2000 Buell reviews

Reliability. I never had any issues, except it vibrates a little and can sometimes loosen hardware. Not like the engine falls apart, but the shift lever end fell off riding one day and the negative on the battery started to loosen. Only things I have had issues with. No electrical problems. At 20 years old, I went through the fuel system and cleaned stuff up, as any gas powered vehicle would need. Quality? Sure. Compared to the price? Definitely. Performance is low end oriented. Don't expect a top end screamer and you'll be happy. It is fantastic bursting around 40-60mph roads, and will net 50 mpg doing it. Comfort? It doesn't make you cramp as bad as some newer sport bikes and is more upright, but it wasn't designed to be comfortable. A nee seat would help as it is a little narrow where it meets the tank. It's been a great bike and you won't see any others like it when you own one! Show less

The best most comfortable motorcycle I have ever owned. Love the Harley sound and the power is there with every gear! This bike just draws attention every where I go. It handles like a dream in every aspect. From my first test ride I fell in love with this bike and I love that I'm riding American muscle. You couldn't ask for a better bike don't let a fool fool you these bikes ride and handle like no other. Show less

I have read a bunch of reviews on the 2000 Buell M2 Cyclones, a lot of which complain about the reliability of this bike. I bought my Buell used with 9000 miles on it and have put 11000 miles on it in the 1 year that I have owned it. This is by far the most fun bike I have ever owned. It is comfortable, fast, and very reliable. Except for having the rear head pipe coming off during a 140 mph sprint, the only thing I've done is change the oil and adjust the primary drive chain. I have never had a problem with the rear suspension or the speedo. Granted, Buells are not for everyone but if you like the attitude that comes with this bike and random girls coming up to you in the grocery store parking lot to ask you about your cool looking bike, you should definitely get one. It was the best $ I ever spent! Show less

I purchased a 2000 fuel injected Thunderbolt earlier this summer. At the time, I also had a 99 Sportster sport. Since the Buell purchase, I have sold the Sportster. The Buell runs better, faster, is lighter, and is a winner. The performance is spectacular and it is amazing what the Buell folks can do to a harley 1200cc engine. I used to think my sporty was pretty quick until I began riding the Buell. All I will ever do now is replace someday with a newer Buell model. Show less

Talk about American Made, whew, this was my first American bike and it DOES make me GRIN!! Having been raised on Kawasaki's and Triumph triples of the 60's an 70's most of my younger life. The Buell was different, just like my "Tridents" when I fell in love with them. Brutal torque, I had to put a set of Trident bars on it just so I could hold on! I got it with 1400 miles a second owner, race kit, PM wheels, she was a fire breathing dragon as far as I was concerned that handled better than my Triumph! Enough said there. I'm 53 and a bit crippled up (Crashed a SuzukiGS750 in 78 hard, Ouch) so vibration is my enemy. If you can stand the vibration(from my Harley buddy that I let ride it, "What vibration, She's as smooth as silk")she'll take you anywhere you want to go and more reliability than any other bike I have ever owned. I rode her 8000 miles in 16 days last year on a trip out west from Florida to Idaho via California. My longest day was 987 miles, Sonora, Tx to Scotsdale, Az. Most days were around the 750-800 mile mark in all kinds of weather(47 degrees to 100+) including a downpour in Texas that stopped me for 2 hours as it rained 6" in 2 hrs! She sat out in it the whole time and started on the first push of the button. I've heard others tell their tales of woe but my Buell has been great. Simple to repair, I did those valve cover gaskets myself in 4 hours, 2 taillight bulbs in that time, belt still good but wish the tires went as far as the belts do! I have added some creature comforts, Throttlemeister, Moto-lights, the better to see Montana deer with, taller Zero Gravity wind screen, taller still by Rifle would be better! and of course those Ugly western style Triumph Handlebars, I can sit up or lay down on the tank bag. The Saddlebags are the narrow style and have never given a problem and they are always stuffed! Did I mention the brakes? I also have a Monster Fuel injected 2000 md. and have racing cast iron dual Brembos on it, the Buell weighs more and still stops better! About handling, think it and it goes and fully adjustable too! One day I'll have a Goldwing but I don't think it'll make me GRIN like the Buell does, at least not going uphill into a bunch of twisties and the thrill of racing down the otherside. As for what would make it better? Maybe some foward rider pegs, a better seat, that 6 speed tranny from Baker would be nice, the Rifle sheild, that's about it. Show less

