It was a Blast!

"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck) 12/13/2015 at 06:46 • Filed to: None

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I spotted a Buell Blast yesterday. It was the first time I had seen one in person. I was struck by how tiny it was. With the small stature and only 34hp, it looks like a great first bike.

Nisman > TheRealBicycleBuck 12/13/2015 at 08:36

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It's not. I learned on one. Power is important. Yes it's easy to balance and ride, but it doesn't do >45 well because wind blast takes on a new meaning. It's fun because you're WOT most of the time just to keep up!

TheRealBicycleBuck > Nisman 12/13/2015 at 08:47

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I forgot about the wind. I rode a tiny CB-1 (399cc) sans fairing and it was one of the worst freeway experiences of my life.

I admit I prefer a fully faired bike to a naked one. I'm not sure how the Harley guys stand the constant wind and flapping clothes.

Master Cylinder > TheRealBicycleBuck 12/13/2015 at 09:22

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I’ve never ridden one but they don’t really interest me all that much. If I’m going to ride something with a 35hp thumper, I’d rather have it with a long-travel suspension.

bob and john > TheRealBicycleBuck 12/13/2015 at 09:51

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Dunno what Nisman is talking about, that bike will do 80mph. it wont like it. it will be WOT. but it will do it. Its a great starter bike. hell, lanepslittler listed it as one of their top 10 starter bikes.

I knida miss mine....

TheRealBicycleBuck > bob and john 12/13/2015 at 14:43

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I get his point about the wind. I’ve never liked being in the blast. All fairings, all the time for me.

bob and john > TheRealBicycleBuck 12/13/2015 at 14:44

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thats ANY nakes bike, not just the blast.

and let be honest here. if you dont want to be in the wind, WTF are you doing on a motorcycle?

TheRealBicycleBuck > bob and john 12/13/2015 at 14:49

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You are right - for me, naked bikes just aren’t fun at speed.

A properly faired bike doesn’t give much wind blast. My helmet and shoulders in the wind is fine, but turning me into a parachute just plain sucks.

MachineReplica > TheRealBicycleBuck 12/14/2015 at 06:52

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They make amazing first bikes. My friend picked an early model up for like, $1,000 bucks. You can actually get a bit more power out of them too with an intake, exhaust, and fiddling with the carb. They are very reliable, cheap to maintain, and durable. My buddy dropped his a few times in his back yard honing through the grass and dirt. Just picked it back up and kept riding. The suspension is compliant enough for scrambler type stuff. It's not a dual sport or dirt bike, but you could do fast trails and dirt road stuff with the right tires. There is a surprising amount of parts out there for them to customize it and make it yours. If you are worried about wind blast and all that jazz, get a fly screen or small windscreen. I have what amounts to little more than a bump on top of my headlight (Yamaha branded screen) on my FZ-09, and it has done a good job of making the bike comfortable up to 85-ish. I usually cruise at 75-80 MPH on the interstate, so it's fine. A well fitting helmet and jacket will make the ride more comfortable as well. The Blast can do 80 on the freeway, but that's not what it's meant for. They do better at 55-70 MPH.

TheRealBicycleBuck > MachineReplica 12/14/2015 at 08:00

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I cut my teeth on dirt bikes riding through the woods. My first street bike was a fully faired Yamaha Seca 650 Turbo. Certainly NOT the best first bike.

I gave up riding (among other exciting things) when my first child was born. My perception of risk changed once there were little lives depending on me. The next bike will come once the kids are out of college. It will probably be an adventure bike or perhaps a grand tourer.

Nisman > TheRealBicycleBuck 12/14/2015 at 13:44

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Windshields do wonders haha