| Author | Message | ||
     Prof_stack |
"Prof - sorry - not my cup of tea. EZ" It's not mine either, after the test-ride. But the styling is cool, at least for this old guy that started riding similar looking bikes in the 60's.   (Message edited by prof_stack on June 18, 2009) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Jeez...another picture. Havent we suffered enough?  | ||
| Prof_stack |
"Jeez...another picture. Haven't we suffered enough?" Hang on, I think I have another view in one of these folders... . . . . . . ...guess not... | ||
| Garlic_sauce |
I think that thing is pretty cool lookin | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Are you sure its not made in India? Yeah, but you could get an old RD350 which would look the same, blow that things doors off (and your socks) and still have a valuable bike without supporting new. Or get a new Royal Enfield which seems to have just as much power and way more class. | ||
| Ylwblast03 |
That's a Suzuki 250, right? My first bike was a GZ250. They look great until you park next to a real motorcycle, then they look like they're only 3/4 scale. Still, it was fun to learn on and a really smooth ride at about 50 mph. Just don't try to go faster then about 65 mph! I rode mine about 30 miles on the interstate once...I actually thought the whole motor was going to grenade. Alot of noise, alot of vibration, not alot of speed. | ||
| Prof_stack |
"Are you sure its not made in India? Yeah, but you could get an old RD350 which would look the same, blow that things doors off (and your socks) and still have a valuable bike without supporting new. Or get a new Royal Enfield which seems to have just as much power and way more class." It is made in Japan. An old RD350 is a 2-stroke polluting rocket, fast for sure. The new Royal Enfield UCE motor in the "G5" form has a total recall going on in England and America right now. Owners have been told to stop riding it. Some 3rd gear cogs weren't assembled properly and cause a total freeze up of the motor, with no clutch release possible. I had my eye on the RE's for a while until new glitches showed up. Not ready for prime time, but they sure look nice! Price: TU-250x: $3800, Enfield: $6100. Reliability comparison: no contest. Back to the Blast forum: Any idea of real changes coming to the Blast for 2010? | ||
| Awf_hand |
They look great until you park next to a real motorcycle, then they look like they're only 3/4 scale. As opposed to the Blast? The Blast is smaller than the TU250 in almost every measurable dimension. You had to have meant this tongue-in-cheek. Prof- I couldn't agree more on the looks of the RE bikes. The price point is still out of line and they do lack the reliability of even a used 1980's (insert import make here), but the style warrants a double-take at minimum. -Aside; Have you seen "Riding Solo to the Top of the World"?? It gets a bit artsy later on, but won't leave you wanting your money back. Google it. You should know, however, that you've committed an egregious faux-pas. If you were on an import bike forum and posted a picture of an American bike with "isn't it cool?!", you might have a small few respondents who mock your post. BUT, here, and on HDForums, and XLForums and a host of other "American" bike sites, the majority will deride you severely if you post a picture of or inquire about an import. (This also applies to the now sorry poster inquiring about doing a 70's Honda Cafe conversion) The "Live to Ride, Ride to Live" mantra is very brand specific, and you can only truly be free if you toe the line. My garage is open to all. I have metric tools and SAE but you may have to bring your own imported beer. -My fridge is open to all as well. _____________________ Firing order: 1 (Message edited by Awf_Hand on June 19, 2009) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Sorry, you just dont get it. And my garage has SAE, Metric and Whitworth  | ||
| Prof_stack |
"You should know, however, that you've committed an egregious faux-pas..." Some history: I bought the first Blast in Seattle in 2000, actually 9 years ago this week. I put 10k miles on it before getting seduced by the then new XB9S in the Winter of 2002. Except for a rocker-box gasket fix, the Blast was flawless. The XB9S was worlds better than the Blast but after a t-boning of a Honda Civic two years ago this month and an overnight stay at the ER I decided to downsize. So after 22 years riding only Harleys and Buells, I sold the Buell last year and almost bought a Royal Enfield but wisely backed off after a test ride. My current ride is a Moto Guzzi Nevada, a great bike. But I'm still looking to go back to a thumper. The TU-250x looks better than it is, but it is not a bad 18hp bike. Same for the 28hp Enfields. So, what is in the rumor mill for an upgraded Blast for 2010? | ||
