Buell S2 Thunderbolt: review, history, specs

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Buell-S2-Thunderbolt.jpg
Buell S2 Thunderbolt
Manufacturer
Also called Thunderbolt
Production 1994
Class Naked
Predecessor Buell S1
Successor Buell S3
Engine
air-cooled, four-stroke, 45-degree V-Twin, pushrod OHV, 2 valves per cylinder
Bore / Stroke 88.9mm x 88.9mm
Compression ratio 10.0:1
Horsepower 76.04 HP (56.7 KW) @ 5200RPM
Torque 65.65 ft/lbs (89.0 Nm) @ 5500RPM
Air Filter K&N BU-1297 `98-02[1]
Transmission Gear box: 5-speed, manual

Final Drive: belt

Clutch: wet multi-disc, manual
Suspension Front: 40mm Showa adjustable telescopic fork
Rear: Showa adjustable mono-shock
Brakes Front: single 340mm disc, 6-piston caliper
Rear: single 230mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Front Tire 120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire 170/60 ZR17
Weight 200.0 kg (wet)
Manuals Service Manual


The Buell S2 Thunderbolt was a air-cooled, four-stroke, 45-degree V-Twin, pushrod OHV, 2 valves per cylinder Naked motorcycle produced by Buell in 1994. Max torque was 65.65 ft/lbs (89.0 Nm) @ 5500 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 76.04 HP (56.7 KW) @ 5200 RPM.


Two-seater motorcycle with Road Warrior based chassis and Sportster engine. The S2T Thunderbolt (1995–1996) was a touring version, with saddlebags. The S2 was inexpensive to develop (around $100,000), and 1400 units were sold in the first year—well over the 300 units Buell had projected.[2]


Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a air cooled v2, four-stroke. A 88.8mm bore x 96.8mm stroke result in a displacement of just 1203.0 cubic centimeters. The engine featured a 10.0:1 compression ratio.

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 5-speed, manual transmission. Power was moderated via the wet multi-disc, manual. The final drive was via belt.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 120/70 ZR17 front tire and a 170/60 ZR17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via single 340mm disc, 6-piston caliper in the front and a single 230mm disc, 2-piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a 40mm Showa adjustable telescopic fork while the rear was equipped with a Showa adjustable mono-shock.


1995[edit | edit source]

1995 Buell S2T in Red
1995 Buell S2T in Red
1995 Buell S2T in Red
1995 Buell S2T in Red
1995 Buell S2T in Red
1995 Buell S2T in Red
1995 Buell S2T in Red



1994 Buell S2 Thunderbolt[edit | edit source]

1994 Buell S2 Thunderbolt 1994 Buell S2 Thunderbolt 1994 Buell S2 Thunderbolt 1994 Buell S2 Thunderbolt

The 1994 MY Buell S2 Thunderbolt has, at its heart, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 1203cc, 45-degree V-Twin powerplant paired to a five-speed manual transmission and can produce a claimed 76 horsepower and 90 Nm of torque.

Also, this machine has standard fittings such as a half-fairing with a small windscreen, an analogue instrument cluster, an one-piece, dual seat, cast-aluminum wheels, an under-belly exhaust system, a 40mm Show adjustable telescopic fork, a Showa adjustable mono-shock as a rear suspension, front and rear disc brakes and a single, square headlight.



In Media[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 2019 K&L Supply Co Catalog. K&L Supply Co. 2019. 
  2. Anderson, Steve. "The Demise of the Buell Motorcycle Company", Cycle World, 2010-05. Retrieved on 24 March 2010.