This entry has been published on January 29, 2013 and links to eBay may have been updated to point to similar bikes of interest.
Here is a nearly new S1 Lightning for sale in North Carolina. Unfortunately there are only 3 small pictures and a really thin seller’s description. But considering they were sold in 1998 with an MSRP of $9995, this should look pretty interesting to a Buell enthusiast with a $3k discount.
dc
I see a lot of these selling cheap 2-3K on craigs list with low miles, they look pretty cool, that harley motor loooks slow and heavy though!
Not a fan of Buell or Harley, generally speaking, but that one looks very, very cool. I’d ride that!
There are 8 factory recalls on the 1998 lightning, including replacing the swing arm, shock absorber, and tank vents. Probably the reason why they stopped production with the 1998. Buyer beware.
You found it! The redheaded stepchild of the H. Davidson Family! How does a bike end up with 3 miles? A disgusted test ride cut short? Maybe a dealer setup for an Appalachian ‘shiner who sent himself in his “other car” careening off a cliff? I am sorry, but since when is low mileage enough to qualify something as a “rare sportbike”? This silly loud handle no-go machine seems a bit out of place on this site, no?
I’m always a little wary of something that doesn’t have any miles on it.
How was it stored? Did they coat the cylinder with anything? Drain the fluids?
I’d actually prefer something with some miles…
That bike just brought down the appeal of this site immensely. Come on!! This is the second Buell in less than a week I think. They are only rare BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN’T BUY THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Easy now gents, its often only a matter of time before yesterdays rejected creativity is tomorrow’s classic. Remember that at some point in the mid 80’s an old Ducati was just an unreliable POS too. There is still a chance that the story of Buell will become an interesting note in the annuls of motorcycling.
That said, I can say that the Harley-engined Buells never appealed to me, and just when Erik was finally released to get a real sport-able engine, Harley pulled the plug. I don’t know where HD sees its future potential market growth without any other brands, but that is a different story. Whether or not the new EBR company ever becomes a volume leader, his story so far is a compelling one – and Buells may yet develop a classic status.
Which brings us to this bike – note that I said “someday” classic. Unfortunately, this example isn’t yet classic, for now it’s just old.
Point taken riot, however, the debate is (1)how rare is this bike; (2) how sporting is it?? Sure, the AMA had a one design racing class for them (me thinks…), but there was also a time when there was a BMW Boxer Cup. The only time we see an R1100s/R1200s is if it is limited edition stuff. I wish all the success in the world on Erik Buell & co., I am merely stating my personal view that I don’t check in here once or twice a day to see a plain ol’ H.D. Buell, I don’t mean offense to anyone, just my opinion.
Fair enough! I guess by strict definition it isn’t rare. And it is only loosely sport.