| Author | Message | ||
     Zane |
I'm just coming out of my divorce. Got all the court room stuff done last week and I'm just waiting on the judge to make his decisions. He has promised to do that by next Monday. If his decisions cause me to not afford my XT, I'm thinking an older Buell would be a great way to go. The older Buells are really fine looking and these bikes are bargains to say the least. I have a couple of requirements in my next bike: It needs to keep the rider in a fairly upright position because of bad back considerations Have at least some bag storage for trips to the store Not be too tall. I'm only 5 foot 10 with a 30 inch inseam Have to be capable of at least some two up riding so I can take either my son or an axle cracker along once in a while. Is there a model that fills that niche? What you would guys recommend I look for? (Message edited by Zane on May 05, 2009) | ||
| Oldog |
S3 | ||
| Carbonlightning |
Sounds like an S3T to me..... my .02 | ||
| Fullauto |
X1. You'll love it. I have a '99 but you'll probably want a '00 or later due to the upgrades fitted to the later ones. Get a Corbin seat. | ||
| Guell |
s3 or a m2 will do you just fine | ||
| Jramsey |
S3T, comfortable riding position doesn't get much better. | ||
| Kyrocket |
My X1 has done everything you mentioned but any of these will foot the bill I think. There's a wide array of tank bags, saddle bags and tail bags available for all of them. I'm hoping for Cortech bags for my birthday. | ||
| Eshardball |
You will need two. An S3 for you and a passenger and an S1 to enjoy your new found freedom again | ||
| Rightpecial |
Most of the Tube frames will do everything you want. My M2 does all those things, just be sure to reserve a bit of money to get the bike where it needs to be if it is not already when you buy it. I say 2001 or 2002 M2 Cyclone. | ||
| Zane |
Is there any rhyme or reason to the naming scheme. Does S=Sport or T=Touring anything like that? | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
S2 and 3 are both the most standard riding position of the tubers, the S2T/3T (touring version) having higher bars, saddlebags, and I think lower pegs? (not sure about the pegs) The S1 is a mean lean street machine. That bike is the very definition of streetfighter. Not comfortable though. (IIRC, S1, S2, and 97-98 M2's all have the same frame geometry) The X1 is the most agressive frame geometry of the tubers, but IMO not at the expense of space or comfort. I have put in 500 mile days on my X1 with no regrets. The M2 is a good all around model that I consider to be somewhere between the S2/3 and the S1/X1. The 99-02 models have a different frame than the 97-98's did, and came stock with a wider tail section and subsequently wider seat which appears to offer more comfort although I've never ridden one. All tubers other than the S1 have a pretty large seat area which should make them all comfortable for distance riding as well as 2-up. Note that S3's and X1's are the only tubers to come with fuel injection. (Message edited by pkforbes87 on May 05, 2009) | ||
| Tdman77 |
PK - Covered it well. I think the S2/S3 would fit you best. I have a 99 X1 and it rides great but after 70-80miles I am looking to stop and stretch my legs. Any over night or 2up riding I end up taking the Duce. (Even thou I enjoy the X1 so much more!) | ||
| Mudshuvel319 |
Also, if you had you sights set on an XT, it may be of interest to you that the X1, M2 and S1 did not come with windshields, only a small flyscreen. The S2 and earlier S3s did have small windshields, I believe. | ||
| F_skinner |
Zane, S3T, S2T or M2. You can't go wrong. The M2 does everything, just add soft bags. The S3T is a little taller than a S2T but you can get the S3T with FI. The S2T is pretty much a stock Sporty motor which is one of the reasons I think it is so reliable. If I could have just one bike it would be a S2T. If my girlfriend did not ride her own I would probably have to pick a S3T. | ||
| Dfbutler |
+1 S3T, I've had my 99 for 6 years, does everything I need with modes | ||
| Zane |
I have to admit I really like the looks of the s3t. My one concern is that it or the other bikes would make me put too much weight on my arms and wrists. I just can't do that aggressive lean forward. (Message edited by Zane on May 05, 2009) | ||
| Scarecrow |
I love both my bikes but with carpal tunnel issues I can't make long distance rides on my 01 X1. That's where my 06 Harley Ultra Classic comes in. It's like riding a couch down the highway. Doesn't handle quite as well as my X1 but does the trick when I'm feeling old. If I didn't have the Ultra I would probably go with the S3T. Good looking bike with enough sport in it to makes things fun. In fact, now that I'm thinking about it, I might start looking for one. You can never have too many buells ya know. Thanks alot for getting my mind to thinking!!  | ||
| Zane |
I don't have carpal tunnel, I'm just fat, lazy and have no muscle tone in my arms. Seriously, I don't ride an aggressive ride at all. I'm looking for a reliable daily commuter. It's just nice to know you can carve any corner in half if you want to. | ||
| Tattoodnscrewd |
The S3/S3T and M2 do pretty much set you in a neutral position, taller bars on the S3/S3T and it's even more of a 'comfortable' ride ... also with the S3T you have the built in luggage with no need to buy any extras to carry stuff ... it also has the option to add a taller windshield to the front fairing to give decent wind protection... great sport tourer ... (All that said and I have an M2 and S1 ... go figure) | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
ah good point dan, i forgot about that. I'd like to Uly-ize one of my X1's with a taller windscreen - either aftermarket or one from a uly. hard bags would be nice too but the x1 subframe is angled outboard and could be a chore to make something work and still look decent. | ||
| Zane |
I've been looking at prices here, and other places on line. It looks like theses bikes all fall in the $5000 range. Is that about right? What about insurance? When I had the Blast it cost next to nothing for insurance. I'm mid 50's, no tickets but live in a populated area. I have one at fault wreck, the one that totaled the Blast. | ||
| Eshardball |
Insurance won't be bad on the S2 or S3 because there considered touring models. I guess the insurance companies don't understand their handling capabilities so they don't rate them like a sport bike. It costs more to insure my S1 for full coverage than it does my road King. | ||
| Zane |
I was dead set on getting a 12XT but an M2 or s3t is sounding better and better. I know older machines just have a bit more wear and tear on them but do these older bikes have any gotchas that I should be aware of? | ||
| Jramsey |
Tubers with less than 10,000 miles would be low mileage IMO. ISO's, wheel bearings, early style primary shoe and according to some replacing the oil pump drive gear. I've had my X1 over 2 years now with no issues and the S3T (Nick's bike) which I purchased with known problems last summer and spent very little money on it, mostly it needed TLC and has turned into one of my favorite bikes of all time. BTW the hard bags come off and go back on in less time than took me to type this last sentence. (Message edited by jramsey on May 06, 2009) | ||
| Zane |
Who actually makes the bags for the s3t? Depending on the manufacturer, there could be all kinds of different styles that might fit. I don't mind giving a bike some TLC before riding it. After all, half the fun of these things is getting to turn a wrench once in a while. | ||
| Gowindward |
S3T's ROCK!!! The bags are Buell bags, not from an aftermarket source like the XT bags. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
Zane, Sent a you a personal message with some information on the S3T. Dave | ||
| Shupe |
I've ridden Harleys for years and got a M2 a couple of months ago. My Electrglide Classic is comfortable, but as far as my back goes, after a few hours on the EG, when I get off, my lower back is stiff. This doesn't happen after a few hours on the Buell, I think because my back stays straighter. FWIW, I bought a 01 M2 just for fun, and I really, really like it so far. | ||
| Lowroad |
Any buell, with 1" risers available from American Sport Bike. | ||
| Zane |
Dave, I'm at work now but will pick up your message when I get home. Thanks, z |
