1998 Buell S1 WHITE LIGHTNING

Owner: Mike Grant

Engine: 1203cc V-Twin

Transmission: 5 speed manual

Exhaust: Stock Headpipes with Carbon Slip-On

Wheels/Tires: 17" Buell Wheels with Bridgestone Battleax
BT012 Tires; 180/55-17 rear, 120/70-17 front

Paint: Factory Pearl White

Suspension: Fully Adjustable USD Forks in Front, Adjustable Monoshock in Rear

Thumb the starter on Mike Grant's Buell S1 White Lightning and the big twin awakens with a thunderous boom from the carbon exhaust. Don't turn your back on the S1 while it's warming up either, it just might walk away from you. The twin's vibration at idle will back the bike down the driveway in a circle if you're not paying attention.

If the S1 looks uncomfortable, that's because it is. Early Buells were not exactly known for their comfort. The stinkbug stance and narrow seat slide the rider to the front of the saddle and into the gas tank. But one twist of the right grip is all it takes to make that discomfort go away. The Buell is an absolute hoot to ride. Whatever it lacks in comfort is more than made up for with an explosive fun factor.

While a 7,000 rpm redline is relatively low for a sporting motorcycle, the S1 compensates by making loads of torque just above idle and carrying it right up to seven grand. With power coming on so early, the bike sounds deceptively lazy when you jump on the throttle, but you're instantly greeted by a view of the clouds as the S1 happily stands up on the rear Bridgestone.

Handling is stable and predictable and the S1 tears up twisty back roads with ease. Here again you need to pay attention to the gauges, as the big twin feels like it's barely loping along approaching triple digit speeds. It's too easy to get into trouble on a machine like this, but the maniacal laughter it creates as the front end lifts after every other apex makes it all worthwhile.

Grant wasn't seriously looking for a new motorcycle when he saw the White Lightning listed on ebay. Grant's job keeps him on the road traveling four or five days a week, which often means boring nights in a hotel. One night last year while on an assignment in Philadelphia, Grant was online with his laptop cruising the cycle listings on ebay.

Since Grant is a sport rider and most of his family members ride Harleys, the Buell seemed to fit his profile pretty well. He liked the look of the Lightnings, and this limited production S1 White Lightning already had an aftermarket carbon exhaust, upgraded rear shock, rear fender eliminator, and braided steel brake lines - all modifications he would have done himself. Grant submitted an unrealistically low bid of $3,500 and went to bed.

A few days later he checked his email and was amazed to find a message saying that he won the auction. Including freight from North Hollywood the total came to just over four grand, a little more than half the price these bikes normally bring.

Grant rode his Buell for a few months and decided the bike needed only a few minor adjustments to suit him perfectly. A pair of aftermarket rearsets ordered from the Buell catalog set the pegs up and back a few inches to keep them from dragging at full lean. Then Grant replaced the stock handlebar with a pair of aftermarket clip-on type bars.

Now all he has to do is find the time to ride. Some guys have all the luck.

 

© Copyright 2006, Octane Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.