S3T Thunderbolt

1997 Buell S3T Thunderbolt Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Engineered by Buell for the naked motorcycle segment, the 1997 Buell S3T Thunderbolt pairs a 1203 cc (73.4 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke architecture with road-focused gearing. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 86 HP (62.8 kW) while maximum torque reaches 107 Nm (78.9 lb-ft), transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and belt final drive. With a specific output of 71.5 HP per liter, the engine character is indicating a tractable, stress-free state of tune focused on everyday usability and broad torque delivery.

On the scales, the S3T Thunderbolt measures 211 kg (465 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.41 HP/kg (2.45 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 749 mm (29.5 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops.

Within MotoLibrary's Buell archive, this model family spans 4 indexed model years from 1997 to 2002, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.