| Author |
Message |
    
Pokinatcha
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 06:44 pm: | 
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My first bike was my city X. My younger brother bought a blast two years after me. I really think he had a better first bike experience then me cause he can keep up with me pretty well in twisty slow stuff where I tend to slow down more and not rely on the bike. On one hand I wish I started on a blast but on the other hand I'm 245 and too fat for a blast. So the moral of my story I guess is if you're not too fat for a blast most definitely start on one. sounds kinda lame now that I re-read that but oh well it's for the better good. |
Retrittion
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 06:51 pm: |
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If you decide on your motorcycle primarily because of:
1: Looks
2: Size
3: Masculinity
4: Impatience
...you are not making a wise or rational choice. Not making wise or rational choices is what gets you killed very fast on a motorcycle. So how much risk are you willing to take on? It's a serious question that requires serious though by each person. A Blast will make you a better rider if you choose to learn from it, just as a MSF class will make you a better rider. Better riders live longer and keep more appendages and skin. This follows the same methodology for learning that has been used for thousands of years by various martial arts and military's -- you punch air before you punch a board, you learn to strip the weapon before you learn to fire the weapon. Most of you probably know what happens when you do it the other way around.
Bottom line, you can sell a blast for near what you pay and they are cheap to begin with so it doesn't really impact your acquisition of another motorcycle. Until they make an XB5 (or I can make one myself) my fiancee is starting on a Blast for her first season, after taking the MSF course -- she is nice enough to let me indulge my passion in riding, the best way I can return that is to make sure she learns a safely and as best as possible. I like doctors -- I don't like meeting them when they're working (cops too, but thats a separate thread).
Cheers!
(Message edited by retrittion on May 20, 2008) |
Sethbuchbinder
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 08:18 pm: |
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For those that say that all new riders will drop their bike are completely wrong. There is no rule that says that crashing is part of learning. I logged over one hundred thousand miles without a spill before getting rear-ended at a light a few years back, but that had nothing to do with learning or making a mistake.
There is no substitute for lots and lots of practice. Those that understand that will get the appropriate bike and spend the time practicing, natural selection will sort out the rest.
Seth |
R_d_b
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 09:36 pm: |
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I am deciding on a bike on these reasons
1. Can I hold it up lol
2. ease of maintenance and operation
3. insurance and payment price
4. just for the thrill of riding
I am married and have a little boy so I dont need a chick getter or a crazy fast bike. Just something to enjoy, so I think the Blast is right for me. |
Retrittion
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 09:42 pm: |
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just add in this one and you are golden:
6: improves my chances of seeing grandkids |
R_d_b
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 10:48 pm: |
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good point also, im pretty excited about a Blast, now I just need to find a good used one. What are the chances of finding the discontinued Pro Series exhaust for one, or is there a similar sounding muffler for the Blast? Im not really into the stock sounding lawn mower muffler haha. |
Ezblast
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 11:41 pm: |
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http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/6806.html?1211304233 |
Boney95
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 01:23 am: |
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If you decide on your motorcycle primarily because of:
1: Looks
2: Size
3: Masculinity
4: Impatience
...you are not making a wise or rational choice. Not making wise or rational choices is what gets you killed very fast on a motorcycle. So how much risk are you willing to take on? It's a serious question that requires serious though by each person. A Blast will make you a better rider if you choose to learn from it, just as a MSF class will make you a better rider. Better riders live longer and keep more appendages and skin. This follows the same methodology for learning that has been used for thousands of years by various martial arts and military's -- you punch air before you punch a board, you learn to strip the weapon before you learn to fire the weapon. Most of you probably know what happens when you do it the other way around.
Retrittion
Stop riding on your high horse. Why does it seem like you're always preaching? You come across like you know everything, and your word is the be all...You only live once; let people try to live by this thought if they choose. |
Nik
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 01:45 am: |
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Stop riding on your high horse. Why does it seem like you're always preaching? You come across like you know everything, and your word is the be all...You only live once; let people try to live by this thought if they choose.
You only live once, so why not do it right the first time? You'll get to enjoy it longer that way.
(Message edited by nik on May 21, 2008) |
Phwx2
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 07:10 am: |
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The blast. They are dirt cheap used. Low investment in the event that: a) your life doesn't mesh with riding a bike, b) you drop it three times in the first month, c) you dump it, d) you decide that you want to keep it for someone else in your family to learn on if you move to the xb. |
Buellinachinashop
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 09:11 am: |
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"I am married and have a little boy so I dont need a chick getter or a crazy fast bike"
XB get's chicks........CHECK, but it's not big enough to ride most passengers happily.
XB is crazy fast......Its as fast as far as you open the throttle.
