Author |
Message |
Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 12:30 am: |
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I'm still amazed by the number of people that still dont realize that the Blast is (was) a real motorcycle, able to keep up with real motorcycles and will run 80-85 mph all day long. I've talked up the small 'crashable' bike till I'm blue in the face. IMHO,too much ego is usually involved for someone to buy a small* bike. I could go on..... *small includes 600cc sportbikes and Sportsters! |
Rex
| Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 12:53 pm: |
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I agree with everyone starting out on a starter bike. 250 and 350's were big bikes when I was a kid. I started on the Honda 90 C200. I just bought another one of those bikes. You should see it sitting beside my Buell. Looks like a midget. I cannot believe we used to ride 2 up on those bikes and thought they were big. Too many people go in and buy the biggest, fastest bike on the showroom floor, then crash within the first 20 miles. I too like the Blast bike, and would like to see a flat track version for the street, the blast with a hotted up motor in the Fuel in the frame XB's, but we will not see it. Probably is best to build it without either Buell or HD name and use for HD training. I am sure HD didn't want their name on it, if it failed, so they asked Buell to put their name on it. Too bad they did not take the Rotax single and put out a super single cylinder bike. The Kawasaki and BMW's have some pretty good singles. I belong to the FSSNOC, Four Stroke Single National Owners Club. These guys ride their bikes thousands of miles just to have lunch, then drive back. They call them thumper Cafes. If you get a chance take a look at their website. Some pretty active Motorcyclists there, all Thumper enthusiasts. I have a Honda FT 500. REX |
Patches
| Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 09:15 am: |
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"Too bad they did not take the Rotax single and put out a super single cylinder bike." I thought that what this was.
MT 500 |
Ezblast
| Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 11:00 am: |
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Don't think that is Rotax - it burns diesel. EZ |
Patches
| Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 11:42 am: |
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Here is some info on the MT350 & MT500 says they have Rotax Engine on them. http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/Articles/Buyers-guide/ The-Armstrong-MT500---MT350.aspx Local shop has one for sale $9995.00 http://www.manowarhd.com/pre_owned_detail.asp?veh= 1278449 |
Ezblast
| Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 03:45 pm: |
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That is cool! Thank you! Love to learn! EZ |
Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 11:56 pm: |
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I remember seeing one on a dealers showroom floor and they wanted a good bit of change for it. For that kind of money I'd buy a WLA. Something else for the British army.If only the one in the garage looked so nice!
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Crusty
| Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 06:49 am: |
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That Triumph is a TRW. I had a 1957 TRW that I bought as Canadian Army Surplus in 1972. It made 15 Horsepower (according to the manual) and had a top speed of 70 MPH (also according to the manual). It was a fun bike; it always started with one kick, and ran well enough. I had a lot of good rides on it, but then I sold it and bought a '54 Matchless single. |
Patches
| Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 04:17 pm: |
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I wonder if buell could really put a Rotax Single in a Blast chassis and keep the same price point as what they Cubed? The specs. (HP,Torque and Top Speed) on the MT500 Rotax powered bike seems to be no better than the Blast (H-D engine) bike. Engine 485cc Four Stroke twin port single cylinder ohc engine with four valves. Bore & Stroke 89mm x 77.4mm. Power: 32 BHP @ 6200rpm. Torque; 38NM @ 5500rpm. Ignition: CDI electronic ignition, independent of Battery/Alternator system. Lubrication: Dry sump "oil in frame" with pressure feed through engine & gearbox. Washable primary & replaceable element secondary filters. Air Filtration system: Paper element Carburettor: 30mm Amal as standard. Gearbox; 5 Speed constant mesh, pressure lubricated, with wet multi plate clutch. Final Drive; 520 O Ring Chain. Performance. 0~60 mph in 9.5 sec. Maximum speed approx 95 mph. Cruising speed 70 mph. Fuel Consumption: Approx 50~60 mpg. Range: 120 miles approx. http://www.forcemotorcycles.com/mt500.asp |
Ezblast
| Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 09:28 pm: |
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Rotax has a 650 kit that could fit that platform - lol EZ |
Patches
| Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 10:03 pm: |
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Always thinking of how to make it better! (Message edited by Gearheaderiko on October 04, 2009) |
Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 12:21 am: |
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When I got my TRW it was in chopper form! I needed the front end and have just let the rest sit until I have the time (25+ years later). Sadly, I didnt realize that the 6" over front end I eventually sold with the bike I swapped it on used the original lower fork legs and triple tree (chromed). I assumed the TRW used a girder, but it was the first Triumph to use telescopic front forks |
