| Author | Message | ||
     Unsquare |
Hello all, my first post. My wife is interested in getting a bike and with her stature, the only thing that isn't a cruiser (she doesn't like the HD look) that will work with her 5'2" frame is a Blast. Is this a good starter bike? Are they reliable? I have read some horror stories about issues with them. I know all machines have problems from time to time, I just don't want her first experience to be at all problematic. Suggestions? | ||
| Diablobrian |
try the thumper forum. That's where the Blast riders hang out. | ||
| Kdan |
I have a Blast...Well, my girlfriend has kind of appropriated it, but to answer your question, yes. She's 5'4" and she's got plenty of leg room. They are great starter bikes, very forgiving and reliable as a tank. At least mine/hers has been. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Blast's are great starter bikes & all around good bikes regardless of skill. Kawasaki Ninja 250s are also great starter bikes if she's into something more racy looking. On edit: The little Ninja's seat height is 29.3 inches. The Blast is 27.5 inches. The low Blast is 25.5 inches. (Message edited by metalstorm on June 28, 2006) | ||
| Edstevens |
Unsquare I had been away from motorcycling for 20 years. I came back by buying a 2003 Blast and it was perfect. I'm 5'3" and the fit was good with both the regular seat and with the low seat. A great First bike. I had no problems. | ||
| Laughing_otter |
I'm five-foot nothin'. Either the Blast tall or short seat are fine for me. I can flat-foot with both feet on the shorty. It's a good sense of security for newbies (myself included) to be able to flat-foot. If your wife is 5'2", the Blast is perfect. She should be able to flat-foot no problem on the shorty. But the taller seat is a LOT cushier. (For those of us with tender bottoms) | ||
| Buelltoys |
I too bought a 2005 Blast as my first bike. I am 6' and yes it is a little cramped for longer rides. I still ride it today when my Uly is in the shop like it is now. The girlfriend is starting to learn on it. 5' with low seat just able to flat foot | ||
| Unsquare |
Thanks for the reassurance. But not many have addressed the reliability concerns. Has no one had issues with theirs...I'm guessing if they had, they wouldn't likely be members here for long. this site kind of scared me: http://www.mybuell.com/ @ Metalstorm: She does like the sportier look I guess, she helped me pick out my CBR1100XX. We looked at the Ninja 250 and found it to be too tall for her. I was really surprised by that. You can't do much to lower that thing from what I could tell, the front end is the limiting factor there. Now I just have to find one for sale around here. (Message edited by unsquare on June 28, 2006) | ||
| Tramp |
If the blast becomes untenable ( and I see no reason that it should) she could always pick up a Honda 450 (or was it 400?) rebel and fit low bars and a bullet fairing on it. remove the prince-purple rain tailsection, slap a nice little sport seat on it, and she'll have a low machine which doesn't look too cruiseresque. Also- it's very simple to switch to a standard fuel tank on that machine, to really add to the de-cruisafixion. Rebels can be had CHEAP, and, even with the mods, she could putt away on a $2000- one-of-a-kind motorcycle. Same can be done with a Sportster Hugger (they can be obtained CHEAP), as well, and then it's really simple to install a Buell front end and engine. me? I'd start her on a blast. With the lowered seat it should be a snap to get it to her height's liking. If this doesn't work, there are plenty of taller women available, as well. | ||
| Light_keeper |
There were some problems with the blast but most have been solved. Mine had the leaky rockerboxes (2001 and older) this was fixed with the new style gaskets. For sure the bike has qurks but mine has been great. Regular maintenence will take care of the bike. The dunlap tires tend to wear quickly but when they do there are other options (see the thumper knowledge vault). The site you refer to has been around for awile. sure there are lemons all brands have them. I personally have not been unhappy with my bike. In fact I had originally intended to keep it for a short time then move on but still think it is a "Blast"  | ||
| Sandblast |
I put 10,000 miles on mine with no problems whatsoever. Then I bought another Buell. The Blast is a tank. That website you listed pops up in conversation once in a while on here, my feelings are the guy is kind of retarded, but hey, thats just my opinion. Dont let reliability concerns talk you out of a Blast, they really dont have any. BTW, Welcome to the site. | ||
| Crusty |
My wife put 10,000 miles on her 2001 Blast, and the only problem was a leaky rocker box gasket that was replaced under warranty. We sold it, and she got a Sportster,which was totaled when she was hit from behind at a red light. After she recovered from the accident, she wanted another Blast; so we bought a leftover 2003, which she put 5,000 miles on without any problems at all. Now, my daughter is riding that same Blast and loves it. I love my wife and daughters, and would not put any of them on a bike that I thought was unreliable or dangerous. | ||
| Bomber |
there's a Blast in the Entropy Motorpool - -great scoot, light, handles well, light, big fun in the twisties, did I mention light? at 6'2", it felt a lil like a circus clown bike, but I grinned alot whenever I rode it -- very few problems with em -- rockerbox leaks, one year had a pulley issue, but they've been worked out -- it is the Honda 305 of this generation -- great for smaller riders or those purists that insist any cyclinder count beyond one is just gilding the lily | ||
