[wbsprudels]

Welcome, ronkore. Sounds like you’re already taking a lot of the advice from this forum to heart. Enjoy the ride!

[wbsprudels]

Another problem with older bikes is finding parts. A mechanic told me that motorcycle manufacturers are only required to produce parts for 10 years. After that you will need to look elsewhere for parts. Another mechanic told me last fall that he would not look at buying a bike pre-2000.

[wbsprudels]

I’m not putting much weight on my wrists now with my Boulevard, but I may have been doing that with my Blast. I haven’t ridden the Blast much in the past month, however. I have been riding with the throttle rocker for the past week now. I don’t think it will have much of an effect on my finger, but I do find it more comfortable.

[wbsprudels]

Call the dealer–I can’t believe there was hardly any oil when you drove off the lot.

[wbsprudels]

I am a frequent nodder when I am uncomfortable or unable to wave. Not surprisingly, I have noticed many more reciprocal waves when I am on my v-twin Suzuki Boulevard than when I am on my smaller Buell Blast. I interpret the difference being some riders consider my Blast to be a scooter and not worth the wave–irks me.

[wbsprudels]

Welcome, Swami. Sounds like you got the bug. I highly recommend you consider buying your first bike used. I went the new route, upgraded to a bigger bike, and am basically eating the large initial depreciation as I try to sell my 2009 Blast. Be sure to find out all of the dealer costs when comparison shopping (the prep and doc fees that you do not incur when buying used). Just something to think about

[wbsprudels]

Pretty sure I have read about this happening to some other Blast riders on the Buell Blast Forum (badweatherbikers.com). If I remember correctly, the problem can be fixed by adjusting the idle mixture screw.

[wbsprudels]

Thanks, Eon. Took me a while to figure this out (I didn’t realize I was inserting the thumbnails). Here is the Intruder…

and here is the Vulcan…

[wbsprudels]

Thanks for the replies. It will be difficult to compare them at the same time as they are each more than 2 hours from my house. I think I will start with the Intruder because I like it’s looks. If that falls through, I will pursue the Vulcan. I have pictures I would like to show, but I can’t figure out how to upload them.

[wbsprudels]

Great question. I am in the process of buying my first used bike. As I am not mechanically inclined, I have asked the seller if he would be willing to meet me at a service shop where I will pay for a diagnostic check of the bike. Just sent the e-mail, so have not heard back yet.

I tried this with one other seller. He was unwilling–he claimed he didn’t want to ride the bike in salt/sand covered Indiana roads. Maybe it was a legit reason, but he also had no maintenance records, so I didn’t pursue.

[wbsprudels]

I know if you buy a Riders Edge bike from the HD dealership in Bloomington, IN, they give you the 24-month warranty, too. They’re not selling 2005’s. For more info on Blasts, check out badweatherbikers.com. The Thumper Forum has many active posters much more mechanically savy than me that could answer all of your questions.

[wbsprudels]

Thanks. Interesting, but I wonder if there is a model or make not on that list.

[wbsprudels]

Thanks, Munch. That link is excellent. However, it sure looks like there are all kinds of recalls for every make and model. Yikes!

[wbsprudels]

Maybe in 2001, but not now. The Buell Blast is the best-selling Buell model. It’s a single cylinder so there is less to go wrong with the engine. I can understand folks may not like the thumper aspect because of the single cylinder, but reliability? News to me. I’ve had no problems with my 2009 Blast but am comforted by the standard 24 month warranty. I have modified the handlebars, added a windshield, and a Givi trunk case. It’s an ideal commuting bike. I am 6’1 and 200 lbs and get 55-65 mpg. I’ve put over 3200 miles on my Blast since October. No reliability issues that I can see.

[wbsprudels]

Hi, Brittney. I live in Indiana, too, and actually have been riding all winter. I bought my bike in October and put 3,000 miles so far. Indy has been much more fortunate this winter than other areas of the country. I have a Blast now, but am thinking about my next bike being a SV650.

[Author]

Posts