| Author | Message | ||
     Gearheaderiko |
Track Day!!! Did my first track day on the street Blast. Streets of Willow is the perfect Blast track. Lots of tight turns and the straight way is kept to a minimum. Things I find out (some I wanted to know): Not afraid of crashing. After the first session I had to remind myself it wasnt a go kart and spinning out may be detrimental to my health. Definitely afraid of getting hit! The 'street' class I rode in, while there were quite a few slow riders, there were clearly people out there who were in the wrong class. And that class had at least 35 riders! For a first time track day I strongly recommend a promoter with a novice class, no-passing policy or pass only zones. The open passing policy of 'anytime anywhere' gives you little chance to find a good line when you've got the slowest bike on the track (or are new). "The lead rider has the line" was a rarely followed rule. I'd get passed and look around to see if I was causing a traffic jam. Nope. They just took my line! I used a lot of skills I dont normally get to practice and found out some dormant ones still come naturally. Downshifting an extra gear and fishtailing through the chicane, although exciting, still isnt cause for panic! All in all a good day. I didnt pay a lot of money to find out I wont get dizzy (prior head injury), or be in pain (without crashing) and what to look for in future track days. A zip together suit is better (but not race legal). Race boots are necessary (unless you want to wear the sides off a pair of boots). Suomy helmets rock. And Motard riders are psycho! PS after riding to Death Valley this weekend, 5 hours on the freeway today, and the track time, I'll probably have to edit this email another day when I'm a little less tired! (Message edited by gearheaderiko on March 20, 2007) | ||
| Mmelvis |
Great Eric glad to see you can get out there. Oh yes one final note "Welcome to the addiction" Have a great day | ||
| Bertman |
Erik, had a great time camping out next to you at the track yesterday. That was the most fun I have had in a long long time. I was hoping to hook up with you on the track and watch you slicing up the curves on that Blast, but the first session quickly turned into a free for all and I felt like I better get moving or get run over. That was not a very good event for an unsure first time track rider. | ||
| Ezblast |
So what cam do you have in your street Blast? Sounds like you had a great time! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Hey Bertman. I didnt know I'd pitted next to a fellow Badwebber. Cool! Favourite quote of the day: "the Blasts are just too fast out there, we're going to have to move up to the next group"!!! Yes, given the technical nature of the track and skill level of the Blast racers out there, they were too fast for the 'street' group. They had no problem keeping up in the twisties! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
EZ: Stock cam. Unless you're actually racing, that track is all about cornering. The extra power would have been nice, but it wasnt necessary. I am glad I took the time to stiffen up the front suspension though. I'm still playing catch up after having to do the top end on the raceBlast and screwing around with a bad SE module on the street Blast. | ||
| Themagster |
Just took a ride through Amelia Island and over to Tallahassee to ride the Leon County Canopy Roads - awesome. Posted a little story in my Weekend Wonderings section and photos in the 2007 Photo link at www.whereismaggiemae.com I would highly recommend riding these roads if you ever get the chance - well worth the trouble of finding them! | ||
| Ezblast |
Both bikes are getting old - new disc and pads for the Red, and a new primary cover for the Black - and collecting parts for the XBBlast. Still every day finds me riding one of the two - and even though a bit different I find many similarities that I have built in to them - both have exhausts that really start helping from mid to upper ranges, with a loud roar and cool decel burble, never a peg scraped no matter how tight the turn, nimbleness other sport-bikes only dream of, and when all is said and the ride is done - the sound of the chuff from the carb an excellent ending sound - the final note to a living symphony. Both of these bikes are so much fun, both get more than their fair share of looks, and both get ridden as hard as I can safely press it - the Harley riders think their trick, the Buell riders think of them as economical fun - though I could have bought a new XB for the money spent on them, and other motorcyclists recognize them as definitely something different - lol - are they super-bikes - naw, but a lot of folks say they wouldn't mind owning one to fix up and thrash around - Even the fancy bits are basic and thats what both of these bikes suggest to folks and what I try to live in - simplicity - a single cylinder and the surrounding essentials - how fast - really, how many miles to a gallon - really, looks like she'll handle the curves - these comments common - is Buell German - American - HD - really - lol - I've met a lot of interesting folks and rode to meet and have dinner sitting across from Erik Buell, I've ridden with friends and did an epic ride in 250 plus miles of seriously hard rain - amazing myself, and then taking friends on tours of the Bay areas back roads, racking up mega miles by myself. I've met countless good and interesting folk because of these bikes and for the first time my travel experiences are now more personal and experienced more deeply than ever before. Riding roads others have never heard of and discovering common roads are definitely not - on a motorcycle. The Blast has lived up to her name and still makes me smile. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Themagster |
