'00 vs '02 X1

[NOYACANT]

Whew, is that crickets I hear? Not much going on in the Buell Forum. Alright here's my quandry... I've currently got my hot rod '99 DX up for grabs. The bike's become too heavy for me since I've had the daylights sorta kicked outta me by a serious health condition. The ****'s plateaued but the damage is done. I still ride but have become uncomforttable with the weight factor. Long story short, I've come across two X1s for sale. An '00 and an '02, both w/under 10k on the clocks. For all intents and purposes, the bikes are identical other than color. Is there any significant difference between the two model years. Within a year I'll most likely rob the entire powertrain for a Buell Bobber build using a Redneck Engineering chassis. Riding it as is for the meantime until I amass the parts to complete the build. Who knows, maybe I'll like the bike enough to leave it alone.

[Cadiero]

No major differences only small ones. If you were going to ride it as a Buell for a long time I would lean toward the '02 as the shock was redesigned and it will outlast the '00. Other than that there isn't much to concern yourself with, especially if you are going to part it out later.

Remember that the Buell FI is only good for modest power mod's. Once you pass that 100-110hp mark it doesn't like to idle nice and mid range is a PITA to get right without a pop, or surging. If you are switching to carb then it is not a concern.

Otherwise they are nice bikes, the handling and brakes are amazing. Building a custom bike out of the motor and front end is extremely low cost and makes a great lightweight bike with lots of power.

[NOYACANT]

Thanks for the heads up. The thing will probably remain a Buell if I do this. I need the money more than the chop'. Maybe a lowering kit. At least I'll still have a fast, unique bike to ride and a pocket full of change for a while. Starting over from scratch sucks but things could be and were at one time much worse.

Another question or few.... Regading the suspension improvements. Was it an '01 or '02 model year change, what'd it consist of? And since I plan to change out the bellcrank or whatever other nomenclature the thing that you replace to lower the bike is called, would it be of any significant improvement to upgrade/update the suspension from a safety standpoint? I've heard quite a bit of flap about mega-recalls on Buells a few years back. All I can recall about it is most all were suspension related aside from the Blast final drive.

The '02's out of the question unless I sell outright and buy it. The cat wouldn't insult me with an offer. He's got several big twins on the floor and they're stinkin' the place up they've been there so long. Ahh, tax return time cometh. Full pockets breeds lust for new toys.

[Cadiero]

I think the rear shock changed sometime in '00. I'm not totally sure. The '99-'00 model years are where all the recalls come from. Those were the bad years. Sometime in '00 they redesigned the shock. the recalls stemmed from shocks actually breaking, but the shock actually had other longevity problems beyond that. If you do end up with a '00 just see if it was in the recall, and really no matter what just get a newer shock off Ebay, or pick up a Works, or some other after market shock.

I have no idea of what a Bellcrank is but if you want to lower the bike I would suggest a complete after market shock.

And hey, check these guys out, http://www.nrhsperformance.com/, they seem to have a real passion for buell's.

[NOYACANT]

Thanks again. I'll be furthering my inquiries into these somewhat strange little hotrods as the probability of owning one becomes closer. Trick little bikes.