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Zane
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 08:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just a quick dealer report and then a question. This past Saturday one of my sons and I swung by Fletcher’s HD/Buell dealership (Clearwater Fl.). They had about 30 or 35 Harleys of various flavors and 8 Buells on the floor. Mostly XB12’s along with a black 1125r (dang, what a beast!) and one Ulysses (XB12XT). I talked with one of the sales guy, Scott. I’m thinking to myself “Yeah, this guy seems to know some thing about Buells.” Then I see his photo and his big arse trophy in the window. Turns out he’s ridden and raced for years. I think he could have spent days talking about Buells, which was pretty cool. He was the first sales guy to not try and steer me away from Buells to a Harley.

On the down side, they sold the Blast I was looking at but Scott said they could have one for me in 10 days. On the plus side I got to sit on and play with the Uly. It fit like a glove. All the Buells are cool but they was just got the Ulysses right! I had to leave the building. Another 10 minutes and I’d have been fondling myself over it. I really, really liked it. It's not really in my price range right now but what is the general consensus on this board? How would a Uly be as a beginners bike instead of a Blast?

Did I mention I really like the Ulysses? A lot!

(Edited because I can't spell)

(Message edited by zane on April 07, 2008)
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Court
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 09:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The Blast® is one of the best beginners bikes there is.

In the Blast® the Buell engineers have excelled in building a small, read as unintimidating, motorcycle that has the handling and braking characteristics of some of the top more sporting bikes.

In addition, the Blast® was intentionally given a power-band (during the testing phase of it's development I was doing test riding and we were using 2 different engines) that is pleasing and forgiving.

They Ulysses is another Buell high-water mark in an different category. It's a great touring bike cleverly disguised at what the Buell folks have labeled a "adventure" motorcycle.

I've owned many Buell and ridden hundreds all over the county and have yet to find one that is not an "adventure".

You don't mention your height, any prior experience or if the Uly (while fitting like a glove) felt at all tall to you.

Frankly, when I toss your stated budget concern in I'd suggest you consider waiting the 10 days, using the time to order up a copy of Proficient Motorcycling, get enrolled in a Rider's Edge® class and ride the Blast® for a year or so while you hone your skills and save your pennies for they Ulysses.

I love these types of questions . . . there is no "wrong" answer.

Ride safe, lean much and smile more,
Court
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Zane
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 09:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Court.
I'm 5 foot 10 and have a 30 inch inseam. The Uly didn't seem uncomfortably tall to me. I didn't notice myself stretching or on my toes at all to keep the bike level at a stand still.

My bike experience is limited and old. I'm in my early 50's now but as a teenager I had a lot of time on a Honda 305 Dream. It was my brothers but I rode it way more than he did. At this point though, I'd class myself as a raw beginner. So the Riders Edge course isn't optional. I'd love the Uly but I can buy the Blast without payments and there's no substitute for free and clear. I guess the thing that surprised me about the XT was how straight I sat on it. I had assumed it would force a more aggressive forward lean. Instead it just felt natural. The handlebars were in the right place for me, it sat perfectly upright. It was so balanced that I could lift the kickstand and balance it with my feet off the floor for a full 20 seconds. Try to do that on a Suzuki.

Yeah, the Blast makes more sense and I really do like the Blast. I can see myself having a three ring flying circus of fun on it. It's just that there was this almost subliminal good feeling from the Uly. The only other consideration is the Blast might be more appropriate when my boys (17 and 14) need a bike to get started on. Blast is definitely a better choice for them.

Edited because I told you I can't spell.

(Message edited by zane on April 07, 2008)
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Court
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 09:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

>>>there's no substitute for free and clear.

AMEN.

You are I are in perfect concert on this. . . likely a result of similar ages and riding backgrounds (I started on a 305 Scrambler - CL77) there's no vehicle like a PAID FOR. vehicle.

Look . . the Blast® is easy to move if you decide to move up but with a 17 and 14 year old it would be perfect and you'd not want them messing with your Ulysses.

The Blast® is neat, cheap, easy, easy to fix, you can change colors in an hour and most importantly it would be perfect for you AND the kids . . . we'll keep a 2009 Uly aside for you. Besides, I think you'll like next year's colors.

Blast® it is!
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Zane
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 10:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It sucks that money is even an issue in a decision this important. I’m going through an ugly divorce right now and she just about emptied my bank account on the way out so money is an issue. The Blast fits better in the budget .

