Buell X1 Lightning: review, history, specs (2024)

Buell X1 Lightning
Manufacturer

Buell

Also called Lightning, White Lightning
Production 1999 - 2002
Class Naked
Engine

1200cc air-cooled, four-stroke, 45-degree V-Twin, pushrod OHV, 2 valves per cylinder

Bore / Stroke88.9mm x 88.9mm
Compression ratio10.0:1
Top Speed130 mph (210 km/h)
Horsepower100.98 HP (75.3 KW) @ 6000RPM
Torque89.99 ft/lbs (122.0 Nm) @ 5600RPM
Air FilterK&N BU-1297 `99-02[1]
Spark PlugNGK DCPR7E '00-02
BatteryYUASA YTX20L-BS '00-02
TransmissionGear box: 5-speed, manual

Final Drive: belt

Clutch: wet multi-disc, manual
Final DriveBelt `00-02[2]
SuspensionFront: 41mm Showa adjustable upside-down fork
Rear: Showa adjustable mono-shock
BrakesFront: single 340mm disc, 6-piston caliper
Rear: single 230mm disc, 1-piston caliper
Front Tire120/70-ZR17
Rear Tire170/60-ZR17
Wheelbase 55.0 inches (1397 mm)
Seat Height 30.98 inches (787 mm)
Weight440.92 pounds (200.0 Kg) (dry), 200.0 kg (wet)
Fuel Capacity4.17 Gallon (15.80 Liters)
Fuel Consumption0.56 liters/100 km (178.6 km/l or 420.04 mpg)
Manuals Service Manual


The Buell X1 Lightning was a air-cooled, four-stroke, 45-degree V-Twin, pushrod OHV, 2 valves per cylinder Naked motorcycle produced by Buell between 1999 and 2002. It could reach a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h). Max torque was 89.99 ft/lbs (122.0 Nm) @ 5600 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 100.98 HP (75.3 KW) @ 6000 RPM.

Contents

  • 1 Overview
  • 2 Engine
  • 3 Drive
  • 4 Chassis
  • 5 1999 Buell X1 Lightning
  • 6 2000 Buell X1 Lightning
  • 7 2001 Buell X1 Lightning
  • 8 2002 Buell X1 Lightning
  • 9 2002 Buell X1W White Lightning
  • 10 In Media
  • 11 References

Overview[edit | edit source]

The Buell X1 was an upgrade of the S1 Lightning and featured new "Thunderstorm" heads and cams (1999-2002).

Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a air cooled air-cooled, four-stroke, 45-degree V-Twin, pushrod OHV, 2 valves per cylinder. A 88.9mm bore x 88.9mm stroke result in a displacement of just 1203.0 cubic centimeters.

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, 1-piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a 41mm Showa adjustable upside-down fork while the rear was equipped with a Showa adjustable mono-shock. The X1W White Lightning was fitted with a 4.17 Gallon (15.80 Liters) fuel tank. The bike weighed just 440.92 pounds (200.0 Kg). The wheelbase was 55.0 inches (1397 mm) long.

1999 Buell X1 Lightning[edit | edit source]

The 1999 MY Buell X1 Lightning is a powerful naked that is suitable for riders who make zero compromises when it comes to performance. It has, at its heart, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 1203cc, 45-degree V-Twin powerhouse paired to a five-speed manual transmission with a Kevlar belt final drive and can produce a claimed 88 horsepower and 104 Nm of torque.

Standard fittings for this machine include a 41mm Showa adjustable upside-down telescopic fork coupled to a Showa, low-mounted, adjustable mono-shock as a rear suspension, a large, 340mm front disc brake with a beefy 6-piston caliper, a small windshield, an one-piece dual seat, an under-belly exhaust system with a bronze finish and die-cast aluminum wheels.

2000 Buell X1 Lightning[edit | edit source]

The 2000 MY Buell X1 Lightning sports an air-cooled, four-stroke, 1203cc, 45-degree V-Twin powerplant mated to a five-speed manual transmission with a Kevlar belt final drive that can reach a maximum power output of 88 horsepower and 104 Nm of torque.

Also, it boasts standard features such as a 41mm Showa adjustable upside-down telescopic fork coupled to a Showa, low-mounted, adjustable mono-shock as a rear suspension, a large, 340mm front disc brake with a beefy 6-piston caliper, a small windshield, an one-piece dual seat, an under-belly exhaust system with a bronze finish and die-cast aluminum wheels.

2001 Buell X1 Lightning[edit | edit source]

The 2001 MY Buell X1 Lightning boasts a trademark aggressive styling, coupled to superior performance that make for one of the most sought after machines from the American manufacturer. It comes with a 41mm Showa adjustable upside-down telescopic fork coupled to a Showa, low-mounted, adjustable mono-shock as a rear suspension, a large, 340mm front disc brake with a beefy 6-piston caliper, a small windshield, an one-piece dual seat, an under-belly exhaust system with a bronze finish and die-cast aluminum wheels.

In the engine department, it sports a four-stroke, air-cooled, 1203cc, 45-degree pushrod V-Twin engine paired to a five-speed manual transmission with a Kevlar-reinforced belt final drive, and can produce a claimed 88 horsepower and 104 Nm of torque.

2002 Buell X1 Lightning[edit | edit source]

The 2002 MY Buell X1 Lightning is probably the sportiest, all-American built machine available on the market up to date, and can reach a maximum power output of 88 horsepower and 104 Nm of torque from its air-cooled, four-stroke, 1203cc, 45-degree pushrod V-Twin that was mated to a five-speed manual transmission with a Kevlar-reinforced belt final drive.

Also, this powerful naked two-wheeler comes with a 41mm Showa adjustable upside-down telescopic fork coupled to a Showa, low-mounted, adjustable mono-shock as a rear suspension, a large, 340mm front disc brake with a beefy 6-piston caliper, a small windshield, an one-piece dual seat, an under-belly exhaust system with a bronze finish and die-cast aluminum wheels.

2002 Buell X1W White Lightning[edit | edit source]

The 2002 MY Buell X1W White Lightning comes with a special white paint scheme on its bodywork and frame, and a blue finish on its exhaust pipes that is sure to fit the taste for those riders looking for a more unique touch on their machine. Standard fittings are the same as the ones found on the base model, such as the 41mm Showa adjustable upside-down telescopic fork coupled to a Showa, low-mounted, adjustable mono-shock as a rear suspension, a large, 340mm front disc brake with a beefy 6-piston caliper, a small windshield, an one-piece dual seat, an under-belly exhaust system with a bronze finish and die-cast aluminum wheels.

In the engine department, it sports an air-cooled, four-stroke, 1203cc, 45-degree pushrod V-Twin powerhouse paired to a five-speed manual transmission and can produce a claimed 101 horsepower and 122 Nm of torque.

In Media[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 2019 K&L Supply Co Catalog. K&L Supply Co. 2019.
  2. 2019 Western Power Sports Catalog. Western Power Sports. 2019.

vde

Buell
Models:

1125CR· 1125R· M2 Cyclone· P3 Blast· S1 Lightning· S2· S3 Thunderbolt· RR1200· RR1000 (Battle twin)· RSS1200· RW750· X1 Lightning· XB12SS Lightning· XB12S Lightning· XB12X Ulysses· XB12R Firebolt· XB9SX· XB9SL· XB9R Firebolt

Misc:

List of Buell motorcycles

Buell X1 Lightning: review, history, specs (2024)
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