Buell S2 Thunderbolt

Buell S2 Thunderbolt

Make Model.	Buell S2 Thunderbolt
Year	1994
Engine	45° V-Twin, four stroke, pushrod actuated overhead valve, hydraulic self-adjusting lifters, 2 valve per cylinder.
Capacity	1203 cc / 73.4 cu in
Bore x Stroke	88.8 x 96.8 mm
Compression Ratio	10.0:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Induction	2 x Ø40 mm Keihin carburetors
Starting	Electric
Max Power	56.7 kW / 76 hp @ 5200 rpm
Max Torque	90 Nm / 9.2 kgf-m / 66.4 lb.ft @ 5500 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Kevlar belt
Front Suspension	Ø40 mm Showa fork, adjustable for compression and rebound damping
Front Wheel Travel	120 mm / 4.7"
Rear Suspension	Single Showa shock, spring preload, compression and preload damping
Rear Wheel Travel	116 mm / 4.6"
Front Brakes	Single Ø340 mm disc, 6 piston caliper
Rear Brakes	Single Ø230 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tyre	170/60 ZR17
Dry Weight	200 kg / 441 lbs
Wet Weight	218 kg / 481 lbs
Fuel Capacity	20.4 L / 5.4 US gal
Consumption average	5.5 L/100 km / 18.3 km/l / 43 US mpg
Braking 100 km/h - 0	31.1 m / 102 ft
Standing ¼ Mile	11.3 sec / 192.5 km/h / 119.6 mph
Top Speed	233.4 km/h / 145 mph

In 1993 Harley-Davidson became almost-half owner of the Buell Motorcycle Company. Milwaukee, in a refreshing bit of candor, admitted its specialized factory sport bikes had achieved little success. Better to assist someone well-suited to the design, chassis and assembly requirements of those machines, with Harley-Davidson acting only as the engine supplier.

The timing was right. Buell was under-capitalized, Harley needed a sport bike and an investment opportunity. In 1994 the Thunderbolt was the first product of the new partnership between Milwaukee and MukWonago. The chassis' wheel-base and steering geometry were unchanged, but the new design left more of both the engine and frame visible. The riding position became something of a compromise between the racer's crouch and the cruiser's slouch.

The Thunderbolt bristles with tasty techno-pieces, from the frame and engine mounts, huge disc brake with 6-piston caliper, inverted fork, to the subverted shock absorber and carbon-fiber air cleaner cover. The oversize muffler permits some tweaking of the 1200 Sportster's performance profile, and the horsepower rating bumps up to 76 at 5,200 rpm, with exactly matching figures

for torque. The curb weight is 481 pounds (218kg). The production schedule was set for 300 Thunderbolts in its debut year.

In 1996 the S2T was introduced with color coordinated saddlebags and fairing lowers, with touring handlebars and footpegs. Another example of Harley-Davidson's support showed in the prices; the S2 listed for $11,995 and the touring model for $12,795, well in line with the competition.