My Buell Blast

[kuz]

So I bought a blast last February, and lo and behold... bye bye Buell. The dealer I bought it from won't service it (Which I was told they have to by a Harley Rep), and parts are going to be interesting to get. I have been thinking about another bike for a bit, mainly because I want something physically bigger, I don't need more engine. My question is does it make sense to keep the Blast as a potential collector or will it always just be a bit of a novelty. I really enjoy riding it, nothing wrong with it there at all, but if maintaining it is going to be a hassle now does it pay to get rid of it now instead of down the road? Anyone have experience with bikes or models/company's that have gone the way of the dodo?

[BRUMBEAR]

what do you want for it and where are you? I need a blast for my wife looking at a couple right now.

[kuz]

Im on Long Island in NY. Blue book on the bike is 3710 so probably somewhere around there. The bike has about 800 miles on it, bought it in February of 2009. Just picked it up today from servicing and a new front tire. 2009 in Yellow.

[RhadamYgg]

I'm "dog" - they repeatedly said they would service the Buell bikes - and they should. That would be like GM not servicing Olds after Olds went down the toilet.

I don't know about collecting - unless you are going to have more than 1 bike.

[Gunslinger]

Some good questions there, wish I had some good answers for you. As for collectability of the Blasts, time will tell I suppose. They aren't exactly a rare bike to begin with. Was the dealer you bought it from a Harley rep? If it was they have an obligation to service that bike. Parts will be tricky because you know the prices will have to go up due to limited supply. If you could get a new bike AND keep the Blast that would be ideal. If it's one or the other that's a tough call. If it was me I might hang on to it for awhile, put another thousand miles on it then sell it if the offer is right.

[kuz]

I bought it new from a Harley Dealership. Spoken to them a few times but they keep saying they won't work on it. Referred me to two other places, neither of which is really local. I am planning on trying to talk to Harley Corporate, but even if they say they will work on the bike, I don't know how comfortable I would be using a mechanic forced to do the work. I'd expect a halfashed job. Keeping it would be my first choice, but I would like to avoid any hassles and since I don't have the time or space to start working on it myself, there are definitely a couple of concerns.

[BRUMBEAR]

I have owned Buells for the past 5 seasons and the problem is A.) some of the dealers dropped Buell once the announcement was made, They do not service Buell or carry parts.B.) The parts needed for recalls and certain dealer items are HARD to get or always backordered? C.) American sportbike and Advantage Cycle have quite a bit of parts there is no shortage of XB or blast parts. The problems are a little bigger for the rotax models as the mothership can't seem to get enough parts for the recalls and whatever they call recall but not recall items. IE fuel boiling and charging harness relay and stator.

[kuz]

If I decide to try and sell the bike, do you think the bluebook value is reasonable?

[erbgottie]

I'd put it up for the blue book value on craigslist and see if anyone bits, it can't hurt right??

[Wrider]

Gotta say I honestly doubt they'll become much of a collector item. Even Erik Buell trashed one of them in an ad saying it wasn't a good bike (with a trash compactor).
They don't legally have to service it, but according to HD company policy they do. Report them to corporate. Buell was technically a different company, but it was under HD's umbrella for everything.
Unless you really want to keep it, I'd trade it in for something that you want.