| Author | Message | ||
     Thump |
I'm doing a quadruple back-flip concur as I type..... I bought a RE bike as well Wardo. Mine had 450 miles on it and came with a 2 year warranty. I have had to take it in a couple of times for an oil leak and funky speedo problem. They took care of everything, np. What is your situation like? Year/miles and did you get a warranty? I guess the RE bikes get a bad rap, imo. There is only so much you can do to a bike on a 100 yard course. I think my top speed was 25mph all weekend. | ||
| Wardo |
I don't understand where the hatred for foreign motorcycles comes from, but i will refrain from talking about them because it seems to be a sensitive matter. Whats the size comparison of a lighting to a blast, fairly bigger? | ||
| Wbsprudels |
Can I concur with Wardo? I've only had my Blast since October, but I am already thinking ahead to my next bike. I thought a natural progression would be from a single to a v-twin. The Suzuki SV650 has caught my eye, but I am by no means married to it. My goals are commuting and taking my wife with me on short day trips. Is there a comparable Buell that I should be considering? I don't expect to buy another bike until 2010 at the earliest, but it's still fun to look. | ||
| Wardo |
That's the same feeling i have, even though im now on the Thumper Board Hit List..... Would love to just go out and buy any bike, but the killer is insurance. Anything i have found to be comfortable so far is murder on monthly insurance, except for the ninja so far, still shopping. | ||
| Ezblast |
Not much - bigger - just enough to fit an extra jug;0) - lol EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
Yes a Uly or 9. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes/  The Lightning XB9 is a natural progression from the Blast. Bigger and more powerful, yet still user friendly like the Blast. The Lightning XB12 comes in a "long" model for the taller rider, but either model will definitely accommodate a bigger rider than the Blast seems to. A selection of seats also is available as well as more accessories. Its 'comparable' to the SV650. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Why the hatred of 'foreign' motorcycles (besides what GM, Ford & Chrysler are now going through)? The Japanese auto and MC companies have done as much as they can to kill all European and American competition. Those who are young or are new to the sport dont remember the days when it became only the 'Big Four' Japanese MC makers and Harley Davidson. There were no other choices as everything British (and many other makes) had been killed off. Ducati and the like were exotics with hard to find dealers and parts. Many people on Badweb are "different in every sense" and many cite riding American made as a reason for buying a Buell. I find that many, if they own another brand, its not Japanese. I'm not sure how you wind up buying a Blast if you really wanted one of the "Big Four", why you didnt just go buy a cheaper Japanese bike to learn on? If you can find me a bike that you want, that Buell or Harley doesnt make a model to compare it too, then I dont have an argument. Or as Awf-hand put it 'you're in the wrong church' to want a fair and reasonable discussion. | ||
| Thump |
Sorry Wardo, I was trying to be light hearted, it may not have come off that way. When I called my agent about the xb9 lightning it was only $20 more per month. Quite resonable in my book. I have maxxed out all coverage and pay $25 per month for my Blast. So it would be $44/month for the XB9 Lightning. When I sat on it it felt like magic. I can't wait until my dealership start doing demo rides this spring. I still plan on keeping the Blast for at least 1 or 2 more years, even though I feel like I could step up, I know that the time isn't right..for me. I like to err on the side of caution. Besides, they might have that Blacked Out Lightning that EZ has been talking up by then. | ||
| Wardo |
That's deep... I'm not getting into a conversation about auto companies. lol My profession insists that i remain neutral on the subject. I have already agreed to not discuss non Buell products on the board, so well leave it at that. Why buy a Blast? Cause its fun, a good cheap learner bike, and i wanted one. Doesn't matter to me one bit who makes it. Thump, its all good dude. I did take advise and check out the Buell bikes weeks ago ( most of my friends ride Harleys so they put me on to Buell ) and the insurance for me was over $200. This is why cost comes into play. I don't mind paying money, but 200 a month for insurance is unacceptable. I pay a a little over 100 a month for the Blast, which is fine by me. | ||
