| Author | Message | ||
     Mgdpublic |
Just posted a related question but I think it got eaten. I'm looking at a 2001 Blast with 2800 miles. When I went over to the guy's house he was jumping it with a car battery (it had been sitting in his garage for a year). It started right up but the odometer was flickering and the speedometer was dead. He said that not the case last time he rode it and I tend to believe him. I'm wondering if the jump from a car battery damaged it (although the rest of the electrical system was working). Is there some reason why an odo/speedo would stop working if left idle for a year? I've also heard that pre 2002 Blasts have had problems; should I stick to 2002s and beyond? Thanks. | ||
| Crusty |
I can only speak from my own experience; my wife had a 2001 Blast that she bought new in Nov.,2000. It never gave her a single problem. She sold it in July, 2002 with 10,000 miles on it. When she sold it, she bought a Sportster. Last December, she got another Blast, because she liked the first one so much. I think that all Blasts are pretty much bulletproof, that the year doesn't matter. How it is cared for is more important. | ||
| Bomber |
got an 01 in the garage -- wife loves it, no problems at all . . . .. . . | ||
| Sarodude |
Opinion: '01 seemed to have some problems based on anecdotal evidence. Dropped valves and silly mis-torque-ing of a detent screw come immediately to mind. I had an '01. Noisy as a mo-fo. Dropped valve. Still noisy after top end job. A series of dealer induced maladies forced the bike back into the dealership's inventory in exchange for an '02. I'm not saying that you shouldn't buy one. It's just that the dropped valve and detent screw shenanigans seemed specific to '01. -Saro | ||
| Newfie_buell |
I'd say the problem could be related to either a battery thats too weak to properly power the electrical system of the bike. The speedo may not be getting its proper voltage and therefore its flickering, I'd bet its probably not running 100% either if its been sitting for a year. It may also require the carburator to be cleaned and make sure you put fresh fuel in after draining the old crap out. | ||
| Darthane |
My '01 Blast's been great through 10K. No complaints. | ||
| Ray_maines |
I suppose this begs the question: Why would you buy a Blast rather than any number of real motorcycles, like a Suzuki SV650 for example? edited by Ray_maines on May 11, 2004 | ||
| Davegess |
Oh Ray! An SV is not a real motorcycle, real motorcycles are thumpers, like Manx Nortons and Velocettes. Blasts are neat bikes, take one for a spin it will make you grin. | ||
| Ray_maines |
Dave, I love ya like a brother, but I urge you to ride a SV and a Blast back to back and report back. | ||
| Mgdpublic |
[quote]I suppose this begs the question: Why would you buy a Blast rather than any number of real motorcycles, like a Suzuki SV650 for example? [/quote] I was looking at this the SV650 but a lot of people said it was too much bike for a rank beginner who never sat on a bike until the MSF course last weekend. Do you all disagree? | ||
| Jprovo |
MGDPublic, Used Blasts are one of the cheapest bikes on the market at about $2500, and they hold their value well. It will be a fine machine for you to fall in love with two wheel travel. Ray, That's not cool man, the Blast is certainly a real motorcycle. I've almost 25,000 miles on mine, and I can not see getting rid of in in the near (or far) future. It will do 75 all day long, gets decent gas milage, and handles twisties at an exciting pace. I really can't ask for more. James | ||
| Shotgun |
Mgdpublic, the Blast is a terrific first bike, a real confidence builder. Unlike Ray's Scuzuki, it will never scare you or lead you down a wrong pathway. If Ray still had a Buell, you might listen to him, but he has been on the Dark Side for some time now. | ||
| Smkdm2 |
A friend of mine has an SV650, it's his first bike. It is a bike with some room to grow into and it handles well. He is pretty responsible and does not hammer the bike, so it has fit him well. The Blast does seem quite a bit more tame. Get what your comfortable with. Move up to a bigger bike when you are comfortable moving up. If your not too big for a Blast, you should be able to get one cheap and not lose your butt on it when you decide to sell it. Take your time and find what's right for you | ||
| Reepicheep |
The SV650 is a good bike, I have ridden several and have a buddy with one. I like them. Be aware however, that they are starting to be classed as "sport bikes" by the insurance companies, so you may find that you might get a low quote when you buy it, and suddenly find out 3 months later that your total cost of ownership will double because your insurance goes through the roof (if they will even still cover you). Don't think that will ever happen to the blast, a 500 CC single. The SV's can be a little pricey to drop as well. My buddy had a minor low side, and there was not a part of the bike on right side that was not marred somehow (bent bars, dented tank, dented exhaust can, broken turn signal, etc etc). But it is a fantastic all around flexible bike. That being said, everyone I know that has one say they like it... but inevitably are looking hard to "upgrade" to something else after a season or two anyway. | ||
| Koz5150 |
What about s 250 Ninja? Talk about an easy lihtwieght bike to handle. Also the new Honda 599 hornet is pretty sweet. My first bike was a Honda nighthawk SC 700S. That was a great first bike, no maintnance, shaft drive with a hydralic clutch and lifters. | ||
| Bomber |
why a blast instead of an SV650 (which has got to be the bargain of the century, btw)? two reasons -- costs, both initial and running -- my insurance company has reclassed SVs into the sportbike bucket . . .. no affect on the insurance of the riders in my house, but if they were 17 or 18, it would be a huge impact performance -- I know we don't often think of this, the blast represents acceptable performance for a lot of folks ... go to your favorite gathering spot on sunday morning (rock store, marcus dairy, highland house, o, wait, they closed, rats), and you'll likely find that the highest mile bikes there are old rats that the owner's ridden since the second Nixon administration . . .. bikes like a Blast . . . . there are likely a few on this board who could fully use all the performance offered by an SV650, but likely not many . .. . .truth to tell, the Blast offers enough performance to cover about 80% of my riding . . . .well, mebbe 50% . . . real motorcycle? sheeesh | ||
