| Author | Message | ||
     Cgent |
My totally stock 2002 Blast! has run great all year but the other morning it was around 36 F. and the girl would turn over nicely but didn't want to start. After multiple tries at brief crankings, I was ready to give it up and she started  Are small bikes with no windshield or fairing not really supposed to run at colder (below 40 F.) temperatures ? The spark plug has 5,000 miles on it, should it be replaced ? Seems the auto fuel enricher is working just fine. Not much action on this board recently ... are all the little Blast!s running just fine or maybe put out to pasture ??? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
They run fine. Its just cold and its not a Honda! Engines with a lot of torque get that way in the cold temps. If you havent re jetted, now is a good time. Also, in the colder temperatures the starter and the headlight can draw the power away from the ignition causing a hard start. Make sure the battery is okay (keeping it on a 'tender' will help) and learn where the headlight plug is so it can be unplugged on those really cold "I wonder if it'll start" mornings. {Yes, you can pull the fuse, but thats under the seat and they are delicate, so you'd better have an extra. The headlight plug is about 6" down the wiring from where it enters the headlight bucket}. Thinner (or temp appropriate) oil or synthetic will also help. Daily riders tend to suffers less starting problems. You can also cover your Blast with a heavy Blanket when you park it at night (if you're riding it daily) which will help keep the heat in. You can also use a block heater attached to the stock exhaust (I dont think they'll stick to the aluminum block). Thats all I can remember. The only thing I havent tried is a block heater which came suggested from someone who does. | ||
| Cgent |
Yea ... I did notice that, unlike my Goldwing, the headlight stays on during cranking. The 'Wing has a circuit that shuts off everything (including the coffee machine and fax  ) during cranking. Shutting off the headlight on the Blast! should give me needed amps. We live in east-central Indiana and I ride the little Blast! to work and for local trips to the "Y" and grocery when ever the weather permits. Generally it is often above 40 F. and dry. Rain, snow, freezing, and road salt force me to use the Jeep. | ||
| Ezblast |
I have an old CRV for the same thing - lol EZ | ||
| Roblast |
I've ridden my Blast in temperatures down to 25F, and other than some initial sluggish cranking, my bike has been quite happy. In fact, the Blast is generally happier operating that cold than I am. My old commute was 7 miles each way on city streets and I was fine. Now I'm going 47 miles each way on open country roads, and I freeze my tail off, while the bike runs great. I seem to take the 4 wheeled vehicle w/ heat if it's less than 35F when I leave the house. If I could find a way to stay warm w/out lugging winter gear around all day, I'd still be riding in 25F. | ||
| Cgent |
Roblast ... get a Goldwing ... 1000 watt alternator ... heated seat & handgrips ... Gerbings jacket, pant, booties, gloves, ... you'll be toastie !!!  | ||
| Roblast |
I'd love to... just need to win the lottery and add 6" to my inseam, so I can hit the ground. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
You dont need to reach the ground, they have automatic kickstands! Now go buy a lottery ticket  | ||
| Roblast |
You mean I'd have to put the kickstand down at every red light & stop sign? Fuggeddaboutit! I'll stick to my Blast, if you don't mind... | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I'd rather you did just that! | ||
| Cgent |
How tall (short) are you guys ??? I'm just 5'9"with a 30" inseam and can flatfoot the 'Wing ... very low center of gravity too. You slide forward to stand ... slide back into the bucket seat to travel. The cool thing is that the Goldwing is perfect for cold weather, long distance touring, two-up riding and has all the comforts of home. The Blast! on the other hand, gives me full wind in the face, no engine heat on hot summer days (or any other time), is a BLAST to ride, discourages co-riders, is great for short trips, gets better gas mileage, has no gages to worry about, one spark plug to change, ... and best of all no cappuccino machine to clean !!! | ||
| Roblast |
4' 11" with a 25" inseam. Should be Stumpy instead of RoBlast... | ||
| Britchri10 |
I'm 6'1" 200 lbs w/a 33 inseam. I ride my Blast w/a low seat & 1" drop pegs. I can flat foot the bike without any problems! (I also ride a Uly w/the regular seat & cannot flat foot it. I can get the balls of both feet down but not my heals.) FWIW: I sold my X1 'cause it was causing me severe back problems, hence the Ulysses purchase. (I could flat foot the X1) Chris C | ||
| Syonyk |
Britchri10, you should look into the high seat. I was riding my gf's Blast with the low seat, and now that she's on the XB9 most of the time, I got the high seat. 6'0 and I'm a *lot* more comfortable with the high seat - feels like a dirtbike! Also Uly/Lightning handguards & Lightning mirrors make a huge difference. As far as cold weather starting... no clue. Ours doesn't like the cold, and has been a pain to start on cold mountain mornings (like, "push start it because we drained the battery trying.") It's got the factory battery, though, which could stand replacement at some point. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
2002? Yeah, the battery might be on its way out! LOL! Too often in cold weather, especially with an old battery, the headlight and starter steal the power from the ignition causing a 'no start' situation. The headlight plug is about 6" down the wiring from where the wires enter the headlight bucket. |
