LADIES - Buell Blast (New to forum)

[xpressgirl]

I am thinking of getting a Buell Blast. I've been riding on and off for 25 years. My last bike was an 883 Sportster. I have read mixed reviews from "totally awesome" to "junk". The Sportster was OK, but it was heavy. I am 5'3". Do the 2007 Models come in yellow.? A local dealer says he has one coming, but all the info I've read says black or white. All info is appreciated.

[bok]

the "Blasts are junk" reviews are mostly referring to the early 2000s which were not very well made (from anecdotal internet evidence) but the more recent models (2003+) have been much better and there are a few folks here who love em.

i'd say (just going by years riding) that you might find the blast to be a bit tame compared to it's bigger brothers, but i bet it'd still be a fun ride.

[Loonette]

First - welcome aboard!

Next - I don't have any practical experience with the Blast, but I've heard that if you're loyal to Harley and not looking at other brands, then it's a fine entry-level sports bike. I believe they have kits to easily lower the bike if the seat height is an issue, so maybe that's a help for you?

You would probably get more specific responses in the "Total Talk" section, since this isn't a query specific to women. More members venture around that forum then they do here. I won't move it though - you can repost the question there if you like.

Hope you find your new bike soon. Keep us posted, and enjoy the forums!

Cheers,
Loonette

[totalmotorcycle]

I would agree with Bok and Loonette about the Blast. The Buell Blast is actually quite an innovative motorcycle with the swingarm acting as the oil reservoir and the frame as the gas tank. It's also quite low, light and I can only imagine easy to handle. Buell also built a lot of it out of solid colour plastic so scratched parts are not so ugly.

While it's a 500cc single it isn't anemic, just low on horsepower, but it does have good torque because it's a single. You would find the 883 sportster more of a engine but also it's heavier and maybe you didn't like the 883 and want something like the Blast then that bike might be for you. Do you fit on one? If so, test ride one for a spin, I'm sure any dealer won't mind you talking one around the block.

Also comes in White this year, which seems to be a VERY popular "color" for 2007

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2 ... Blast!.htm

Mike.

[CNF2002]

At 5'3" I think you will like the size of the blast. They come with a low seat option, which is probably what you'll want to get.

If you are buying it brand new (hence no chance of it having been a Rider's Edge training bike in its prior life) it will be fairly reliable. The Blast has been essentially unchanged for 7 years, with the only 'updates' being fixes working out the kinks of the model. So its a pretty solid bike.

A few items you might take issue with:

1) Oil. If you run it hard, oil will mysteriously disappear. It blows out the airbox, but in such small quantities that you don't notice. As a rule of thumb, I check my oil every other week, and sometimes I have to add a little. I ride easy, so I don't really have much of this problem.

2) Vibration. The bike will vibrate more than your Sportster. This is noticable at idle, mostly, and at hight 75+ speeds. You do get used to it. I barely notice the vibration anymore.

3) Tires. Expect your rear tire to need replacement more often than is typical for a motorcycle. Depending on your riding, a rear tire will last 4-5k miles. The front will last much longer. Replacements for the rear tire are $200 at the dealer (with labor/parts/tax), so figure that into your regular maintenance.

4) Top Speed. The Blast will top out at 85-90mph depending on conditions. Its not a fast bike, but it will get 70mpg so I think that more than makes up for it (the fastest highway limit is 75 anyway).

It is a light and nimble bike, very easy to handle.

There is a yahoo group dedicated to the Buell Blast that has alot of information, and knowledgable folks that can help you solve most problems you may encounter. Here is the link: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/The-Buell-Blast/

And if you take off the flyscreen there isn't much difference in wind/ride style. I think it looks much better without the screen.

I wonder if anyone else on this forum owns a Blast?