| Author | Message | ||
     Gearheaderiko |
IDK-I didnt know if your statement was indeed inaccurate, but since they dont sell the Blast in England, then your statement would indeed be accurate! I didnt check the numbers but "strongest selling" or "hottest selling" can be misused quite easily. Its more of a descriptive term than factual such as "best selling" or most sold etc. I'm always skeptical unless I see numbers (which I didnt check, but you might be right). | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I'm also not as upbeat as EZ. I see a lot more Blasts sitting in garages not being used (as opposed to VW's sitting behind garages not be used). I think there will be low mileage Blasts coming out of the woodwork for many years to come. Heck they'll probably still be producing the same exact model the year the Blast becomes eligible for vintage racing  | ||
| Ezblast |
Thats not too far away! EZ | ||
| Tortoise |
Gearhead I wasn't trying to argue a point. I believe you and EZ when you say the Blast outsells the Uly. I was just trying to explain how/why I had been misinformed. My biggest regret is buying the Blast new and overpaying for it. If I had known more about Buell and motorcycles in general I would have bought one used for $2K less. Here in Oregon a lot of people sell motorcycles with hardly any miles on them. I have seen Blasts for sale with less than 1,000 miles on the odometer. Even ones that are a few years old and aren't broken in yet. | ||
| M2nc |
I am interested in seeing where these sales number information is coming from. One thing that may be overlooked here is the Rider's Edge program. You all may be right. If you count what is sold to dealerships from Rider's Edge, then I can see the Blast "out selling" the Uly. But that is a captive customer. Its not like they have a choice. To the average Joe on the street who does have a choice, I am interested which Buell actually sells the most. The 2008 numbers for most lifetime sold units, the XB Lightning is actually ahead buy a mile. Then again, other than the Blast, it has been around longer than anything else Buell has made. | ||
| Ezblast |
Each Blast in the RE program ends up on the street re sold down the line, and it is as Court says - what matters is how many go out the door sold to the Dealerships on all Buell bikes. Same reason people found tubers 8 years after they stopped making them new at certain dealerships. The numbers are from Court and Buell's public disclosure pages. The XB Lightning series is actually several different styles of bikes grouped under one subtitle. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Tortoise I was sure you werent trying to argue a point (and EZ is usually right on the research), I was just making a commentary on how information can be twisted (through advertising or the internet) to reflect the desired viewpoint. Until I actually see the numbers I dont know who's right I dont regret buying mine new, but I wouldnt buy another Blast new unless it was a completely different/updated model. Used Blasts can (as you wrote) be found with low miles and very cheap. (Message edited by gearheaderiko on May 31, 2009) | ||
| Crispy |
Hmmmm... we have a Blast sitting in the garage AND a VW sitting in the driveway definitely not used. Okay so I do use the Blast, but couldn't pass up the VW comment. | ||
| Johnnymac |
Hey gang, Just thought I'd share that Motorcycle-Superstore has the Pirelli ST66 140/70S rear tire on sale for $70 right now. I'm running it now and have over 5000 miles on it and counting. Lots of tread left and it has an "S" speed rating. I will easily get twice the mileage from it that I got out of the ViperStryke in 140/70P that I had on it previously. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/5/32/404/5915 /ITEM/Pirelli-ST-66-Touring-Rear-Scooter-Tire.aspx | ||
| Roysbuell |
Hello all. I just adjusted the clutch on my Blast (What a pain to remove/install the bracket where the pegs are.) Anyways I put clean fluid, adjusted the screw and cable. It feels good but want to make sure of something. With the bike off and in gear with the clutch pulled in should I feel some drag? Another question saturday I woke up early and took about an hour cruise around outskirts of town. What gear are you guys in at about 50 miles per hour. | ||
| The4ork |
hey guys, new blaster here. just picked up an 02 from a lady that only put 2,100 miles on it, picked it up for $2k :P its all stock, in great shape. black... had the lowered seat on it so i went to the dealer to get the standard, had to order it tho  this forum is kind of confusing. not what im used to. any tips on how to navigate it? im used to posting a new thread, and then people reply to it, this forum seems just wayyy open. anywho, been doing alot of reading. i think i want to get some either clubman or drag bars, some bar end mirrors, home made cone filter bracket with K&N, 1" hole saw in the aft of the muffler, and a rejet its my first bike and so far its been a blast lol (as if you havent heard that pun enough) | ||
