whats to look out for when buying a second hand buell?
jace

Your wallet.

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Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

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I hate being strapped for cash....but it pays the bills

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

Varies by model, what have you in mind?

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Try doing this to yer fueller...........

not sure what model yet will have to try a few
just wondered if theres anything to avoid but will shop around and see what takes my liking an fits me
get the feeling that some buells my be bit small for me but ill try some an look around
thanks guys jace

IMO, you should try a late model M2 or X1.

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Try doing this to yer fueller...........

2001 or 2002 X1

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08 Specialized Langster

_________________
Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Good advice from Maz and Pash, I would add that late M2's are a steal as they are both under rated as bikes, deeply unfashionable and ignored by buyers. That makes them a real bargain IMO.

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Try doing this to yer fueller...........

Would just add to the advice above that if you want to do some touring - a late XB Ulysses would be a good option with the H& B luggage racks and boxes.

Having owned both a late M2 and a late XB - they are both really comfortable, understated and under rated bikes - the M2 has oodles of character - lots of shiney bits to polish ( if that's your thing ) and a carburettor and there are some great options for improving performance while the XB (mine is UlyXT) is more functional - a great all round tourer.

You mentioned somewhere else you are tall so for current good value consider a XB12X - Ulysses - great upright riding position - both will tip in and corner like you are on rails

Hi,

The first thing to decide is which type of Buell you want.

Broadly speaking, they fall into two categories - the "tuber" (S1, M2 X1) and the "fueller" (all of the XB series).

Starting with the XB, you have:

1) XB - R (bikini style fairing and clip-on style bars)

2) XB - S (fly-screen, upright riding position and solid bars)

3) Uly - trail style (may be suitable for the taller rider)

For the tubers, you have:

1) S1 - considered by the purists to be the qunitesential (whilst being available for a reasonable price) Buell

2) M2 - a bit lardier (but a bigger Manta tank means something over a 80 mile tank range), with a more comfortable seat

3) X1 - Fuel injected refinement

There are also the "recent" models - the 1125R or S etc, even the 1190. I can't speak to these as I have no personal knowledge of ownership. (Maybe others will chip in here.)

All models from all years are flawed (but if you don't expect that, don't buy a Buell). A few important rules of thumb:

1) Later models of each version are generally better (not alwyas true but a good starting assumption)

2) Condition and a good service history can trump "newness" (a full service record stamped by the local HD dealer may not mean a good service history!). Some owners are very passionate and do all thier own servicing because they don't trust anyone else - don't dismiss a "serviced it all myself" bike out of hand. (See below.)

3) Buying from an owner who knows a bit about Buells is always a good sign. If looking at a M2, say "I looked at an X1 yesterday, how do you think they compare?" (you might not have looked at an X1, but that's not the point). If the seller doesn't know that the X1 is F.I. that's not good. Ask the seller whether he has changed the oil pump drive gear - a blank look indicating "I have no idea what you are talking about - why would I do that?" is a bad sign.

As for me, I own a bought from new 2002 XB 9 and a (rather heavily modified) 2001 M2, but I still consider myself to be a novice in the Buell ownership stakes.

Dave