Good luck on your choice. |
Mr2shim
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 10:43 am: |
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If I had the money and I could do it all over again I'd buy a blast and an XB. Ride blast until I get bored with it then transition to the XB. But I don't. Soo I bought an XB as my first motorbike, haven't dropped yet(hopefully wont ever)
I love it. It's a 9R and it's more than enough for me to be happy. |
Darthane
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 11:45 am: |
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I started on a Blast and moved up to a XB9R when they were introduced the following year. My Blast has been the first ride for four people other than myself now, all of whom have their endorsements and have or had their own bikes.
I'm looking at an XT, which will bring the stable to 3 Buells, but that Blast is never going anywhere - I'd sell the Firebolt before it. It's a perfect little machine, and still a hoot to ride even after six years of scooting around on the Firebolt. |
P3newbie
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:10 pm: |
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First bike was a Blast, got my endorsement, rode for a year logged 12k on it, traded up to a 9R worked for me. I will say if possible demo them both, then make the call. My .02 |
Brazenbuck
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:56 pm: |
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This is timely for me as well. I am a new rider, and I decided to get a 12Ss. For me, it was all about buying the bike I felt comfortable on, light weight and manuverability. When I take delivery of it I MIGHT take it around my subdivision but that's it. I'm signed up for Rider's Edge, but the first available class isn't until July. A local community college offers a 2 day MSF class and I'm trying to take it as well before Rider's Edge.
This bike for me will be a daily commuter, and a side street commuter at that. I have no desire to see how hard it'll accelerate or where it'll top out. I wanted an American bike that wasn't 600+ lbs and I'm going to take all the training/advice from veteran riders I can. I'm fortunate to have some 40+ year vets around me to continually learn from.
Did I really make a bad choice? I'd like to hear from both sides. |
Darthane
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 01:23 pm: |
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No such thing as a bad choice as long as you respect your and your motorcycle's limits. 
...generally speaking there are quite a few more of the former relative to the latter. Even a Blast can get you killed.
I've only ridden a S a few times, but it was a very comfortable, confidence-inspiring bike. It felt far more akin to my Blast than to the Firebolt, and would be my choice for a commuter over the R (but I'm not about to trade my R for one) primarily because of the more upright and relaxed riding position. |
Eicas
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 10:24 pm: |
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The most important thing is how well the you fit the bike, but with that said, I think that you become a better rider with a smaller "weaker" bike because you really have to know how to ride it to make it do anything!
I started out on an old BSA side valve 250, and after a year on that I could actually make it move pretty good, and I never got in over my head, but had lots of fun trying.
Can't do that with a powerful bike, you never learn how to find the limits without risking your life, or at least a nasty crash.
I know of several riders who started off on "hot" bikes and crashed, but never understood why, some are no longer with us, the others missed out on a great sport because they stopped riding.
I know that many have started out on "hot" bikes and it has worked out OK, but I doubt that they had as much fun, or learned as much, or are as good as they could be.
I am not insinuating that I am a great rider, because I am not, but I am better because of how I learned how to ride.
I vote for the Blast! |
California69gs
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 08:43 am: |
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I took the Harley/Buell safety/learner course 3 years ago. So the Blast was the first bike I ever drove and it was plenty bike for me at the time. Most of these schools will also sell you the trainer bikes at half cost. After the class I bought a Honda ACE, not what I wanted but all I could afford. Last year I bought a Honda Superhawk and after a season of riding decided it was way to much bike for me, but could never go back to a blast or ACE that had such small displacement.
Now I've got a 03 Lightning. Great gas mileage (my superhawk got 30mpg), enough power, and I love the looks. My wife and kids while loving to ride, hate the seat and complain all the time, FYI. |
Steeldrummerj
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 10:02 pm: |
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Ok. I started on a blast and now have the xb9sx. Everyone has their own idea of what's right, but I think I was in the same boat as you about 2 years ago. I decided on the blast and couldn't be happier with that decision. I put 17,000 miles on it in about 16 months, including a trip from florida to massachusetts and back. It's great for around town, and it can do 65 pretty well. It's not made for the highway, but it can be done. The last time I rode it (mid Feb.) was the second attempt at that ride, and I hit a pothole in south carolina on I-95. I walked away without a scratch, but the bike was hit by an suv and a van. I used the insurance money for the xb9sx. I love it. I'm leaving Ma for Florida day after tomorrow, and I think it will be a more enjoyable ride. I loved the blast as much as the lightning, but they're two different animals. Use your head, make a smart decision, and you'll end up with the right bike for you. |
Howler1203
| | Posted on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 01:24 am: |
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I got the 12s for my first and I have to admit the torque of the bike scared the shit out of me at first.I had only ridden a dirt bike before that.Im lucky I didnt go down first time out. |
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