[dcJohn]

I wonder what Rider’s Edge courses are going to eventually start transitioning to using.
Oh, and yes, the Blast certainly had lots of vibration at idle and low RPM–the nature of the beast with thumpers.

[JackTrade]

The latest is that Harley is going to still make the Blast…it just won’t be a Buell any longer.

The bike won’t have any Buell logos on it, just Blast ones. It will be primarily used for the Rider’s Edge courses, though I think they’ll still sell them if you want one. Kinda like the Ford Crown Vic…heavy fleet sales, but individuals can still buy them if they want (though I hear that’ll change soon).

Interestingly, the blue one that Erik crushes in the video is not a recent model one…it’s likely a 2006, as it says “Buell American Motorcycles” on the tank. After that year, they just said “Buell”.

Yeah, the vibration is something at idle; I’ve vibrated out two screws and the mirrors occasionally come loose. Gets better once you get to about 2k rpm (or so I’m guessing…damn lack of a tach).

[JackTrade]

That’s pretty cool…a nice touch for a cruiser where you want the function, but you don’t want something MotoGP looking.

Makes sense if I had a keeper bike like a Sportster…but I’m going to get rid of the Blast in the fall anyway, so I guess I’ll just survive w/o one for a while longer. Not really an issue, functionally, I suppose…not like I’m racing people on my bike or anything.

On the note of work-arounds for missing tachs, the current Honda Nighthawk (of MSF infamy) has one of the coolest, low-tech solutions I’ve ever seen: on the round analog speedo, there’s a ring outside the speed numbers that shows the range for each gear…so from O to maybe 15, there’s a curved line with a 1 at the end of it, then from 15 to 25, a 2, etc.

A very clever, simple way to give you at least a sense of a redline.

[JackTrade]

Went on the Buell website the other day, and came across their online “Book of Buell”. Supposedly their statement of values, overview, etc. Gave it a quick read, and it appears one can sum up the Buell’s new target rider with the word “jerk”.

Some highlights:

• Don’t congregate with other bikers. Don’t even wave to them while on the road (yes, it actually says that).
• Don’t take passengers. In fact, remove the passenger pegs from your bike.
• If you bought any other brand of sportbike, you’re just sitting on it and not really riding it.

I dunno about this new ad campaign of theirs…I get the attempt to be edgy, different, etc. but is this really the way? Is Buell heading down the HD path (i.e. buy our bike = instant badass)? HD is successful with this due to decades of heritage and near extreme customer loyalty. But what does Buell have? They keep saying “racing”, but I don’t think Suzuki and Ducati are losing sleep…

[JackTrade]

That’s a good analogy Munch.

I usually think of Buell as the Arby’s of the sportbike world…similar format to its competitors, but different product. Makes some good stuff that’s refreshing different, but try convincing most people to give it a try. Frequently tries different ways to tout its uniqueness, but to little overall success, with its rivals barely even acknowledging its presence in the market.

And as far as Arby’s “the menu can have any item, as long as it contains roast beef” ethos, up until a few years ago, I would have said the same about Buell and HD engines…

[Author]

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