| Author | Message | ||
     Deerhunter17 |
Lookin at purchasing a new Blast for my wife, any input, suggestions, ideas, tips, concerns etc.?, Thanks | ||
| Jprovo |
Buy one, Don't modify it for at least a few months (I ran the stock exhaust on my bike for over a year), Buy a spare set of bodywork in the color she wants off Ebay, keep an eye on the oil level, and run Avon Tyres when the stockers wear out. Jmes | ||
| Josh_ |
Buy a used one for pennies, buy an extra set of bodywork on eBay (or from a BadWeb sponsor, brand new isn't that much), run Pirellis | ||
| Ezblast |
A 2005 would be bullet proof, however, so would a 2003 at a lesser price. That said - I would wait till mid July to see what new may come up, and if I did buy a new bike I'd still get the extended warrrentee - they have both paid for themselves on both bikes I own! - lol - but remember - both of my bikes where very early edditions, the complaints I hear about 2003 and up bikes are practically nill - a few busted mufflers - replaced - are all I have heard of - so they are a damn safe bet even without the extended though - so its really a personal choice - I bought the Black new and it was so much fun - even with the glitches, I bought a second used 2000 Red Blast to ride dailly as I further worked on the Black - in the end I am very pleased with both bikes - and every glitch was fixed without batting an eye by Buell/HD with me doing most of the rest - and they lived with that compromise nicely. So - overall I am pleased by the product and have found a good majority of owners have felt the same through the years - still if I was going to buy new I would wait till after July hits to make sure that was my best bet - not that I'm trying to discourage sales - but then we are only talking about a few days really - GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Dustyjacket |
A Blast is great for me, and I'll be handing it over to my wife next year, although we'll keep my seat for it as well. We bought a very low mileage 2002. My first purchases were a windshield, saddlebags, and a tank bag to carry oil, disk lock, kickstand "coaster", liners for my jacket/pants, and spare bulbs. The tank bag hold sunglasses, sunblock, bandanna, and other sundries. After she's had it for a month or two she'll start knowing if she wants a different seat, or handlebars, or grips,.... My wife plans to have it painted blue to green chameleon (changes color as the light hits it differently). | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
Thanks for the input. I would like to wait to see what comes next month, but then I would also like to take advantage of the dealer wanting to move this thing now. Also, heard some talk of new EPA reg's that will take effect on 2006 models, not sure I like the sound of them, any how, thanks again, will let you know what happens. | ||
| Jprovo |
FYI, 2006 EPA is no different than current California Smog requirements. Thre most you're talking about is a charcoal canister. James | ||
| Newblaster |
A charcoal canister that will, fairly often, *ahem* "fall off on the freeway". See the TKV for info on that. lol... | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
I was told today that the "Extreme" EPA reg's I am fearing are scheduled to take effect on the 2008 models. So sorry for the false input, and Thanks again for you replies! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
While I agree with James on the quality of Avon tyres, If it was MY wifes bike I put on Pirellis. I'll take sticky over mileage there! Also good used would be a better deal. | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
Well, went and did it, picked up the new blast today. I don't know how it is going from a blast to a 12r, but I can tell you, riding the 12 for a year, then riding the blast home for my wife...well, it's small. I was ( am ) very impressed with the nimbleness. It IS a very maneuverable motorcycle. This thing is bone stock, and am working it through the break in, I was easy on it. Now for the rest of the story... My wife has a learners permit, and has attended a one day class to learn to ride (last September ). The bike had 10 miles on when I picked it up, 32 on it when I handed it over to my wife ( in my shop parking lot ), and 34 on it when she dumped it ( in the parking lot ). Luckily, had a spare marker light cover (from my Firebolt ), had to straighten out the fly screen bracket, and cleaned it up, looks fine. SHE, is bummed, of course. She had all her gear on, except her gloves, so she is sporting a few bandaids. I have a feeling she will be riding the parking lot for a while. She is also scheduled to take a rider safety course. I feel bad for her, but I think she has a bit more appreciation for the ability to ride. | ||
| Dustyjacket |
It's OK. I dumped my blast within the first 3 miles. (I bought it used.) Have her take the class ASAP. Preferably at a place that uses the Blast as the training bike. (The Rider's Edge at an H-D dealer). It will make the transitioning to her bike painless. BTW - get a new bracket. (It is technically the headlight bracket.) Especially if you are going to get a windshield. It cost me $12. You don't have to drop the fork tubes, like the Service Manual says. You can spread it open enough to slip over the tube. (Message edited by dustyjacket on June 19, 2005) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Well at least she learned the importance of always put on your safety gear. I dropped mine in the driveway at 200 miles (kickstand malfunction-dont park it on an incline and let it idle). The one thing I learned years ago, teaching an old girlfriend to ride, was that she was REALLY nervous about dropping my brand new Harley.Make sure she knows its absoulutely okay if she drops it, parts are cheap (they are),it takes a crash very well and her safety comes first. | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
