the extra textured leather. So Corbin's mistake was my gain. As far as th 99 or 97 question goes -- Do you want it to collect or to ride. The first Buell I ever saw was also my favorite -- Bogie had a pearl white 97 that I could look at all day long. But for a rider my 2000 is a far superior bike. | ||
| Tombo |
The seats are interchangeable. I have the early style Corbin on mine, but I know many other early S3 owners that put the later style Buell seats on their bike. Corbin also makes a later style seat, but I prefer the looks of the early one, and I can ride all day with the Corbin version. The stock seat is another story, it was actually less comfortable than my S1 seat (really). | ||
| Bad_karma |
Dave If you like a motor that gives you torque from idle to red line then the 97 is your ticket, as well as simpler. If you want some extra power and like to run up in the RPM then the 99 is the motor for you, take a good look at the 99 for FI problems. Joe I would get the 99. (Message edited by bad_karma on February 24, 2008) | ||
| Garrett2 |
i have a 99, never had a lick of issue out of the FI |
