| Author | Message | ||
     Themagster |
KO3 The Blast will do what you want, as long as you take care of it, it will take care of you. You will fall in love and find yourself riding more and more. Then one day wake up and wonder where the addiction came from. Tell me what you would want from a bike that the Blast can't give you??? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
To be honest, the Blast front wheel is too small for any real off road work. Good dirt roads or gravel may be okay, but get into anything soft and the front wheel tends to plow (or sink in). My experience. | ||
| Britchri10 |
Why the Blast? I English. It reminds me of bikes from my youth. ( Single cylinder etc' ) It's VERY reliable. I'm one year in on a used "06 and have had no mechanical issues at all. 63 MPG helps too. Acquisition cost is very low when compared to similar sized bikes. It's NOT a cruiser. I'm 6'1" and I ride with a low seat. Why? I just prefer it. Overall performance is excellent. I no longer wish to set any land speed records. However, the Blast will keep up with traffic and is marvelous in the "twisties". I like the way it looks, handles and goes. | ||
| K03sport |
Themagster - seeing your question and trying to answer it...I really can't come up with a solid answer. There are little things like a tach, or XB twin lights and wheels, a more attractive trans case, but in retrospec, all are trivial. The drive belt should offer a quiet ride and no chain maintenance to boot. The bike is simple and straight forward. And speed isn't what I am after. Gearhead - Plans for the Blast would not involve off-pavement excursions all of the time. The occasional hard-packed or gravel covered road might creep up in the future, so a bike that could be easy to maneuver on non-paved surfaces would be nice. The Virago was no such bike. I suppose it can't get much simpler than one cylinder and a 5 spd transmission. I think in every city I've been in, a Buell dealer has been available near by. Once my test ride is done (in a few months), I'll report back. | ||
| Swampy |
K03sport, Many years ago, during the Daves buy and ride programs, The Big Kid, Jugallo94, Stewy and I rode 3 Blasts and a Virago with a group of Uylesses. Now we didn't go dirt biking, but the roads were U. P. back roads, not something you would think a Blast would go down at 45-60 mph, but you know what? They did just fine and I would do it again. | ||
| Rainman |
I ride mine nearly every day for work and had an interview with a hermit in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Unfortunately, the guy had just put about 3,000 yards of gravel on his mile-long driveway without grading the ruts underneath it. It wasn't easy, but the Blast did pretty well, even though it got bogged down once in the gravel and I had to straddle and push it while playing clutch/throttle. The bike will do anything you want, from long trips (not comfy like a Gold Wing, though) to blasting back roads (not fast like a GSX-R 600). It's a great bike if you want to ride everywhere you go. | ||
| Dummkauf |
I concur with Rainman, I ride my bike almost everywhere whether permitting(I'm in MN so I can't ride year round), and using it as a commuter I only went through one 1.8 gallon tank of gas per week. Plus if you strap one of these on the tail you can fit 2 bags of groceries on it  http://www.firstgear-usa.com/fgweb2.nsf/Products/7 1A7B4E8B8676B17862571F4005AB9D8?opendocument | ||
| Tnthumper |
Hey all, Still kicking on my '05. however I am soon to deploy for a year and no Blasting for me(at least not on my thumper). Now does anyone have any suggestions (EZ gearhead and swampy especially) for new exhaust tires and such I can have my misses take care of so when I get home i can tear up the dragon? I currently running pro-series exhaust and avon tires in stock size. Would like more tire life and exhaust less prone to rusting as fast. I ride in all weather except snow/ice. Thanks all, JOhn | ||
| Swampy |
How about rearsets? Looks like you have it pretty well covered unless you go to different cams and some valve work. Tntthumper, take care where ever you are going, I appreciate what you are doing. email us from time to time to let us know how you are doing. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Tire life and performance arent going to get any better than Avons. If you want to tear up 'The Dragon', tire life and performance are in opposition. Stick with the Avons (perhaps the stryker 140's) or go with the Pirelli MT75s (they wont last as long, but will be stickier). I dont think any exhaust is maintenance free. Whether you're polishing chrome or aluminum or repainting with BBQ paint. Its not going to stay nice looking on its own. Ceramic coating does seem to hold up very well though. The PS exhaust is good for what you're running, a stock engine, so I'd take it off and get it coated (if you decide not to keep the PS exhaust, you'll be able to sell it easy). I, of course, like the PS exhaust, love the sound and it does set of car alarms easily! Unfortunately neither of my engines are stock and the PS exhaust would cut back the power. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS What Swampy said-Thanks!  You may want an XB when you get back! | ||
| Krjoseph |