Yeah… you’re right, a Blast it is. If it was just me, I might take the loan and get the Uly but short of chaining it to the wall, there’s no way to keep my boys off of any bike I get. Besides, I guess I need something to look forward to…

Court, I’m new here. How did you get so hooked in to the Buell world? Are you Eric’s little brother so something? I thought you were a student at Columbia. That’s a long way from Wisconson.
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Davegess
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 10:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Scot is likely Scot Zampach, say hi to him form me, he won the AMA Lightweight Twins championship way back in 1990 on on of the very first Buells the RR1000 Lucifer's Hammer II. He has raced a ton of Buells and he also won the old 883 race class several times.

He is very fast and one of the truly nice guys out there.

I like the Blast, I am a fan of singles and it is a very good one.
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Court
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 10:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If it is indeed Scott Zampach . . . listen closely . . . you'll find few smarter or nicer folks. I have some dandy photos of him racing Buell long, long ago.

You'll love the Blast.
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Froggy
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 10:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I would recommend you try and get a used Blast. Get it for about $3k, use the rest of the difference to buy gear and a MSF course. Ride it for a year then turn around and sell it for $3k : )
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Court
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 11:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Smart move . . .
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Zane
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 11:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

What if any changes have been made on Blast in the last couple of years? Has there been any technology upgrades in the last couple of years that would make a new one preferable to a year or two old one? I'm tight as a mallards hind end when it comes to spending but don't mind paying cash to get value.

Dave, I think you're right, it is Scott Zampach. Doesn't take too many minutes of talking with him to figure out he's the real deal. He struck me as a walkin' talking fountain of knowledge and what you guys are telling me just confirms my initial impression. Very approachable and friendly. Next time I'm in, I'll tell him you said hello.
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Court
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 12:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Opinions will vary.

Depending on your intended purpose (and I confess I too am tighter than the nuts on a switch engine) you may want to give consideration to the used Blast.

There have been updates but nothing significant. In addition, they tend to get bought, learned and leaned and there are some great (around $2,000) buys on low mileage perfectly good bikes.

Ask Scott. You can get no better counsel.

Court
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Zane
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 12:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well I know that plans change but as of today, this is the plan:

Get on a Blast in the next month or so. Re-learn how to ride and spend a year getting comfortable on two wheels again. I want to use it as a daily commuter. Best way to get comfortable on it is to ride it. Plus what I won't spend for gas will save enough to pay for it.

When I'm ready for a bigger bike instead of selling it off, I'd pass it down to my boys to learn on. I see this being the first bike for all of us. The Blasts are so in-expensive that I can't really see selling it. When the boys are done with it, I figure I'll have gotten my money out of it many times over. At that point, it can take up space in the garage and be the spare/fun bike.

I've did the dutiful, serious husband thing for 26 years. This just seems like a great way to have a little fun without getting too middle aged crazy.
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Gearheaderiko
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 07:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Concur with everything above and to quote my friend EZ '03 and up is bulletproof'. Very, very, very, little has changed since the first 2000 Blast rolled out. 99.99% of the parts of all years are interchangeable.

My opinion is that nothing is more reliable than a bone stock Harley (aka Buell). There are low mileage Blasts out there being found all the time. I bought my first Blast, new, as a commuter bike, mostly because that way I knew if it broke down the only ones to blame were me or the factory. Also after rebuilding 'daily driver' Sportster and a Shovelheads, I wanted something real easy to rebuild. The Blast bottom end should last forever and the top end is super simple and cheap to replace.
I also planned to keep the Blast "bone stock". HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa

I think you made a wise plan. I cant imagine what would've happened if my dad had a bike in the garage!

My wife saw the writing on the wall when upon immediate arrival home from the dealership I proceeded to take the handlebars off."Its a brand new bike, what are you doing?".
PS You'll want to change the bars!
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Rainman
Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 07:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey Zane, welcome to the addiction. After 20 years of riding big bikes from Sportsters to Gold Wings, I found myself in financial doo and went with the Blast.

That was two years ago. As a R-E instructor and MSF coach who commutes every day in traffic and gets out on an occasion freeway drive, I think the Blast is a great bike. I still love mine.

It'll do 80 if you need to and loves 65-70 (gets 70 mpg at 65) and I regularly get 63 mpg in all city driving. It's also stock.

I may be a XB12Ss someday, but I'll always keep the Blast. You can't go wrong.
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Zane
Posted on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 10:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm leaning towards a new one instead of used. I really like the idea that the dealer is married to it through the two years warranty. Other than some bags, I really don't plan on many mods. Maybe some plug and play stuff like LED replacements is all. Besides the drive away price on a Blast is dirt cheap.

My big issue is reliability. I get hacked off when things don't work like they're supposed to whether it's motorcycle electronics or even a squirt gun. I just want and expect things to work like they are supposed to. That's part of the draw of a Buell. My research is telling me with a Buell, you put gas in them, change the oil and just ride the daylights out of them. I like that. I'll take function over form any day of the week. That they look cool is just icing on the cake.
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