| Author | Message | ||
     Joe_perez |
The time has come to replace my dearly departed little bird, and I've had my eyes on a new '06 Blast lately. What really surprised me is the relatively large number of serious aftermarket parts for the bike (unusual for the price / performance range), from whence cometh my question: I've seen a lot of things advertised as being compatible with '00-04 or '00-05 Blasts- exhausts, air cleaners, jet kits, that sort of thing. Is this simply a matter of people not updating their catalog listing, or is there something unique about engine on the '06 model? Also, I live in California. Aside from the rather labyrinthine crankcase ventilation system, do any other differences exist for our model? | ||
| Tnthumper |
Joe, Don't think there is anything different on the '06 model.and am not sure on your states model. Hope you get it and enjoy it and join us.Tnthumper | ||
| Bobbyhead |
Joe, there are no major differences on any year Blast. But it's now illegal to modify any motorcycle engine starting with '06 models, as mandated by the EPA. And Calif for one, will be enforcing this law. So you could be hit with heavy fines for changing exhaust or intake or any other EPA anti tamper part of the motor. Bobby | ||
| Jprovo |
Other than the Breather the Cali bikes are the same as the 49 state bikes. The '06 models have bold new graphics, but that's all that I can see. | ||
| Joe_perez |
No kidding? I know that the CARB rules with regard to automobile engines are somewhat draconian, but I had no idea they were cracking down on bikes. So does that means that an '05 could legally bear an aftermarket muffler, but not an '06? Seems like an enforcement nightmare. | ||
| Bobbyhead |
Joe, here on the badweb the last few months, there were many posts on the subject of the new law. They aren't crying wolf this time, they mean it. And yeah, it would be better to be caught with and '05 with aftermarket exhaust than an '06. I heard the fines might cost as must as a NEW Blast. As for enforcment, not only are aftermarket pipes loud, the OEM muffler are all stamped, so thats easier for them to catch you with. Your state is going to bring in a lot of revenue from these citations. | ||
| Jprovo |
Joe, Don't worry about it. The new EPA emmissions laws are less stringent than 2004 California emission laws. The patrol officers are not going to pick you out of the pack because you're riding a 2006 bike. Most LEO's aren't going to know what was stock on the bike anyway, so as long as it doesn't have "off highway use only" in plain sight, I wouldn't worry about it. BTW, as far as I know, it's always been illegal to bypass Federally mandated emission equipment (including noise suppression devices). It's just that it's not enforced as stringently as it could be. James | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Concur with Jprovo! It has always been illegal to bypass CA or Federal emissions equipment. I do wonder if the 06 has a catalytic converter yet? Recently Yamaha of America was seriously fined for importing non California legal bikes and selling them to Californians. Several individual dealers have settled separately, paying huge fines. This is more likely the route the enforcement will go. Highly unlikely they will start fining for individual EPA violations when there are so many other, easier, things to issue tickets for. PS If you've seen (or heard) the bikes running around California, EPA violations is not the excuse they need to pull you over. CA while seemingly strict is not as bad as other states where they actually have a regular State inspection. (Message edited by gearheaderiko on January 31, 2006) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Joe---bird? Welcome to Badweb If you get your bike before April 1st you can join us in San Louis Obispo for the 3rd Annual SLO Ride (California Blasting). | ||
| Joe_perez |