WOW - well written! Is it not amazing that a bit and plastic and metal can have such a profound effect on our lives? I live for the hours spent on my bike and can't imagine a life that did not include riding. So far my little 500 has done me proud and hopefully will carry me many more miles before I have to consider "what next"? Happy Trails | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - I wanted to get one of the new Buell bags - which by the way are the bomb! - Thank you Buell! - Anyway, I take 101 all the way down to Redwood city from SF - fighting wind the whole way - so by the time I get there I'm just a bit cross, I do my thing and pick up the bag, head for the parts counter to have him hand me the wrong part I called for ahead of time, though it will do for my needs, the parts guy is a clever boy - 'Buell huh - someday you'll get a real bike.' 'Race ya for pinks!' My confidence too much for him, he scowls and shuts up - lol - now I want an enjoyable ride. As I get outside I see 3 bikers looking at the bike, a few questions later and some smiles and I'm gone! I grab 280 to 92 to 1 for the ride home. Great therapy! The red bike is definitely my idea of a fun daily driver! By the time I pulled up to my garage I was smiling! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark Side! EZ  | ||
| Buellistic |
"AND" that is why "i" also have a "BLAST" !!! In BLASTing LaFayette | ||
| Rainman |
OK, so I'm cruising down the street minding my own business and I pull into the local 'Bucks to grab some coffee and there's this guy I know. Seems I taught him to ride last year when I still had my Gold Wing. Now He rides this really big cruiser thing -- Yamaha or Zookie or something of about 2,000,000 ccs and about 800,000 pounds -- and he looks Thumper up and down and says, "Gee, you used to have a real bike. Why you riding that little POS? It's so small." "Well," I said, "I'm just trying to make up for other things that are too big." He didn't say anything else. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Good answer! | ||
| 05buellblas |
Took my blast on a 3 day 1000 mile drive last week. My friends mom passed away and had to go to her hometown for funeral witch is green county, ga. So I took the blast from athens, al all the way to augusta, ga. Had a friend in augusta hadn't seen in a bit so I drove the extra hundred to say hi. Well the blast was a bit uncomfortable after the first 200 miles and then 200 more was hell, only being in shorts and a shirt. Never really had sunburn or windburn, now I know. After all was said and done I get a mile from my house going through some killer twisties and pop boom bang for the next half a mile, just assume its gas cause it is an off an on thing put it on reserve get just a quarter mile from the house and fill up at shell pull out and the bike goes dead coast into NAPA and walk home after playing with wires and stuff saw the oil light flash on when it kicked off. Got oil from the house, filled it to the sight and tried it, nothing. Push it home check the carb like I did before cause this would be the second time its blew off but the clamps were snug, next morning look closer and its back off. The coupler had blew in half. Well got two of them today kinda funny how my bike has died 3 times close to the house though. Took it to a friends shop to look it over today since I just blasted so far in a short while, it was running rich he tuned it and replaced all the fluids with synthetic redline oil and did the tranny fluid to, really worth it to put the higher price fluids in it. It runs like a dream, also put the demon fairing on and put some 50watt m16 lights in it. (Message edited by 05buellblas on June 01, 2007) | ||
| Ezblast |
The coupler didn't blow in half, it tore from the intake weight, and touching it with your knee. Carry a spare coupler, re-enforce it with spring supports and a screwdriver to replace - been there and done that with the pro-series - best you could do with that would be replace the K&N with a stack filter and that just doubles the miles before your boot will eventually tear again - again probably from knee brushings - lol - love to see a few pics of the bike in the picture section! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
Jim from NC showed up today for some fun - a nice little ride to Alices with me and my beautiful chaiser/wife. The fog was heavy - so my wife prepared a nice lite repast and some great coffee to start the ride fueled up -  The fog stayed though, so determined we start off - Jim's ready to go! (note - the red bike was just tuned up and had never been faster)  The fog was heavy though - only letting up when we got to 35 proper - Look Out Point! American Gothic Motorcyclist - EZ, his Beautiful wife and loyal dog - Kublai -  But the fog did lift on the way and we enjoyed twisties, scenery, and fast Blasts carving - Alice a great destination, but with great roads branching off to either side of us as we ride! Alice's!    Wild cars as well!  While Kublai had a snack -  - we enjoyed coffee and tea - and checked out the bikes and scenery that is Alices! Then it was off to more twisties, scenery and great roads on the way to San Gregario.  San Gregorio's General store/Town Hall/Concert Hall is a great place to check out and Jim really enjoyed it! After some more fluids ingested, we headed off for the coast - stopping in Pacifica to take some beach photos -  After this shot we cut across Sharp Park back to 35 and home! Once there we unwound for a bit then off to enjoy some SF cuisine and a walk through Stern Grove! It was a great day of Blasting on the Dark side with friends and family! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark Side! EZ (Message edited by ezblast on June 03, 2007) | ||
