| Author | Message | ||
     Seanp |
Greetings, I've just logged onto the board, and searched the archives for maybe an answer to this question, but have not found it. I want a motorcycle, and after spending a tax-free year in Baghdad, my wife has agreed that we can afford it. (Woohoo!) I've taken the MSF course, twice, and loved it. I really want a Firebolt, but I realize that this is probably not a good bike for a beginner. So I am looking at a Blast. Does anyone know if Buell is planning on ever bringing back their promotion to buy a Blast and trade it in for full value later for another Buell? I remember seeing that deal a couple of years ago, but was not in a situation to buy then. Now I am, and I would like to buy something I can handle and learn on, but then be able to get the Firebolt of my dreams... If that is not going to ever be an option, my only recourse may be to buy the Blast, and either sell it privately, or keep it and (this is a long-shot) maybe, just maybe, teach the wife to ride the Blast and convince her that I need a Firebolt... Thanks. | ||
| Ralphthe3rd |
LOL...Ahhh No! Actually i've even heard of some dealers giving a Blast Away FREE with the Purchase of an XB ! (Blast sales have peaked and over saturated the market) Also..right now alot of Dealers are greatly discounting the '03 XB9's...I've seen them as low as $6500 ! Don't Buy a NEw Blast...waste of money as they have No resale Value...But then the XB9's have lost of THEIR resale value since the XB12's have appeared. BTW- the Blast is a True beginners bike...you'll out grow it too soon...if you want a Buell...buy an XB9S instead...the power IS Not intimadating...It's the same power as a suzuki SV650.... nothing really scarey unless you twist your right wrist and keep it held there ! BTW- the Ergos on the Firebolt are VERY Racer Crouch.... you better have good wrists and forearms muscle if you want a Firebolt...ride the XB Lightning and compare the two.... | ||
| Evaddave |
I'm with Ralph on this one. Buy the Blast used. When you're ready to upgrade, sell it, and you'll get pretty much the equivalent of the full-value trade-in. Plus, to do that, you'll only spend about half as much as you would have for a new Blast. | ||
| Seanp |
See, that's what I'm afraid of, is outgrowing a motorcycle too quickly. I was looking at the XB9R originally, but everything I've ever read about it is that it's a great bike, except for the power issue. My wife calls it the Harry Potter bike. So that kind of makes it less intimidating for her, like I'm not really laying down $10K for a powered bicycle, but instead for a flying broomstick... Hey, it works in my favor! The ergonomics is another issue I need to come to grips with. I have a bad back, and I realize that the seating on most motorcycles is going to be painful after more than a couple of hours. But I have a truck, and my wife has a car, so a motorcycle would be purely a toy, not for spending hours and hours on... So I think that's ok. I do want to buy new though. I have this thing about buying new vehicles. I don't personally think it's worth it to lay down a few grand for something that somebody else has owned before me, and possibly abused. Thanks for your thoughts and advice. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I understand about buying new-I bought mine new knowing full well the resale value would plummet,but I'm planning on keeping it a long time.If you know your going to sell it,you probably wont even put 5000 miles on it,and low mileage Blasts are a dime a dozen(less than 10,000 miles, many much less) it doesn't make sense to buy a new one.For what you'd lose in resale you could buy used and keep it!(but I do understand how you feel). I dont personally think a bike that weighs as much as the Blast with 3 times the horsepower (XB9) is a good beginners bike!!! Starting 'small' is a good choice. Do check out the different models with different seat heights(XB series), riding a motorcycle with a bad back doesnt have to be painful. I have learned that on the Blast, different seats and different handlebars can make a BIG difference in how the bike feels. Welcome to Badweb-let us know what you decide/purchase. | ||
| Ezblast |
My slant on this is a little different - it depends what you are looking for in a bike. The Blast is a great simple to work on bike that is fun to ride and introduces you to the full Buell experience, including modifying, for power and personalization;0) in a year to two years to three, then get an XB and enjoy! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Seanp |
Well, nothing will happen for a few months anyway, until I get back to the states. But I like to plan as far out as possible, so that I have time to react/replan/readjust. As far as starting out on an XB9, well, I live in a rural neighborhood on a military post, so I have plenty of roads with very little traffic to learn on. I wouldn't ever need to put myself into a situation where I have to use a road that I can't cruise at whatever slow speed I want to... But when I make a final decision, I'll let y'all know what the deal is. I may get the Blast and keep it for a while. There are a lot of variables to take into account here, and even $4500 for a Blast is a lot of money. Thanks again. | ||
| Nworcyor |
