| Author | Message | ||
     Gomo |
Jest you loyalest XB lovers waite an see. When the next latest greatest platform comes along and your beloved XB's are jest dumped/discontinued. Buell Motor company will jest turn its back on you. Thats their M O. Then you'll know the pain of the old tubers who have gone before you. Ha Ha Ha. I would have to disagree with this statement. I have gotten great support and information with my '99 S3 from the factory/homebase to the present date. I have never dealt with any company that stand's behind their product like Buell....and this is an eight year old bike! The key may be to find the right folks to talk to and where to look for them. Believe it or not; this was a great place to start. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I don't know. I think H-D needs Buell. Certainly, Buell needs H-D, without it there would be no Lightning. The cash, the backing made all the difference. What H-D has gotten out of it seems to be a testing ground for new engines (is the XR1200 motor not based on the Lightning?) rubber mounting and other work for the Sportsters and big twins that they couldn't otherwise pull off. I agree that they need eachother as well. I'm sure the XR1200 engine shares a good bit with the Buell mills because even the XL1200 from 2004 up uses some of the same stuff. The heads, cylinders and rotating assembly (aside from the pistons) are all the same (as far as I know). All that's really different is the cases, cams, pistons and of course, induction system. And HD has been rubber-mounting engines for a long time, and the rubber-mounted Sporters are born more out of a Dyna than an XB. | ||
| Thespive |
I can comment on this Blast stuff first hand. I am one of those whyo learned to ride on a Blast at Rider's Edge, but I took the course 3 weeks AFTER I bought my Sportster. Guess what? I learned more about Buell on that fun little bike and I ignored the V-Rod on the showroom floor for the first time and sat on an XB. Three years later I now own a XB9SX and the Sporty is getting sold. Say what you will about the Blast - it is a great little bike and gave me the personal exposure to the Buell brand and I now own an XB because of it. Buell is everything I had hope HD would be for me, and I couldn't be more happy that I found the Buell family and the product. It is a match for me 100-percent - my philosophy, my riding style, my design style, my want to be a part of something different, my need for technical innovation - and you know what? you meet the coolest people on a Buell. -Sean EDIT: Knowing what I know now, I wish I could get on a Blast again for a day and put my current skills to the test on a twisty road. (Message edited by thespive on January 09, 2007) | ||
| M2nc |
The Blast is a fun bike. Last year in Boone, Webe and I traded bikes as we rode US-421 the Snake. I wanted to try out the Blast on some serious curves and the Snake has plenty. After almost ripping off the left foot peg in the first turn, I started leaning off the bike to protect the very low foot pegs. The bike just screams "Toy" to me and it was a lot of fun pushing this underrated motorcycle through one of the best sport bike roads out there. One funny thing is that I was being followed by Webe on my Uly, and a host of other XBs. I was having no problem pulling up this mountain and keep a good little gap between me and the rest of the group. Now if they can figure out how to make a rear tire last with me piloting it, I would buy one. Or better yet, make a KLR competitor out of it. Go ahead and make a 600cc dual sport mini-Uly!! | ||
| Sarodude |
Man - what's up with all the people down on the Blast? The Blast is an honest, elemental, real motorcycle. Style is always a matter of tase. However, just because it doesn't help supplement some folks' inadequacies doesn't detract from it being a great bike. We're somehow brainwashed by the motorcycle industry into thinking that senseless excess is the norm. OK - the Blast is lacking in senseless excess. Sorry. I've got a couple of bikes. Each time I don't ride one for a few weeks, then I get on it, I'm reminded of how great it is. Do I wish the Blast had a more suitable suspension for my weight and riding style? Absolutely. But stop beating down on that bike already. -Saro | ||
| Rocketman |
Saro, despite it being a great bike it damages Buells street cred for me. Rocket | ||
| Naustin |
Rocket - why? Cause it doesn't have 100hp? It was designed for a specific purpose. It fills that roll perfectly. Its the most reliable bike EVER built by HD. Street Cred? Gimme a break. If you care about "street Cred" you're just lame... | ||
| Woody1911a1 |
"it damages Buells street cred for me." OMFG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sorry but i'm laughing so f***ing hard i realy don't know how i could even begin to reply except , did you really say that ? omg you are so f'ing full of yourself | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I'm almost affraid to post this after reading the last post, but here we go. If I were a designer at Buell, I'd be sure that in each line there was one bike that had a seat long enough for a passenger to sit comfortably. I own a Long and am 160 lbs, my girfriend is 105, so we're not huge people. I'm not asking for a cruiser, but the Lightning long could be another 2". | ||
