| Author | Message | ||
     Fidel (Doncasto) |
If you are considering purchasing a Buell I have some suggestions that might make your experience a little more satisfying. They can be found at The Succesfull Buell Ownership Experience Buellistically, Don "Fidel" Casto | ||
| Bradgross |
Hey Fidel, The link is busted. Just a little FYI.. Brad | ||
| Acharacter |
Does anyone say anything nice about Buells???? I've been riding sport bikes for about 10yrs. now, I wanted a Buell since they first came out,so finally found one this year a 99 x1 but since i started coming to this site i'm terrified dont know wheather to sell mine or hope something doesnt break........Somebody say something gooood!!!! | ||
| Peter |
Acharacter, Mine is good. PPiA | ||
| Rocklane |
I have a 2000 model X1 and as yet have not had any problems. I know this is the most fun riding motorcycle that I have ever owned. Rock X1 Miliennum | ||
| Rocketman |
whatAcharacter : Mines good toooooo  Rocket in England | ||
| Bradgross |
Acharacter, I am in a similar position as you as I am casually looking for a Buell. It might appear that everyone with a Buell is having difficulty if you look at this board. What you have to remember is that the people that are talking about problems are a small minority compared to the folks that do not have any problems. I had the same feeling as well when I first jumped on the board but then a number of the BADWEB members pointed out that fact to me. Look at it this way: I think that most of us can agree that a Honda car is a fairly reliable piece of machinery. If you were a mechanic working at a Honda car dealership and were constantly fixing problems with Honda cars, your opinions might be skewed awayed from Hondas. Think of this board as working in the world's largest dealership of Buell. Of course you are going to hear more problems than praises. Don't be frightened. Just think how helpful these folks will be IF you were to have a problem. Brad -M2 in 2001 (sounds like a campaign slogan) | ||
| Jasonl |
ACharacter - I've had 2. They're all good. Most people are motivated to ask for help if they need it. If you're bike is running great why bother posting a msg? Yer probably out RIDING! Except for us brethren in the colder climes. | ||
| Mikej |
Click thru on people's profiles, you'll either get a short bio and hopefully a list of mods and problems, or you'll get an email address. Lots of people here have a running commentary in their profile listing any problems they've had. For example, from my profile you'll find to date listed: \\\ Problems/Miles (Be specific.): 1) speedo sensor @ 2,500 miles. 2) rear rocker cover gasket replaced between 7-8000 miles. 3) front rocker cover gasket started to leak, will replace it with steel gaskets during the 10k service. Other Mods/Misc.: c/f air filter, 45 slow jet. SRP shock bandaid installed at around 8000 miles. Added WileyCo muffler at approx. 10,000 miles on the odometer. ///// To me, being a pretty-much home mechanic (I can bust bolts at will), my problems have been relatively minor, and will hopefully remain minor. The two most common problems seems to be the speedo sensor and rocker gasket leaks, both of which can probably be traced back to factory assembly issues at the H-D motor assembly plant, and if you ride your bike enough should show up within your first year's riding and therefore under the quick to fix 1st year warranty period if you have a decent dealer who understands customer service and can do a quick turnaround on relatively minor problems. Both these problems could be done on an as-needed-and-waiting-in-the-lobby basis, less than 2 hours labor on the shop time hopefully. Why am I ranting, sorry. | ||
| Bradgross |
Hello all, Just thought of an idea. Since the Buell website is - ahem - somewhat lacking, I was wondering if people could give descriptions of each bike. Yeah yeah I know the S3 is more a sport tourer than a M2 but what makes the M2 different than the X1? What do you think is the purpose of each bike? If you were told to pick one good used model that you would be happy with what would it be? These are questions that prospective people would like to know from the owners. Brad | ||
| Aikigecko |
A big Diff betwixt an X1 and M2....fuel injection...the X1 has it and the M2 is a normally aspirated bike. X-1 is a big Hooligan bike. the M2 is more of an all round bike good for curves, good for commuting, the best buell for the money (the price keeps going down). The S3 is kinda what your dad would own if he wanted a Buell (mine does) sorta grown up Buell for the aging Baby Boomers. the P3 Blast is what a firt timer who wants to learn to modify his bike should get cause it's easy to modify and it certainly needs tweaking. It's also a kick A@# bike for a beginner, like me to have as his first bike. I wanted a M2 but the size and power of it shied me away as a bike to learn on. I'll be getting one in a few years though cause I am in lust with that bike. Well theres my opinions. Peace Tony | ||
