Buell Blast

I'm sure others will chime in, but I have heard of the blast being the best of bikes, it seems that other buell models are much more competent. I would look for a used bandit or something like that in that price range.

 

I just spent a weekend learning to ride on a Blast, and must say it wasnt pleasurable. unless you have a very narrow figure, the seat is very uncomfortable. for the most part, the entire class found them to be a real pain in the a**....literally. to me, they seemed to be not put together the best. it only has a single cylinder so we all seemed to have problems with them dying on us when we werent moving. they do however have great brakes and gas mileage is the best (72 mpg on the highway). for me, i couldnt ride it much, but for some it may be what they are looking for. hope this helps.

Mark

 

Narrow seat isn't very comfortable and they are probably one of the most gutless bikes I've ridden in a long time. If you're going to go ghetto-cheap, at least look at the GS500s and EX-500s; they're more bike (and more comfortable) for likely less money.

 

Till

um Narrow? Nah I will leave that alone

Honda (one word is enough)

Dead reliable dependable etc, My Shadow never let me down and did everyting well.

 

Buy a chopper

 

I second that. I have been riding motorcycles for 38 years or so and have had motocross, enduro, cafe', street and Harleys and have not had as much fun as I have had on my new American Iron Horse LSC chopper in a long time. A chooper just makes you feel good when you're riding, although you do need to know how to ride a little before you hop on one I suppose.

 

ooooh I have been slain.....

 

I've heard that Buell (Harley) engines were terrible.

 

The Blast is a single cylinder, not a H-D V-Twin.

 

Good luck on finding a chopper for $17-20k. A middle tier model will cost you $30k+. And while a chopper may not handle as good as an MV Augusta in the twisties, they do stop and accelerate as well as most sports bike. My AIH chopper has 120hp and dual front disc brakes with single disc rear brakes(all with 4 piston calipers) and will go 0-60mph in less than 4 seconds; having fun and looking good while doing it.

 

Harley engines did have a reliability issue back when it was ran by AMF. But, once Harley was bailed out by Reagan and the Evolution engine came out they have produced some of the most reliable motocycle engines on the market. I owned a 1992 Fatboy for 13 years and never had a single reliablity issue; tires, oil changes and a few batteries are all I ever had to do to it.

 

Oh I'm sorry, did I say V-twin? That's right... In any case, Buell is just Harley's failed "sport" division- Money sink.

I wasn't talking about reliability. I've never heard of a long time owner that was really pleased by their Buell. Terrible vibrations, not enough power, sloppy steering, bad breaks.... Several concepts employed by Buell are very interesting, but ultimately the engine isn't up to the task.

 

I have never riden nor would never own a Buell anyway. And while I do not know about Buell, most new Harleys now have a rubber mounted engine that eliminates the vibration issue of the past models. Nevertheless, If I wanted a sports bike, I would get an MV Augusta or one of the many Japanese bikes on the market. If I wanted a touring bike I would likely get the big Honda Goldwing. But, for a cruiser or a chopper, nothing compares to a Harley soft tail or a chopper with a Harley or S&S V-2 engine.

 

My chopper remark was intended as a joke, apropos of Frank Parker's suggestion to Doody.

 

It's been a long time since I've ridden a Buell, but when I did one thing I remember is at anything above idle, the Buell felt smoother than my (at the time current) Ducati 900ss.

But DAMN did it shake at idle.

The steering was far from what I'd call sloppy, it was quite quick. I guess I'm not sure what "sloppy" steering would be... the thing went where you pointed it for sure, but again compared to my 900ss you had top be careful where you pointed it because it was quick to change lines. Some people like that in a bike. I can't comment on the brakes, what I remember was wondering why the heck the rotors would be warped on a brand new bike? Then I realized they weren't warped. When I hit the brakes to stop, I also pulled in the clutch - the engine dropped to idle, and THAT was why the front end was shaking!

As for not enough power, well, name one bike that people don't modify for more power? ;-)


All that said... I'd really like to own a Harley powered bike one day, but I just can't give it up for a Buell. And not even because of the engine. They're just so dang UGLY...

Getting back to the original post, I've not ever heard one good thing about the Buell Blast. I did see a neat custom that used a Blast engine once. That's about the most complimentary thing I can say about it.

 

Buell left Harley to make his bike.............then of course developed into a strategic alliance as a major engine buyer, as his company gained success.

Do not know of the current situation, unles he "cashed out" and sold it to Harley........

Eurotrash may know...I've only recently started reading bikes...I like the new Robb Report Motorcycles.......

I'm signatory on some loan agreements, that preclude me riding............

 

How 'bout the Ducati Multistrada, T.?????????

There's an unsold '02 S4 here with bags, for $10K...........red!!!!!!!
It's calling my name............

*covering ears..........running away......*

 

Thanks unsubscribed Steve!

Unsubscribed Bubba....LOL!


The Ducati saga is similar, eh?

Broke.....almost broke..........broke......almost broke....great bikes though!

 

70 miles in the rain is a long, long ride......Tillman!

I guess a helment would help, though............

 

70 miles in the rain isn't bad if you have a rain suit. Special motorcycle rain suits are made to fit *over* any gear you have on.

As always, wear full gear or you'll learn the hard way.