| Garlic_sauce |
The thing about drag bars is you won't be able to lock the column. In between clubman and drag bars there is superbike bars, I had them for a while and liked em but later I went to cross-roads bars (my favorite) Also you CAN lock the column with superbike bars and clubmans. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Bars are a matter of taste, your physical size, and your riding style..I tried several different sets..ended up with Euro touring bars...much lower than the stockers, wider, with a good bit of pullback... If ALL I did was hit the twisties, I would have the Crossroads bars...but I do quit a bit of "touring" where it's more comfortable in a more upright position..(I have pretty short arms). On the issue of the seat...if you ride more than a few miles at a time neither stock seat is comfortable...my bike came with the stock (tall) seat...I bought a "low" seat...eventually I forked out the cash for an aftermarket seat...very spendy, but I can go on all day rides with no dead butt syndrome. | ||
| Ezblast |
Roysbuell - 3rd or 4th - depends if I'm continuing at steady state or accelerating through. Yes on the other question - friction zone your feeling. EZ | ||
| Rainman |
Part of the Blast problem comes from the fact that 500 cc single is seen as unworthy. I rode my stock B to teach the Riders Edge program at my dealer, 45 miles away and over a mountain range. Running late, so I pulled 75 mph the whole way. I got to the dealership and everyone was surprised that a) the instructor rode a Blast, b) the instructor lived 45 miles away and rode the Blast c) the instructor did 75 the whole way d)the instructor does not own another bike. The sales folks were surprised, the dealer staff shocked, the HOG group amazed and the students delighted. Seems everyone thought that a beginner's bike couldn't keep up with traffic. Later, when I discussed life with the sales people, they were interested in what I had to say about beginners buying a Blast instead of a Sportster. Rumor has it that they may have sold two used out of the program that weekend. | ||
| Roysbuell |
EZ- Thanks, I wanted to make sure I didn't do a bad clutch adjustment. Regarding 3rd gear, I was mostly in 3rd because it was on/off accelerating and thats where the power is. When I ride I like the power to be there when I need it, without having to downshift and without keeping the engine at a consist high rev. | ||
| Awf_hand |
Roysbuell, You're feeling the viscosity of the oil between the plates. Start it up and see if it tries to move forward, as that's where you'll see an issue. At 50 I may be in fourth if I'm not trying to get up to speed. If I'm going to be holding that speed for awhile (on flat ground) I might be in fifth. ______________________ Firing order: 1 | ||
| Ezblast |
I never shift into 5th till 60 - lol EZ | ||
| Johnnymac |
Roysbuell, For standard riding, unless I'm passing up a steep incline, at 50mph I'm just into 5th gear. My average shift points seem to fall as follows: 1st - 0-20 2nd - 21-30 3rd - 31-40 4th - 41-50 5th - 50+ Same pattern follows when decelerating and downshifting. Hope it helps. Johnny | ||
| Garlic_sauce |
Very cool Rainman, I am a huge fan of small bikes but sometimes the stigma that they have especially the Blast, bothers me. Sometimes when non rider people see my bike they think it's cool until I tell them it's a 500. Then it's like it might as well have pedals on it to them. I love to hear about people promoting the blast as a fully capable bike, not just a beginner bike and that's it. To me it's an awesome, modern cafe racer (after a few mods) and that's how I describe it.  | ||
| Awf_hand |
Doing the difficult with what's barely adequate is more of an accomplishment than doing the mundane with the sufficient. i.e. it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than it is to ride a fast bike slow. ______________________ Firing order: 1 | ||
| Garlic_sauce |
"it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than it is to ride a fast bike slow." Perfectly put, BRAVO  | ||
| Rainman |
It was fun showing up all three days and getting the little bike a little cred. Say guys, a couple of the bikes in our RE fleet have issues. Most have about 1100 miles on them, all RE miles. One doesn't like to start. Have to crack the throttle WFO for about a minute of cranking to get it to go. Once warm, it's fine. Another sputters and stalls a lot, even after warm. Most have choke issues of some sort. Das boot, maybe? Another will not shift into the third, although first, neutral and second are fine. You can hand-force it into the third, but that's it. These are not trashed bikes, but they've been ridden hard. Also, most have a friction spot rather than zone. Is a simple clutch adjustment all that's necessary? The choke and sputtering problem has the mechanics befuddled. They think it's in the auto choke. I just want them running good to give them a better reputation in the dealership. | ||