It's not so much a fear of getting busted as just simple ignorance on my part. My previous ride was a '91 Nighthawk 250 (it's ok, you can laugh) and there's really not much of an aftermarket for that bike, so it was just never something that I'd considered. Which perhaps brings me to the question which I should have asked first. Bear with me on the exposition- Back in Gainesville, FL the little hawk was entirely adequate for jutting around town. But here in Carlsbad, CA, even though I don't ride on the freeway, traffic on El Camino Real tends to move at 70-75 mph in places. Little bird just wasn't cut out for that sort of duty. Now, I'm a sucker for old-school standards. And while a Buell isn't exactly old-school, the Blast appears to have pretty good rider ergonomics and frankly I love the look of it. I haven't ridden one yet, but it's looking like a good candidate. And as I start doing some research, I see that for a few hundred bucks in mostly bolt-on and top end components (exhaust, 10.5 piston, jet kit, *maybe* B50 cams) it can really be livened up. It set the mind to wandering... But without having ridden one yet, I guess the more important question is this: City driving, 70-75 in places, good roads, 6 mile commute (each way.) Does this sound like a reasonable role for a Blast in stock form, or am I dreaming again? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Its an excellent daily driver! It'll hold 75-80 mph on the highway all day (any weather). Handles well. Comfortable ride. It really is a good all around bike. You're not dreaming! While not my first or only bike, it is my favourite! | ||
| Jprovo |
Great commuter bike. 70-75 is not an issue. The little thumper will out accelerate most commuter cars out there. Heck, the Blast will do 70-75 in Fourth gear. | ||
| Tnthumper |
Joe, Welcome. On my '05 Blast I have Pro-Series exhaust, Pro-series intake and used the dyno-jet re-jet kit and it livened up my bike quite a bit. At 75-85 mph which is pretty close to max speed I still average around 60 mpg. On easy rides I get nearly 75 mpg. One thing if you check here the you can do better than the stock Dunlop tires both in price wear and performance. Tnthumper | ||
| Joe_perez |
Thanks for all the positive responses. Obviously I'll have a better feel after I've had a chance to put some miles on one, but it's good to know. I sat down last night and did a spreadsheet factoring in tire diameter (I used the data from the stock Dunlop) vs. engine RPM vs. gearing vs. speed. Sure enough, it looks like the P3 should do 80 MPH at 6365 RPM in 4'th, and at 5400 in 5'th, assuming it can make the power. Both our local dealers are out of stock, expecting some in possibly next Wednesday. The wait is killing me. As an aside, I'd been looking to see if any are available used in the area. Having searched CycleTrader.com, eBay and the local classifieds, I've yet to see a single Blast come up in the San Diego area. I can't decide whether that's a good sign or a bad sign. Also, a question for you big fellas out there. I know the whole "I'm 6'1 and 185 lbs" topic has been beaten to death, and that doesn't bother me. What gets me on a lot of bikes however is the shifter. I wear a size 14 boot, so needless to say I've found the shifter arrangement on, say, the Ninja 500 to be totally unusable. Any comments on that aspect? It looks like there is some adjustability in the pedal. | ||
| Jprovo |
The Blast will do much more than 80 in stock trim with a rider similarly sized to you (me). Me clapped out 39000 mile blast will still cruise at 80 all day. If i want to I can still bump the rev limiter in fifth at 96 mph. With the shoe size thing, you're going to have to try one on for size. I've only got a size 9 foot. I can't see it being any more difficult than the Nighthawk. James | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
The shifter is a little on the long side and is adjustable. You should be okay. | ||
| Berkshire |
Here's something new about the '06... According to central dogma, the '06 makes 34hp at 7500 RPM. either that's something new, or I've got my rev-limiter set 1000 RPM too low! http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes_gear/blast/blast/index.asp go to the above link, and click on "specifications and pricing", then scroll down. you'll need to disable your pop-up blocker. | ||
| Berkshire |
Here's something new about the '06... According to central dogma, the '06 makes 34hp at 7500 RPM. either that's something new, or I've got my rev-limiter set 1000 RPM too low! http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes_gear/blast/blast/index.asp go to the above link, and click on "specifications and pricing", then scroll down. you'll need to disable your pop-up blocker. | ||
| Marijane0569 |
Maybe Buell has done a little headwork on the '06 models.? | ||
| Pourwhitetrash |
that 7500rpm has been a typo for years, and 34hp is measured at the crank not the rear wheel. nothing has been changed w/hp or redline since the motor first came out in '00 | ||
| Jprovo |
Typo - we discuss this every new model year launch. | ||
| Berkshire |
damn - I was ready to go order a set of the valve springs! |