Patches
| Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 08:08 am: |
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I'm guessing the Neck-shell would be the hardest to find. Use to have a local British shop here up to the mid 80's I think they moved to Arizona or New Mexico. He had a vast collection of original parts if you could afford them.($800.00 to $1000.00 for a used original gas tank and this was back in the late 70's) Original antique motorcycles always the coolest in the parking lot, draws the biggest crowd. |
Court
| Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 08:34 am: |
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The Blast with the Rotax would likely be cheaper. There's a good chance we lost the Blast due primarily to problems with engine supply. |
Gearheaderiko
| Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 10:50 am: |
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"There's a good chance we lost the Blast due primarily to problems with engine supply." ? The current Blast or a Blast with a Rotax engine or ? |
Patches
| Posted on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 11:40 am: |
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If Buell would have just robed the XB parts bin for the xb9 top-end, cams, primary drive and final drive gearing would have made the Blast a Really Fun little factory bike. Not just for the Beginners. Price point would not have to change that much either. Sorry just fantasizing again. |
Ezblast
| Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 12:35 am: |
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they do make a world of stuff for Rotax in that size, and conversion kits to larger size, circle-track etc. has been at it for years, as have the British and others. A modern Buell platform, a bullet proof engine with a total engine aftermarket already built in - that could be a formula for fun! EZ |
M2nc
| Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 01:09 am: |
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That is what I am saying. As it is the Blast is a great riding motorcycle. The bike has to be the easiest bike to ride out today. Now put a better engine, trans, suspension and tires, and you have a package that would be top notch for anyone but especially for the shorter or newer riders. We had a couple ride with us this weekend that the young lady was just learning to ride. With her short stature she had what so many of that height have,a cruiser and in this case a VLX600. This Honda is a good little cruiser and it sounded and looked great. But even on this small bike, she was stretching to reach the forward controls. During one stop she looked over Ulywife's Blast and sat on it. We could all tell that she fit better on the Blast than the Honda. Add to the fact that her SO has several bikes, all sport bikes, the little cruiser is just not a good fit for their riding style. The issue for any new potential Blast buyer is that the Blast is a price point bike. If it was a little more true standard - sport bike, Buell could pick up a lot of potential buyers. I know in this case they may have one looker due to the fit of the motorcycle even with its price point components. That said I did get the chance to ride a few miles up Wolf Pen Gap. I was easily able to match and exceed the pace we rode with the group going to the Dragon the day before. Other than low clearance which I was able to compensate with hanging my fluffy self off the side, the bike really turned in fast and was able to run an impressive pace. With a little time to get use to the bike in the mountains, I know I would be able to keep up with most there. Fortunately for Ulywife I did not get that chance because she was on it all of Saturday and the only loop we got off before packing it in for home on Sunday. She had a "Blast" riding her own and dragging pegs this weekend. |
Jlnance
| Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 08:14 am: |
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Fortunately for Ulywife ... Ha. You wreck Ulywife's bike and see what happens. |
Crackhead
| Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 12:01 pm: |
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The Blast with the Rotax would likely be cheaper. There's a good chance we lost the Blast due primarily to problems with engine supply. interesting, since all of the molds were paid for by now, and parts bin shopping could have reduced the cost. so, are we looking at a rotax single shortly? maybe for the new 450 class? } |
Jlnance
| Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 12:22 pm: |
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There's a good chance we lost the Blast due primarily to problems with engine supply. We didn't loose the Blast. It just doesn't say Buell on the tank any longer. |
Patches
| Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 12:45 pm: |
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If Buell goes to Rotax engine on all there bikes who is going to service them? Everything I have seen on the Net. that has a 500cc Rotax Single engine or similar engine prices range $8K, $10K or more. I do not see how they could put a Rotax engine in a Blast chassis and keep the price down. |
Ezblast
| Posted on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 03:41 pm: |
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perhaps they will discount for volume - lol EZ |