Don't know where you live, but in my area brand new '04 Blasts are advertised for $3795. Might be able to locate a new '03 for even less. About the cheapest I've seen NICE used ones go for is $2700, usually closer to $2900-$3,000. Anything less than $2700 has likely been been abused or wrecked. I vote for the Blast myself, have had mine for almost a year and in no way am I even close to "outgrowing" it, my skill and/or bravery has yet to discover the Blast's limits. It's light, easy handling, good mileage and low insurance rate guarantee I'll be keeping it quite a while. I also vote for the idea of gradually talking your wife into someday taking over the Blast for herself, and then moving up to an XB. On the subject of "outgrowing" a bike, I know a girl, 24 years old, who just started riding last year, first bike being a Suzuki GS-500. After 3 months and 400 miles, (and many blemishes/scratches/broken mirrors, etc. from the "learning" process) she said it was ok, but she was bored with it and wanted something more powerfull!! I know deep down she really wanted a GSXR-1000 or even a Hayabusa (I'm not making this up!) but for insurance reasons she got a brand new yellow Bandit 600. It's really nice looking, I'm not an expert on Jap bikes but I KNOW this thing will easily run the 1/4 mile somewhere in the 11 second range, she wanted me to ride it, but I refused, would rather her put the 1st scratch on it. After 600 or so odd miles she has said she likes it, but is getting bored with it also. I know it is only a matter of time until she gets the 9 or 10 second terror she wants. This little girl has less than one year, only 1,000 or so miles of experience. If she somehow manages to stay alive, she will never know that first GS-500 could go much faster than she would ever know how to ride it, won't appreciate how light and easy handling it was until she is pushing her liter-bike thru the mountains or in traffic and making yearly insurance payments of half the bike's worth. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
So much to say about that story (I wont), but we see & hear it all too often. | ||
| Seanp |
I'm in Louisiana, and I have no clue what they're going for there, being on the other side of the world at the moment. I just asked and found out my wife would not be averse to learning to ride a motorcycle as long as it was something small that she could control. So maybe my plan to buy a Blast, keep it for a while, then let my wife use the Blast while I graduate to a Firebolt might actually work... Hmm. I'll keep y'all posted. | ||
| Newblaster |
The story above says a lot about people who feel that they've "outgrown" their bikes. Most of the time, they've never found the bike's limits, they've just decided that they have. It would be interesting to see how fast this person would "outgrow" a Gixxer or Hayabusa. Just my 2 cents. Scott | ||
| Sarodude |
Newblaster- You have NO idea how much I believe what you say. -Saro | ||
| Ralphthe3rd |
Me again...with more than $.02 Hey, I'm a Blastoholic...but I'm also a realist. And A new Blast is a waste-o-money ! Blast's are also Very tough little critters..and very simple ones too. A few magazines called them cheap fun and cheaply made. If you really study a Blast up close- you'll wonder how they have the gall to give it a MSRP of $4500+ ! But getting back to the XB's... lets compare the XB9S... it actually feels alot like a Taller Blast with slightly more rearset pegs. It's also available as a low version (seat and suspension). The XB9's in partiuclar as opposed to the XB12's are really easy to ride. As the 9's don't have much torque...they only have horsepower- and you have to really wind them up tight to get it. Otherwise, in the midrange and below they feel about the same as a Kawasaki EX500 (twin) Ninja ! The XB9's ONLY begin to make power in their upper RPM band (Shoosh- don't Tell that to Norm Hardy, he thinks he has a fast bike). So I stand behind my first words...they (XB9's) are EASY to learn on, as long as you don't wring your right wrist and hold it there ! And still - that power isn't the rush of a four cylinder 600cc Jap bike. If you buy a NEW Blast, and heaven forbid the dealer is Selling for MSRP...you just lost $2k the moment you left the lot ! And watch out with the 2003 XB9's...they have already lost $3k right ON the showroom Floor ! I know one guy who just bought a brand new 03 XB9S which was $6500 and still got to use his $500 rebate coupon ! Then there is another Group member (Jeromius) who sold his Blast last year...but Just bought a NEW XB9 and the dealer thru in a USED(?) Blast for Free !...Get that ! Also... out of context, but a female friend of mine who is over 40 yrs old and stands 5'3" bought a Suzuki Savage(Thumper) as her first bike a few years ago. Within ONE year - she sold her LS650Savage and bought a Brand NEW Harley V-Rod ! And it has the most power of ANY Harley- More than an XB...and she never had a problem in transition...she just never opens it WFO ! So if you buy a Blast- plan on keeping it for the wife....but buying and riding an XB9S (not the 9R) isn't a bad first bike choice. | ||
| Seanp |