| Troop |
Forgot to mention that the X1 also has hotter cams than the M2. The 10hp increase the X1 has actually comes from the cams. The M2 is hoot. Carbs are simple to work on(as I am learning). The M2 has a nicer seat for any kind of 2-up riding. The BIG diff is $$. The X1 is about 2K more. I have a yellow M2 but I gotta admit,the prettiest Buell I have seen is the Molten orange/nuke blue frame-wheel combo. Sharp !!! | ||
| Jima4media |
The X-1 has upside down Showa forks in the front and a better Showa shock in the back. The best Showa for the back is the 2001 S3 shock, as far as I'm concerned. The X-1 has a tachometer, the M2 doesn't until the year 2001 bikes. The chin fairing is a mixed blessing. Looks kinda cool, but I have broken 4 brackets in the last two years. The new bracket seems to be holding up better now. The M2 is the best value in the stable, the X-1 is the best pure bred race horse. I like the look of the aluminum tail section instead of plastic. Just my .02 Jim X-2.5 | ||
| Bradgross |
can you get the nuclear blue frame on a M2? | ||
| Bradgross |
perhaps folks would want to post some pics of their bike so that potential Buellers can really see the difference between all the models. Because we all know how crappy the official site is. | ||
| Hans |
Troop, M2 hotter cams and 10 hp more ??? I doubt. The M2 has a carb and the X1 has fuel injection. The specs for 2001 models in the new catalogue: M2: torque 83 ft.lbs/113Nm at 5,600 rpm, 93.5 hp/70kW at 6,100 rpm X1: torque 86 ft.lbs/116Nm at 5,600 rpm, 95 hp/71kW at 6,200 rpm. Hans | ||
| Mariner |
Acharacter; the previous posts have summed it up pretty well as far as the differences in the various models of Buells. I bought a 99 X-1 used, and it is indeed the most fun motorcycle I've ever owned (out of 20 or so). They're pretty low-maintenance in general, but most seem to require semi-regular "tinkering" to stay in top form. My X-1 has had no major problems (only 3500 miles)and is good for all-day rides. My next bike will probably be an M2 because I don't realy need all the HP/torque of the X-1, although I would miss the great suspension. Ed | ||
| Mikej |
DCBRAG has an excellent site showing the models of Buells, and also has links to reviews posted on various regions of the web. DCBRAG Buell History | ||
| Blake |
Brad... check out the Cool Buell Pics page? | ||
| Aaron |
Hans: the U.S. M2's T-storm motor is rated at 91hp and appears to be identical to the '98 carbed t-storm 101hp motor except for the cams. The addition of FI did not change the hp rating of the t-bolt/lightning motor on US bikes. AW | ||
| Hans |
Aaron, You are right: The given specifications (93.5hp/6100rpm for M2 and 95hp/6200rpm for X1) are taken from the new EUROPEAN catalogue for 2001 models. The Buell website gives for the 2001 models: 91hp/6000rpm for the M2 and 101hp/6000rpm for the X1. Seems to me then that European X1 models don`t have the hotter cams. Hans. | ||
| Bradgross |
Blake, I have seen the pics. However it might be good for a potential Bueller to get a decent look at the bikes here. Brad | ||
| Peter |
Interesting that the Euro M2 has a higher claimed HP rating than the US model. I wonder if the 2" system works better with the M2 cams? Hans, if you have a look at Grizzly's and my dyno readings, (same operator, same dyno, same day), I'd assume the cams were different on the X1 to the M2 in Europe as well. The torque curves are quite different. PPiA | ||
| Hans |
Peter, again right: Also European X1`s and M2`s seem to have different cams: Left X1, right M2, essentials of those dynograms:  Hans. | ||
| Alby |
Goodbye Buellers and PPIA After new rings in the first 7,000kl, a blown primary gasket and signs that the case gasket was about to let go... Shagged rear 205's with in 4,000klm, and the rest of the scary stuff. I'm from Australia u see and the Pride of the USA biker does rest with me, so good luck to all and have a merry christmas. I traded to a Speed Triple.... A kind thought!! BWB site is a realy good sight full of good and bad ideas, well done all involved. Happy Buelling I'll pass you in the service department....ha ha | ||
| Jmartz |
Good thing Alby... I'm waiting for the new Ducati 998, I'll pass you on the road. | ||
| Peter |
Alby, I think owning a Buell is something everyone needs to do in his life at some time.  Enjoy the Triple. I daresay it'll last longer with the long roads and the heat. PPiA | ||
| Motoman |
