| Author | Message | ||
     Bott |
Dealer has one. NO Buell emblems on the bike. Just small "Blast " graphics...Am I reading into this way too far, or could The Mothership be slowly executing a takeover? Either way, I found it really curious  | ||
| Danger_dave |
Great - just what we need - nosey bikes. | ||
| Elvis |
Interesting. I'd think a more logical explanation is that Buell wants to move their brand more into the "performance bike" class and they're afraid the Blast may tarnish that image. Hopefully the next step is to give us a much better performance alternative to the Blast - like a super-moto thumper with a Rotax single. | ||
| Jaimec |
The Blast is being used for Harley's lucrative Rider's Edge program. Do YOU want to put a higher performance bike in the hands of newbies??? There was enough of an outcry in the Rider Education field when they first put 500cc motorcycles in their hands. Typically, beginners are taught on bikes of 125cc to 250cc but the MSF could not say "No" to the big influx of CA$H from Harley Davidson, so... | ||
| Elvis |
What's wrong with making both?  The bike I'd like to see would be at a higher price point and wouldn't really be a direct competitor to the current blast. | ||
| Babired |
I don't know about that I can tell you there are more approved 500 cc bikes out there in training fleets. Personally I don't like the Blasts as training bikes They can take off like missiles and the crashes hurt more. Harley needs to come out with a 250 or 300 cc cruiser. One of the most frustrating things while teaching with the blast is the students having problems starting out. The have to get the RPMs up if they don't they dump the clutch 10 million times and get frustrated. K | ||
| Crackhead |
i didn't have any trouble learning to ride on the Blast. the little 250s for the MSF had their idle rpms raised 100rpm to make it easier to learn clutch work. When i bought my blast after finishing the course i had trouble stalling out until i adjusted the idle fuel mixture screw. the factory thinks that 1/2 turn out is ok for some reason. The Blast didn't always have Buell on it. the sticker changes each year. My 06 has Buell in big words, but my fiends has Blast in big words and Buell American Motorcycles in tiny font. it looks like underlining from a distance. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Dang-it-all!!! No new improved Blast....exciting new decals!!! Whoopie Dooo!! I'm all tingly...freakin frustrates me...the company that dares to step outside the box and produce some of the best bikes...too much to ask for a mid displacement single PERFORMANCE bike..awww freak...nevermind...I'll roll my own. | ||
| Jaimec |
First ever fatality we had in New York State during an MRC:RSS was in a Rider's Edge class in Binghamton. Student gave WAY too much throttle to the Blast and slammed into a wall at high speed. Pretty much put the kibosh on Rider's Edge in NYS for quite a few years. I'm still not sure if it is taught anywhere in the State. | ||
| Barker |
no logo? new logo?  | ||
| Ratbuell |
I think Barker hit it on the head...every time I've seen the new logo (wait for it...), it has a new typeface associated with it. Are you *sure* it was a '10? I'd be VERY surprised that a dealer would have received one, this far before the dealer show.... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
At most dealerships, 100% of the Blast allocation is slated for the Rider's Edge program. They really aren't for sale. If someone wants one and is willing to pay full MSRP, they will sell one, but they aren't on the floor. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a middle creation of bikes produced exclusively for the program but not available for retail sale. It would better explain why it was excluded from the marketing materials for 2009. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a new Blast to supplement the old one. | ||
| Bott |
absolutely positively is a 2010. Will get pics tomorrow. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I sold every one we ever got, right out the front door. Now that I tied my money to a 250 MX bike from Honda, Buell will most assuredly do something to make me regret that decision. | ||
| Court |
>>>absolutely positively is a 2010. Will get pics tomorrow. You are correct. BLASTS shipped 12 days ago. Worry not. The BLAST, it's become somewhat of a tradition, has become the single most "leaked" product after it's intro in Arizona years ago. It would serve tradition well . . if . . .prior to sharing your pictures and account of the new BLAST if you would go to a hotel lobby and down half a dozen drinks.  I can't wait to see the BLAST . . . I confess I am still wanting one. Court | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
