Touring on a blast?, buell blast that is

[hobbner]

has anyone seen anyone do any kind of long distance trips on a buell blast, i found a really really good deal on one, im not that much of a aggressive rider yet as Im young into the sport and really want something to have good times.  Im a skinny guy so would the 500 power plant be able to take me and two bags worth of gear someplace for the weekend?

[bikerfish1100]

we used the Blasts as trainer bikes in CT. not so good at that, as their clutch is a light switch affair (on/off, forget "friction zone"), and tehy vibrate like crazy. kinda fun in a parking lot, and would probably be good on a small New England type back road, but i would never consider touring on one. reliability is not the highest.
assess your likely needs and usage- then decide. as a touring bike, no, not especially, but reality is that you can tour on anything at all, it's just what aspects of riding you are willing to compromise on.

[info]

They vibrate like crazy. I can't imagine doing any kind of distance on one.
If you want a 500CC bike there are others out there.

[mr. coffee]

I would agree. Though I went from LA to Belize and back on a Yammie XT600 so in reagrds to vibes and wind blast...to each his own.

[Yankee Dog]

The best bike to tour on is the one you have.  Power wise the Blast will do fine.  It might not get you there as fast, but it will get you there.  

Yankee dog

[bikerfish1100]

The best bike to tour on is the one you have.  Power wise the Blast will do fine.  It might not get you there as fast, but it will get you there.  

Yankee dog

except it sounds like that in this case, hobbner did not yet own a Blast, and was asking about suitability before making a purchase. If he's considering buying one, I'd still say that the Blast is not a best choice. If he already owns it, then sure, weekend tours on it would be doable.
and sure, a Blast might "get you there" just fine, but getting BACK from there could be questionable  

[hobbner]

Im trying to get a bike that gets the job done for as little as possible and still be a newer model with good parts. im a poor college student with wander lust

[Kootenanny]

Ask the Blast specialists over at the Badweb's "THUMPer" forum.

[JetJaguar]

I recall seeing on a forum somewhere (don't think it was this one, don't remember where) photos of a Blast loaded down for touring.  Apparently the owner rode the thing all over, so it is possible to tour on one.  But I think you would be better off looking for something like a used SV650 (standard, not the "S" verson).

[servicerifle]

Im trying to get a bike that gets the job done for as little as possible and still be a newer model with good parts. im a poor college student with wander lust

Then get an EX500 or even better an SV650.  The "Blast" is not.

[Yankee Dog]

To clarify things a bit, let me ask a question of Hobs.  Exactly how good is this really good deal?  What is your budget?  I admit that the SV650 would be a better bike, but it is also generally much more money.  

Yankee Dog

 

[hobbner]

I found one three hours from me for 1500 in boise.  its a 2001 I don't know the mileage but pictures look like its been taken care of.....
Crap, had the link last night but its goooonnnnneeee.
guess im back to finding a bike...anybike lol

[turboderek]

By todays standards the blast may not be the best choice.  But people used to tour cross county on bikes a lot slower, less reliable and with worst handling in the 50's, 60's & 70's.

[cbsnbiker]

By todays standards the blast may not be the best choice.  But people used to tour cross county on bikes a lot slower, less reliable and with worst handling in the 50's, 60's & 70's.

True. My father toured Europe on a 125cc Royal Enfield one summer.

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I have a X1 and I don't think I would want to tour on it.

[Yankee Dog]

With a budget of $1500 I say the Blast is not a bad choice.  You might want to look at the little 250 Ninja or even one of the other 250s as other choices in your price range.  You can find examples in plenty good condition in that price range.  They are not fast but they will get you there.   Bungee a duffle bag on the back and go for it.  


yankee Dog

[Windblown]

I rode a buddies Blast a couple of years ago.  It was a fun little bike however my butt would not have liked being on it all day.  Then again you're a youngster so it might be ok.  

[county]

By todays standards the blast may not be the best choice.  But people used to tour cross county on bikes a lot slower, less reliable and with worst handling in the 50's, 60's & 70's.

Yes, today people think you gotta have 1000 cc to tour but I have a friend who rode from East Tn to the West Coast in the 70's on a Honda 360 with a plastic trash can as luggage, and his wife made the trip with him on an indentical  bike.  

I been on a number of thousands of mile trips on my 650.

Aerostitch has a neat little booklet on small bike touring.

[jschmidt]

Once on a trip in the Rockies we met three guys on loaded down mopeds (yes, with pedals.) They were loaded down, had custom large gas tanks and were factory sponsored to ride from Toronto to Mexico City.  

[cyeager]

Im trying to get a bike that gets the job done for as little as possible and still be a newer model with good parts. im a poor college student with wander lust

How much money can you spend? There are suitable bikes all over the spectrum. Depending on your mechanical aptitude some older bikes can offer tremedous touring value for the dollar. For newer machines I think the small Kawasakis would be the best bet, for under a couple K.