2010 Buell Blast
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 83
From: Southern California
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 31
From: southeast pa
At first I thought the ad was totally stupid.. after reading some of the comments here.. I'll say I can see the point of it, I guess. But, I still think there are much better ways to communicate your intent to concentrate on building high performance motorcycles. First and foremost would be to just go do it.. No doubt Buell motorcycles rock.. there could even possibly be a Uly in my future.. but the reality is, so far, they have yet to come up with a bike that can openly compete across the board with the current crop of high performance bikes. Ya know, maybe it's me, but I fail to see how selling bikes crushed into a cube proves you to be any more seriously committed than you've been previously..
Anyway..
As to the blast itself.. obviously, it's not a sportbike. The blast is a very basic 500cc thumper, and it runs like one. It vibrates, its rough, and it tops out at 70 miles an hour. What the blast actually is, is a great starter bike. It's relatively light, it has GREAT brakes, decent handling, and most importantly, it's very easy to ride. I know because we have one. After having issues on her sportster my wife didn't want to give up learning to ride, but she was hesitant about continuing to "learn" on the sporty. So we went looking for a smaller bike and the short story is after test riding several different small bikes, including a Suzy S40.. she test rode and then bought a used '04 blast. So, despite all the negativity directed at the blast, it's great first bike and so far, we have absolutely no regrets about buying it.
Maybe we are in the minority.. so be it. My wife is having a great time on her blast. She's comfortable on the blast, and she really enjoys riding it, which equates to her riding more, which, equates to her learning more and gaining valuable road time...
Bottom line for me is, I'd have much rather seen Buell just let the blast go, instead of doing what they did..
mavrick
Anyway..
As to the blast itself.. obviously, it's not a sportbike. The blast is a very basic 500cc thumper, and it runs like one. It vibrates, its rough, and it tops out at 70 miles an hour. What the blast actually is, is a great starter bike. It's relatively light, it has GREAT brakes, decent handling, and most importantly, it's very easy to ride. I know because we have one. After having issues on her sportster my wife didn't want to give up learning to ride, but she was hesitant about continuing to "learn" on the sporty. So we went looking for a smaller bike and the short story is after test riding several different small bikes, including a Suzy S40.. she test rode and then bought a used '04 blast. So, despite all the negativity directed at the blast, it's great first bike and so far, we have absolutely no regrets about buying it.
Maybe we are in the minority.. so be it. My wife is having a great time on her blast. She's comfortable on the blast, and she really enjoys riding it, which equates to her riding more, which, equates to her learning more and gaining valuable road time...
Bottom line for me is, I'd have much rather seen Buell just let the blast go, instead of doing what they did..
mavrick
Last edited by mavrickFLHR; Jul 28, 2009 at 06:26 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 734
Likes: 2
http://www.buell.com/en_us/book-of-buell/
Also, I think the Buell 1125R and 1125RR would be Buell's answer to your "just go do it".
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 31
From: southeast pa
Lucky, I'm not bashing Buell.. As I said, I may very well buy a XT12X in the next year or so..
And thanks for the link, even though I've already checked out the "Book of Buell".
I think possibly you missed my point.. that if you want to build world class sport bikes, then go build them and skip the hey, no one liked the blast so we'll sell you a crushed one that's signed by Erik Buell stunt.. No doubt the 1125's are high performance bikes.. but I don't believe for a minute that they in the same class as say.... the YZF R1, CBR1000RR, or any of the 1098 Ducati's. And as far as racing goes, I can't wait to see Buell as a regular winner in superbike.. just like I love seeing HD win in flat track.. For now though, that just isn't the case so I'll stand by what I said.
Anyway, didn't intend to offend you.. rather, I'm just voicing an opinion.
mavrick
And thanks for the link, even though I've already checked out the "Book of Buell".
I think possibly you missed my point.. that if you want to build world class sport bikes, then go build them and skip the hey, no one liked the blast so we'll sell you a crushed one that's signed by Erik Buell stunt.. No doubt the 1125's are high performance bikes.. but I don't believe for a minute that they in the same class as say.... the YZF R1, CBR1000RR, or any of the 1098 Ducati's. And as far as racing goes, I can't wait to see Buell as a regular winner in superbike.. just like I love seeing HD win in flat track.. For now though, that just isn't the case so I'll stand by what I said.
Anyway, didn't intend to offend you.. rather, I'm just voicing an opinion.
mavrick
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
Lucky, I'm not bashing Buell.. As I said, I may very well buy a XT12X in the next year or so..
And thanks for the link, even though I've already checked out the "Book of Buell".
I think possibly you missed my point.. that if you want to build world class sport bikes, then go build them and skip the hey, no one liked the blast so we'll sell you a crushed one that's signed by Erik Buell stunt.. No doubt the 1125's are high performance bikes.. but I don't believe for a minute that they in the same class as say.... the YZF R1, CBR1000RR, or any of the 1098 Ducati's. And as far as racing goes, I can't wait to see Buell as a regular winner in superbike.. just like I love seeing HD win in flat track.. For now though, that just isn't the case so I'll stand by what I said.
Anyway, didn't intend to offend you.. rather, I'm just voicing an opinion.
mavrick
And thanks for the link, even though I've already checked out the "Book of Buell".
I think possibly you missed my point.. that if you want to build world class sport bikes, then go build them and skip the hey, no one liked the blast so we'll sell you a crushed one that's signed by Erik Buell stunt.. No doubt the 1125's are high performance bikes.. but I don't believe for a minute that they in the same class as say.... the YZF R1, CBR1000RR, or any of the 1098 Ducati's. And as far as racing goes, I can't wait to see Buell as a regular winner in superbike.. just like I love seeing HD win in flat track.. For now though, that just isn't the case so I'll stand by what I said.
Anyway, didn't intend to offend you.. rather, I'm just voicing an opinion.
mavrick
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
Hmm. I own a Blast. I bought it for my sons to learn on and kept it because it's a cool little bike. It made me think well of Buell and they were on my list to check out next time I'm buying a bike. Not now. If they wanted to drop the model, they should just drop the model. They don't have to be arrogant ****** about it.