You know, when she first got on the bike, ( it was a fairly warm day ) she did'nt have her jacket on. She gave me a little look like, "Do I really need it?", I told her to put it on. I almost made her stop and put her gloves on as well, should have. As for any damage, I took it out and put another 40 miles on it after I cleaned it up, and showed it to a few friends, they never noticed. As for her feelings, I did my best to assure her it was okay to drop it this way, there are two kinds of riders, and now you can say you've been down. I am a bit bummed about damaging a brand new bike, bike I knew this was going to happen, an is one of the reasons I like the Blast. Some questions though: 1) Is there another shifter available? Thats a long distance even for me and my 13's. 2)Any good after market seats, like a corbin or something?. Its the low, good for her, but seems too soft. My butt was starting to get sore in about 15 miles. I am not used to riding in that position. | ||
| Dustyjacket |
Check my web page - have her read it. it talks about my crash ($20 in parts) Mine came with the low seat but it was killing me. I have a Corbin gunfighter $215 direct from them, or though americansportbike.com which is a sponsor of this site. Depending on her height, the corbin may or may not work. It is lower than the high seat and higher than the low seat. But, it doesn't compress, so after you sit on it, it is about what the high seat compresses to. Are you talking about a replacement shift lever? I got one after I bent mine. Lookup DaveS (under sponsors- Appleton H-D/Buell, this site) for parts. You may just wish to rotate the shift lever downward a tad. Easy to do. Use an allen wrench and some blue loctite. (Message edited by dustyjacket on June 19, 2005) | ||
| Swampy |
Deerhunter, My wife did a high side with her Blast that was career ending. She failed the MSF course, I had her get a learners permit and the rest is history. It only took about $70 to put it back together. If I would have had her hold off to take the MSF over again I think she would have done much better. She had been riding the dirt bike all over the yard, but its too big of a jump, dirt to street speed wise. I wouldn't push your wife if she isn't sure of herself yet, The Blast, small in size is still a serious bike. Good luck, this is the place to be for Blast info. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
How tall is your wife. I prefer the low seat as it is much firmer than the high (nut crusher) seat.The Corbin is the best though (firm near the back, springy closer to the tank). The Sportster shifter is reported to fit (by people actually using one) or you can just drill & tap an extra hole in the stock one. | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
As for the shifter, I'll check out the Sporty one. It seems ( even for me ) that the distance between the riders foot peg and the shifter is too much. I am shifting with my big toe, she is practically lifting her foot from the peg to reach the shifter. I think i'll check on the corbin seat as well. She is 5'-4", and my daughter (a probable second rider ) is 5'-5", and the low seat fits them well, but I think it is too soft for a long ride. I figure now would be the time to replace it, before they get used to the stock one. As for $ thus far,, just some physical labor, and one used marker lens. And we are at 74 miles  | ||
| Dapeach |
As far as the corbin goes...I'm considering it & I had one on my sporty. You can talk to them, give them her measurements & they can fix it up just for her. The one they advertise isn't the only option. I've already talked to them about lowering it another inch & moving the back of the bucket a bit forward & they said it would be no problem...I think they can do this w/ no extra charge, or very little. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
As far as the Corbin, the rear bucket part is rather hard, the section closer to the tank gives a better ride (comfortable for me). The problem with shorter riders is that they may have trouble reaching the ground when you sit into the bucket at a stop. However, if you lower the bucket and bring it forward you may have effectively taken away the soft part of the seat (handy on rough roads) and made it hard to reach the ground at a stop. Just a thought. Also, you hear a lot about Corbin seat break-in. I own 2 on 2 very different bikes and me at 5'6" & 130-140 lbs I have never 'broken in' either of them. I also never broke in the stock low seat(all have considerable miles). I find both Corbins and the low very comfortable though. (Message edited by gearheaderiko on June 20, 2005) | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
Oh happy day... she got her first road miles under her belt today. Put about 45 of the most grueling miles ever on my XB leading her around some nice empty country roads. I did not realize the speed limit was that slow! We did mange to hit a few spots of 50mph, but I tried to keep her on the 40 and below stuff. We started in a rural neighborhood, getting used to the stop and go @ intersections, then moved it up, and out. I 'd check with her at every stop sign to see if she wanted to go back, or go on... she was thrilled to keep on. It's nerve racking to lead and watch the mirror at the same time, but we managed to enjoy a beautiful eve, temp wise, and great scenery, great ride. | ||
| Ezblast |
Cool! | ||
| Naustin |
:tup: Sweet. | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
WOW, what a difference a month makes. The good news is, the blast is still here. The bad?.. No more wife. Damn the bad! Have had some suspicions, but confirmed it last Monday night, shes been messin around. Well, needless to say, the guy has trouble eating, but I think I am shot emotionally. At any rate, early prognoses, my 17 year old daughter wants to ride the blast, and thankfully she is a bit more coordinated than the Bi#$^& that it was bought for. I guess I'll be spending alot more time with my daughter, and thats not bad at all.... til some young punk comes sniffin around... Obviously I am still in a bit of shock, I mean it was only 20 years. | ||
| Ezblast |
Sorry about the wife trip, but others have found that riding with the kid(s) is both fun and safe because you try harder to be safe for the kids sake. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Dustyjacket |
Wow. My wife took over the keys to my Blast last Sunday. I'm going to have to keep an eye on her........ |