A new tire to add to the list are the Pirelli Diablo "scooter" tires. I've had them on since November and love them. I've got 1,300 miles on them. Love the way they stick and the rear looks like its holding tread. Will definitely last longer than the old Dunlops. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I've got the Diablo 'Scooters', but I'm not sold on them yet. Maybe the tread will last longer than the MT75's. I trust Pirelli's, but for me, the MT75's are track tested and I've seen what they can do. I also care nothing about tread life!!! The 'Scooter' tires certainly do have merit though, and they 'bolt right on'! | ||
| Tnthumper |
I will keep in touch and the motor has the pro-series intake re-jetted carb and the pro-series exhaust.I do like the avons and am getting aroung 4k miles per rear tire. Was just wanting to explore options. Before I get home gonna have my dealer go over it with fine tooth comb for me so it's ready to roll. Thanks for all the help guys. John | ||
| Themagster |
John: Thanks for doing what you do so we we can continue to do what we love and live for. You make the term "Ride Free" ring true. God Speed... | ||
| Closetbueller |
Hi-I'm new here but I have a Blast and still enjoy riding it. It will become my track day bike after I am able to work the kinks out of my other bikes and don't have to have it as my back up to my back up bike. As it is currently serving this purpose, I am looking for reassurnace that I can ride this to bike week without taking too much S*%t from my wife because HER cityx always runs and she doesn't like my bikes "That ones too girthy, That ones not comfortable" you'ld thing she was the goldilocks of the motorcycle world or something... | ||
| Ezblast |
Ride it like ya stole it! EZ | ||
| Rainman |
A buddy of mine rode his from Va. to Illinois, 1,540 miles. He had a great time. Of course, he died six months later, but it's not from the bike. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Welcome closetBueller! Trackday bike-Excellent idea! You wont find a cheaper bike to run at the track, very reliable and takes a crash well.  | ||
| Kscanuck785 |
Hi, I am just introducing myself  french canadian, moved to kansas in 2005 and proud owner of a 2000 red Blast! I had chosen a Ninja 250 as my learner bike and although I took my MSF and test with it,still after a few months, I was not quite "feeling" the bike... then I laid eyes on the Buell and I HAD to have it!! within 48 hrs, the BLast was in our driveway and the Ninja was already sold! I have not looked back, don't miss the Ninja whatsoever! The Buell is a MUCH better bike for me than the Ninja ever was and I am really happy I did the trade. My husband still thinks I was out of my mind to let the Ninja go to get the Buell, he prefers sportbikes BY FAR, but he respects my choice and actually thinks the Buell is kinda cool, NOT as cool as the Ninja but still cool....LOL Here is a pic I took the 1st day I had the Buell and the last I had the Ninja  } | ||
| Ezblast |
The Blast looks a lot cooler. EZ | ||
| Kscanuck785 |
yep, totally agree!!! I haven't rode to work with it yet (will switch titles next week) but I am expecting get a lot of questions as we dont see any Buell around here... so imagine,a CHICK on a Buell!!! LOL the only questions I ever got for the Ninja was : is it a 250 or a 500? and HOW FAST does it go???!!! will keep you posted! is there any other women on here that rides Blast??? it'd be cool to chat | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Quite a few women here. Some dont log on much but check profiles. HlD01Blast is. And there are some guys who are really posting about their wives (or S.O.) Blast (or at least thats what they say)! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
hmmm... maybe if you're interested we/you could start a 'Blastard Womens' thread. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
"The Magster" at the top of the page is also (but I figured you new that). | ||
| Themagster |
Kscanuck785 Hello from Florida  Erik is right - I don't log on as much as I should. They must have that "she only calls us when she wants something" feeling - but truth be told that if you have a question - this is the place to look. I trust the information here ten times more than from any HD shop. Back on track - welcome aboard and happy Blasting. You made a great choice. I have said it on this board numerous times - the more you ride the Blast the more you'll want to ride it. Most fun I've had on two wheels and this is my 4th bike. Look forward to hearing from you. Happy Trails If I don't get back here - ya'll have fun on the SLO ride. Pics please.... | ||
| Geosrock |
Hello! I'm here to join all those "Blastard Women" out there! Yea to chics on bikes! I have a 2000 black Blast and love it! I'm new to this forum. Actually I am one of those whose 'significant other' is on here posting questions for them! But Kscanuck785 convinced me to join! | ||
| Court |
There are MANY female Buell riders and one of the first (in the "new" company) Buell clubs, the precursor of what became B.R.A.G. was started by Alison, a neat British gal who used to work at Earl Smalls. She rode an S2, her Husband David rode a Triumph. | ||
| Ezblast |
Welcome everyone! EZ | ||
| Themagster |
Hello Geosrock, Happy Blasting  |