| Rocketman |
Listen carefully and learn about why some bought Buells back when I did in 1998. Buell only ever manufactured unique, some might even say exotic, low volume production motorcycles. No matter their genre, be it streetfighter or tourer, for the times they were bold and innovative designs that still retained a flavour of traditional style whilst incorporating modern technologies. The Sportster power plant was not so inadequate for the times either. I bought an S1W new because there was simply nothing like it and it was RARE even when new. Rare had an importance. After the demise of the tube frame models Buell went for a higher production volume with a jump up to modern design principles leaving tradition behind. The XB's might not have been everyones idea of where Buell should have gone, but they could hardly say the XB was not in keeping with Buells seemingly unique designs. Yes, a step up in production volume, but still rare. The Blast on the other hand is a cheap manufactured little bike whose intended purpose for Buell was entirely profit driven. Manufacture as many as possible. Whatever you believe the Blast to be, it is a break from tradition for Buell and as such detracts from Buells image somewhat as a manufacturer of unique innovative performance orientated high end motorcycles that are detached from the mainstream. The Blast was meant to be everything but. As for being full of myself, you mean to say, I know what I'm talking about. Clearly you don't. And whilst you give that some thought, ponder over why Buell haven't sold the Blast into Europe. Street cred? I don't buy motorcycles to commute on, so yes, fashion is part of buying and owning a motorcycle. If it were not you wouldn't be able to say one bike was better to look at than another. Get a grip dude. Street cred is nothing to be ashamed of, otherwise your papa would never have bought that Mustang that dropped your mommies knickers. Rocket | ||
| Ezblast |
Rocket - sorry but again you miss a point if you think the Blast is massed produced - lol - sure - compared to other Buells there are more Blasts, however, the number total is still pretty low, they can't be too cheaply made because their reliability is still better than the other Buells, this bike is considered unique in Europe and the few Euro riders through grey market seem to really enjoy the bike. Ducati had singles with a similar style in Europe as well. Also my bikes have plenty of 'cred' - lol - and other Blast owners find themselves constantly bombarded with questions about the bike - people like them and they have done nothing but forward Buells' reputation and name. The Blast really put the Buell name out there and negative folk had to really bust their balls to find negatives about the bike - power is not everything and that is not the bikes intended mission - that it would not float everyone's boat was a given - however, it has well fulfilled its mission and only HD corporate bottom line type 'folk' are stopping the bikes evolution to platforms more fitted for this single to enjoy. Rocket - you've always been a bit full of yourself, its good to see your still true to form.  Another thing though - inexpensive parts does not equate to cheaply made - the Blast still retains the quality other Buells are striving to attain. Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Sparky |
The Blast. Different in every sense. 'Nuff said. Street cred? WGAF. | ||
| Bomber |
you say profit like it's a dirty word -- as for commuter bikes, doesn't the manufacturer of one of your dream bikes also make scooters? street cred? ah well -- | ||
| Rainman |
Street cred: Well, I've been on Sportsters and Wings and admit I have no racing or hooligan cred at all so I may fit with the Blast. But don't forget that Honda sells a lot of Nighthawk 250s and Rebels and even smaller bikes and it doesn't seem to affect their street cred. It's a beginner's bike and a bike for commuters. That shouldn't impact the credibility of the XBs. | ||
| Rocketman |
Ok, I thought an in depth explanation was warranted, so I avoided the smirky remark. But my good friend Bomber is now trading insults with the scooter word so here's the one liner  Can you imagine MV Agusta building ugly commuter singles? Rocket | ||
| Rocketman |
How about Ferrari building Corollas?  I don't want my Buell company associated with a goofy 'no matter how brilliant' commuter bike. Rocket | ||
| Rocketman |
Peter Wheeler, the private owner of TVR for 20 odd years until recently, has designed brute force sports cars I'm sure most are familiar with. When his design team brought him sketches of a 2+2 sports car they were considering, Wheeler flatly refused claiming TVR don't build 4 seater cars. The design team got him to rethink, but Wheeler new what he meant, as did his design team. That's why this is the result of 2+2 travel - TVR style.  Now please tell me you get the point? Rocket | ||
| Rocketman |
