| Author | Message | ||
     Dana |
Hello everybody!! Dana here. I haven't sold the Buell yet (actually I haven't really been trying ). I was going to go for a ride on Sunday but my battery wasn't up to it. It may be from: A. Inactivity B. Cooler temperatures C. Original OEM Battery, circa Feb 1999 D. Bike is upset about that whole Suzuki V-Strom thing. E. All of the above. My question is: What is a good replacement battery that will with stand the rigors of the Buell (and the X1's tilted battery position)? Thank you, Oh wise Buellers. | ||
| Ncbueller |
Court: Is it safe to assume that the other 2 XXLs are being sent to NC? Be safe | ||
| Ncbueller |
Bulliedan: A package I sent the same time as yours arrived in MI today. Hope your arrived also. Thanks | ||
| Court |
BUELL LIGHTNING XB9S RECOGNIZED BY CHICAGO MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN This thing is kinda cool and brings back fond memories of when the 1996 S-1 was displayed as "art" along with such interesting things (that also caught my passion) as the Herrman Miller Aeron Chair. I saved all the pictures of the black S-1 and I'm hoping the display, in the present exhibit, will be as striking. Chicago gang get ready to photograph! Court | ||
| Cyclone1 |
I'd go with a AGM battery, myself...Haven't seen many fail in the "Milwaukee Paint Shakers" as long as they are taken care of. Which means a Battery Tender "PLUS" (its gotta be a plus version, otherwise it can overheat the battery, and damage it) in the winter time, when you're not riding it. I still have my original one in the Superglide and keep one of those lil "quick connect" pigtails on it. Just my opinion..  Frank | ||
| Buelliedan |
I myself have had great luck with the Odyssey battery in my X!. There is a guy always selling them on e-bay for $65 which is a steal!! Its the 545 model you will need. | ||
| Ncbueller |
Hawker also sells a good battery for the X1. Batteries Plus normally have the in stock and for about the $65 that Dan is quoting. Be Safe | ||
| Shotgun |
We heard a rumor at our latest BRAG meeting that Harley is no longer using the Blast for Rider's Edge Training courses because of 2 fatalities in the last year. Compared to 1 fatality in the entire history of Motorcycle Safety Beginners Courses nationwide. Anybody else heard this? Is the Blast too hot a machine for new riders? | ||
| Rocketman |
Red Top 20 Battery for some pretty pic's and info........... Court, it would be great to see those S1 gallery pic's, please, pretty please  Rocket  | ||
| Court |
Tom: Stuff is on the way. Rocket: The pics are in the gallery, I'll try to get some digital photos of them today. I saved the original plates shot on a Hasselblad large format as well as the book written about the exhibit. I tucked it away with the C.A.D. plot of the first conception of the S-1 tube frame that I had all the design engineers autograph. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Shotgun, I am an MSF instructor and it is true that 2 people have died while on Blasts and only one had ever died before. I do not know if HD has pulled the Blasts out of the program however. Where I teach we use mostly Suzuki 250s which have a little less torque than the Blasts. The rumor I have heard is that the Blasts have too much torque which causes problems if over-revved and you pop the clutch.(which a lot of new riders do!!) The bike jumps, which in turn causes the rider to panick. They then are so scared that they don't even try to stop and run into things. One of the riders who died ran smack into a dealerships wall which was at least 100 feet off the course. | ||
| Xb9er |
When I took the Ohio MSF Basic Rider Course (not Rider's Edge) September 28-29, 2002, the instructors were deliberately assigning the two Blasts they had to students with experience (I was a returning rider after a 15 year hiatus but had never taken any courses). I got to ride the Blast and I passed the course, by the way. There were at least two newbie students in my class who I think would have had difficulty and maybe could have injured or killed themselves on a Blast (based on my observation of how they handled the little 250cc bikes and the fact two ladies crashed and didn't pass the class). They are still good bikes to learn on, in my opinion. What would H-D use instead of the Blast for Rider's Edge? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Thats a shame, the Blast would otherwise be a great learning bike. But I agree, after watching plenty of 11 year olds loop XR-80's in our NYPUM program (before Honda took our bikes away because we were a faith based program...) That a torquey 500 would be a bit much. Could Buell custom roll some special ECM's? What about a restrictor plate on the intake? Maybe really weak clutch springs? I think all these bikes are factory provided with special VIN's anyway, and will never see street use. Bill (now glad I don't own a Honda) Kilgallon | ||