I'm trying to find out as much as I possibly can about the whole deal before I jump in. I've got three months to learn as much as possible before the money hits the table, so my brain is aching for more info. I'm writing to dealers in Louisiana right now asking them how much it would be to get a Blast and an XB9 together. When I was asking prices on the XB12, one dealer wrote back and said that "We are currently not offering online vehicle pricing for the requested vehicle due to the very dynamic market conditions surrounding this product." I would take that to mean that since they're in relatively high demand, the dealers know they can sell them higher than MSRP. So I figure if that's the case, and from what Ralph has said, I may be able to get two for the price of one or one and a half. This would solve numerous problems. I could learn on the Blast, then have the XB9 waiting in the wings. When I use the XB9, my wife could then learn on the Blast... So let's hope that there's a dealer in Louisiana/Eastern Texas who would be willing to deal with me in three months, and maybe get rid of two motorcycles. Anyone know of a good dealer in this area who might make a deal with me when I get back from Baghdad? Thanks. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Gotta love a man obsessed!!!Like the way you think! I would definitely mention the 'getting back from Baghdad' when talking to the dealers.If they dont take some time to deal with you, then they probably aren't worth dealing with. | ||
| Ezblast |
CONCUR! | ||
| Seanp |
Here's the guts of my email: "Greetings, I am currently in Baghdad, Iraq. I will return to Fort Polk, LA, in about three months. I want to buy a motorcycle, and specifically want to buy an American motorcycle. I like the Buells that I've seen, and would appreciate it if you could send me some prices for some of the Buells that you have available. I am looking specifically at the XB9 and the Blast. Please let me know how much these motorcycles would be separately and together. I may consider buying the two as a package, if I can get a good deal. Now that the 2004 XB12 is out, I would think that the XB9 would be relatively inexpensive, especially if you have any 2003 models. And the Blasts, I know, have saturated the market, so they should be inexpensive as well. I will also need two helmets, and some good riding clothes, but that's not a priority until I find a good price for the bike." Think that will sway anyone to hook me up? I sure hope there are a few patriotic dealers out there willing to negotiate with a man who hasn't seen civilization in 12 months! Thanks. | ||
| Newblaster |
If you want helmets and clothes, I'd suggest going with someone else. Unless, of course, you want "HD" gear (and to pay the extra for the "Harley-Davidson" on it.) Check the dealer, see if they have Buell gear, but don't bet on them having any. At least, that's my experience, YMMV. And I also agree with Erik and EZ, if they won't hook you up, find another dealer who will. Scott | ||
| Swampy |
My two cents...I bought a couple of Blasts. One I have parked because the wife did a little high side on one and my big kid 6'3", 215+ lbs rides one. He complains like hell about it being not as fast as my Sporty, but I've seen him ride, scares the hell out of me, there is plenty of bike there plus some. I am planning on riding the other Blast this year after the necessary modifications(he,he). Now the beauty of these bikes are they are very durable, cheap and easy to fix and modify(tons of potential), cheap to insure, and are still part of the Buell mistique. Big kid goes bike shopping(looking) and the truth is there is no way to insure big kid on the bike he wants to have. There has to be an end to it some where. When he gets old enough to pay for it he will probably become responsible enough to ride it. All in all, it's a great bike. Until then we are just waiting out the weather here in Michigan. | ||
| Seanp |
So far I have one offer for a '03 XB9S and an '03 Blast, $7500 and $3500 respectively. The price on the Blast seems kind of high, but this still means that the two bikes together are cheaper than an '04 XB12. If I could get it down to $10,000 total that would be good. I was really hoping that more dealers would be looking to get rid of their XB9's and Blasts. I'll give it a few more days and then start emailing again. Wish I could use a phone for more than 10 minutes a week. I'd prefer to use that time to call my wife rather than a motorcycle dealer... But hey, at least I have email! It could be worse. So if I shouldn't get gear from the dealer, who should I get it from? I need to try stuff on and make sure it fits, and that's kind of hard to do over the internet. Unless motorcycle gear comes in pretty regular sizes? I'm definitely willing to lay down a lot of money for a good helmet for me and my wife, as well as good riding gear. It's worth a couple grand to save our lives and skin... And if I could get the two motorcycles for $10K or less, then that would allow me to stay within my operating budget of $12K and still get some quality gear. Thoughts? | ||
| Ezblast |
Get the gear when you get home - try on together, etc. a good bonding and she'll like having input - most local shops carry a wide assortment - and you can always find something you like and see if you can find it less expensively on the net. This way you'll have a much better idea about size and fit when ordering. Blasts & XB's come with 2 yr warrentees - so money saved - also see if dealer is going to give anything towards accessories - some do...Good Plan! Welcome! Got Thump?! Just Blasting On the Dark Side! EZ | ||
| Fssnoc2501 |
Try on gear at different shops find what brand fit best, looks the way you want, and is comfortable. Then check prices at newenough.com their prices are usually wonderful. Although the Vanson Buell stuff is mighty sweet looking. Ray | ||
| Fssnoc2501 |
