Don't Laugh

nomo · #1 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 05:22 PM

Lately I've been considering getting a small and simple runabout type of moto to use on foul weather days but mainly to teach my wife to ride a non-scooter . Like many of you , I'm always looking for interesting bikes or deals , so allow me to ax you . I have the chance to buy a brand new 09 Buell Blast for 1/2 MSRP . Should I go for it ? Yeah it's ugly (which I can fix by discarding plastic) , but it's stone simple , low on maintenance with hydraulic valves , belt drive , air cooling , and has almost 500cc so my wife won't outgrow it too soon . I just don't like the idea of supporting H-D , but for so little cash who the fu*k cares , right ? Anyone know if this model has mechanical issues ?

sburns2421 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 05:55 PM

You could find any number of used Japanese bikes for the same money that would serve you better, IMO.

imported_ICEMAN · #3 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sburns2421

You could find any number of used Japanese bikes for the same money that would serve you better, IMO.

+1... plus since your wife is learning, it always less stressful to drop a used bike, even if it a Buell!

sburns2421 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 08:37 PM

An old Kawasaki EX500 or Yamaha Seca 600 would serve you well, and you would lose almost nothing when you go to sell in a year or two.

Munky · #5 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 08:43 PM

We shouldnt forget the SV650. I push all the new riders to that bike. Tons of parts, tons of spares, tons of fun you can grow into.

hawkti · #6 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 11:25 PM

I have a buddy that would come over on his Buell. He wasn't a real motorcycle guy, but he said he got it for a song (Buell). I would cringe everytime I saw it. He looked at it like cheap transpo, which it was. I looked at like, get a real bike. Not bagging on it, but just looks funky!

twowheelcossack · #7 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 11:39 PM

I agree with all that's been said, particularly the comments about the hit you'd take on the resale of that appliance.

I will, in defense of your purchase of the humble B-last, say that it is an instant collectible on par with the failed/insanely homely likes of the AMC Pacer, or the Edsel. With the factory crushing program currently being run, maybe you could send it to Buell when you've had your fun with it in order to turn it into a coffee table and tell your friends: "that's the bike my wife learned on..."

Okay, forget it. Find yourself a EX500 or an SV650.

nomo · #8 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 12:33 AM

I know there are many J bikes that would do the job nicely , but my wife likes its look and feel , and the price with a 2 year warranty (which I've come to discover I'll be using often !) is just silly at $2999CAN+13%Tax (while MSRP is $6200) . I'm not concerned about resale b/c I plan on chopping it later on . But I am concerned about reliability ; been reading of oil leaks , electrical problems , and H-D dealers' reluctance to fix them . I don't know . Curious that Buell's adds claim the Blast is discontinued , b/c dealers here in Canada even have 2010 models . Thanks for the input .

banda · #9 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munky

We shouldnt forget the SV650. I push all the new riders to that bike. Tons of parts, tons of spares, tons of fun you can grow into.

I don't. It's not a great bike for new riders. It has a bunch of torque off idle (compared to other bikes in its price range), very little rotational inertia in the engine making quick hits of acceleration and engine braking, it has a high center of gravity, and a high seat.

It's an awsome little bike, but not all that beginner friendly.

Ninja 250 all the way. It absolutely can be riden as fast as a bigger bike on the street. People who can't ride a Ninja 250 fast probably shouldn't be riding anything fast..

duckdawg · #10 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 01:16 AM

I'm doing the motorcycle safety course this weekend with My 19 yr old son and his buddies. He wants a bike, what would you here suggest that I get him? I think a twin is almost the obvious choice, problem is, one of his buddies already bought a gsxr 600. While I can see that this could be the bike to grow into, it is not the bike he needs now. On a side note, he brought up that Korean SV clone bike, and not not the one I expected. The bike he liked, was the cruiser. Immediately the image that popped into my head was an 800 Shadow. Easy to clean up and easy for him to ride. Probably even easy to get your money back out of after he gets bored with it? Any thoughts on this?....