[horste]

I just finished my first day riding my new 2006 Buell Blast. I already got my endorsement via my MSF course and this was my first day taking my bike out on real streets. I took it all around the Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MN) metro. Started out driving to my brother’s place via some 30 mph city streets. Then I traversed through a main street connecting the two cities up to a city street turn main highway to the upper north metro. That main highway goes from 30mph, to 50 mph, to 60 mph by the end of it. I had to head up this way to meet a friend at his house. My next destination forced me to jump onto the freeway (65 mph and 70 mph max freeway speeds). That was definitely not my original plan of attack, but I was left with few choices. When up to the next friend that forced me to get on the freeway. Made it there safe, ate dinner, watched the Twins game, and then headed back home. I had to get back onto said freeway, and then I got back off on the Main-Highway turned city street, back to the main street connecting Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Stopped by my girlfriends house on the return home.

Once I left my girlfriends house, I didn’t want to get on the freeway so I drove by the Saint Paul Capital and took the long way home. I usually don’t take the long way, so I ended up missing my turn. I went straight instead of turning left into a vacant parking lot. Doing a big circle to get back to the street, it was getting to be a little past dusk. Turned my back around in a big circle, and about three-forths of the way thru the turn, I hit a lot of gravel and my bike slid. I managed to stay on the bike, but I foolishly put my foot down on the pavement and nearly low-sided the bike. Throughout the entire day, that was my first “OH! SH!T” moments. Even when I stalled the bike at an intersection (three times, the dang friction zone is more of a friction spot on my Blast), I kept my composure.

I want to thank the commentors on this board for helping make this a good first day. There were a lot of tips and reminders that you have given that made the day just a wee bit safer – thank you.

[horste]

Thanks for the recommendations. I will have to book mark this page to reference for the spring.

[horste]

I bought the 2006 Buell Blast mentioned earlier in this post for $2100 on this past Friday night. Had just a little under 3400 miles on it, a recent oil change and is in need of a new tire. I had the fun joy of driving it home on the coldest day of the summer here in Minnesota. Good thing I had my new jacket. Another plus, my cousin and my older brother came along and buffered all traffic for me (I was sandwiched between them). Made for a more relaxing ride. I love the bike, it drove really well. Once I was at cruising speed (50 mph as I was on a highway to get home for 10 miles), it was really smooth. The only thumping was in first gear and down-shifting from Second into .

I didn’t get a chance to take it out today, but tomorrow will see a few miles put on. I’m so excited and now I only have to pay for some insurance and transfer the title and all is well.

[horste]

That sounds manageable. I was worried it was going to be double that.

[horste]

Thanks for the advice and information Craig. I appreciate it.

[horste]

He already made mention that I will need a new tire next year – meaning sooner rather than later. Subsequently, he will take $200 off the asking price. I will hopefully go look at the bike tonight. How much do the Blasts rear tires typically cost?

[horste]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to be checking this Buell out this weekend (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/mcy/1930979091.html) and could possibly get it for around $2k. I also like this bike, the Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/mcy/1927556505.html). I know it’s a dual-sport, but I like to be sitting upright. The price difference is crucial though. I have a max of $3k to spend, but would like to spend only $2k to $2.5K so I have some money left over if I need new parts or mechanical work done. The thing with the Dual-Sports that make me hesitant is that I live in an area that I will need to be accessing the freeways quite a bit to get to any job I have – that, and I want to go on some shorter trips with my family who all have cruisers. The GS500f that I have seen in my area are all pushing my fiscal limits. Like the bikes, just don’t have that kind of money.

[horste]

Thanks for the excellent link. I loved reading that article. I am looking at getting a Buell (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/mcy/1930979091.html) for my first bike. I’m also toying with a Suzuki DR-Z400SM (http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/mcy/1927556505.html).

[horste]

Thanks Jtown I will look at those bikes. I forgot to mention that I’m 5’11” 175 pounds with a 32 inch inseam. I could easily touch the ground when I was riding the Dual-Sport bike.

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