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.

[R1200RT]

Get a sheepskin pad for the seat and go ride.

[naustin]

I used to have a Blast.  I did several 200+ mile days and once did 350 miles on it and it was just fine.  Blasts are actually extremely reliable if you leave the stock intake alone.  They have a rubber coupler that is failure prone if you go to any of the aftermarket intake systems.  So, leave that alone.  Another added benefit of the blast over, say the 250 ninja, is that the blast has no chain to oil or maintain, and it never needs valve adjustments.  Just add gas, keep an eye on the oil and ride.  It will consume oil @ higher speeds due to the emmission system set up, the carb tends to suck the oil in through the breather lines that vent into the carb throat.  At most it will use a few ounces between oil changes.

Biggest problem with the blast is that the rear tires (only 3 choices) all wear out in 3-5K miles.  I only got about 2500-3000 miles out of them, and went through 3 in 8,000 miles.  But, the tires are comparatively cheap.

With me on board alone and light gear, the blast had plenty of power and would hit 90 if pushed.  It was very happy to run 70 all day long...

They're fun little bikes.  I still miss mine sometimes.

Nick

[rselin]

Yes, you can tour on a small bike.  But not on a Blast.  Seriously, my aunt has one and I've ridden it, and she has tried to tour on it.  She used to ride a Honda V30 Magna (500 cc), and I've had 65,000 km seat time on a Ninja 500, so we both know small bikes.  The biggest problems with the Blast are it has a tiny gas tank so it's hard to fit a tank bag of any size on, and it's a plastic tank so a magnetic bag won't work, and there is no good way to mount soft saddlebags at the rear.  Add to that the vibration, agricultural shifting, crap suspension, and serious lack of power (even compared to a Ninja 250), and the Blast ain't much of a tourer.  Look for a Ninja/EX500 or Ninja 250, or a Suzuki GS500, these can usually be found for just as cheap as a Blast.

[chesthing]

$1500 can get you a decent bike, but look for older instead of newer.  Something like a clean 80's 500 Interceptor or Ninja 500 or 600R, although much older than a 2001 Blast, would be a better bike in every way.

[Mini4x]

$1500 can get you a decent bike, but look for older instead of newer.  Something like a clean 80's 500 Interceptor or Ninja 500 or 600R, although much older than a 2001 Blast, would be a better bike in every way.

There are alot of decent bikes that fit what you want that can be had cheap, Nighthawks, Yamaha XJ's (Seca, Radian), older VFR's can usually be had cheap, lots of mid to late 80's stuff that were great bikes if you don't mind the 80's-ness of them.  

[Grainbelt]

You should be able to buy a mid to late nineties Kawasaki ninja 250 or 500, or a Suzuki GS500, for well under $2k. Yamaha Seca II & Bandit 600 are good options, as mentioned, and are cheap used. 

My first bike was GS500, I rode it all over the place, great bike. Will accept Givi topcase, pretty much any soft luggage, 1/4 fairings, etc. Plus the GS is air cooled and really easy to work on. here's a shot of me learning about carbs.

Mine is a 93 in good shape, just sold it to a n00b for 1500CAD.

[naustin]

Hobbner -

One thing you'll notice about the Blast is that a lot of people don't give them any credit and will tell you to buy this that or the other thing instead.  Certainly take a few test rides on as many different bikes as you can, but don't let all the negativity scare you off of the Blast.  I had nothing but good luck with mine and as I said, they require a lot less maintenance than many other bikes because they never require valve adjustments and the belts are good for 30K +.  They are very overbuilt and use the same primary and transmission, and most of the engine components, as bikes making 3 times the HP.  The buell blast is the most reliable bike ever produced by HD motor company.

If you do go with a Blast, get an `03 or newer if possible.  There were several upgrades that year, and they haven't changed a single part since.

Nick

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

You are not partial to buells are ya??  I kid....  I kid... I like the hard sidebags that are on your bike.

[bikerfish1100]

Hobbner -

The buell blast is the most reliable bike ever produced by HD motor company.

Nick

boy, is THAT statement just begging for a punchline!

[naustin]

boy, is THAT statement just begging for a punchline!

Hardy Har Har.  

CBRXXBLACKBIRD - Thanks.  I really like the saddlebags too. They have shaped neoprene-like internal soft luggage that's really handy.

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Naustin I just have the softbags for my X1 they look very cool as well, I like them cause they come off very fast for going to work.

[naustin]

Touring on the Blast

[chesthing]

boy, is THAT statement just begging for a punchline!

Let's give the guy a break, someone's gotta buy Buell!  

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Naustin how many problems did you have with the Blast?

[naustin]

I bought the Blast as my first bike because i needed something to learn on, but something that my wife could learn on too.  I liked the looks of the bike, and I always buy locally.  The HD dealer gave me a decent deal, and I was able to get a brand new bike, Helmets, jackets, gloves, boots and everything all rolled up together.  I could have paid cash for something else, but I got to have everything brand new, with a warranty, and what I didn't pay upfront they financed for like 4.9%.  All this about an hour after I talked the wife into going out there to "look". How can you beat that?

Anyway, I never had any problems with it.  It was flawless.  I had one repair item at 6,000 miles.  I was riding two up and hit a nasty pot hole.  I bottomed the suspension on both ends and tore the front isolator.  You'll know what I'm talking about as you have Buell, but for those that don't - Buells have rubber engine mounts. Hitting the pot hole with the bike fully loaded caused the front one to tear.  I don't count that as any kind of flaw or an undue failure, and I actually rode the bike for a week before it fully let go and I actually noticed.   I wasn't surprised, because when I hit the pot hole, it was so bad I pulled over to make sure I didn't crack a wheel or blow a fork seal or something...  I think it only partially failed at that time, and then over the next week it got worse - like a crack in a windshield running all the way across eventually.  The front isolator cost less the $30 and took about an hour to replace -- Very simple.

So, other than that, it was absolutely flawless.  I had it for 2.5 seasons and 8,500 miles.  It never stalled, quit, coughed, or even so much as leaked a drop of oil; nothing.  All I ever did was put gas in it, change the oil, and replace the rear tires (which as I said is about every 3,000 - 5,000 miles -- though avon recently came out with a new one that the Blast community is hoping will be good for 8-10K.  I was still running the stock front tire when I traded the bike off).  The belt is 100% maintenance free, there isn't even axle adjustment.  

I would have kept it, but my wife never really took to riding her own, so I needed something that could carry both of us + gear.  As you can see, I made the bike my own and had Banke rear sets, 4 way adjustable bars, and I cut off various other bits here and there.  Adding that drag pipe and re-jetting the carb really gives those bikes some extra punch, and there are 3 different grinds of cam available for it them, plus two different big bore kits.   It's pretty easy to get them up to 50ish hp at the back wheel, and just the cams and the head from an XB will get you a big improvement for not much cash.

Anyways.  I digress.

Nick

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Sounds like it was a good buy for you.

[stinky93071]

Hey I meet a guy in AR from Michigan and he was on a trail 90 (mid 70s). I think he told us that the top speed was somewhere about 45 but he kept it @ 35. He was on the road for 4 weeks. He did blow the motor up the last day he was heading home. but he is prove to me you can do what you want with what you got if you have the time.

but if i were you i would be looking for a gs500 or Ex500. you should be able to pick one up for what you have.

[ctfz1]

Go to Buell site, remember people with troubles post, see if local dealer will support Blast partwise.  Also Blast is sized to new/short riders can cramp on trips.