| Hootowl |
Other than the rear sprocket recall on the first model year Blast!, I think they're all the same. No changes from year to year. | ||
| Davegess |
Ray, I think the SV is neat I just like thumpers, I owned a GB 500 for 10 years (Little know fact, my GB sat in the Buell R&D department for a month very early in the Blast development program. Even ran on the Beull dyno. Don't know what that all means.) and an SR500 for several years. Single are neat, light, simple, easy to ride AND easy to ride fast. (A Manx Norton won a full fledged GP race in the mid sixties, years after the multis had taken over, because it was pissing down rain on tight twisty track.) One can get pretty stupid on one and not crash, at least not big. And believe me I have done some really stupid things on them. In my mind the big advantage for a beginner is the gentle and linear power delivery. | ||
| Bomber |
still own my SR and flat out LOVE it . . . . .great dancing partner | ||
| Ezblast |
So Ray - you the same girl from SacBorg talking bs again? You know as well as I that on a lot of the real roads that we as a group tend to like, the Blast keeps up with the twins quite well - even in stock form! As for the SV650 - especially the new ones - are second tier sport bikes - period. You can start on any bike in the world but that doesn't make it safe or right. At several of the beginner sites I speak on we get this question all the time - 'I'm ready for that 600rr after only riding in the MSF...ok, so the 600R is a bad choice - how about the SV650...' Your advice is really not the you I once read of - stinks more of Ceciel and like him is more likely to get one hurt. Talk like that pisses a guy off - real bike - like a Harley eh? - could'nt be any of that rice stuff - eh? - I thought adults left dumb •••• like that home with their white sheets, and ready to burn crosses. You just don't get it - a motorcycle - any motorcycle - even a Blast or Ninja 250 has more potential than most riders will ever explore - so the real goal would be to learn safely on a bike built for such and enjoy the ride! That is why the Blast is a Blast! & 600CC+ insurance just keeps going up from newbe accidents. I ride a real bike - its a Buell Blast - and even parked by some really fast stuff it usually gets a comment or two, and keeps up just fine! You really fliped my switch with that childish talk, enough ranting - lol - If you want to take your chances - a 2001 bike should be fine - its as Saro said - they where still working on the line build quality and a few glitches did happen to various 2001 Blasts, but otherwise it was a good year. 2002 and up though are usually considered bullit proof by owners. Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ  | ||
| Sarodude |
I wrote and re-wrote and finally gave up on writing something that addressed the "Real Motorcycle" issue. Tongue bitten. -Saro | ||
| Budo |
It is ok to jump a motorcycle from a car if the car is not running! If the car is running the electrics on the motorcycle may be damaged. My best friend high-sided his SV650 nekked. I thought it crashed very well, broken brake lever, broken foot peg, dented tank (the most expensive part). This is all on the right side. He rode it home, with his clevacle (sp) broken in two places.  If you want the Blast then buy it. I had a very long and unplesant experience with my dealership and the Buell company so I will never own another Buell, but your experience may be very different. As always YMMV. | ||
| Bomber |
hmmmm . . .. where's that picutre of the rabbit with a pancake on his head? | ||
| Ezblast |
Pancakes?! - Wheres the syrup? Hmmm, yummy and protein fortified! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Hootowl |
There ya go...  | ||
| Torqd |
Well... All I have to say about this stuff is that I am getting 130+hp and 107ft/lbs of torque out of my Buell...more than most so-called race bikes out there...about to be more...still workin on it:-) ...and I can still have fun on a blast...I have spanked many so-called race bikes on the battletrax courses (they are good handling) with a blast and would feel comfortable enough to put a 13 year old one(easy to learn on).... Ray... Blast's have their place in the motorcycle world...mabe not yours... The sv650 on the other hand is also a good bike...more than enough power to get you in trouble though... | ||
| Naustin |
The greater the bike's performance in excess of necessity - the greater the deficiency of manhood the owner attempts to disguise. -naustin  Mgdpublic -- BUY THE BLAST! edited by naustin on May 12, 2004 | ||
| Budo |
Buy anything but the Blast! Ural is supposed to have pretty good dealer support, better than Buell at least.  | ||
| Southernmarine |
Now Naustin, that's not true with everyone, my manhood is very well intact. I just upgraded from my Blast to a 12. I love the Blast, I'm actually gonna miss it, wish I could have afforded to keep it but sold it to my neighbor and it's moving to Barstow, CA. If you're just starting out, go with a Blast, awesome bike, best bike to start with, my recomendation though would be to get one used though. (Erik, drop the price on the Blast, might sell more of them) Okay, call me slow now, if the Rabbit and pancake is a joke or statement of some kind, I can't make it out. edited by Southernmarine on May 12, 2004 | ||
| Rex |
I love my Honda GB 500 and FT 500 Hondas. the blast is a great starter bike....all motorcycles are real motorcycles. Some of the guys around northern cal have really made their blasts into some pretty cool bikes....Terry Parsley from Vallejo Buell is one...cool bike...would love to have one and make it into a flattrack looking bike....r.ex |