..too much to ask for a mid displacement single PERFORMANCE bike..awww freak...nevermind...I'll roll my own. To hear Mr. Buell tell the story, Buell only built the Blast because HD asked them to for the specific purpose of having a bike for Rider's Edge. | ||
| Rainman |
The only difficult part my RE classes have had with Blasts is shifting to first before the auto choke idles down. It does tend to have a friction spot more than a zone, but we work a long time on group rocking to get it down. I've had more crashes and injuries on the MSF bikes than the Blasts, though. Plus, I ride my Blast to class and explain that it's one of the few beginner bikes you can flog stock down the freeway at 70 to 75 mph all day long .... | ||
| Rainman |
PS: I've also sold two new and two used Blasts in two years, just by riding mine to class! | ||
| Dick8008 |
I took the MSF course in Binghamton, offered by Southern Tier Harley. They used Suzuki ( I think ) 250's. I felt like Chris Farley on a moped. lol I see they still use the same bikes now, just moved the training lot across the street. | ||
| Dhalen32 |
I always receive my new Rider's Edge training fleet bikes in July so I am not surprised that you have seen a 2010 on display. Crackhead - the idle is low on purpose. Beginners tend to "eeeeeease" the bikes into gear and if the idle is too high it jackhammers the shiftdrum to an early demise. We adjust the clutches frequently and make sure the idle is to specification to minimize the abuse on the transmission. Rider's Edge bikes, all MSF training class bikes, lead a tough life.  The Blast is a remarkably tough machine. Ours average about 3500 miles during their life as a fleet bike. I imagine they are thrilled to finally be sold to a single owner who uses all 5 gears and does their best to keep them upright. Dave | ||
| Spiderman |
To hear Mr. Buell tell the story, Buell only built the Blast because HD asked them to for the specific purpose of having a bike for Rider's Edge. One- EB would never say that if it were true and Two- that is not true! | ||
| Jlnance |
NO Buell emblems on the bike. I don't think Buell particularly likes that bike. It was an important bike for the company, but that was back in 2000. I am sure it would be gone already, but HD needs it for Riders Edge. As someone else said, I suspect the lack of a Buell logo is due to a desire to associate Buell with performance motorcycles. Interestingly, had it not been for the Blast and Riders Edge, I am sure I would never have heard of Buell. | ||
| Court |
>>>>To hear Mr. Buell tell the story, Buell only built the Blast because HD asked them to for the specific purpose of having a bike for Rider's Edge. That is, indeed, a patently inaccurate statement. I will however grant you that the true facts could get misconstrued over time and misquoting to something like that. Harley-Davidson was going to build the project and . . . . Nevermind . . . it's wasted breath. Thank you Lisa for the BLAST®. | ||
| Zane |
Court, Go ahead and tell the story. We Blast lovers would like to hear it. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Interesting they ship early, thanks for the info Court. We don't have riders' edge (yet...where's that blueprint I was working on...?), so we only get retail units. Which, by the way, fly out the door. | ||
| Fast1075 |
<chanting>...story, story, story, story... we want to hear all about project Thor!!! | ||
| Swordsman |
I enjoyed playing with the Blast during my MSF course, even though I had been on my Ss for over a year. The biggest problems I found with it was the footpeg placement and honestly, the styling. I found the footpegs to be too far away from the brake pedal, and entirely too wide. I had to crook my foot sideways to hit the brake, and (what I consider) the slightest turn would drag pegs. And Blast tail sections are flat out hideous. I like the way they bounce as you begin to accelerate!  ~SM | ||
| Court |
The BLAST® literally transformed the way Buell does EVERYTHING. | ||
| White |
The Blast was my gate way Buell. I would like to see numbers on how many people started with the Blast and then bought a larger Buell. I would also like to see the numbers on people that bought a Blast and then decided that Buell was not the way for them. | ||
| White |
I like the Blast and I think the power on it is good. This is coming from a guy that has rode his Firebolt for about one year now. I would like to see an updated Blast. I think the power level is good for the package though. |
