| Author | Message | ||
     Desertfox |
My fiancée is showing interest in learning to ride... And there's an ad in the local Craigslist for a black, 2002 Blast with 6,700 miles. They want 1,150 for it. I haven't looked at it yet, but assuming everything is in the condition you would expect for only 6,700 miles, would that be a fair price? I ride a 1999 Buell X1 that has been nothing but fun, so I have to assume the blast is similar. My only other question is can the Blast be ridden at 70mph or so for long periods? The bike probably would only be asked to do so for fishing/camping trips. | ||
| Swampy |
Yes it is fun, yes it can be ridden at 96 MPH all day long, and Yes you can use it as a pack mule. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Sounds like a very good deal. 6700 miles is practically brand new! You'll want to ditch the Dunlop tires it probably has for Pirelli's or at least Avons. Heck it can go 90+ for extended periods of time. It is a real motorcycle despite its 7/8 scale size! 70-75 is very comfortable. | ||
| Desertfox |
My X1 has Pirelli's, I love 'em! I'll think more about it, for sure, but I'm leaning toward yes. | ||
| Themagster |
Go For It, awesome machine. 70+ all day: no problem, packing for travel: no problem, getting her off the bike: could be an issue  | ||
| Titusand |
I totally agree with the above sentiments, being a new Blast rider myself. I love the 7/8ths size, too. It's smooth as a baby's butt at 75-80+ mph, and its the most economical real motorcycle, I believe. | ||
| Ezblast |
You may or may not have rockerbox gasket issues down the line, but otherwise a rock solid edition. EZ | ||
| Kauai1800 |
Aloha desertfox, I bought a Blast on craigslist back in November ($1300, 11k, with new helmet) and as someone who had never once ridden a motorcycle, I can say they are a great bike to learn on. I've gone from sitting nervously on the bike to getting it out and really riding in just 3 months. For $1100, how can you go wrong? Here on Kauai a 50cc scooter sells for $900-$1200, so $1100-$1400 for a Blast is a no-brainer. | ||
| Ezblast |
True - they are easy to work on. Besides there is a 50 percent chance that the rocker-cover gasket already got replaced, if not - that will be the oil leak you experience down the line, replace gasket with updated and your golden. a couple ounces of Marvel Mystery oil twice a year in the oil, should keep the rest of the old style gaskets healthy for a very extended period of time - up to indefinitely. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
"you may or may not have rockerbox gasket issues down the line" Early 2002's had paper gaskets, late 2002's had the updated metal gaskets. Knowing the month and year built would help (unless its already leaking). | ||
| Desertfox |
Wow, the more I read, the more I like it. I'm hoping to get a look at it tomorrow... I'm rather mechanically inclined, can you think of anything I should poke at or listen for? | ||
| Ezblast |
It should sound smooth, no backfires, run and stop well with no weird squeaks, not leak like a siv, etc. EZ | ||
| Titusand |
Another thing I'll say is that the whole bike was specifically designed with the beginner in mind. The maintenance schedule is very low, it has plastics that can be buffed out when scratched, and a belt instead of a chain. And as you may guess, you can use full throttle all you want without fear of doing wheelies, yet the bike is plenty fast enough for those who want to use it as transport and not hot-dogging it. Other advantages over Jap bikes is 5 gears instead of 6, the motor's red line is like a car's and beginners will be more familiar with the sound of 5500 rpm than a redline of 10,000. It has a rev limiter, it's light in weight, and its easy to make tight turns and u-turns on it. In general, looking at the bike from an engineer's perspective, it is an excellent combination of compromises that produces a product that fulfills a place in the market like no other motorcycle. (Message edited by titusand on February 17, 2011) | ||
| Kauai1800 |
Here here! | ||
| Zane |
List real close here: It is impossible to go wrong with a Blast. They are reliable as anvils, as close to zero maintenance as any motorcycle can be. If you do have to fix something, they're easy to work on. They are built to give new riders confidence yet won’t be out grown in 3 months. Many ladies like the Blast because of the low seating and light weight. It’s just fits a smaller person better. If the new rider isn't fighting the bike because of physical size and weight, they can pay more attention to improving their skill level. Don't forget to get her a MSF type riding course. They are worth every penny. My first bike was a Blast. My older son learned to ride on a Blast and when my almost 17 year old son turns 18, I’ll get another one for him to learn on. They’re great, fun little bikes that perform better than you’d expect for a beginner’s bike. You won't regret a buying a Blast. (Message edited by Zane on February 18, 2011) | ||
| Desertfox |
So I have agreed to buy it. The plastics are a bit scuffed, nothing seriously wrong with it though. He threw in a leather Buell jacket that fits me like a glove  so my gf is taking my old kevlar type jacket. It's also part of what convinced me to get it. I noticed oil around the top of the primary, but it's not from any part of the piston (yay). I'm assuming it's oil from the breather that was never cleaned off. I want to make the plastics a sort of matte black. Would simply sanding with very high grit paper accomplish that? | ||
| Desertfox |
Bought and fixed! The boot had a tear in it, so I basically filled the tear with JB weld and wrapped each of the grooves in gorilla tape. No more intake leak! Seems like a fun little bike. Simple as hell too. | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL  | ||
| Titusand |
Maybe some JB Weld should be part of the on-the-road tool kit we talk about on this forum! | ||
| Desertfox |
It should be part of ANY on the road tool kit, hahah. It's probably not flexible enough to be a long-term fix on the boot though, just saying. We'll see how long it lasts. | ||
| Zane |
Congratulations on your purchase, you're gonna love that little bike. I wish I still had mine. It'll never be the fasted bike on the road or the "coolest" one but you'll get more smiles per mile from a Blast than any other bike out there. | ||
| Buellriderx |
Matte Black   I just lightly scruffed the plastics with a high grit sandpaper, primer, and paint. I used a rattle can from walmart and it turned pretty good | ||
| Kauai1800 |
Buellriderx: saw your bike on Craigslist.. Did you contact dude on Oahu who posted a few days earlier looking for a blast? Good luck! |