| Ezblast |
I say we demand that Buell give us the XB9 that they are giving Europe - all Black at 450 dollars less than the US price! I'd buy that bike in a heart beat!   Wouldn't change a thing! OK Buell - bring it home at that price so we can buy it! EZ | ||
| Evilbetty |
Looks like it's aimed to compete with the Triumph Street Triple... http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/2009%20Triumph%20Stre et%20Triple_9849.aspx   | ||
| Ezblast |
Then its a no brainer - definitely the Buell! Bring that puppy to the US. Erik Buell and sell it to us at that price and it will sell! EZ . | ||
| Ezblast |
Did you notice that the new Euro 9 can run with both lights on. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Yes, those are some sweet looking rides! Insurance: maybe because I'm old(?) or riding for so long, but for 3 motorcycles I pay $600 a year (total) for 100k/300k liability with full coverage/collision on 2 of the bikes (2005 FXSTB and Blast). Foremost (aka farmers). Harley Davidson financing/insurance found me the deal (which actually saved me almost $400 off of what I was previously paying with Farmers and now with better coverage). I called them up and since they specialize in motorcycles, they basically did the research and found me 3 good deals to choose from. | ||
| Crackhead |
100 a month on insurance? great googly moogly i pay $412 for 6months with state farm. it is only that high because i am a new rider. I guess they assume i will get in an accident the with in 2 years. | ||
| Rainman |
In case you think you need something larger and more comfortable to tour on, a friend of mine named Paul Stitt (see Blastards thread) rode his 2002 with windshield, bags and home-made back rest on a 1,500 mile journey to his sister's funeral and back. He died Jan. 31. RIP fellow Blastard. | ||
| Wardo |
Can't wait for the days of lower insurance. Maybe in a couple more years. Love that XB9 though, a few mods and it would be sweet. Perhaps a great 3rd bike when my insurance goes down.......if it goes down......please? The hand guards and stem mirrors have to go though, and perhaps a windscreen of some sort, easy cheap mods. | ||
| Awf_hand |
It's okay to look at other bikes Wardo. I'm not naive enough to believe that the Blast is the last bike i will ever want, nor will I believe that Buell's lineup offers every bike configuration I will ever desire. As for cost of maintaining the P3 vs those evil, evil import bikes, my Buell has been in the shop more than the last 5 bikes I owned combined. Broken engine mount: They tell me that's common. Maybe on Buell's and '92 Ford Taurus's, but never had one before on a bike. Oil leakage: They tell me that's common. WTF, you mean that after 100 years of building engines, the HD empire can't figger out complexities like keeping the oil inside? Carb trouble: They tell me that it had dirt in it from improper storage. Wow. been riding since 1986 and this is the first time a carb that's less than 2yrs old has given me problems. In fact, the 1973 Yam. CS5 that I bought in 1985 for 50$ and had no carb work done -ever, and will still start and run when asked. As far as American percentage of manufactured componentry, just TRY to start that thread... DON'T GET ME WRONG!! I'M THOROUGHLY ENJOYING MY BLAST!! I DO like most of the bikes in the lineup, but if I wanted liquid cooling in an lightweight adventure touring package at a $6500 retail, well, I guess I'm SOL. -Or, I'm shopping for a V-Strom, or decked-out KLR. To pretend that other bikes are inherently more expensive to maintain or are just un-American to own is silly. Ride what you want and if others look down their noses at you and your ride, they weren't your friend to begin with. You may ride with me, but I require that you ride safely and place function over form. I wear reflective gear with armor ALL year and have no desire to smell betadine. I don't hang out in blindspots and then complain about $%^ing cagers when they merge into me. I shadow vehicles when appropriate to reduce the likelihood of a left-turn in front of me. I take different routes entirely, sometimes, when I've observed angry/distracted traffic on my originally planned route. All roads lead home and I want to make sure I get there. I expect my fellow riders to feel the same way regardless of who manufactured their ride. -Or maybe next week they don't get a phone call from me. ______________________ Firing order: 1 | ||
