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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Old School Buell » Archive through August 20, 2008 » Good deal? Bad deal? « Previous Next »

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Dynasport
Posted on Sunday, August 03, 2008 - 11:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

OK, I know next to nothing about the tubers, only learning about Buells after the XBs came out. I saw a couple of S3Ts recently and they looked pretty interesting to me. So...a little search revealed this bike

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/2002-BUELL -S3T%20THUNDERBOLT-93402018

But I don't have any idea about prices for these bikes, so I am a bit clueless about whether this is a decent deal or not. Also, I have heard the older Buells are not reliable at all. Would a bike like this likely have a lot of repair issues.

Finally, the ad says this is a 900 cc bike. Is this bike built with the 883 motor and not the 1200?

Sorry for the newb questions, but I am a newb at these bikes.

Dan
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Buellsrule
Posted on Sunday, August 03, 2008 - 11:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hello Dan, I've owned an S3T since '99. 2002 is the last year of the S3T and is the most refined of them all. All the updates and improvements that Buell offered. This one seems to be a fine example and the price is about right. I would offer them 5K if they can produce the fairing lowers. I don't see them and they are good to have in case you want to use them. I currently have 35K miles on my '99 and still enjoy the bike today as much as I have over the last 9 years. There has only been one major issue with my bike and that has been the exhaust staying together. I've cured that problem and will be happy to give you all the details if you decide to purchase a tuber. One thing I'll say about the tubers is that there are no other Buells like them. They have more 'character' and style then any others. More attitude and as much fun to ride as any motorcycle on the road. I hope you buy one. Ride safe, Frank.
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Billetmetallic
Posted on Monday, August 04, 2008 - 12:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

its a 1200
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Nevrenuf
Posted on Monday, August 04, 2008 - 07:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

dan, +1 on what buellsrule said. it was a shame to see them stop after they had everything figured out but oh well. in my opinion, talks cheap. you might even want to go through some of the for sale threads and see what something comparable has gone for and use that for fuel to try and get them down on the price. they have no idea what they have and they probably look at kelly blue book to put a price on it. you won't regret riding one or owning one.

btw, i was back in brandon for a few weeks and i really wanted to get together with some of the guys down there to go for a ride but just didn't have enough time while i was working on the house. next time i'm in town i'll try and give ya a shout. good luck on finding something out dyna.
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Lake_bueller
Posted on Monday, August 04, 2008 - 09:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'd guess you could get that for $5k. At that price, I'd concider it a good deal. I have a '98 S3T with almost 50K miles. If I didn't have 2 car payments right now, I'd give some serious thought into that bike.
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Jusask
Posted on Monday, August 04, 2008 - 11:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have an 02 S3T just like the one you're looking at. I've previously had an 00 X1, a 96 S1 and 00 S3T. There was no hesitation on my part when I sold the Street Glide found the S3T. It had 10,000 mi. on it when I got it last fall and has 16,500 on it now. I LOVE IT !!!! I paid $5,500 for it and don't regret it for a minute! These bikes have the 1203cc with Thunderstorm heads and kick butt! I'd try negotiating a lower price and then buy the damn thing without batting an eye. They're getting harder and harder to find and you'll always be able to sell it to one of us Buellers if you decide to ride something else.
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Dynasport
Posted on Monday, August 04, 2008 - 03:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for the info. I knew there would be some helpful people on here.

About those missing lowers though, if they don't have them, how difficult are they to come by? Did they come stock?

Thanks again.
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Essmjay
Posted on Monday, August 04, 2008 - 09:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The lowers only came with the T package, but they show up often enough on ebay. Mine were missing when I bought my '99 S3 and it didn't take long to find a set. That is my S3's colors as well. I kind of prefer the look without the lowers, but they do give good protection and better mileage for me. In hot weather they inhibit the cooling on the rear cylinder and I get more heat on my right leg. If you buy it you will likely never regret it.
Shane
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Dirt
Posted on Wednesday, August 06, 2008 - 06:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dynasport,

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I bought that very bike last week (actually the day after it appeared on Cycle Trader). I picked it up this past Friday and it is now in my garage in VA. Long trip back and forth to FL but well worth it. Bike is in immaculate, almost showroom condition and came with a copy of all service records. Well taken care of.

Keep looking, there are more out there. FYI - I considered buying one I saw on Craigslist near Orlando before I bought this one.
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Guell
Posted on Friday, August 08, 2008 - 11:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

One of the sc guys here has a s3 that is for sale, probably get a decent price for it too. Its in great condition.
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Dynasport
Posted on Friday, August 08, 2008 - 11:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey Dirt congratulations on your purchase! I'm glad the bike has found a home. I am mostly looking right now anyway. Too many bikes out there, too little money.
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