| Author | Message | ||
     Lost93 |
I'm new to riding and will be taking a class in about a month. I really like the technology and look of the Buells. I am short 5 2" with at best a 27 inseam. I like the Blast, but I don't want to buy a $ 6000 bike that I'll out grow in a year. Yes that's what they cost here in Hawaii. I might still go for the Blast though, I fit right on it with the lower 25' seat, both feet flat footed. Still lacking in power without some work though. I have been to the dealers and I can tripod flat footed on a lightning xb12s, but I'm practically on my toes on the new lightning cityx xb9s. The dealer say that they won't be getting the xb12scg. I have been reading up on seat height and I can probably switch the xb12scg seat in the xb12s lowing it another inch. Of course this is all with the stock seats. So should I go with the Blast and take the hit? Try lowering the cityx xb9s? Thats going to take some work? Try learning on the xb12s with a lowered seat? I'm not looking for crazy fast or I wouldn't be here, I would just get a Ninja. Still I love the naked bike look of Buell. Being like everyone else never sat well with me. Still what can I get that will give me some real power that I can handle? Thanks | ||
| Swampy |
Welcome to the board Lost 93! Another concern is insurance. Have you looked at buying used as compared to new? I just posted a couple of days ago about 2002 Riders Edge Blasts selling for $1800, at American HD in Ann Arbor, MI. I'm sure shipping could be arranged. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Get the Blast. Get a good used one (if possible) since you seem likely to want to 'move up'. Also, with your height (I'm not tall either), 'tripodding' a bike is little more than you should be worried about when new and the bigger Buells dont handle being dropped cheaply. Or I'd 'take the hit'. The Blast handles very well, and being new you wont be able to appreciate the advanced handling of the bigger Buells. Its not all about just riding, its about staying alive (seriously, not being scary). Its much easier to learn how to go fast and ride on a bike thats not going to throw you off (literally-off the bike) with a little to much throttle. We race a Blast and I've seen other riders on 'slow' bikes get a faster bike thinking they will go faster and end up being slower! Seriously, learn how to ride on a Blast first and then see what kind of bike to get after you put some miles on. It may change as looks dont always mean comfort or suit your riding preferences. I've been riding a long time and I've seen many riders go down because they 'moved up' too soon or got a bigger bike than they could handle to start with. Many also end up leaving their bike in the garage because of a bad scare out on the road. Sorry for the long post. I'm pretty passionate about motorcycles and rider safety. I been down more than once and the last time left me in ICU and off work 3 months-a completely unavoidable accident.(hospital bill $60k and counting-putting the Blast back on the road $100). I want to see you ride and enjoy it for a long time. (Message edited by gearheaderiko on February 28, 2007) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS Welcome! | ||
| Lost93 |
Thanks for all the help. Sadly there is no Riders Edge in Hawaii, but they are looking to start one soon. The class here is not mf, but a local one. Of course, they use nothing over 250 cc. Also there are no used Blasts here only used Firebolt and lightnings. I believe that I may wait until I take the class before I choose a bike. There are kits and mods that can help upgrade a Blast, and I have done my homework the Thumper forum. Still, at least $ 2000 extra and few get the results they wanted or were promised. The lightning xb9s with a xb12scg low seat or the xb12s again with the low seat. They seem good right now. I plan ongoing very low and learning everything right. I have at least 5 people from various ages ready to teach me. Thank you again and I'll keep all of you posted. | ||
| Buellistic |
Lost93: Get a BLAST and you will literlly have a "BLAST" riding it !!! "i" ride with our BUELL Club and with BIG TWIN groups ... It is a little harder to keep up with the big BUELLs, but "i" really shock the BIG TWIN riders ... In fact one thought it was a twin !!! In BLASTing LaFayette | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
It would seem that you've already made up your mind (XB). Either way you decide, I'm glad you'll be buying a Buell. PS Who told you the Blast has no power? | ||
| Bonesdl1 |
Lost93: I took my rides training on a 250, and had the same thoughts as you about the Ninjas and other sportbikes. But after looking around and doing some thinking, I bought myself a Blast. I don't regret one penny of it either. The Blast is a kick ass ride. Yes it does need some mods to really enjoy it's full potential, but it's definitely worth it. I run with my friends and they all have twins. Unless we're blasting down a straight road, I have no problem keeping up with them and passing them since they have to baby their bikes in the corners to keep from dragging their exhaust. I'm thrilled with my Blast, I know it's a bike that I won't outgrow as I ride. Yes, I'll eventually get something bigger and more comfortable for long two-up rides, but that's for later. |