| The4ork |
engine oil and tranny oil question: the previous owner had to drain the oil and fuel from the bike to ship it to hawaii, but i bought the bike instead. so i took it home and filled it up with mobil 1 15w50 synthetic. Is this an acceptable oil to be using? i dont have an owners manual or a service manual, as i had to order them and havent received them yet. also i want to be sure im not riding around with no trans fluid as a friend of mine pointed out. they may have drained it! i was under the impression the trans/engine shared the same fluids. turns out not. whats the easiest way to check? of course i could un-do the drain plug but surely there will be at least a little in there, id have to drain quite a bit to know for sure... is there an easier way? | ||
| Ezblast |
Awf_hand - too low on the rpms, however,so true about riding. Johnnymac - still too low on the rpms - can't be at more than 5000 rpms at that speed Rainman - das boot for some, dirty carb for the one, Another will not shift into the third, although first, neutral and second are fine. You can hand-force it into the third, but that's it. These are not trashed bikes, but they've been ridden hard. The drum pin is comming out messing up the detent plate and clip - needs to have pin leached red locktite at base and tapped in gently to the same size as the rest of the pins, replace detent plate and clip, Make sure drum bolt torqued to spec, do shift pawl adjustment. Also, most have a friction spot rather than zone. Is a simple clutch adjustment all that's necessary? For all the bikes but the above mentioned. The choke and sputtering problem has the mechanics befuddled. They think it's in the auto choke. Its das boot, or bad safeties - kick stand or clutch, fouled plug. The4ork Is this an acceptable oil to be using? YES For the tranny - drain and refill. See the TKV for specifics. EZ (Message edited by ezblast on June 01, 2009) | ||
| Aleutian1 |
When I first started riding with our "Harley" friends they kept questioning my bike. Can it keep up?, are we going to fast for you? Not to mention the shock when I tell them about long trips that I've taken or plan on taking. They just can't believe that my little bike can maintain highway speeds and be comfortably ridden for long distances.(though I am going to have to get a custom seat). Now they don't say too much. One of our friends even bought his wife a 01 Blast! Quick question, I need a shorter shifter, is there one out there that can easily replace the stock or am I going to have to modify one? | ||
| Ezblast |
You can very inexpensively modify the stocker - drill/tap hole forther up shifter and move peg, or use the shorter Sportster one. Welcome all! EZ | ||
| The4ork |
today i stretched the legs out on the bike, rode it on a 45mi round trip... on the way back home i noticed it was running rough or missing a few thumps so to speak. pulled the clutch lever in and the engine died. so i switched over to reserve (was at 125mi off a full tank) and it ran fine for about 1 mile, then did it again. switched back to ON and it went away. then went for a spin around the neighborhood a few hours after i got home, and i noticed it missed a thump or two in the turn... also earlier today on the way back it didnt seem to want to start easily. had to give it about 4 tries. any suggestions? the bike did sit about 2 years and is 7 years old with only 2k miles... EDIT: i made sure there is gas in the tank, i can hear it slosh when i move the bike around while the engine is off. i hope i can get more than 130 mile range out of 2.8 gallons lol (Message edited by the4ork on June 02, 2009) | ||
| Fast1075 |
Mine goes on reserve at between 105 and 125 depending on how I ride that day...mine takes 1.8 gallons to refill from reserve. Your mileage will vary depending on how you ride it, any modifications, and state or tune...I mostly ride mine like a stole it. | ||
| Cliffburton |
man,Im glad to hear you guys are getting the same gas mileage I am. I thought something was wrong with my bike. 110-125 is what I get before hitting the reserve.I did run it dry once and got 164.5 There are three reasons I can think of for reduced mileage. 1.heavey on the throttle 2. ethanol 3.240#'s of pure hydraulic mechanic baby! I took a trip to Skyline Drive and the Blueridge Parkway a couple weeks ago and The Blast was an absolute champ.I had so much fun grunting around those corners,I cant wait to get back.There were no mechanical problems what so ever.The bike has 2400 miles on it now. My butt and the seat couldn't get along for more than an hour though.It was a nice 3 day trip.My seat is back from Sargents and feels good,but wont be able to really judge it till I've taken another long trip.I had the Atomic foam done in the front. |
