Buell Blast

Raven · 07-10-2002, 04:57 PM

Has any one had any experience with the Buell Blast?

I have a vertically challenged friend that is interested in the bike 4’10”. This is the only bike that fits her well that isn’t a cruiser.

Is the motor any good? Dependable?

Any info that anyone might would be of great help!!

Rattus · Rattus's Garage

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcbuell/blast/00blast.html

seems to be a favorable review

CarlosT · 07-10-2002, 07:40 PM

The thing's basically half of a Sportster engine. Add a V&H pipe to clean up the looks a bit and rejet. Not really a high speed bike...top speed is a twitchy 90MPH. Sounds like a lawn mower but the low speed handling is pretty good due to small tires and low cg and I'd imagine insurance would be cheap.

Your friend should be able to find one cheap as NOBODY wants to hang on to one for more than one riding season. You can rent one from most Harley dealers for like $39/day. I recommend that your friend rent one before plunking down hard earned cash. As with all Buells, you'd be insane to buy one new as there is NO market for these bikes.

CarlosT · 07-10-2002, 07:44 PM

Here's a picture of my lovely friend Carina with her Blast at The Gap.

CarlosT · 07-10-2002, 07:46 PM

Carina's Blast sporting a V&H

CarlosT · 07-10-2002, 07:47 PM

Carina...Carina...

Oilhead259 · 07-11-2002, 04:25 AM

A Kawi 250R Ninja might have been a better choice.
They go like stink, have a fair aftermaket slection of pipes, etc. has a 29" seat height and can be had used for very little. I just got one for my son,(his first bike), for a G note, 1999 w/ 1500miles. When he's learned to ride this to its limits, he'll be ready for a S!

Bob in Tucson · 07-11-2002, 08:09 AM

Along those lines, your pal might check out the Suzuki GS 500 and Kawasaki EX 500. They are both smallish, well proven, inexpensive and virtually bullet-proof. The GS also has a short shock available to lower the seat another inch or two; probably fit the EX too.

CarlosT · 07-11-2002, 08:31 AM

Or if your friend's got some money and wants to look cool a Duc 620 is pretty nice and also comes in a "low" version.

CarlosT · 07-11-2002, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oilhead259
A Kawi 250R Ninja...I just got one for my son,(his first bike), for a G note, 1999 w/ 1500miles...

Wow! What a deal. Almost worth getting one to have around at that price. You can't even buy a new 50cc dirt bike for that kinda money.

Oilhead259 · 07-11-2002, 11:29 AM

A boat dealer I know took it in trade, he's kind of asleep if you know what I mean, so that's how I got such a deal. Even so, they're only $2995.00 new.

roger albert · 07-11-2002, 01:08 PM

Hi,

We had a blast at the mag for a while and it was pretty decent.
Definitely a lower seat height than any of those other bikes mentioned on the thread so far. The kawi 250 is decent (an old girlfriend had one) but it really needs to be rev'd. The blast has a MUCH better bottom end and midrange, and is a lot easier to learn on. I don't dislike the kawi mind you, but I just don't think it's that great a learner bike (except for maybe an aggressive young son)

regards
roger

p.s. I think Carlos' Blast rental idea, possibly followed up
by a purchase is the way to go. Great advice.
A cheap way to test the waters.

Raven · 07-11-2002, 05:44 PM

Thanks for all the great responses!!

Let me redefine the question.

Is the motor dependable? Will it last for a while or will it blow up in 20 miles?

My friend can only tolerate a seat height of about 25". This is cruiser territory, no ground clearance, big trouble!!

The rest of the bike looks OK with lots of room for mods, but this a Harley motor(did I just answer my own question?)

Thanks guys and Gals.

YAHBO · 07-11-2002, 07:28 PM

YAHBO SAY BLAST! THIS!

YAHBO SAY BLAST! IS A SEGMENT OF FECES!!!

YAHBO SAY ASSBLAST!!!

remedy70 · 07-12-2002, 12:05 AM

Can´t believe noone mentioned the new beemer, the F 650 CS. A very nice ride with 780 or 750 mm seatheight.

CarlosT · 07-12-2002, 04:35 AM

There was a lot of work done on the engineering side to bring out the Blast engine. It is an improvement over the standard Sportster engine but even the Sportster motor is very reliable now. Harleys are plagued with a bad rep for leaking rocker gaskets, lifter failures and subsytem issues. I think that these issues are going away and Harley has adopted some serious quality control and manufacturing processes. Like Beemer engines they lead understressed lives. The Blast while I think sounds like schit is prolly a pretty dependable mill. Service costs and availability are also pluses.

BTW the Blast engine has a one piece rocker cover and does not have the dreaded rocker leak issue. Some Buellers have replaced their twin rocker covers with Blast covers.

bwilder10h · 07-12-2002, 01:15 PM

I think I'd do something like this if I was looking in that market.

Buells have horrible resale value.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4830

The BMW 650 is a good choice as well.

CarlosT · 07-12-2002, 07:07 PM

For that kinda money you can buy an SV650 which is another excellent choice.