| Author | Message | ||
     Ft_bstrd |
I got to put 125 miles on a 2000 M2 Sunday. It was a trade in with 23,000 miles on the clock. Well worn. Bubbled tank. Sloppy shifter linkage. Buggered pegs. It was weird to have to choke the bike to get it to start. Hard as a mofo to find neutral. Felt heavier than my Uly. That said, it was a REALLY fun bike to ride. Even more raw than my XB was. I was afraid to ride it "sportingly" at first, but after a few miles I was able to pilot it into corners more like my Uly. Not quite as nimble, but rewarding none the less. Really cool! | ||
| Daveswan |
I put 100 miles on MY 2000 M2 on Sunday! I agree with all of the description.... it gives it character. Starting it is like starting a WWII fighter and it sort-of reminds me of one. Mine is even Blue!  | ||
| Fasted |
i now own my 3rd m2 (2 1999s and the present 2000. properly adjusted clutch and primary chain with updated shifter makes a world of difference in the tranny dept. properly set up suspension helps in the cornering dept. this is not a very sophisticated moto, but it is a visceral, adrenaline producing smile factory. for those of us who grew up before superbikes, this is the sportster we all wanted that never existed. give erik all credit due for turning that old spotster mill into a responsive motor placed in a respectably handling frame. the whole package is easy to maintain and a joy to ride. i often do 300 mile days, never being more than 80-90 miles away from home. going nowhere can be so much fun !!!  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I found the seat very comfortable. I can see making long trips on it. I did't like how my heals caught under the lip of the lower edge of the tail section. Agreed that starting it is like firing up a fighter plane. This one hat a V&H pipe on it. Really liked the sound. The 2000s evidently didn't come with a tach. That was weird. The motor seemed to vibrate quite a bit more than the XB. I couldn't tell if that was a sign of worn isolators or if that was just the way they are supposed to be. I rode Oldog's X1 and didn't remember it vibrating that much. I think I could really drag a knee with one. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
FtB, My '02 M2 is the only keeper bike I have. I took it out for about 100 miles today and it is exactly what riding a motorcycle should be. Down on power, heavy, loud, heavy clutch pull = the perfect motorcycle  | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
My Blue 2002 M2L is my all-time very favorite motorcycle, (except when I am riding my Black 2001 S3T). I guess that explains why I need both of them. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Fat B said "Even more raw than my XB was" That's funny, coming from a M2 to my first ride on a XB9 I thought the XB was too smooth and lacked the "Buell character" my bike had... I've ridden XB12's since and thought they were very nice! I also agree on several other points, my heels caught on the tail, switched the tail, knee down is quite do-able with suspension even semi-sorted (profile pic is proof). Ride on guys, winter is looming. | ||
| Jayvee |
"Down on power, heavy, loud, heavy clutch pull" Hmmm....matter of perspective I suppose. My bike from 1985 to 2005 was a Yamaha XV920R ("Euro" or Chain-Drive Virgao) The used M2 I replaced it with has twice the power, and weighs 100 pounds less. After having the Baker tranny bits and the Uly clutch spring installed, the transmission is almost as good as the Yamaha. The stock M2 muffler is as quiet as you could want, seemingly too quiet, as almost everybody replaces it with something louder. (I just did this last weekend myself.) | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Buggles, What tail and what's involved with the USD fork swap? | ||
| Mick |
USD forks bolt straight on , but you need the tripples and a guard. | ||
| Mick |
and the headlight mounts | ||
| Littlebuggles |
I used an S1 tail [as Mick did as well, Dana (Bads1?) also did one the same way years ago], had to refab the subframe, but a pre 99 tail would probably do the trick (heel clearance) and just swaps right out. The seats can take some getting used to or can be helped with a little cutting. Mick, when you say guard do you mean front fender? Lacking the triples you could machine the M2 clamps to the proper size, the forks I bought didn't have the upper triple, so my brother took care of that for me. FB, have you seen Mick's bike? Very clean work. Many have posted some tasteful trimming of the stock tail as well, looks good if you take some time planning it instead of just busting out the hack-saw and seeing what happens. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I have not seen Mick's bike. I'd like to. I don't know if I'm even in the market for this bike. Money's tight. That said, I wouldn't mind having this M2 as a project bike. It appears to be mechanically good but rough from appearance. You know how it is, though. You look at a bike not for what it is but what it could be.  What does the S1 tail look like on the M2? | ||
