Buell Blast

Message

kuz · #1 Unread post by **kuz** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:30 am

I've read a bunch of different articles saying the blast is a good starter bike. Anyone have experience with one that can recommend it as good or bad for a starter and in general? I've read the thread in bike reviews, any more info would be great, and assume a new bike.

Gunslinger · Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:48 pm

Some people like 'em, some don't. I've read more negative things about that bike than all the Ninjas/Vulcans/Rebels and Nighthawks put together. I seriously considered getting one until I started doing the research. I think they are a great first bike if you are one of the lucky ones that gets a Blast with no mechanical issues. They are belt drive which is nice. But consider at an MSRP of $4,800 you could get a Ninja 500 for $5,000 that would torch that Buell any day of the week and twice on Sunday, and I'm not just talking speed. Resale value is not as high as some other bikes either if that is a concern to you.

kuz · #3 Unread post by **kuz** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:12 pm

My first thoughts were either a rebel or nighthawk (are there any major differences between the two besides cosmetics and tank size?) but after reading a few articles on the blast I put it into contention. I like the idea of being able to have a starter bike that could handle some highway use. As far as the ninjas, after sitting on some bikes, Im much more comfortable in an upright more neutral position. Resalewise, I tend to keep everything I buy until it dies on me so Im not as worried about that. Were the articles you read about the new models? I know the older ones had more issues. Thanks for the reply. Going for my first lesson tomorrow so I'm guessing I will get first hand exp on a rebel which will help with all the decisionmaking.

HYPERR · #4 Unread post by **HYPERR** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:10 am

I don't like the fact that it was never meant to be a thumper to begin with. It is a 883 sportster siamese twin separated at birth. I don't really think the 883 jug was meant to be a thumper.

Gunslinger · Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:11 am

To be fair most of the negative things I have read and heard about were for the older models. Maybe Buell has turned things around and resolved those issues. I just think if I'm going to spend that kind of money on a NEW bike the Blast would not be at the top of my list. And on a completely subjective level I think they look cheap. I've ridden both the Rebel and the Nighthawk and I prefer the Nighthawk for no other reason than the Rebel was too small for me.

kuz · #6 Unread post by **kuz** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:09 pm

I started leaning toward the buell more because of the advantage it has in power. I weigh in at 200 and it seems a bit mixed on peoples experiences with the 250's, ninjas being the exception. Im still hesitant though because they don't have any in the showrooms and I would really hate to buy something sight unseen. No place around has a rebel or nighthawk either, but I am guessing I will be riding one of the two for my lessons and when I take the BRC. Realistically I wont be buying anything for a few months so I have some time to look around, but I know that in either case, I will probably have to order something which adds a bit of time. It's amazing how much you can run around in circles trying to decide what you want to buy and drop, scratch up and beat to hell before going out and buying something else. I will probably end up canvassing all the dealerships out here so I can actually sit on something and take it from there. Thanks again for all the input.

Gunslinger · Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:24 am

You're going about it the right way. They might even have Buells at the BRC and if they do you're golden. I hope that you don't commit to a bike before you at least sit on one, to me that's like buying a car without driving it. And as it's been said here many times before this is your first bike not your last so don't lose too much sleep over it

Good luck in your search. Let us know what you end up buying.

drrick · #8 Unread post by **drrick** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:30 am

Does the motorcycle show come anywhere near your location?
http://www.motorcycleshows.com/
I found that to be invaluable. I went to the show 2 or 3 years in a row before I bought my bike. I sat on practically every bike there and found exactly what I wanted -- and more importantly what I did NOT want.
The bikes I thought I wanted were actually very uncomfortable for me and I would not have known that had I not gone to the show. This is how my wife will be choosing her new bike as well now that she has outgrown the virago.

kuz · #9 Unread post by **kuz** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:46 pm

I just want to find a good bike that will let me become a decent rider under as many conditions as possible. I dont want to end up with something that Im afraid to take on the highway and have to upgrade before Im ready. That motorcycle show comes to NY in January, but Im not sure if I can wait that long. It's a miracle that Im putting this much time into deciding what to get and waiting until after I take the course. Im usually the textbook definition of impulse buyer. Got rained out of my first lesson today so hopefully I can reschedule in the next few weeks. Probably going to be taking the safety course right before thanksgiving. Im sure I'll be posting more and more questions as I keep looking. Thanks again for all the advice.

NewGuy · #10 Unread post by **NewGuy** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:43 pm

HYPERR wrote:I don't like the fact that it was never meant to be a thumper to begin with. It is a 883 sportster siamese twin separated at birth. I don't really think the 883 jug was meant to be a thumper.

Not exactly true:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automot ... 68541.html

To achieve a target price point for the Blast, the engineers took a Sportster engine and lopped off the rear cylinder. Actually, that's an oversimplification. The Blast uses a newly designed engine that's closely based on the architecture of the Sportster's. Interchangeability of parts is virtually nil.