| Author | Message | ||
     Commuter |
I have very limited experience on a motorcycle. The idea of commuting around town and down 55mph highways is appealling, however. So I started looking for low maintenance, efficient, and inexpensive bikes. This has lead me to consider the Buell Blast, Ninja 250, or any number of low cc "dual sports." Given that Buell is no longer in business and that HD dealers will probably not supply parts or service, should I still consider a Blast, at all? | ||
| Indy_bueller |
There will still be dealers supplying parts and service for the next seven years, just not all of them. The Blast is still an extremely relevant option. | ||
| Sifo |
Still a great option. Ebay will have parts for years to come too. Worst case the make great coffee tables.  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
it has the most comfortable seat for that range... just try and ride 400 mile days on a Ninja 250 or DS.... | ||
| Woody1911a1 |
absolutely , parts not a problem , fun factor without a doubt . make sure it has a loud exhaust and shift only when the rev-limiter kicks in  | ||
| Rangerpj1 |
Yes Commuter! By law, there has to be a supply of parts for a number of years from the manufacturer, and after that (as in the auto industry) there will be a number of aftermarket manufacturers. I had a Blast as my first Bike, and being Air Cooled, it was simple to maintain. It also averaged in low 60mpg range around town and mid 70mpg range on road trips. I took it to Sturgis last summer with some HD friends and averaged 71mpg for the week and I ran that Blast out to 100mph a few times freaking out the other bikers (on BMWs & Jap Bikes). I should have never traded that Bike, but a Uly was calling my name. Good luck with your search. BTW...i did look at other bikes b4 the Blast. | ||
| Court |
the BLAST® would be a perfect bike. Cheap, easy, and reliable. Parts will be around for years. | ||
| Wheelybueller |
Ditto | ||
| Glitch |
By law, there has to be a supply of parts for a number of years from the manufacturer What law is this? I call myth | ||
| Rangerpj1 |
I believe it's a Federal law. I had seen it quoted when HD was shutting down Buell...although you can't always trust what you read. Non the less, the Blast is still an option. | ||
| Commuter |
Critics are pretty harsh on the Blast however I kind of like the looks of it. It is just simple and unassuming looking. At least 2 bikes available locally one with <150miles on it and one with some scratches and a broken mirror w/7K on it. So, is getting a bike with less than 150 miles on it vs one with 7K on it worth a $2000 difference? | ||
| Rangerpj1 |
I know critics are harsh. That's why they are critics. Buell has always been under the microscope. You can dress up the Blast.  | ||
| Froggy |
I bought a Blast back in June for commuting duty. I love it, it was cheap, gets 85mpg, and its been reliable and doesn't need much maintenance. I have put about 7000 miles on it already and its not even my only bike. It shares many parts with other Buell's, so even if you couldn't get new parts anymore (not the case), many other options would be available. I paid $1500 for mine, it ran like crap when I got it due to sitting unused for a few years. I didn't have a truck so I had to ride it home, and all it needed was an Italian tuneup. Now its good as new. | ||
| Rex |
would love to find one for that price. I think it would be cool bike. with my weight, it would not go over 70 mph though. REX | ||
| Rex |
I always wanted to put the Blast motor in an XB frame and wheels. also make it a 600 cc... some folks have ridden the blast across the country, terry parsley from northern Cal. He also has the fastest blast on the salt.....REX | ||
| Swordsman |
"You can dress up the Blast." Indeed. I guess these would be it's clubbing threads.  ~SM | ||
| Nevrenuf |
imo, greatest starter bike there is just because they hold up to a lot of abuse. just ask my wife. also ask buellistic how much he likes his blast. | ||
| Court |
I still have my bounty out for anyone who can produce "the law". The greatest motivation to continue to supply parts is . . guess what ? ? ? . . . people PAY for them. The very reason it's easy to buy a bumper for a 1957 Chevy. | ||
| Jasonnennig |
There is no Federal Law but...From the little research I did, some states do have such laws on the books. California: 7 years after date of manufacture for goods with a wholesale value of $100 or more, 3 years for items valued at $50 to $99.99. This law covers functional parts only. Connecticut: 4 years after the date of final sale. Indiana: 7 years after the date of final sale. Rhode Island: 4 years after final sale. New Hampshire: For goods valued at over $100, parts and service info for the period of time covered by the warranty I would not be surprised if many other states have similar laws... | ||
| Aptbldr |
Among Buells, Blasts & pre-HD tube frame bikes have best shot at holding $$ value in the long run; if, HD doesn't resume production of Blast. Nostalgia drives vintage bike market, LOTS of people will have 'first bike jones' for 'em. Especially relatively unmodified. | ||
| Fast1075 |
The Blast is an excellent bike...wish I hadn't traded mine in when I bought my Lightning...light, nimble and stone reliable for me and I flailed mine mercilessly. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
We still have and love our Blast. They hold up to abuse well, are practical, economical and a ton of fun to boot. For what you are looking for a m/c to do, Commuter, a Blast would fit the bill nicely methinks. B. | ||
| Milt |
Blast shares many parts with the ubiquitous Sportster. Parts won't be a problem. | ||
| Indybuell |
The Blast is built like a tank. Very good starter bike. Isn't it still being produced for RE by Harley Davidson? | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I would suggest getting one with more miles. A regularly used vehicle is better than some garage ornament. | ||
| Zane |
The Blast will do an excellent job for you as a daily commuter. Blasts are reliable in the extreme. I put over 7 thousand miles on mine in less than a year while requiring no repairs. Maintenance is easy. Changing the oil yourself is a trivial task and replacing tires is cheap and easy. The Blast shares many parts with other Buells and with the Sportster line. Parts won’t be a problem in the foreseeable future. Blasts are easy and forgiving to ride. They are nimble in traffic and great training bikes on the back roads. I loved mine. If you took a poll of former Blast owners, I'd wager 99% of us regret not still having one. The only thing I found the Blast not good for was hitting traffic barricades. That one didn’t turn out well at all. (Message edited by zane on February 05, 2010) | ||
| Hootowl |
I'd take the $2000 cheaper one. 7500 miles is nothing. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
If you take the cheaper one, then you won't feel so bad if you drop it. Plus as Hootowl says 7500 is bugger all if it's been reasonably maintained & ridden reasonably. On the other side of the coin, the 150 mile one isn't even broken in yet so it's not had time to be abused. | ||
| Ezblast |
Try to get a 2003 or over for rock solid reliability. EZ | ||
| Hootowl |
Think of all the neat farkles you could buy with the 2 large you saved. Rearsets, X1 bars, fairing... |
