| Author | Message | ||
     Anonymous |
WOW never thought I would have to use the Anonymous button in this way but i can't hold it in any longer. A few of you might remember the article in Battle2Win a while ago questioning what the holes on top of the Blast's gas tank were for. Reg said a posible FI Blast. Well fellow Buelligans it is true i just saw the Prototype today on the back of a truck the engineers were quite tight lipped but i know a fuel injection system when i see it. Also the bike had Delphi stickers on the front and rear. | ||
| Anonymous |
Anon, How do I get a resume to Buell engineering? | ||
| Anonymous |
I never thought I would use the Anonymous option either. | ||
| Anonymous |
WHAT? Call Buell and see if there hiring. | ||
| Mikej |
H-D has a job link off their web page that I saw some time ago, finally. Buell is separate, but somewhat linked into that system sometimes (can't say how I know that). But in all honesty, you're probably behind the ball on this one as far as getting in there. Think ahead five or more years, then see if you fit now. Just an observation from past experiences. MikeJ (Awash in a sea of anons) | ||
| Blake |
Cool report! Thanks Anony, whoever your are. | ||
| Blastin |
Keep 'em coming | ||
| Anonymous |
Well i do know more but for the saftey of the engineers and BMC i'm keepin hush hush my self. Lose lips sink ships. But i tell you it was pretty cool thing to see all the wires hanging out, just like looking at an old Battle2win when they had the prototype Blasts. | ||
| Awprior |
I've thought about a job there as well... or at HD. Anyone hiring engineering students to push around? | ||
| Mikej |
Awprior, You should be a shoe-in for an internship or co-op, you just have to find the right door to open. There is probably even something available in the (gasp, can't believe I'm about to suggest this) marketing department prepping for the 100th next summer. They'd probably love a technical slant to their tasks. | ||
| Sarodude |
This is my TOTALLY UNSUBSTANTIATED GUESS at the FI Blast... As some of us have contemplated doing, I believe it will use the XB piston, head, cams. I believe it will have sporting ergos. Personally, I wish it would have Cafe styling. P3CR. -Saro | ||
| Anonymous |
No it is a complete stocker other than the FI system. It is still aimed at the entry level market. Now with the FI it just became more easy to start and maintain. | ||
| Xgecko |
Ohhh it's an EPA points thing. And here I was hoping for parts I would switch out. | ||
| Anonymous |
I'm not too sure it is for EPA so much as it is for making an extreamley easy to ride entry level motorcycle more reliable and easy to use. They just enhance a bike that was all ready the perfect little street machine. | ||
| Xgecko |
FI is one of the things that the EPA loves to see whether or not it improves the performance/fuel burning of a motor. Companies that use FI get points for doing so which can be applied to other products that may be borderline. The Blast gains nothing from the USE of FI and may actually lose HP. It already passes EPA but use of FI on it's platform means that something else that Buell does down the road now has to be less stringently looked at | ||
| Blastin |
If the bike that was spotted was a test bike, then anything still goes in my book. I would not doubt (actually I'm hoping) that the Blast would get more of the XB parts. More common parts for all the bikes makes things better for production, production costs, etc. Unless anonymous knows a lot more than we do. Which is entirely possible. We do really appreciate the tidbits of information though.  They keep the excitement rolling. So keep them coming. It's just that test bikes are sometimes purposely changed around sometimes so they can't be recognized, etc. I have heard rumors that the reason the Blast rear sprocket is so large and wide is that it was originally supposed to be mounted on a 17" M2 wheel and other things were also much different in other Blast test bikes. ALL RUMORS OF COURSE, I HAVE NOTHING TO BACK THIS UP. It's fun to stir the pot though. A guy can dream can't he? Wouldn't a little stock thumper that could take just about any stock Harley (excluding the V-ROD) off the line and eat them in the twisties just rock? | ||
| Sarodude |
Tony- I highly doubt the Blast - or anything - would lose power to FI. Optimal (for power) air / fuel cannot hurt power. I don't believe emission are tested at WOT so FI vehicles are usually optimized for power at WOT - sometimes even a bit too rich just for safety. Anon- I don't doubt that the Blast you saw was otherwise bone stock. I do, however, feel that Buell might make some friends if there was a SuperBlast in our future. FI will only add to the cost of the Blast. The only performance boost will be from a flattening out of some lean / rich spots in the powerband. It will likely add a few hundred bux to the bike without really delivering much more power. Is the marketing aspect of FI on a bike THAT important? I think that Buell may be wondering how much of the potential Blast market is lost because it would cost far less for Buell to build and us to buy a sportier single than it would for us to buy the stocker and spend $550 minimum on handlebars / rearsets and $700 minimum on suspension mods by way of fork springs and a rear shock / spring just so the bike will tollerate some flogging. I'm embarassed to say that I feel more confident hurling our FXD around the mountains 2 up versus me solo on my Blast. As much as I love the bike, it is just too damned cushy for interesting riding with my weight - 205 lbs or so. -Saro | ||
| Aaron |