| Ezblast |
Yeah - Prof is an origional Blastard - lol EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
Thats when Ralph was nice, nobody knew jack about the bike, and finding aftermarket parts for the bike near impossible, the early years - lol - there was just a handful posting here then. Things have certainly grown since then. EZ | ||
| Prof_stack |
Ralph! OMG! That name sure brings up a lot of memories of a guy who was never afraid to speak up. Is he still alive and kicking? | ||
| Fast1075 |
Ralph now terrorizes the NRHS XL forums. | ||
| Ezblast |
He has the group I rebuilt for him as well, however, its more of an anti-Blast site - he'll tell you all the reasons he doesn't like the bike at the drop of a hat, and trashes anyone's ideas or questions that doesn't conform to his beliefs - using the same old excuse - the been there done that line - same one HD gave me for their dirt-trackers, and they wondered why they couldn't win - lol - when you know everything, you only prove you really know nothing. Me - I've just built sites for learning more about the bike, and I keep learning. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Welcome to BadWeB, the online home of the Bad Weather Bikers (a global community of Buell Motorcycle Enthusiasts) ************************************************** ***** THUMPer Forum For discussions concerning the Buell BLAST! motorcycle, offering 492 cc's of genuine American THUMP. ************************************************** ***** Welcome to the Buell Blast Forum aka the "THUMPer Forum". For Buell Blast P3 American Thumper-Cycle related questions, technical discussions, and information. Come on in and get some THUMP! ************************************************** * The Bad Weather Bikers™ is a community of Buell™® American Motorcycle enthusiasts. BadWeatherBikers.com™®, or BadWeB™ for short, is our online refuge; some might call it our asylum ************************************************** * In case the concept of this forum had eluded some! I am willing to concede that some may have other questions, comments or aspirations that do not pertain to Buell or might remotely pertain to Buell. I'll initiate a new thread for this and let it stand until it dies or I'm told to kill it. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
The new thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/469933.html?1245455786 | ||
| Kscanuck785 |
so, is there any truth to that? upgraded Buell Blast for 2010? | ||
| Ezblast |
There is a lot of call for it, and a simple dual ignition could be made to dumb down the bike for MSF/Total Newbies and have a sporty alternate nature, thus instantly making them dual purpose, and increasing their value. These are lean times, however, the idea to use XB parts where possible to consolidate cost would also upgrade the bike. A simple fairing/light change to the S series with City accents - light guard and hand guards would top off everything nicely - everything else can be upgraded privately, though it would be nice if they could give the suspension a bit of a lift, or put such things out as factory aftermarket. An updated Blast would be a great way to keep and build on a market that looks at the Blast as one of the leaders in utility and fuel economy, could be done pretty inexpensively, the new ignition being the hardest part - lol - imagine a Blast that shifts like an XB, has pegs 2" higher giving easy access to the inspection cover, and much less dragging. Wheels widened a 1/2" would make the current Diablos fit perfectly and their ability would really complement the bike. LOL - being an accountant I've thought about the cost side of this a lot, and I'm sure Buell could pull this off if there was enough interest shown - that is the question? None of this is radical tech., just the smart utilization of what they already have. That and a bit of that Buell savvy in how it all should go together - would probably sell more than the originals. | ||
| Ezblast |
Call it a Thunder Blast - lol EZ | ||
| Prof_stack |
"In case the concept of this forum had eluded some! I am willing to concede that some may have other questions, comments or aspirations that do not pertain to Buell or might remotely pertain to Buell. So I created a message thread to get your non-Buell crap off this page..." Sarcasm on: Sorry to violate your orthodoxy and desecrate your Buell sanctuary. I've risen above parochial sectarianism and value diverse brands of thumpers. Sarcasm off. I am a fan of Erik Buell: Here we are on 05/21/05 at Downtown Harley/Buell (WA):  Here's the last day of my Blast and the first day of the XB9S, 12/26/02. In many ways I wish I had stayed with the Blast.  Okay, enough showing off of my Buell street cred. Although I'm sure EZ and others are cool with the photos of the TU-250x, I will refrain from ruffling feathers here. And I still want to know what Buell might be up to pertaining to a new Blast. The '09 Buell catalog has hardly any info on the P3 Thor. Surely something is in the works. (Message edited by prof_stack on June 20, 2009) | ||
