BUELL M2 CYCLONE (1997 - 2002) Review

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £100

The seat is wide and comfy, and the handlebars are wide for easy leverage and the engine makes a wonderful growl but at low speeds it vibrates enough to rattle the fillings out of your teeth. When I open the garage door and see it, I feel like the happiest dog on the block.

Buying experience: Bought it from a neighbor. He let me take it for a ride just for fun and when I came back ten minutes later I talked him into selling it to me. He only asked for $2500 but if I ever decide to sell it, he gets first call. I doubt he'll get that chance.

Year: 2000

My thing is UJM's and have owned several so I thought I'd try out a Cyclone. My thoughts... This is a special bike that's loaded with character. It's the motorcycle equivalent of a 1969 Camaro SS 396. It will run well if you take care of it and is a rewarding ride. It's fast up to 120, but won't keep up with the big dogs if you want to go into the mid to high triple digits. That said it's loads of fun to ride and that's what it's all about. Buells handle well and it handles as through my brain is attached to the handlebar and responds to thought. It brakes great. The seat is comfortable. It's unique. It's simple and easy to maintain. It fills a niche that nothing else can. The engine is an American treasure and had loads of aftermarket. It's simple and cheap to work on as well. Yes, this will get smoked by any of the Japanese 600CC sportbikes, but that's not why you buy this bike. You buy it because it offers something rare- a unique riding experience.

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £250

The seat is a bit high for me, I cant rest both feet on the ground, it seems to have motocross rear tire gap between fender and tire. The handlebars are not high enough or pulled back enough. The engine does not like idling in gear going slow and it get hot, at least it puts off some heat if not moving fairly fast.

I've had the M2 since new in 97, over 40,000 miles on it. Been used for touring, continental trips and mad blasts on great local roads. Had a couple of issues in the first 1,500 miles (all sorted for free at the dealership (Black Bear newmarket are the best)) and no troubles since. This bike handles better than I can ride, has (two up with camping gear) left my brother inlaws GSX11 for dust going through Milton Keynes and still puts a massive smile on my face everytime it comes out. When it is parked up, it gathers a crowd, sounds fantastics (carbon SSR2)and looks the nuts. It is a bike thats rewards input, the more you put in, the better it becomes. Mine is the 97 model, not mentioned above, but they changed this at the end of 98, removing a lot of what made it great. The 97 had a much more aggressive power delivery (smoothed out in 98), minimalist bodywork (bloated in 98). Still got it because even though I have ridden big mad Yams, suzuki and Ducatis since, nothing compares to a good fast sweeping A road, sun shining on your back and a buell to abuse. Ride it aggresively and you will understand

I've been running my Stage One M2 for the best part of ten years, solo, two-up, up-hill and down dale; Wildboarclough rough or Cat and Fiddle smooth, and it has been brilliant. Not as finely honed as the Lightning or later XB models but much more flexible ... can't say I've ever been aware of it running hot, however, and have never heard the impeller fan cut in - probably because it hasn't got one. But then why let inconvenient things like facts get in the way of a good character assassination?

I have been riding for 30 years and this is the most fun I have ever had on 2 wheels without breaking the speed limit. It is terrible on bumpy roads but on good roads it handles like it is on rails and has tons of torque to make legal speed limits good fun. Not one for land speed record lovers as it runs out of steam at 90mph but at least you will not loose your licence. The engine is very accesible and easy to work on. The lack of centre stand is not ideal so paddock stands are required. I would not like to tour on one. The older models thin seat looks good but is not practical for more than 50 miles use. If you like a solid old school cafe racer and enjoy easy DIY maintenance this is for you.

After S1 and X1 could there be something worse? Yes there could be the M2. Take away the only good thing on the X1 and S1, the pretty good suspension and there you go a horrible ride which will break down anyway.