I think they ought to make a street version of their dirt track Blasts. Those things are great. They haul ass, too, with more than 50rwhp and less than 300lbs. | ||
| Xgecko |
I don't want to argue the the FI/carb thing again but FI as it is used often sacrfices power for fuell efficency. It does lend itself to easier "Tweaking" with a computer and that often makes up for the dismal stock settings. As for suspension I've had a few days of mixed riding with the Works springs and I have to say that they are very nice. low speed comfort is sacrificed a bit but when flogging it the bike is much more stable. I'll take that trade anyday | ||
| Djkaplan |
A dirt track Blast would be cool. Maybe a SuperMotard style Blast too. | ||
| Mikej |
Yep, a BlasTT would be cool and a lot of fun. | ||
| Anonymous |
I doubt Buell would get rid of there entry level bike for some pipe dream what i saw was a 2001 P3 fitted with a Delphi Fuel Injection System. As for all these hoop dreams of suped up Blast Buell all ready has there High performance line of bikes, the FI being added simply adds to the ease of usage this machine all ready has. As for not feeling confident on your Blast may be you should trust the bike a little more i have had blast so far over i was scaping the sproket cover. | ||
| Sarodude |
Anony - You had to spend $500 or $550 for rearsets (that I'm too cheap to buy) to be able to lean the Blast that far, right? How much do you think it would add to the cost of the Blast if it were offered from the factory with more sporting ergos as an option? I somehow doubt it would cost $500 / bike. I'm not suggesting the existing Blast be dropped in favor of a SuperBlast or an XR492 or whatever. I just think there's room for a more interesting entry level bike alongside the P3 - which as I understand it, was actually built to satisfy Harley and the typical future Sportster rider. Just wishing out loud. I'll stop. -Saro | ||
| Anonymous |
As much as i would like that to happen it would probbally be more than $500 considering Harley owns the Co now. And yes it is possible to lean the Blast far enough over with out rear sets. | ||
| Awprior |
MikeJ, Any suggestions on where I can find that door? | ||
| Mikej |
Wellllllllllllllllllllllll, let's see.... I'd probably start at your university career center since there is a H-D facility somewhat near your hometown. There are also some indirect facilities near where you are now. Your university career center should have access to all the interschool co-op sites. Next I'd hit the H-D site itself and try some searches on "interns", "internships", and "co-op". Then I'd try the old fashioned route and just cold-call a couple of numbers and see if the person who answers is understanding and friendly enough to either redirect your call or give you at least a partial number to call next. Apart from all that I'd be hitting any nearby factory-involved events and politely tap on a few shoulders. Talk bikes, talk careers, and just happen to mention that you're looking to get your foot in the door if they could direct you to the proper channel to follow. Note: I did not suggest asking them to help you directly, only to redirect you. Hope this helps, just off the top of my head. | ||
| Fssnoc2501 |
A few observations: 1. I hate the anony function on this board, what a cop out to hide. Be proud of your opinion or shut up. Sorry small vent. 2. An XR style Blast ("BlasTT"  would be very cool, what I would like to do to mine if I had the money. In terms of H-D's envolvement they should like it as it looks more like their product line with better performance. 3. Anony, some of this dreaming, conjecture revolves on us wanting to improve on a good thing. If only Buell motor company would come out with factory goodies for us who ride Blasts like they do for every one of their other models. But as Blastards we are getting used to being step children. Ray | ||
| José_Quiñones |
What I find amazing is that they will spend the money adding the F.I. and not fix the STUPID footpeg mounting design. How about using an industry standard footpeg mounting design so people can try different ones (even the XB footpegs) and put the springs in them so they don't flop around like a fish out of water when the bike is idling? Is that too much to ask?
 See Aaron, we can agree on some things...... To the powers that be and read this stuff, please build this bike! | ||
| Anonymous |
Well Fssnoc the Anony button as Blake put it once. Is to protect those with vital information that may be critical to keeping there jobs or thoes of others. I don't want to lose my job or get the engineers in that showed me the Blast to get into trouble. As for the foot pegs as stated above it is designed as a entry level motorcycle, if you want new pegs that badly you as a customizer can fabricate something. | ||
| Mikej |
I think that flat tracker in street guise would sell. It also has a "traditional" look and feel to it. It also has a retro nostalgic look to it. Now, if they built, oh, let's say 5,000 of those in street-legal format and labeled them "2003 Board Tracker series" or some such thing with a legitimate Spring 2003 release schedule where the bikes were in the dealer's showrooms by April 1st (nyuck nyuck), then how many do you think would be left come July 4th? Eh? I thought so. Plus, with that somewhat standard XL-ish looking frameset, and with the Blast engine already being assembled by the H-D crews, it could be built on a H-D assembly line and not impact EastTroy at all except in sales. Paint them all the same color scheme, orange and black similar to as shown, integrate the number plates into the bodywork as shown, and keep the price the same as the Blast current price. Instant collectors item I'm thinking. Why does this feel like a Monday? |