I've been a "Watcher" on this site for quite a while, and have lusted for a M2 since they came out. After test riding one in 97, I realized Buell still had a ways to go as far as refinement. Shortly after this, The recalls started and confirmed my fears and although progress was made,problems still were apparent. I feel the basic formula is correct, although the execution of product has been lacking. I stepped aside for awhile, hoping Buell would clean up their act. The desire was there to purchase, but I did not want to buy a lot of problems. I have owned 32 bikes since 69 and have managed to do all maintenance required. As far as I'm concerned, maintenance is part of owning a M/C although constant problems with poorly engineered products is not. I wrote Court a lengthy note in regards to this a couple years ago, and even though he said he was busy and would reply to me asap, I never received a reply. As far as I'm concerned, Harley Davidson is Buell's biggest liability. I remember when Buell was first purchased by HD and they stated that Buell dealerships would be available to non-HD concerns. You can see just how far this went. This letter is based on occurrences which happened during the last 3 weeks. My wife has been bombarded by technical talk about the M.C. for the last 3 years and took it upon herself to purchase a new M2 for me for Christmas this year. I discovered this when I received a Buell t-shirt on Christmas eve. She stated that she called 4 dealers concerning the purchase of a M2 and was quoted prices that were padded by $200-500 dollars over MSRP. She probably would have went ahead and purchased one of these bikes if it wasn't for my son who did some checking on the internet. I'm still a firm believer in the Buell concept although with the attitude of some of their dealers, Their lifespan will be short. There has been too many problems with the motorcycle over the last 3 years to warrant a padded MSRP. I have concluded that these dealers my wife contacted, were simply trying to take advantage of a person not familiar with Buell prices and product. I still have a interest in a M2, although It will not be purchased from a dealer with this attitude. I live in the mid-west and welcome any advise from previous purchasers of Buells who have had good luck with specific dealers. Sorry for eating up so much space but I'm serious about owning a Buell and need input in making the right purchase. | ||
| Dave |
Motoman: What area are you looking in to purchase a Buell? I custom ordered my 99 Thunderbolt with extras for about $1000 under MSRP only after shopping around for 3 months and doing extensive homework (Required reading: BadWeb & ATC). Plus I took advantage of Buells's rebates. (Another $1000) There's plenty of dealers out there willing to cut a deal. Agreed, some of those dealers out there are used to selling Harley's and haven't had to make a hard sale for years. (My opinion) To most of them, you are but a one-time sale. DAve | ||
| Eeeeek |
Motoman: I wrote a letter very similar to yours before I bought my '99 X1. I sent it to Buell C/O "To whom it may concern. One week later, I got a hand written reply from Erik himself. Pretty much knocked me off my feet and encouraged me to buy the bike. I've had the bike for a year and a half now and although it has not beeen a trouble free relationship, I love the bike. The formula, although still not perfect, is the best I've found. It fits me very well and always gives me a copraphagus smile when I ride it. The key to happy Buell ownership is the dealer. The right dealer, which are in abundance here in NorCal, can make it a great experience. Price gouging Harley dealers can make it hell. The service shop can make it so much better and so much worse. It pains me to hear of Hearley dealers that treat Buells like parts swept up off the factory floor. The recalls that have plagued Buell have certainly had a negative impact even though the show a dedication on Buell's part. Each recall has been voluntary (unlike oh, say, Firestone) and most have been minor. Sidestand switch, Tank vent, rerouted brake line. The shock is a more major recall; however, they acted on it before it became a problem. I personally have a hard time recommending Buell to other people. They're not for everyone and you can't treat them like a Honda. At the same time, I wouldn't talk anyone out of buying a Buell, either, unless they want a bike that they can just gas and go. I truly love my bike and have learned a lot about engines that I didn't know because of it. I have the desire to really understand the bike. Currently, that bike is in pieces getting the engine rebuilt (long story there) and it never left me stranded. If you're a patient man, there are rumors of a new Buell coming out next year, but we all know how rumors go. They say next year and I believe two years...The M2 is, in my opinion, one hell of a bike and a lot of fun. I personally went the X1 route because of the styling, suspension and FI, but I can't deny the M2's Hooligan characteristics. So basically this has been a longwinded way of saying do what you want. I will not talk you into buying a Buell; but, if you make the jump, I'll welcome you to the group. It's a great group and I'm proud to be part of it. Vik "man, can I be PC or what?" eeeeek |
