IllustrationMAIN BELT DRIVE BROKE WHILE MOTORCYCLE WAS IN MOTION..COULD HAVE LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEEL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK
1998 Buell S1 White Lightning
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S1 White Lightning years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
699V104000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM THAT COULD, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO SEPARATE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK MOUNT SYSTEM.
99V105000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY THAT COULD BECOME PLUGGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE THE CARBURETOR TO OVERFLOW FUEL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO PREVENT SUFFICIENT FUEL FLOW, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE OR STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ASSEMBLY.
99V106000 · Suspension:rear
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SWINGARM THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWINGARM SHOULD BREAK, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWINGARM.
99V107000 · Suspension:rear:shock Absorber
May 6, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A REAR SHOCK ABSORBER FRONT EYE THAT COULD BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SHOCK EYE SHOULD BREAK, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG ON THE GROUND POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER.
99V097000 · Unknown Or Other
Apr 29, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A SIDESTAND SWITCH THAT COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL/QUIT WHEN RIDING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDESTAND SWITCH.
99V086000 · Suspension:front
Apr 26, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM CAN LOSE CLAMP LOAD AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT ISOLATOR MOUNT SYSTEM.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE03043 · Throttle Fails To Return To Idle
Opened Sep 23, 2003 · Closed Oct 30, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:cables
TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE, BUELL IS RECALLING THOSE FUEL-INJECTED MOTORCYCLES THAT IT BUILT WITHOUT A THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL CLAMP.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE REFER TO THE MEMORANDUM ENTITLED THE SCOPE OF BUELL'S SAFETY RECALL, 03V-427 COPY ATTACHED.