| Jprovo |
The Blast is a Great bike. I have 42,000+ miles on it, and it has had a few problems, but overall been a great bike. Check out my profile for details. James | ||
| Sarodude |
Blasts are great. They are reliable and easy to ride and fun even if you've got some miles under ya. Biggest problem with the Blast: Dealer Mechanics. IMO, MOST problems people have with Blasts comes from poor dealer work - or poor shadetree mechanic work. Exacerbating the problem is the fact that, typically, a Blast bike / rider are seen as lower forms of life by the same people who sold it to ya. Big Harley > Sportster > Buell Twin > Blast. Buy the bike, the service manual, and the parts manual and you'll have a great time. It is one of the most honest motorcycles you'll ever come across. -Saro | ||
| Ezblast |
2003 and up are bullet proof - the most reliable product made by HD - period. If you would like to know more visit the Thumper section and look around there - the FAQ section will answer all your questions and the recall section will answer all your concerns - In the end - the Blast is a Blast!  Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark Side! EZ  FAQ http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/20164/34080.html?1151272291 Concerns http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/20164/6811.html?1151030660 | ||
| Dfishman |
Unsquare.. I have a blast low seat in good condition if you need it.Cheap too. Donnie | ||
| Tramp |
Unsquare- I know some cool tall chicks | ||
| Ulendo |
As I stated in the e-mail we are going through a lemon law case at this time and the first hearing was denide, so we are requesting a rehearing . We were granted an extention for the case until Aug. 7,02 this sentence pretty much summed up the whole site. the 'legal' case was revoked as unsubstantiated. If you read closely, you'll also notice that several of the posters seem to suffer from the same typo's, and grammatic mannerisms ?!?! ( IE: one person posting as different people) all brands have SOME problems - thats why warranty exists. equally, all brands have people who don't do their maintenance, beat on their bikes, and 'tune' things their own way, then cry that its a manufacturers defect if / when they fail: the old adage of you play, you pay comes to mind. current example of this is the 'frame failures' on suzuki GSXR's: apparently they do fail - if the owners have been repeatedly doing wheelies with hard landings.... as for the blast specifically - take a look at whats on offer for motorcycle training: many, MANY of those company's use Blasts for their reliability, comfort, ease of operation, and ease of maintenance. | ||
| Percyco |
My 5'3" 110 lb. girlfriend learned on her 2003 Blast with the low seat. The bike is perfect for learners with enough poop (500cc) to satisfy a more advanced rider. The Blast is plastic and molded in color and that comes in handy when it gets dumped on the ground ! I kept a good supply of turn signal lenses as they do break sometimes on the front blinkers (while laying on its side). We have know added a Vance & Hines full exhaust, K&N filter, rejetted and installed lower handlebars . It's a fun little bike to mod too !......Good Luck ! | ||
| Swampy |
Blast, cool, I like it better than my Sportster. And not too many get stolen. Both my boys are mercylessly beating the crap out of them, and I being the chief mechanic and parts aquisition expert, am not complaining too loudly. The Big Kid is 6'2", 190 lbs, and the Little Kid is 6', 220? lbs. Me 5' 10", 165, and wouldn't hesitate to jump on it and ride 1400 miles. Tramp...you got tall chicks too? | ||
| Unsquare |
Wow, great to hear all this. I'll be buying one in the next week or so...as soon as I find one that we like. As for used bike pricing, should I go by the NADA or KBB values? It seems that they are pretty far apart. Also, what model years should I look to avoid? | ||
| Crusty |
The design of the Blast hasn't changed at all. All years are good. The early ones had rocker box gaskets that tended to leak after a while, but the new style gaskets took care of that problem. I wouldn't avoid any year, if the price was right. Up here in the Northeast, used Blasts can be found for under $2,000 if you're patient and keep an eye on the want ads. | ||
| Tramp |
ignore nada and kbb, although nada's typically more accurate. just peruse the classifieds. i've seen plenty of blasts in my area for under 2k, as well. also, read the posts on this thread carefully. the model years to avoid seem to be listed above a few posts up. | ||
| Angelwild327 |
you can also try going to a Harley store that offers Rider's Edge classes, they usually have blasts for sale that were used in the classes. Sometimes they're a little banged up, but they're pretty well maintained and you won't feel bad being hard on the bike...plus you might be able to strike up a sweet deal! Then, you can take the bike afterward, and do some cool mods to it Good luck!!! | ||
| Metalstorm |
Even here in CA where everything is ultra freaking expensive (try riding off a dealer lot with a new XB for under 12K, not likely to happen) you can find used Blasts in super clean condition for 2K or less. They are well worth their price of admission. | ||
| Percyco |
Angelwild327 is correct, we paid $2500. for a Riders Edge Blast with 160 miles on it and just a couple of VERY minor dings. It was never titled so it still had the full factory warranty with it. | ||
| Tramp |
now, THAT's a deal!!!!!!!!!! |
