Buell Blast as a beginner bike.

[hegor]

A few people have recommended one to me. The only problem is the bike looks kinda small for my 6'2 220 lb frame. Then again many other beginner bikes look kind of small too.

Any feedback or different suggestions would be appreciated.

[earwig]

A few people have recommended one to me. The only problem is the bike looks kinda small for my 6'2 220 lb frame. Then again many other beginner bikes look kind of small too.

Any feedback or different suggestions would be appreciated.

I like the blast...It's very fun to ride and different. Yes it is kinda small like most other "starter bikes". Sit on it and see if you are comfy. Some bigger people are comfy on smaller bikes. I am 5'11 and I fit on it fine.

Maybe check out a Buell CityX... I don't think it is out of the question for a beginner... and that is an awesome bike.

[bok]

think the HD riding schools use the blast to teach people on. All different bikes fit everyone differently. I fit just fine on the ninja250 and i'm 6 foot tall 240lbs or so. it feels small and light compared to my 750 shadow, but it's a heckuva lot of fun to ride.

the Blast used to get a bad rep but the newer ones have gotten pretty rave reviews from a fair number of their riders.

you might want to sit on something like the gs500 or ex500 as well since those are pretty highly recommended from many people as good starting bikes.

one of the most important things is comfort, you may think you dwarf the bike, but if it fits really well your "dodo eating grin" will blind people who may think you are too big for the bike

[jmillheiser]

your probably wont be comfortable on the blast. Im 5'10" and the bike was just too small for me.

also avoid used blasts like the plague. Newer used ones tend to be ex-MSF bikes and have been seriously abused, and older blasts had a LOT of problems.

[hegor]

Despite my brothers obsession with Cyclones, I won't touch any Buell before 2003! Buell bikes seemed to have improved drastically since 2003.

Hey Earwig, thanks for suggesting a Cityx. But wouldn't that violate the 500cc and above rule that every expereinced rider is adament about on this forum? Its a cool bike, but its about a 1000cc.

[M109R]

Did you take an MSF Beginning riding course? If you take one from a Harley Dealer good shot at the bike being a Buell Blast for the class.

That's what I rode for my MSF and it was fun for the course but I seriously think you are going to get bored on it in a very short time. At first I thought about getting a Blast as a starter from not riding for a few years but I'm glad someone gave me the advice to get a bigger bike.

I know I am much happier with the bigger bike and don't have to go thru the expense and hassle of having to sell and buy another bike in 6 months.

Your decision and know where you plan to ride it but explore all the options before settling for a Blast.

TAKE THE MSF COURSE..it very well may save your life someday.

[hegor]

Despite my brothers obsession with Cyclones, I won't touch any Buell before 2003! Buell bikes seemed to have improved drastically since 2003.

Hey Earwig, thanks for suggesting a Cityx. But wouldn't that violate the 500cc and above rule that every expereinced rider is adament about on this forum? Its a cool bike, but its about a 1000cc.

[VermilionX]

Despite my brothers obsession with Cyclones, I won't touch any Buell before 2003! Buell bikes seemed to have improved drastically since 2003.

Hey Earwig, thanks for suggesting a Cityx. But wouldn't that violate the 500cc and above rule that every expereinced rider is adament about on this forum? Its a cool bike, but its about a 1000cc.

the cityX is still a little too much for newbies based on its bhp.

just get an EX250... it actually fits bigger riders better than the EX500.

or go cruiser like the suzuki C50.

[hegor]

MSF?!?!

Bah!

I'm going to buy a Hayabusa, have the speed limiter removed and then have a turbo put on it. I'm not worried about my lack of so-called experience stoping me.

Of course I'll take the MSF course. Sadly, there are no HD dealers in California that offer this course. So I won't get any test drives of a Blast during my training.

I might have other options for bikes to practice on before I buy my keeper bike. I'll keep you all posted!