| Author | Message | ||
     Devgrousis |
I am looking at purchasing a Buell for my first bike. I am bouncing between an m2 Cyclone and the Blast. I have two questions actually, my first is: Am i too tall for either bike? I am 5`11 180 my second is: I love the Buell style, and i understand that the Blast is the "beginner bike". That being said, i've heard so many stories about people buying these beginner bikes only to have to go through the hassle of selling them shortly there after. Should i skip all that and just go straight for an M2 or do you think that'll be too much for a novice rider? I've riden before, and for the amount of hours i've ridden i think i'm an exceptional rider. Thanks! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
The M2 would probably be most comfortable for you. I took a blast for a testdrive and I'm 6'3". I was sitting in the passenger area. Nice neutral friendly bike though. I think your smart move is to find a basically stock M2. | ||
| Britchri10 |
I started on a Blast & graduated to an X1. I'm 6'1" and fit well on both so you shouldn't have problems riding either. (I still have both bikes.) If you go straight to an M2 just take your time & don't try anything outside of your comfort zone until you are familiar with the machine. Good luck & welcome to the board. Chris C | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
skip the blast | ||
| Preybird1 |
+2 Skip the blast. My little brother is like 5'3" and he can ride any of the buells. I just rode his new 1125r last night! | ||
| Purpony |
skip the blast. With the torque range of a buell... its a great all around bike from beginner to expert. Im the same size as you and fit great on my X1. Get an X1 or M2 and enjoy!!!!! | ||
| Desertfox |
The blast is a fun, very efficient motorcycle. It eats up and spits out corners even more easily that my X1. That being said, it's only about as fast as an average car. I like going a bit faster than that. I've heard that upgrading the blast will make it faster and corner even better than it already does. My first bike was my '99 X1. It wasn't hard to learn on, but it WAS hard to resist being an ass. One failed wheelie taught me my lesson and now all is well. Whatever you choose, make sure to upkeep the bike. People complain about Buell reliability, but it's usually because they never took care of the bike in the first place. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
I am 6'7" tall and my M2 fits just fine. It is one of the most comfortable bikes for a tall person (like my S3T). | ||
| Mtjm2 |
Im 6'1" and my inseem is 34" and my m2 fits just fine, but I dont know if that should be your first bike . maybe an xb9 would work better . good luck | ||
| Hellraged |
im 6' and 220lbs ( not fat lol) and i ride on a 98 S1 my leg kinda hits the airbox i have a S&S teardrop , but other than that fits good and feels great ! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
M2 for sure. I'm 5'11.5" 32in inseam and the M2 fits great. To me, it's more comfortable for long trips than my Uly was. Did a 1300 mile trip on the M2 and felt better than I did on an 800 mile trip on the Uly. If this is your first bike, I think the M2 would be fine. Just show it respect. The motor is more forgiving than an IL4, and I feel that the power delivery feels more linear. I think an S frame Buell will not fit you as well as the M2 will. I rode an S for an extended weekend and simply couldn't move around on the bike. I also felt like my legs were all kinds of jacked up. There simply isn't enough seat to peg distance to get comfortable. | ||
| Buellistic |
If you can touch the ground, get your feet on the foot pegs, hold on to the handlebars, work the rear brake, work the shift lever, work the clutch and front brake lever, have a motorcycle endorsement,,,,, YOU FIT !!! | ||
| Ratbuell |
First bike ever was a 99 M2. The cam profile and power curve make it one of the most forgiving, predictable powerplants I've been on. I put 24k miles on that bike in 2 years, and it never did me wrong. I'm 6'4", 34" inseam. Currently I'm working on doing an "Un-low" conversion on an '01 M2L, because I still love a Cyclone...but definitely don't need the low suspension to get a foot on the ground (and am tired of putting a foot on the ground in the turns LOL). Don't be scared of the M2. They're docile. No surprises. They behave perfectly...until YOU decide it's time to misbehave  | ||
| Xl1200r |
I guess I'm the odd one out - I don't think new riders have any business being on anything with the size and power of an M2. You can show all the respect you want, one slip up and you'll find yourself on your back with your nice Buell skipping down the pavement without you on board. The beauty with "beginner bikes" is that there's always someone out there that wants one. They're not hard to sell, and unless you trash it you should get damn near what you paid for it. The rule I've heard (and like) is you can start on any single cylinder, or any multi less than 600cc. How many hours have you ridden? And how do you define "exceptional"? | ||
| Ratbuell |
XL - the only issue with your logic is, a blast (or even a 50cc scooter) can put you on your ass just as quickly as a cyclone can. I've seen people get backboards and an ambulance ride from a riders edge course; I've seen guys go down at 90 on a racetrack, get up, and ride the next heat. Be prepared, be responsible, and pay attention. That's more important than engine size ever will be. | ||
| Xl1200r |