| Grndskpr |
Court is this an award, and display, and if so have they mentioned anything about a display, it seems not to be on there web site thanks Roger This could be a good GROUP brag event | ||
| Lake_Bueller |
Roger...The display runs from April 1 - May 15, 2003. I agree on the GROUP event. We should pick a date & all ride there. I can already see the looks when 50+ Buell riders (all in leather & Buell regalia) storm the museum. How about Sunday, May 11th. It's the weekend after the Slimey Crud. What do ya think? Sound like a plan? | ||
| Buelliedan |
Blasts used in Riders Edge are nothing special. They are off the floor Blasts used for only a limited number of miles(I think they have to be less than 1000 but don't quote me) then sold after that as used bikes. Have you noticed the glut of used Blasts on e-bay lately? Many of these are ex riders edge bikes. | ||
| X1glider |
I think the deaths could have happened just as easily in an MSF course on a different bike. There were some Yamaha dual purpose bikes (WT200?)at my ex's class. Those are more torquey than a Blast could hope to be. Also there are 3 more days of riding in rider's edge than an msf class, so the odds of something happening naturally increase. Perhaps by the 3rd day, some students start getting cocky and push it beyond their skill level. I also think there are some people who just aren't cut out for riding. My mother for instance has no grace. She runs into stationary objects when she walks. I told her I don't want to see her on anything but the back of a bike. Then there are those who freeze or panic when confronted with a hazardous situation. It's more a personality trait tho. Nevertheless it's bad news, but I can't blame the Blast, the bike is too easy to ride. People today are more impatient "now" types and want their skills immediately. Chances are it was the students fault for pushing too hard. | ||
| Bigwavedave |
FERRIS,I will see what I can do as far as getting ya a copy.I only bought a few to give to family.I think it was in the last issue befor they went T.U. so not sure if I can order a back issue. Bummer! I can send ya my copy, but I would want it back. Later Dude! Me... | ||
| Dynarider |
I wouldnt blame the bike. Perhaps the numbers are skewed because more people are taking msf classes than ever before? I know here in town we had a few "incidents" with the Blasts as well. A few people ran into the wall behind the dealership. A couple more just ran off the course & out into the woods. Maybe some of it is related to possibly inept teachers? Im not saying the MSF guys dont do a good job, but perhaps a couple of not so good ones have slipped thru the cracks? You would think #1 on their list would be to tell new riders "dont panic & when in doubt pull in the clutch". | ||
| Uwgriz |
When I took the course, they always said if you get into trouble, squeeze with both hands. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
IF you get into trouble, they taught and would yell at us ALL FOUR (squeeze both hands, push down with both feet). Having ridden a Blast and observed other people riding them the two things that I think contribute to a new rider's problem are the following: 1. The abundant low end torque, as mentioned before, the bike lunges pretty good right when you let the clutch out, especially if it let out too fast. 2. When that happens, new riders either do nothing or slam on the front brake, which is TOO powerful on that bike. It's way too easy to skid the front tire on a Blast. Buell chose to put the XL1200S "W" grind cams in the Blast, because of the greater low end torque. Had they chosen the S1/X1 lightning cams, the bike would have less torque in the low end but made more HP up on top. According to the first article about the Blast in Cycle World, test riders during development preferred the torquey cams, so that's what they put into it. IMO, using the lightning cams might have actually made the bike easier to get going, because the bike would not lunge as bad if the clutch was let out fast. It would probably increase stalling problems, but once people learned clutch control that would go away. This still does not fix the second problem the powerful front brake. Trivia buffs will notice that for 2000 the Blast had a braided front brake line, and they went to regular brake lines from then on. This obviously lowers costs, but also reduces brake power and feel. Not a sermon, just a thought........ | ||