| Wardo |
Thanks Awf_hand. I havn't had any issues with the blast other than some power loss at idle, but i think a little adjust of the idle screw will fix that. Not ready to start it to find out. Gotta finish the paint job before i even take it out of the garage ( after i order a new fly screen cause i pwnt my current one) dont ever paint motorcycle parts with enamel paint, lol. I did notice a decent buildup of goo in the airbox though, is this normal? i would say about 3/4 of a cup worth. I agree with your safety standards. I have been on many group rides already, and the Harley guys trained me well. I only messed up once when i didnt point out some roadkill, but i was in a decent turn and wasnt comfortable taking my hand off at that moment. I did however lose my temper when i almost became roadkill myself when a little teeny blond turd was too busy yacking on her cell to notice me, hope she gets herpes. | ||
| Ezblast |
Yes - your airbox is your spitcan - clean it out regularly - 1/mo or after any really long or hard ride. I'm not dissing the Japanese bikes, however, they are made way overcomplicated to work on , so are most always last on my list. LOL - don't bother with a KLR - same rear wheel power as a Blast. I like the KISS method and Buell does that for me, though they have come up with some real hum-dingers - like where the footpegs are in relationship to the primary inspection cover - what where they thinking? EZ | ||
| Crackhead |
i am just glad that HD didn't make Buell use forward controls and chrome exhaust. Well at least forward controls are not in the way of the clutch cover. | ||
| Wardo |
I agree, moving them back a bit and raising the seat would be nice though. Im only 6'1 and have a hell of a time shifting sometimes, my huge feet only move so far up. | ||
| Fast1075 |
I went for a "Buell Club" ride Saturday..real nice, a short ride...only about 150 miles...in attendance was myself on my Blast..4 guys on Ulys..2 guys on Kawis..a Yamaha..a Triumph..2 Suzukis..a couple of XB9s...a couple of XB12s..and one guy on a Bagger that decided it was too cold and went home...oh...and a guy on a Ducati...hell, we had a guy ride once on a Foreman scooter. No snobbishness here..on my first ride, I expected to be snobbed because I rode the Blast...not so. And since, I have come to feel a part of the crew...you never know what a ride will be like it depends on who the leader is...one time, we more or less tour around the next time if their bikes are running, the front riders are dragging knee pucks...it's crazy and fun...(I stop short of knee dragging on the street)...our unofficial motto is "It don't matter what you ride, as long as you ride!" | ||
| Krjoseph |
Forward controls, srsly, how do folks ride with those? I rode a buddies Nightster Sunday and hated it. Turning was just weird. Glad some folks dig it, but it's not for me. | ||
| Ezblast |
Yeah - the SFMC feels the same way - as long as you ride! Ride your own ride! EZ | ||
| Awf_hand |
"LOL - don't bother with a KLR - same rear wheel power as a Blast." Not. I sold my KLR 650 (after having ridden it for 9 yrs) to buy the Blast. The difference is noticeable, esp. when the front wheel is off the ground. KLR Peak Power 44 HP (33 kW) @ 6,000 rpm Peak Torque 34 lbf·ft (46 Nm) @ 5,000 rpm Blast Power: 34.00 HP (24.8 kW)) @ 7500 RPM Torque: 30.0 ft.lbs( 40.68 Nm ) @ 3200 RPM Comparing the air cooled 2 valve P3 to a liquid cooled 4 valve is a bit silly and whitewashing things a bit. (How do I get to 7500rpm again?!) I like my Blast, but miss my 6+ gallon fuel tank. ______________________ Firing order: 1 | ||
| Wardo |
Its supposed to hit 60 here tomorrow, and my bike is still in pieces, im going to cry now...... | ||
| Evilbetty |
Right there in the boat with you! I have the Tiger in pieces, and the Blast needs the duct tape magic performed on the throttle control. And I really should change the fluid / perform a sound method adjustment on it before it's ridden again... I guess better now then when it hits 70  | ||
| Wardo |
I hear ya EvilBetty. Just need to speed up the painting and get those fluids in and ill be good to go. Sounds like a Saturday project to me.. Im guessing with the stupid Michigan weather, it will snow at least one more time before the season can start. |