You're right, but I've also seen people get air lifted out from a Toyota Corolla - but to argue that something like a Corvette is as safe for a new driver is just silly. If you target fixate on the Blast and hamfist the throttle, you have lots of time before your face is smashed into the tree. There's a lot less time to think and react on an M2. Hamfist the throttle mid turn and the Blast, most times, won't care too much. The M2 will likely spin up the rear wheel and you end up sliding down the road. Mess up your clutch control on a start and the Blast won't care. The M2 will want to point the front wheel in the air. Yes, you can get hurt on a slow bike just as badly, but for a new rider they shouldn't get hurt nearly as often. I don't know this guys riding history, and I may be making a bad assumption, but anyone who rates their motorcycling experience in hours just has no business on a 100hp machine. | ||
| Kalali |
Both of you guys are right. It just boils down to the personal point of view. That been said, if my kid brother asked my opinion about which route to go, after making sure he's taken the riders edge course and bought full riding gear, I would personally buy him a Honda Rebel-like (250cc) bike and have him ride with me one full season. He can then sell the bike and do whatever he wants. But that's just me... | ||
| Crackhead |
I would suggest getting a Blast first. It is far more forgiving to the untrained/ newly trained rider. Also, The smaller motor will force you to learn proper technique in order to keep up with larger bikes. Larger bikes can relay on power to make up lack of rider technique. The power is like a bandaid. | ||
| Froggy |
Indeed. I can wring out my Blast and keep up with the locals on XB and 1125s, assuming we aren't doing 80+mph or going up a very steep hill. It is a lot of fun to beat the snot out of it. Also regarding your original question, you aren't too tall for either bike. | ||
| Lager |
Normally, I would suggest someones first bike should be something small in displacement. I remember my first street bike, it was back in 1978 and I bought a new Yamaha SR-500 which is a single cylinder, 500 cc bike.Its perky 36 HP almost killed me many times and If I bought a 100 HP machine back then, I wouldn't be writing this now. Why do you think insurance rates are so high for beginning riders that but 600 CC jap sport bikes? Its cause well over half will trash their bikes in an accident in the first year. The original poster first impressed me with his maturity level by asking this question. If he is going to ask, he might have a level head on his shoulders and might be able to handle a higher torque bike? Then I read that he thinks of himself as an "exceptional" rider. Yeah , I thought I was too. Im lucky I survived the first 5 years. Im Still lucky, 35 years later? High HP/torq bikes wont kill me, its the cell phone talking,texting, distracted " Ihave insurance" car/truck drivers Im dodging now that are going to kill me. That takes experience ! | ||
| Littlebuggles |
I found my 96 GS500E to be a pretty comfortable fit for my 33ish inseam. I'm 5'10". The Cyclone was a very comfortable transition, though with a wider seat. Personally I find the Blast too short for me to ride comfortably, I just don't like the ergos, that and I never developed a good feel for the lumpy power. Maybe it was a poor example of the Blasts out there, it was a MSF course bike, but I tried to ride it often, and would ride it before or after class (not just for exercise demos) just to spend more time on it. I also don't care for the ergos of the 650 Shadow, but love riding the little Kawasaki Eliminator 125. I say all this not to put down the Blast, but suggest taking a class, where you will at least have the chance to sit on a number of different models, and ride what feels comfortable to you. You do that while learning some skills that you may never develop otherwise, and it might just save your life. Start on a starter bike so you don't wreck that lovely Buell you're pining over. If you must buy the M2 take a class if at all possible. You may be a sharp beginner, but if you haven't dropped a bike in your garage, or in a parking lot yet, you will. Especially if you start getting cocky, ask me how I know  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
My FIRST street bike was a Uly. Success and safety is a mindset. Become a student of the art of riding. A Blast will kill you if you are a retard. The M2 will serve you well if you are an intelligent student of riding. I believe there is also a lot to be said about becoming intimately familiar with YOUR machine. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
I'm 5'8" 140 lbs, started on a Blast. 3 months later I was on an X1. Save your money, skip the blast unless you're interested in keeping it when you upgrade to a bigger Buell. Also, I was uncomfortable and cramped on the Blast. So yes, you're too tall. The only reason I wish I had kept mine is short distance commuting. A high MPG, very reliable bike like the Blast would be great for short jaunts between home and work even if it is a little cramped. | ||
| Oldog |
Become a student of the art of riding. well said} | ||
| Mansruin13 |
I'm 6'3" with a 34" inseam... I ride a M2 and think it's a comfortable all day bike. I agree with most everyone here re: skipping the Blast. Take MSF courses if you haven't already, make sure you're properly licensed, you'll be alright. | ||
| Prnglz357 |
6'4". On a 02 x1. Most buell seats are somewhat tall anyway. I'd be 7'5" before I give up the thrill on the back twisty's with what any buell provides. Good Luck. You wont be sorry. |