| Jeffb |
I have never had this problem dealing with the generally great people that hang out here, but I think I have ran into a problem dealing with a dead beat buyer. I shipped a set of Andrews B70 Blast cams several weeks ago to a buyer who seemed excited to get them and promised quick payment. I have not received any money or heard any response to several emails. What should I do? I haven't posted his name and address here yet in the hopes that he will see this and send a check, but if there isn't a check waiting for me next week, I am going to tell everyone here not to deal with him. Like I said, I have dealt with several people here with great success, but now someone is trying to screw me out of a decent amount of money and I am pissed. What have other people done in this situation? Jeff | ||
| X1glider |
Tell us the name and whoever lives closest to him will drop by and beat that check out of him. There is a small fee for that service tho! | ||
| Rocketman |
Bob, you have to have Moderator prevaliges(sp?) to do that!!!!!!!! Court, I'd love to see that stuff. Thanks for sharing that little teaser, I'm envious as hell now  Rocket | ||
| Fssnoc2501 |
Jose, I listen to your tirades almost daily with great anticipation and near glee, just to see what your next one might be. This is one that I can't leave alone. The Blast, although not the most torquey or most powerful single, is the most forgiving that I have ridden. If ridden properly it DOES NOT lunge at all. If ridden with too aggresive of throttle it may. I have rode many singles through my life (since 1965) and the Blast is a pleasure to ride. While stock I was teaching my wife to ride and she was having no problem at all. I have since made a "few" mods and now she is allittle squemish. She had ridden nothing except for a lawnmower minibike prior to me starting to teach her, and was picking it up well until I got "salt fever". My opinion is that for the beginners classes maybe a restricted bike for out and out beginners and stock Blasts for those with minimal experience. The difference between a 200 or 250cc bike and a 500cc can be major. So the comparison is not only not fair, but is not reasonable. This is especially true when going from a bike with 8-12hp to a bike with 27 hp. At slow speeds even the 200cc bike produces less hp than the Blast which has a much wider powerband. Ray | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Ray, I understand what you are saying, however, think about somebody that has NEVER used a bike before and has to learn how to properly use the clutch a very low end torquey bike like the Blast will present a problem. People with "coordination" tend to quickly learn the clutch and do not have many problems. Other less "coordinated" people tend to do better with something like that 250 nighthawk or Suzuki GS250. Obviously not everybody has problems with the bike as you mention. But I have heard this annecdote about the Blast from other MSF intructors here in the DC area. I have seen people on Blasts, mainly new riders, get out of shape just trying to leave the dealer's parking lot if they do things wrong. But they do that on Electra Glides, so if you don't know what you are doing, it doesn't matter what you are doing it on. So I'm not just making this up, it was just an observation that I have witnessed myself and I thought it might help explain some of the thoughts expressed above. | ||
| Timbo |
Jeff, You can call the local police in his town to file a grievance, give them his name and address along with the details of what happened. I have heard of this working in the past. This would also establish a record if you wished to take further action in the future. Timbo | ||
| Rick_A |
I see a lot of people getting out of shape riding anything when they're starting out. | ||
| Nrhs |
Hey team, Remember the Speed Talk on Tuesdays at 900P at www.nallinracing.com. Brian Nallin Nallin Racing | ||
| S320002 |
RE: The Blast as a MSF bike. We have a saying in the engineering community. Any attempt to make a design idiot proof is futile because idiots are becoming more idiotic everyday. Speaking of idiotic... "which is TOO powerful on that bike."...and the logic behind that statement is..??? Lack of feel or abrupt lockup are bad characteristics in brakes, power is not. Greg |
