| Author | Message | ||
     Scoutdad |
Hi! I love this board and the great ideas I've read. I'm a fairly big guy (6', 220) and love my blast, but feel like I'm sitting on the ground. Has anyone put together a "How-To" of how to make the Blast "Bigger"? I've read about a higher profile front tire, expensive rear shock setups, etc., but I haven't gotten much when I've searched the boards here. I'm wondering if there's a way to get a more comfortable fit on this bike as I love riding it? Thanks for any advice/direction you can provide. Kevin | ||
| Ezblast |
Corbin can make a tall seat, as could Sargent, etc., definitely Superbike bars - the bike is not that small and in fact shares the same wheelbase as most superbikes - being a bit narrower and lower though can give the impression that it is smaller overall - rearsets could help as well - if this feels small - don't sit on a XBR - their wheelbase is a couple inches shorter, and only 2" wider and 2" taller - Buells are very compact;0) EZ | ||
| Chadprepton |
I have a higher front tire (a 100/90) and it did make the bike a little taller, also will last long compared to a to a 100/80 tire. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Welcome Chadprepton! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
From my other post: "Ditch those 'baby apes' for a set of superbike bars and it will feel like a much bigger bike. Add a Corbin seat and its even better. Add the 140 rear tire and better still. Seriously, the bars make a huge difference. Transforms the Blast from scooter to motorcycle." and from the 'I still dont know why this would make sense' file: I dont know why (people say) adding rearsets would make the bike feel bigger? Cramping and tucking your legs up is more comfortable? For them to be comfortable, then they're too low and you'll be dragging them turning out of your driveway! I'd hate for someone to go through all that trouble or money and find its worse. Forward controls make more sense and are just as much work. I'm not picking on EZ. I've heard the rearsets comment for years from others and I just dont get it. And yes, I've got both styles, stock and rearset. | ||
| Ezblast |
If your taller your knees are at a less weight bearing angle and you are actually stretching your leg more to get back to the peg - like reaching and using the passenger pegs to rest your feet - except not so extended. EZ | ||
| Indybuell |
Hmm.. Looks like superbike bars are only like $20 bucks or less shipped. Is it pretty complicated? | ||
| Indybuell |
BTW - I am 6'2", 240. I love riding my blast, but I feel somewhat goofy sitting on it, like I am way too tall. | ||
| Ezblast |
No - pretty straight forward, get new grips as well though - recommend the Buell traction for comfort. EZ | ||
| Indybuell |
Cool. Everything just screws off, etc, and then just remount on the new bars. I assume there is some kind of adhesive for the grips themselves? Now to find a Black Superbike bar! | ||
| Ezblast |
Chaparral Motorsports http://www.chaparral-racing.com/ has the black superbike bares - about 20 bucks, new grips don't usually use glue anymore - loosening the controls and just sliding them off, after removing the grips, is better than totally unscrewing them. EZ | ||
| Indybuell |
These right? http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_ family.asp?family%5Fid=5740&gift=False&0=assets%2F html%2Fd%5Fstreet%2Easp%2CnavId%3Dd%5Fstreet%2A0%2 6menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D%2CStreet&1=dept%2Easp%2Cde pt%5Fid%3D425%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D0%2CStreet%2 0Handlebars%2C%20Controls&2=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid %3D3249%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D1%2CStreet%20Handl ebars&3=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D1595%26menu%5Fid% 3D%26Tree%3D2%2CBikemaster%20Street%20Handlebars&m scssid=16BF4182770144C5922DDAD8BEF122FC | ||
| Ezblast |
As long as your selecting black superbike - then the answer is yes! - Arrrrrr! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/201 64/92754.html Handlebars threads. Most info is there. After installing the 'superbike' bars you'll say "these are the bars the Blast should have come with". To Buells credit, the stock bars make the Blast feel like scooter and very easy/friendly to ride. Just changing to the superbike bars make it feel like a motorcycle (a whole new motorcycle). | ||
| Cityxslicker |
They work great on the CityX. Gets me up in the pegs so I can do the whoopdees and still keep control.  | ||
| Indybuell |
City - Are those blast bars? | ||
| Ezblast |
Look it- lol EZ | ||
| Fast1075 |
If you take a can of brake cleaner and using the lil straw thingy....squirt plenty in between the grip and the bar, you can usually get the grip to come off easily (you may need to work a screwdriver in between the bar and the grip to get the straw thingy in there) with a bit of twisting and pulling....if you can get the left side grip off in one piece...you won't need to fiddle with the right side since it is on the throttle tube, not the bar...to reinstall the grip, spray some brakleen in the grip, shake it up and it will slip right on...in a couple of minutes it will stick down all by itself..I have had my stock grip on and off 4 times trying out new bars and still have the stock grips  | ||
| Ezblast |
Try the Traction - you won't regret it. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Caution: Use safety glasses. Eyeballs are a known magnet for brake cleaner. Dont stab your hand with the screwdriver either. If you cant get the grip off, its not because you didnt try, its because you'll have to cut it off. Some (many) grips have to be cut off. | ||
| Dankno |
AND!!! If the previous installation utilized grip adhesive (chances are if its stock, it did) be very careful or wear gloves. No kidding, the pads of my fingers looked like hamburger by the time I got the left grip off. The adhesive had dried into a ridiculously sharp rubberized sand (more like shards of broken glass) paper. Seriously, I have AWESOME callouses on my hands, I regularly pull pans and food right from a 350 degree oven (Not for a living or anything, I just dig cooking..) without protection and very rarely do I get anything but pink skin... That friggin grip SHREDDED my fingers. I'm still not over the shock of it... LOL! | ||
| Hemdog |
Is there that huge of a difference with the superbike bar? Would you recommend the bar to someone learning to ride, or would sticking with the factory bar be a better bet? | ||
| Ezblast |
Buell put those bars there for folks who needed the reach - most folks agree though - the superbike bars are what the Blast should have come with. EZ | ||
| Hemdog |
Seems like a fairly easy mod to do. Maybe I'll have to give that a try. | ||
| Scoutdad |
Great feedback! Thanks. I bought a set of XB9 take-off bars (They were black and had a support bar like off-road handlebars. They DO make a nice difference in comfort on the bike. It was super-easy to do. I'd recommend using a screwdriver and slide it down the grip - then spray in windex or your favorite generic window cleaner. Worked great. |
