considering 98 t509

#1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005

Greetings to all. I have been poking around this board for a while and think it is a great place. I am considering purchasing a new ( to me ) bike this fall and really like the S3. I currently ride a KLR650 and want to move into a street bike. I found a pretty nice 98 S3 T509 with 10k on it. The bike has been well maintained and appears to be in good order. Any comments or advice about this older version of the S3? Thanks

Geoff

Bob955i · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005

Be sure that it has the strengthened 4th gear in it as 4th gear is prone to letting go in early T509s - if it's a '98 then it should be OK, but I'd do some more homework on that model year and that particular bike if I were you.

Bob955i · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005

Just a thought.....If it's the shape you want, then why not look for a '99 - '01 955 as most, if not all, the issues with T509s were sorted out by that time, and it's got the bigger 955cc motor as opposed to the 885cc of the T509.

[ This message was edited by: Bob955i on 2005-10-02 17:27 ]

Aldo · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005

I have a '98 T509, bought it used a few years back for $3800. It had an aftermarket Triumph carbon fiber can. I put on clipons from a Daytona, new Michelin Pilots front and rear, barend mirror, found a rear seat cowl cheap, sawed off the rear fender, put on a new chain, sprockets, brakes, air filter. The bikes a little screamer, nice bike for the money. Like post before said, if you can opt for 99- bikes with the larger engine, do it, but if you can get this '98 on the cheap go for it. BTW don't pay anymore than $3500 for the bike, IMO.

Comrade · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2005

I don't usually post here being a 600 guy, but the T509 triples sounds great with an Aftermarket pipe on... on that thought all Speed triples/triumph triples sound awesome.

I heard one roar up behind me and stay there for a bit until a stop light, I saw it was a T509 S3. The sound was almost reason enough for me to buy one, and I would have if I had the money and space.

Just thought I would throw that in, since your considering and all.

Happy Riding :-D

#6 (**permalink**) 10-03-2005

Thanks to all for the information. I had heard about the exploding 4th gear problem and found a thread on t595.net listing which engine #s (not VIN) were affected any # including and after #57946 should be ok.

Thanks also for the price check. The seller wants 3900 so he will have to come down a bunch.

With regards to the 99-01 with the 955i. Do they have the same body style as the T509 with a different engine? Also I was concerned that the 955i may be too much hp coming from a 650 thumper.

beers2u · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2005

Quote:

With regards to the 99-01 with the 955i. Do they have the same body style as the T509 with a different engine?

Yes.

Quote:

Also I was concerned that the 955i may be too much hp coming from a 650 thumper.

I don't think so. The 955 has lots of power but it is very controllable. Not intimidating at all (IMO anyway).