I bought a used and modified X-1 with just over 7k miles on it recently. I've been riding almost 30 years and have had cruisers, crotch-rockets and everything in between. Much as I like the silky-smoothness of Japanese sport bikes, I find the personality of such rides lacking (for the record, I have a 600 Ninja in the stable as well). The X-1 though, it redefines image! It is the hairy-chested brawler of performance bikes; don't get one if you're shy and timid. Be prepared to be the center of attention every time you fuel up and plan your schedule to allow chat sessions every time you park it somewhere! The real reward is this bike performs every bit as well as it looks, the chassis is a thing of wonder. It slices and dices the curves and rips down straight stretches with a growl. I also have a 1200 Sportster and the difference in handling and performance is astonishing, the Buell reigns supreme. If you've ever ridden a Sportster, you'll also be amazed at the smoothness of the Buells. On the freeway they cruise along buzz-free at 60+ mph. Nice! In summary, get an X-1 and get in touch with your inner hooligan, you'll be glad you did!!! Show less

Bought 2000 M2 Buell August 2000, $7400 out the door. Have 17100 miles as of 9/15/2003, still all stock. Had the typical rear rocker gasket leak at 3k miles, front one at 10k, no leaks since. Had cell die in battery at approx. 5k miles, warranty replaced. Replaced swing arm bearings at 10k miles during 10k service (Idaho has a lot of bumpy roads), no other problems. Get about 5-6k miles on rear Dunlop D220 (the D205 replacement), about 9k miles on front Dunlop D220. Have gotten 58-60 mpg at 60-80 mph on trips between Boise and Missoula, Montana (have the Ventura baggage system which cuts down on wind resistance). It does a good job for sport/touring on mountain highways with the relatively upright riding posture. The seat is comfy, and there is almost no grip vibration at 65-80 mph. With a tank bag, sometimes use the passenger pegs for feet, rest helmet on tank bag when knees start to ache on real long rides. Also does good in freeway traffic when commuting to work, the bright orange is quite visible (one of the reasons I bought a Buell). The belt drive is clean and quiet too. Brakes are good, use only 2 fingers on front one. Ride with both Harley and BMW guys (on 2000 models, they also have had their share of problems (one R1100S had, at 5k miles, the powertrain gears in the swingarm drive assembly fail catastrophically, which then destroyed the the entire swingarm housing, another, a BMW R1200C, keeps breaking the plastic turn and brake light housings due to vibration, and it too had a battery go bad). Overall, it has been ok for me. Show less

I've ridden Harleys since I was old enough to ride a hummer(12). This was my first sport bike, and wow. That says it all. The only disappointment is the lack of umph past 120 due to the gears and the aero, but how many times do you need that type of jail bound speed? I am currently stroking out the bike to 111 cubic inches, with slight mods to the tank. I have a 54 mm throttle body, a 575 cam with 253 duration, thunderbolt cnc hurricane heads, a k&n ramhorn, and vance&hines s2r exhaust. It's hard to find anyone on the street who can keep up, even without downshifting. the bike is scary in the corners, because it feels like the bike is laughing at the road wanting more. I love my baby, all 11,000 miles of the experience have been great, with no shop visits other than the recalls. Show less

Been riding the M2 for about a year and a half now, and I like it now more than ever. It turns out that my difficulties in lofting the front wheel were resolved by a bit more aggressive use of the throttle. Still can't do anything in 2nd yet, but I'm working on it! A note of caution when adjusting the rear preload--crank that locknut down! Mine backed off on me, and the vibration messed up the threads and now I can't get it to thread back on (doh!). No other reliability issues to report so far; maybe the best $5K I've spent. I found a cheap speedo fix in a Garmin Geko GPS unit for $95, and I think that the sputtering is just the bike's way of telling me to switch to reserve. It's annoying when I'm on the highway, but now I can feel it coming and switch tanks on the fly. I sometimes dream about Suzuki's new SV1000, but I think the M2 looks cooler and was a whole lot cheaper. It's all the bike I'll ever need--especially now that I'm a dad! Show less

I now own a 99 S3T in Colorado after owning several bikes from 5 "Yap" bikes to 3 different Harley's and have enjoyed most of them. After riding a freinds S2 all through the Italian alps for 3 years I knew what my next bike would be after returning to the states. I love to "Cruz" and "Ride" the S3T allows me to do both. It's very comfy on the long runs and when it's time to get on it this bike holds the road like glue and grants unbeatable control in the curves. The bike does generate some heat to the legs and a optional tall touring windscreen but overall this one is a keeper, don't know why they discontinued the S3. What were you thinking Eric? Show less