| Author | Message | ||
     Mesa_cityx |
Hi. I'm an ex-xb owner looking to thump and i'm looking at the blast. However, some of the posts are worrisome. At the risk of starting a flame war, how reliable are these bikes? Can i take a short trip (3-500 miles) without lots of spares? Back roads are what i'm wanting to explore. Thnks. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Very reliable. You have to remember that most people find us because they have a problem and not because they want to stop by and tell a bunch of other Blast owners how great their bike is (they already know). Stock is super reliable. Start modifying it and its only as good as the last mod or mechanic that worked on it. You wont need to carry spares. But like the old days when guys used to carry extra spark plugs, those of us that know the most common of ailments, bring spares because we can, not because we need too. | ||
| Mesa_cityx |
thanks, again. I'm looking at a couple of used ones, '04 and '05. One is a former training bike, (not too happy about that) other is just used. | ||
| Reuel |
I can tell you of my personal experience. I have a 2001, which is reported to have lots of problems. The two problems I had were a broken bolt on the front of the heat and the leaky rocker cover gasket. Both were fixed by the 2002 or 2003 model. All other problems I've had with my Blast were inflicted on it by me, the dealer, or some other loose nut holding a wrench. I have neglected and abused my Blast quite a bit, so it should be failing on me more, but it doesn't. I've been running with my carburetor unsuspended, which is supposed to cause the intake boot to fail. I've been taking way too long to change my transmission oil, and have put the wrong oil in it more than once. I drove on salty streets without cleaning the salt out. I'm 16K past the front fork oil change. My Blast keeps on Blasting, and I'm quite happy with it. I'd like to get a Lightning some day. My wife keeps asking if I'm going to trade it in. I tell her the black Blast next to a white Lightning would look cool in the garage. If I can get my daughter on the Blast, we'd look cool together. Former training bike? That means it might not have gotten a good break-in. Don't sweat the transmission. Check it over, and you'll be good. If the engine burns (not leaks) oil, do a piston upgrade, and you'll be fine. | ||
| Mesa_cityx |
thanks for the feedback. Shame on you about the salt. | ||
| Reuel |
The salt cost me one front brake caliper. Oh--I keep her clean now! My whole situation has improved a lot since then. | ||
| Ezblast |
I carry a world of spares on long trips because I can, however, the only thing I ever needed was an adjustable wrench to tighten something for someone else. I had a wheel bearing go bad once, however, I've since learned not to allow others to take off and put on my wheels, and if they do they are to torque to spec only, and give them the spec. A quarter of my mileage are trips like that. No problems generally, unless I get stupid and the bike ends up on the ground, then with all that custom stuff, things can need on the spot adjusting - lol EZ | ||
| Billyo |
Like Reuel said, the '01s have a reputation for problems but we bought our '01 with 3000 miles and the primary had never even been adjusted! The only problem in the 3600 miles we've put on it is a leaking rocker cover. The headlight isn't great so I put a pair of inexpensive driving lights (small ones from Walmart) on it and they really light up the road and make the bike a lot more visible. The bulbs that come in the lights burn out quickly so buy 2 replacement bulbs right away. Blasts are fun little bikes and get great gas mileage. When you need new tires get a set of Avon AM63's and use dyna-beads instead of balancing with weights. | ||
| Swampy |
look at the pictures on the front page, Maggie just rode her Blast form Florida to Michigan....she also has an Iron Butt Association sticker on her fuel tank. What problems?....LOL The Little Kid just rode his up north 150 miles to come visit me tonight, then we will be riding back 100+ miles tomorrow. We don't even think twice about hopping on and riding somewhere. | ||
| Mesa_cityx |
Good news! Thanks for the feedback. I'll try those tires, billyo . First i need to buy a blast.. | ||
| Ezblast |
lol |