And if you think that's in keeping with the TVR style, despite the 'four' seats, look how the race winning World Sportscar 2 seat version turned out.  Imagine making the same steps but with a Blast - relatively speaking of course. Rocket | ||
| Bomber |
ROcket -- I, for one, DO get the point -- and the reptillian brain stem in my noggin agrees -- I, too, do not want a 4-door equivalent motorcycle unlike you, though, I don't care if my brand of choice makes one, so long as it: 1. helps pay for what I DO want, and 2. bring others into the fold (both brand and sport) honorable people disagree alla time | ||
| Naustin |
Buell is no Ferrari by a long shot. If you think buell is manufacturing "high end" exotic motorcycles, you are deluded. They are unique, smart, and incorporate many "breakthrough" designs. However, we're not talking about bikes that are truly "high end" or "exotic". They are average priced, and for the most part, average performers. They do certain things better than others, this is where they get their reputation for real world performance. Buell are Harley Davidson are like Toyota and Scion. Buell is the younger, flashier, more exciting brand. But to compare Buell to Ferrari is absolutely ridiculous. | ||
| Rainman |
OK, I gotcha. Kinda like when GM took over SAAB and started making the SAAB 4-wheel-drive abomination that is nothing more than a mutant Chevy. SAABs should be Swedish and quirky, not Detroit-designed rejects. It may be good. It might work. But it should have a different name. Call it an Erik Blast. PS: I really have no street cred: I drive a Corolla. (Message edited by Rainman on January 11, 2007) | ||
| Xl1200r |
I could have spent a lot less money on a sportbike with 100hp. Exotic? Maybe not, but definitely premium. | ||
| Ezblast |
 I'd say either of these bikes are worth commuting on and when I get done with the XBBlast Insideous that will be the new carver - I figure a 650cc in something less than 300lbs should just about be a great formula for fun!  Something like this but without all those unneeded parts - lol GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
The very first thing I'd do would be to fire all you boobs and hire a new secretary.  | ||
| P0p0k0pf |
Man... it must be hard to see outta that TVR with those bars in the way on the driver's side... : ) | ||
| Bake |
Firebolt touring edition. Ok so they may only sell 1 of them. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
If they keep the Firebolt line, and I don't see any reason not to, I'd fully fair it. Why not? you'd have a choice of either the naked fighter or a full fairing racer. Buell only went 1/2 way with the R series. | ||
| Jimidan |
Regarding the BLAST being a cheap motorcycle...there is a big difference between being inexpensive to purchase (Kawasaki Ninja 500) and being cheap looking (BLAST). The BLAST just looks cheap from head to stern to me. Those stamped out footpegs and holders are perfect examples. Then there is that huge rear sprocket that is almost as large as the wheel...that thing is fugly and looks like an after-thought to correct a miscalculation on final drive ratio. I notice that the footpegs are the first thing that goes when someone buys the BLAST. Then there is that little putt-putt engine that sounds like a Cushman product of years gone by. Back then we didn't care what the engine sounded like, as we were so hungry for something we didn't have to pump, that we would ride anything. It just gets worse with a more open exhaust. My lawn mower sounds better than that engine. I know some of you guys love these bikes and I will be the last to try and tell you about what you like...as there is no accounting for taste. My Dad used to like Pintos too...but that was before there were Civics or Accords. But, how someone can look at the BLAST and then the competition like the Suzuki GS500 or the little Ninja, and choose the Buell is beyond me. There really is no comparison. Sorry, but that is the way I see it. jimidan | ||
| Jimidan |
Chinashop sez: If they keep the Firebolt line, and I don't see any reason not to, I'd fully fair it. Why not? you'd have a choice of either the naked fighter or a full fairing racer. Buell only went 1/2 way with the R series. Streetable means that they do not overheat in traffic. The full fairing really restricts air flow when not moving...little fan or no little fan, them suckers would get hot in a heartbeat in the summer. Race bikes can get away with it for obvious reasons. jimidan} | ||
| Ezblast |
Jim - those foot peg brackets also act as crash cages to protect the motor and a great thing for the beginner, the Blast has the same rear torque as that 500 Ninja with just the addition of a pipe and with more work has even more! The sprocket is fine and a great conversation piece - everyone is reminded of board track racers and often think it is a custom addition to the bike, and if you add a good exhaust - you'll never mistake it for a lawn mower - as for the other bikes you've mentioned - they are no competition to me where they are a dime a dozen and are left behind in the curves - Each to his own opinion, however, that doesn't make them right! GT - JBOTDS! EZ |