| Richsm2 |
Big Daddy lube that cable with engine oil at oil changes, use a spring grip exerciser for the fingers and all will be well.for more power see Buellistics tuning info and as he said "hold on". the force or any others will add a little to the sound department even with the stock exhaust. years ago I went to the auto uphostery shop,they used (as I remember here is when it gets shakey,cannot lose a memory I never had) landau top foam, doubled my ride mileage and comfort,for the wife added a cut from a cheap sheepskin seatcover that was sitting around the garage ,to fit the rear portion,held by elastic around the seat -now we have the same butt mileage.refoamimg was something like $65. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Well the S1 tail looks like this on my M2:  I'll find a pic of Mick's in the M2 pics in a minute for you. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Okay, many good looking M2's if you follow this link including four or more late model M2's with S1 tails. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/47623/439807.html?1235261573 Here's Mick's:  (Message edited by littlebuggles on November 19, 2009) | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Here's another one, now I'm just showing off:  | ||
| Guell |
 Thats my 97, with the skinny m2 tail. You have no heel clearance issues with that seat. I should have let you take mine for a spin when we were up in suches. | ||
| Bsanorton |
Great looking bikes guys! Dave said "My Blue 2002 M2L is my all-time very favorite motorcycle, (except when I am riding my Black 2001 S3T). I guess that explains why I need both of them" ditto, I just have to change the color (02'M2 in volcano grey) & year of the S3T (01'). It's a tough choice. When I feel more refined it's the S3.  | ||
| Mick |
Yeah Buggles, front fender, actually just put the standard tail back on for a trip to Tasmania early next year, I couldn't face it with the S1 seat | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Riding to Tasmania, Mick that definitely belongs in the "Fun Ride" thread... sure sounds fun anyway! I'm not aware of the distance for your ride, but I've ridden my modified stock S1 seat as far as 430 miles away more comfortable than the stock M2 seat my bike came with. Rich, I owe you a couple pictures, I can email some to you this morning. Sorry for the wait. | ||
| Mick |
Yeah Buggles it'll be end up about 3000m miles before its over , so I don't want callouses on my arse. Plus theres a lack of room for luggage ect, I'll put the S1 tail back on after tho . | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Ride safe, those kind of miles will put callous on your kiester no matter what kind of saddle you're in. Take pictures and give us a trip report if you're willing, it will be a fun read and more fuel to swing Ft_bstrd over to picking up a M2. | ||
| Mick |
will do | ||
| Beachbuell |
My first Buell wan an X1. Then had an XB12R and XB12S. I sold them both and picked up an M2. I love this bike. So much so that I'm looking to pick up another one. The only thing better than an M2 is TWO M2's. | ||
| Daveswan |
Just sort-of an FYI: I was at a coffee shop today in Eastern CT that's bike friendly. There must have been 50+ bikes there with people milling around eating, chatting etc. There were Harley's, a few Ducati's, Moto Guzzi's, BMW's, a single Aprilia, Suzukis, honda, kawasaki, and Triumphs, plus 2 retarded Boss Hoss's. For those who've never heard of them they're 1,100lb. V8 hog-like two wheel contraptions. I'd rather have a Smart Car but never the less. This guy who was riding a Speed Triple comes up to me (the sole Bueller) and says "You have the best F*cking bike out of ALL of these!" I had an S1 and sold it, now I'm looking for another and can't find one. Whatever you do, don't sell it!" I humbly agreed, but there were some nice bikes there that I wouldn't mind having but I wouldn't trade what I have for one! | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Mick, are you back from your big ride? Hope you got back safe and have good pics to share! |
