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TomSmith · 06-26-2006, 04:25 AM

Uno, ein, #1!

Sounds like the kind of "help" HD dealers are famous for. And I used to work for and was sponsored by a Harley dealer back in 51 & 52. Fifty years ago, all the Harley dealers I knew were great. I guess times and attitudes have changed.

Darrelpr · 06-26-2006, 04:33 AM

Anything you want to know about Buells (and some stuff you may NOT want to know) can be found up on www.badweatherbikers.com.

pdad13 · 06-26-2006, 04:59 AM

I'd be surprised if too many of those dealers have even heard of a Thunderbolt.

I see them from time to time on e-bay. That might be your best bet, but buyer beware.

Buellmotor · 06-26-2006, 05:38 AM

I like the 1998 S3t the best, it had the thunderstorm motor and was the last year with a carb. 1999 and up were all injected and the FI system has some issues. Also think about getting a "t" model. the S3t came with matching painted hard bags.

pushrod · 06-26-2006, 05:49 AM

I remember shopping for a S3T. I went to the Int'l M/C Show in Atlanta, and the Buell exhibit was across the aisle from the Triumph display (back when they did that kind of thing).

I sat upon a blue S3T. It looked ok. I then saw the Sprint ST, also blue, directly in front of me. Went, sat, was smitten.

The Triumph looked so much better in fit and finish, it made the Buell look home-made.

Then I rode a Sprint, and heard that Triple howl! Hooo-wee!

And, the Sprint was cheaper than the S3T.

IMHO, the only advantages the S3T had over the Sprint were the hydraulic lifters and the belt drive. And they have a better selection of t-shirts.

I'm riding my second ST (an '03), and love it!

HTH!

seruzawa · 06-26-2006, 06:22 AM

I think that Buell should be careful about using that "model T" designation.

James_Brown · 06-26-2006, 06:56 AM

It was shortly after they stopped making S1Ws that Flavor Flav had to start carrying his own piece.

BillyO · 06-26-2006, 07:27 AM

I owned both bikes,and each one had issues.

2000 Sprint RS I had was not sorted out in the fuel injection.I would just not idle some times.Also,it had a small amount of vibes in handlebar that numbed my hands.Handling was terrific.

My buell ,2000 also,had a cylinder gasket that needed replacement-under warranty,

Fun bike.

The only bike that I that I truly missed when we parted company was my 2001 ST2 DUCATI.

lcarlson · 06-26-2006, 09:03 AM

You should also consider a Cyclone (M2), if you don't need the touring features of the S3T. No fuel injection issues (it's carburated), and it's actually quicker that the other models to about sixty...

tomk2 · 06-26-2006, 09:06 AM

I second this.... definitely ask your questions over there.

there are a few people with funny extremist-nut-job politics over there but they mostly keep that stuff out o fht emotorcycle-related discussion

as far as motorcycle knowledge and people willing to offer really expert advice BadWeb is probably the best special interest bike community site on the internet.

06-26-2006, 04:33 AM	#2
Darrelpr Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	Re: Buell Thunderbolt Questions. Anything you want to know about Buells (and some stuff you may NOT want to know) can be found up on www.badweatherbikers.com.

06-26-2006, 04:59 AM	#3
pdad13 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,733	Re: Buell Thunderbolt Questions. I'd be surprised if too many of those dealers have even heard of a Thunderbolt. I see them from time to time on e-bay. That might be your best bet, but buyer beware.

06-26-2006, 05:38 AM	#4
Buellmotor Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1	Re: Buell Thunderbolt Questions. I like the 1998 S3t the best, it had the thunderstorm motor and was the last year with a carb. 1999 and up were all injected and the FI system has some issues. Also think about getting a "t" model. the S3t came with matching painted hard bags. __________________ Buck \'95 Buell S2 Sold \'97 Buell M2 Sold \'97 GSXR 600 \'02 CBR954RR \'02 VTR 1000

06-26-2006, 05:49 AM	#5
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	Re: Buell Thunderbolt Questions. I remember shopping for a S3T. I went to the Int'l M/C Show in Atlanta, and the Buell exhibit was across the aisle from the Triumph display (back when they did that kind of thing). I sat upon a blue S3T. It looked ok. I then saw the Sprint ST, also blue, directly in front of me. Went, sat, was smitten. The Triumph looked so much better in fit and finish, it made the Buell look home-made. Then I rode a Sprint, and heard that Triple howl! Hooo-wee! And, the Sprint was cheaper than the S3T. IMHO, the only advantages the S3T had over the Sprint were the hydraulic lifters and the belt drive. And they have a better selection of t-shirts. I'm riding my second ST (an '03), and love it! HTH! __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

06-26-2006, 06:22 AM	#6
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	Re: Buell Thunderbolt Questions. I think that Buell should be careful about using that "model T" designation. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

06-26-2006, 04:25 AM	#1
TomSmith Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Posts: 266	Re: Buell Thunderbolt Questions. Uno, ein, #1! Sounds like the kind of "help" HD dealers are famous for. And I used to work for and was sponsored by a Harley dealer back in 51 & 52. Fifty years ago, all the Harley dealers I knew were great. I guess times and attitudes have changed.

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06-26-2006, 06:56 AM	#7
James_Brown Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 171	Re: Buell Thunderbolt Questions. It was shortly after they stopped making S1Ws that Flavor Flav had to start carrying his own piece.

06-26-2006, 07:27 AM	#8
BillyO Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 158	Re: Buell Thunderbolt Questions. I owned both bikes,and each one had issues. 2000 Sprint RS I had was not sorted out in the fuel injection.I would just not idle some times.Also,it had a small amount of vibes in handlebar that numbed my hands.Handling was terrific. My buell ,2000 also,had a cylinder gasket that needed replacement-under warranty, Fun bike. The only bike that I that I truly missed when we parted company was my 2001 ST2 DUCATI.

06-26-2006, 09:03 AM	#9
lcarlson Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 61	Re: Buell Thunderbolt Questions. You should also consider a Cyclone (M2), if you don't need the touring features of the S3T. No fuel injection issues (it's carburated), and it's actually quicker that the other models to about sixty...

06-26-2006, 09:06 AM	#10
tomk2 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 514	Re: Buell Thunderbolt Questions. I second this.... definitely ask your questions over there. there are a few people with funny extremist-nut-job politics over there but they mostly keep that stuff out o fht emotorcycle-related discussion as far as motorcycle knowledge and people willing to offer really expert advice BadWeb is probably the best special interest bike community site on the internet.