| Ezblast |
There are so many mods to liven up a Stock Blast these days prof - turns it into a totally different Blast - yes we are both waiting on the "Update"! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Well, now everyone has a place to post without suffering my pro Buell, pro Harley, pro American, anti Jap (bike), rant. And yes, I do truly want to keep the non Buell crap off the front page in keeping with the purpose of this site and helping fellow Blasters. | ||
| Prof_stack |
There's a lot of non-USA stuff on the Buells. That's too bad but that's reality. I used to be anti-Japanese but nowadays am much more concerned about how much money we are sending to China via all the goods they dump here and we happily buy at reduced prices. Have you tried to buy shoes lately? Good luck finding many made anywhere but Asia. New Blast: XB-frame, FI, yeah that's a good start. Rotax motor? Hope not. | ||
| Kscanuck785 |
EZ, I am not sure I fully understand your concept but it sure sounds good!!! you did put some thought into that you need to get together and present that to Buell/HD  you know that people always listen to an accountant right???!!! LOL I guess I feel like a good example of someone that would buy a "thunder blast" (vortex would be a cool name too, no??!!) it would be a step up from the current one without jumping on the "big" ones; lets face it, I have no ambition of EVER putting my knee down in a curve, of going that much faster than the speed limit and mostly I would not enjoy having a bike that weights a ton! I know you guys like to customize your bikes and do all kind of stuff to it but if "thunder Blast" would ever come to life, it would be just fine stock, which is good enough for me on a side note, one of the main advantage of the blast, for me anyways, is its weight. I love the fact that I really DON'T need my husband to move my Blast around or need his help to park it. It defeats the whole purpose of riding, IMO, when you have to wait for somebody else to get your bike out of the garage for you and/or go place it somewhere easy for you in order to get it going, no?! from day 1 I was told by my husband, if you cant move your bike I guess you shouldn't be riding it then...and I do think it makes sense. which brings me on something else, do you guys have BWB merchandise?! | ||
| Kscanuck785 |
oh you got my mind going now for the best name of the potential Blast you've created... Thunder is really good Vortex is cool but how about: Alto ----would be really fitting! For example, cloud names containing the prefix "cirr-", as in cirrus clouds, are located at high levels while cloud names with the prefix "alto-", as in altostratus, are found at middle levels. | ||
| Ezblast |
Project name Gemini - for the dual purpose ignition - you know they could set that to Euro standards, and then easily sell the Blast in Europe where it would compete favorably against some other singles due to its style and nature. EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
Think about it - for starter bikes in Europe the Blast would actually have to be a hp less, with the proper dual-action ignition, that could happen - limiting power in one curve and allowing full potential on another curve - thus making the bike both fuel efficient and/or performance in form with but the flip of a switch - once you take the ignition cover off - lol - the bike instantly gains in utility value, since it can do more roles competently. Surely a good idea. EZ | ||
| Garlic_sauce |
I must say i like that idea. | ||
| Slowhand96 |
We got a bunch of those TU250Xs for training bikes. I was initially glad to see them. We were getting heavy on the GZ250 which I feel is a bad bike all the way around. Heavy, shifts poorly, handles bad. It does nothing well, makes all the wrong compromises. Anyway once I rode the TU to demo an exercise I was disappointed. It felt like the FI was fighting you in the low speed maneuvers and it is still too tall for a lot of the folks taking our classes. I liked the old GN as a training bike but they are getting really old and very beat up now. I still think that the Blast was the best training bikes we ever had except they needed to be geared lower. I'd like to see Buell gear them a little lower and add a 6th gear. The state flushed the blasts out of the system really quickly. I did however like the handlebars on the TU, I keep thinking that they might work nice on my blast. |