To buy new vs. used on a Blast, I hate to agree with Ralph, but he's absolutely correct that you lose significant value when you role off the lot. The one advantage to the new bike is the two year warranty now in place on these bikes. (that's if you find a good dealer with a good service department, which is not always that easy) If you shop around for used many times you can find a real sweet bike with all of the usual starter modifications done and bugs worked out for a sweet price. The decision is in the end what you want and desire. Ray | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Sean, I like your e-mail (to dealers) & even though you can buy your gear cheaper(much) elsewhere it doesnt hurt to IMPLY that you'll buy it at the dealer!! Its good to hear at least one dealer is willing to deal with you, which means other probably will to. Just dont take an immediate no response as a no deal until they tell you so. Also, the dealers closest to me put all their Buell clothing on sale (some really good deals). They dont really offer much of a selection other than the Harley chaps & leather kind of stuff-so it might not be the best place to find your style of gear.(Dont get me wrong,I wear the same gear whether I'm riding my HD or Blast & I Blast most of the time). | ||
| Ralphthe3rd |
Sean, I forgot something important. This kinda backfires my suggestion of you buying an XB9 over a Blast as your First bike. .....INSURANCE rates !!! The Blast is very low cost to insure, BUT- the Insurance industry has JUST Re-classified the XB Buells (both sizes & Models) as Squid Bikes..and as such- they have Upped the Premiums to Sky High Rates! Check other Sections of Badweb for more on that topic. But in MY case (Being poor), that totally took ANY XB thoughts I might have had, out of my Future Purchase picture. I wanted to be a Bueller...but just can't afford to be more than a Cheap Blastard. P.S.- My Next bike purchase will BE an Suzuki SV650 Naked ! Which has low insurance rates, and nearly the same performance as the XB9's.... ~Ralph | ||
| Evaddave |
Quick warranty clarification: The '04 Buells have a 2-year warranty. '03 (and earlier) Buells like the ones you got a quote on above have only a 1-year warranty. | ||
| Seanp |
I have only gotten the one quote so far, which is fine, but the problem is that I may be planning too far out, and dealers aren't going to want to deal with me, since I can't come by and sign anything for three months, (actually about 80-something days, but who's counting) then I think they're hesitant to start anything. The insurance is going to be expensive, I realize. Not as bad as it could be, since I'm 30, married, took the MSF course, and have had no accidents or tickets in over 3 years. So the insurance, even though it will be steep, will be about as little as possible. And I'm not terribly poor. I get a raise in two months which would cover the monthly cost of insurance. The service contract is not so much an issue, as I will be moving from Louisiana to Georgia about two months after I get back. So I am not looking for a dealer with a good service department - I am just looking for a dealer with cheap deals. It's all quite perplexing and frustrating. The worst part is that I am here in Baghdad, and can't even sit on a bike, much less buy one and ride it. And to top it off, I can get a bike here, through a company that offers cars and motorcycles to deployed service members, for less than MSRP. So if I wanted to get an XB12R or whatever, I could get it here cheaper than back home, and have it waiting for me when I return. So that's another option. A friend of mine just bought a VRSCA for $17,700 - that's MSRP. Back home, he'd probably pay a heck of a lot more than that! Argh! All I want to do is get out on two wheels and ride! | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL | ||
| Sarodude |
Sean- Personally, I'd suggest waiting till after you've moved to buy your bikes. If you're gonna have the dealer service your bikes (bad idea, but your call) a good relationship with them is very important. It's easier to have good vibes if that's where you bought the bike. Just an opinion. -Saro | ||
| Newblaster |
Before you decide to have the dealer service your bike(s), get to know the service dept. In other words, meet the Buell tech and the dept. manager. If they're cool, you'll probably be okay. If not, look for another service dept. My two cents, on the service question. Scott | ||
| Seanp |
See, there are a few problems with moving first and then getting the bike: 1) I already have my endorsement in Louisiana, and I don't know if I can buy and register a bike in Georgia without a Georgia license. 2) When I get home from here, I will have two months of leave in which I can take my time learning how to ride, doing the whole crawl/walk/run thing. 3) The tax is cheaper and it should cost me a lot less to register in Louisiana than it will in Georgia. 4) I have friends in Louisiana that will ride with me to start out with, whereas I don't know anyone in GA yet. So yes, I may be better off trying to get the bike in the same place where I will be having it serviced, but even still, I will only be in Georgia for about four months before moving to Kansas for a few months, and then somewhere else, hopefully Europe. As I said, it's a pretty complicated situation. | ||
| Pastor_chuck |
I just bought a "new" Blast (new to me that is). Actually it was an '02 with 82 miles on it. It was $3000 and looks great. I would have felt bad paying 4500 for a new new one. I've got 1200 miles on it after two months and have enjoyed every minute. So, my advice is ... get a used Blast and enjoy it. For 2500 - 3000 you can get a like new Bike that is always good as a second bike. |
