From the S2 Thunderbolt of 1994-95, the Buell S1 Lightning was a decrease in model number and price, but an improvement in many ways. Developed by Harley-Davidson engineer Erik Buell, the Buell bikes pioneered many innovative features but never denied their desire for the brute horsepower of the 1203cc Sportster engine.
1998 Buell S1 Lightning for sale on eBay
Adjectives like pure, naked and muscular are used on the Buell S1, some comparing its single-minded design to the Ducati Monster. With the Buell features such as horizontal rear shock absorber, large diameter front brake disc, and isoplanar engine mounts, there is no denying the performance orientation of the 100 hp machine.
With under 1000 miles, this one seems mint. From the eBay listing:
944 miles, one owner. To include new battery, original cylinder assembly with pistons, original heads, original air filter assembly (motor upgraded prior to delivery), plus original and Corbin seats. Bike properly stored in heated shop.
There was a factory upgrade engine available in 1998, maybe that’s what was installed on this bike, though there are countless H-D 1200 upgrades available. Also seen here is a cone filter instead of the factory Power Volume intake. The owner has upgraded to a Corbin seat but includes the factory piece. WP suspension, low maintenance belt drive, and Italian controls complete this innovative package. Blue trellis frame and orange bodywork have a good-natured effect on this thunder bike.
-donn
Never heard one called “awesome”!
I have… AWESOMELY SHIT.
If I give a yearly donation to this website, can you PLEASE stop posting these f-in shit Buells??? There is no worse sportbike than a Buell, not even a Katana sinks that low.
Brute Horsepower????
A new low for RSBFS?
Just look at the fit and finish on that pile. Check out the last photo for example. Look at the flyscreen paintwork. Disgusting.
At $7200 OBO this bike is a smarter buy than a $15,000 RZ350 for $10,000. 🙂
$6000 cash seems reasonable if clunking great twins are your thing.
Yeah, I agree with you here RC45. These aren’t track monsters, but they make great street machines from what I’ve read. When new, even the notoriously harsh British bike mags found plenty to like about them in terms of handling and character, although they considered them to be pretty rough around the edges.
We do love dissenting opinions here love2lean [I sometimes choose bikes to post up just hoping to get a good discussion going] but “no worse sportbike” seems broad to the point of meaninglessness. I get it: you really hate Buells, and there is plenty to criticize with the early ones especially, given the deck stacked against anyone making a Harley-powered sportbike. But I’d take this garish, weird machine any day of the week over any Katana, except the original 1981 version: those are very cool.
Also: if you get a chance, you should go grab a ride on a new EBR. Maybe that will help you get over your hatred of Erik’s bikes: I haven’t read a bad review for them yet and I was very impressed during my relatively limited time riding both the faired and unfaired bikes on the street. I’m not completely sold on the styling, especially of the naked version, but once on the move they’re extremely polished. Plus, the drive belt tensioner sounds like supercharger on the overrun.
These aren’t track monsters, but they make great street machines . Agreed . I have one. Don’t tour on it! Also had a ’93 CBR900RR RWB like the one posted here awhile ago. That bike was one of the worst “street” bikes, (but super hyped by the mags at the time) I have ever owned.
Hey Tad,
Yes I know we like differing opinions, and bikes for that matter.
But yes, I do hate Buells. For many many reasons, but that does not change the fact that this was just a bad bike all around. I think that you can look at the sales numbers of this bike and that should be enough to solidify it as a loser. The market place voted with two big thumbs down.
I don’t actually consider the EBR bikes to be all that associated with Buell. Sure, Erik designed both but he obviously had alot of constraints at HD that limited the potential of what could be. The EBR bikes look pretty good, go pretty well, and seem pretty well made. I need to try one. I promise I will be open minded!!!! 🙂
The 1981 Katana is one of my all time faves by the way. But I like sportbikes that I can ACTUALLY ride, and I have actually ridden one of these piles and I couldn’t wait to get off. of course my comparison demo was a Speed Triple, the opposite of this bike. But over this Buell I would take the Katana any day, because although the Katana is terrible at least I would get where I was going with all of the original parts intact!!!
Yeah, given Erik’s inventive ideas, I can only imagine how much HD’s management stymied him. He gets credit for waving the American flag, and people probably cut these bikes some slack just for attempting to use the 45-degree motor in a sportbike… That old air-cooled lump is a much-loved engine, but it’s heavy and pretty primitive… And it does vibrate like crazy at idle!
Although I wouldn’t count poor sales as the true measure of a bike, since lots of now-desirable bikes didn’t sell very well when new.
Definitely give one of the new EBR’s a try if you can: I rode both at a local demo day. Pretty tame riding conditions, but that’s probably a better test of a real-world bike and it was very easy to ride. Talked to a couple guys riding them at the track and they wouldn’t shut up about how good they were.
Could never understand the hate for Buell. Does not tick your box? There is always a GSXR or CBR….but for some the raw and rough around the edges tubers and the XB series are what bikes are about. Only a small manufacturer would be able to paint a frame nuclear blue and do a carbon rear like that. Do you think THEY thought they would sell 10,000 units?
I always thought it was really cool to meet the guy who designed my bike and had his name on my bikes (airbox cover) tank….where else will that happen?
I happen to like and appreciate what Buel did at the time. I have not ridden an early buel but lusted for one as a hooligan bike in my youth. The sound and performance are obviously unlike any competitor and the theory behind them was grand. It was not the norm and did not appeal to the average GSXR/CBR owner. They have a place in sport bike history and the market place. Just not for everyone. Good luck to the seller.