Buell Blast

[smahala1286]

Does anybody here have this bike, I want a bike that i can ride on the weekends and cruise through the mountains with my dad, i dont really want a cruiser like my dad does. I want the bike to be quick but i dont need any speed like a 600. So is the blast worth it? Thanks for your help

[Z_Fanatic]

I'd say Ninja 500 or Suzuki SV650 or GS500E/F is a better bet. If you have something against Japanese bikes, you can also look over some of the low-powered Triumphs or Ducati naked/street bikes. But they won't be as reliable or less frequent maintenance as Japanese or BMW bikes. Buell has a history of being least reliable as I hear, Blast is also the least powerful of the ones I mentioned I think.

[smahala1286]

really, i dont like the look of japanese bikes i like the look of buells i like how they are raw. What i really like about the blast is its price.

[Z_Fanatic]

heh, may be you should go straight for a Harley then. j/k . Actually, a new '04 Ninja 500r or less than 1000 miles '04 SV650 can be had for the MSRP of a Blast.

[smahala1286]

Yeah im starting to think that i might get a 600cc bike how old is to old to buy used, i was thinking like a 2000 or something like that, what should i look for when i buy a used bike?

[smahala1286]

I was actually just looking at the honda 599 and like it alot, is that a good bike?

[speediva]

The 599 is going to have the reliability of Honda, which is AWESOME. That would be my pick out of the ones you said you like.

[DarkTint]

During my "Riders Edge" training course we were given Buell Blasts' to train on in the parking lot, and that's about all I would recomend them for. They were small and agile and fun to ride, but with only 30 or 40 horsepower, you would want something bigger within a month, not to mention the fact that you would get ZERO respect from other sportbikers.

Shortly after completing the course I went out and bought a 599. I love it. It's not as hardcore as all of the current sportbikes yet still plenty powerful (CBR F3 engine [104 hp]) and more comfortable and fun to ride because of the slightly more upright seating position. The only thing I wish it had is fuel injection, but it's a small price to pay. I highly recomend this bike to the beginning biker or someone who wants the sportiness without having to ride a hardcore racer.


- One more thing about the Buell Blast: One incentive to buy a Blast that my instructor told us about was that, at least at the Harley dealership we were at in St. Louis, if you bought one of the training bikes for approx. 2 or 3 grand (including new, untorchered bodywork), they would let you trade it in within a year for another Buell or Harley and give you exactly what you originally paid for it. Like I said, this is just what my instructor told us, so don't quote me on it.

[SamBlob]

One more thing about the Buell Blast: One incentive to buy a Blast that my instructor told us about was that, at least at the Harley dealership we were at in St. Louis, if you bought one of the training bikes for approx. 2 or 3 grand (including new, untorchered bodywork), they would let you trade it in within a year for another Buell or Harley and give you exactly what you originally paid for it. Like I said, this is just what my instructor told us, so don't quote me on it.

I'd heard about that. I'd also heard that the Blast's reliability is rather better than that of the Thunderbolt, Cyclone and White Lightning. This is all hearsay, however.

[speediva]

I sure hope reliability is up... because if I rode a Buell and my swingarm collapsed (See Buell recalls), I'd be one SEVERELY pissed off rider.

[jaredkuper]

Yeah, last I checked they were still doing the full value trade in if you did it within 1 year. I got my Blast! used from the riders training program for like $1,200. I even sold mine on eBay for more than I paid rather than getting my full value trade-in. Buells have a pretty high resale value.

As for riding in the mountains... I personally would want something more powerful than the Blast! It's a great learner bike, but starts to run out of steam rather quickly unless you're just scooting around town.

[scuba4321]

The buell blast was built mainly for the saftey course, to compete with the Nighthawk 250. They are underpowered, very small, low seat height and not much to look at with that huge belt

[jaredkuper]

I also test drove the 599 while I owned a Blast! and before I bought the XB9S. It was a pretty good bike, very smooth. I settled on the XB9S for taste, but you can't go wrong with today's manufacturers.