| Ezblast |
Almost forgot - as usual at Alices - the Blasts drew people as well! - lol  GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Jlnance |
It was great fun Ed. Interestingly, the woman touching the Blast in the picture above went to college at UNC. I enjoyed pointing out that her sweat shirt is NCSU red.  | ||
| Themagster |
On the road again...Blasting through to the North East.... Happy Trails www.whereismaggiemae.com | ||
| Swampy |
EZ, I want that breakfast recipe, looks great. | ||
| Ezblast |
Melon Balls wrapped in Prosciutto, and Mozzarella w. tomatoes w.walnut/raspberry sauce. The bread was country light rye artisan bread w.roasted tomato and bell pepper/olive oil Italian spread. Coffee was organic Sumatra blend. My wife says it so "yuppie" and hoity toity, but she made it. A light repast before riding. GT - JBOTDS! EZ (Message edited by ezblast on June 10, 2007) | ||
| Ezblast |
Did a relaxing 70 mile ride to Stinson Beach via back roads and back - very nice - its easy to get to the top of the snake head and a bit past, I'd say the black bike is finally breaking in with less oil usage, and cars move much to slowly through twisties - lol - enjoyed a nice lunch with the wife before getting back on the road towards home - a very nice day Blasting on the Dark side! GT - JBOTDS! EZ (Message edited by ezblast on June 16, 2007) | ||
| Luckyduck |
Here is my first ride report. The trip: 265miles each way from Dubuque, Ia to Manning, Ia to see my parents. Went out Tuesday and back Wednesday. The bike: '06 Blast. Mostly stock with Corbin seat, Buell windshield, Moose ATV bars, Ventura rack and SX appeal top case. The top case and rack are great. Here is a picture of the rack in 2-up position.  Here is me ready to go in the single rider position. The rack flips front to back easily.  Overall the trip went moderately. The boot came of once, momentarily stranding me. It was a long ride. 60-65 was much more comfy than 70-75. It would be nice to have a bit more top end, but for longer days in the saddle I would not want it any louder. Here are some pictures of sights along the way. I grew up on the continental divide and the big chick is in Pocohantas Iowa. The last picture is where I spent a few minutes putting the carb boot back on.    | ||
| Ezblast |
I see you found Iowa's only curve in the road - joking - great report! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Luckyduck |
That is not a curve, it is an intersection, Hwy 4 meeting Hwy20. It is a deceptive picture. All the curves where in the last 45 miles by the Mississippi on the other side of the state. In retrospect it was a bad idea to take that route and do blind curves after 200 mind numbing miles at 90+ degrees. In the 15 minutes I was there doing the repair exactly 1 car went by. These are the biggest roads for 20 miles in any direction. For one stretch it was 10 miles with no other cars in sight. Roads like this are why I am looking for a thick tread touring tire. On the way out west I had 6 turns. One was an exit ramp and 5 were 90 degree intersections. Paul | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - seek out the twisted ways - the rivers and hills - GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Tkblast |
First of all...Hello to everyone, I have enjoyed looking at everyone pics. I just wanted to tell a little story of my survival. Last week I was riding in the city doing somewhere around 45 mph and all of the sudden I lurch forward...HARD! I didnt know what happened until I saw a car lose control in front of me. It was then I realized that I had just been hit from behind! The car that hit me just took off, and luckily, due to the blast stability, I was able to keep the rubber side down! I was told by a witness that the car that hit me was doing well over 70 mph!!!!!! It was then that I realized I am never getting rid of my Angel Blast!!! tkblast  | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Welcome Tk! Glad you're okay (and lucky). If you notice an odd 'feel' to the bike, check your rubber engine mounts. Apparently they did a good job of cushioning the hit, just keep an eye on that they didnt tear.You might notice a mark on the front of the engine from the lower tiebar bolt hitting the engine. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS The white looks good! | ||
| Tkblast |
Would the engine mounts be damaged from being hit in the rear? Actually all of the plastic on the sprocket, belt guard and license plate holder probably had a lot to do with me not laying it down. Thanks for the compliment, I think the white Blast stands out a little from the other bikes here in Springfield Missouri! |
