| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Buell Blast 500 cc ??
I have sat on one at a dealership, a Riders Edge course bike 2004 model. I thought it was the worst shade of orange as it looked like a robotic pumpkin.
That being said, for someone like myself with a 30 inch inseam the lowest (25.5 inch) seat it was equipped with made it VERY easy for me to put my feet down and even extend them outward like stabilizers at a 45 degree angle and still touch showroom floor. It has mass, but it is down low so it feels lighter than it is and it doesn't feel top heavy like a bike of similar weight but with a higher center of gravity, such as a dual sport or sports bike.
With the lower seat my 5'8" frame felt a little tight, but the standard seat, which the dealer didn't have in stock at the time, would add two inches of height. At it was, my knees were slightly elevated with the low seat, but really not that uncomfortable as compared with the fully extended limbs on a cruiser set up or the rabid squirrel on speed position of most sports bikes. It is not a seated with legs below hip level position like a dual sport, at least not with my body design and the low seat. However, it was comfortable and I felt that I would have no problem keeping balance at low speed or stopping/starting from a full stop.
If anything, the seating position felt akin to how my 1979 Yamaha DT125 felt when I rode it. It felt like you were a part of the bike and it was comfortable. I would add a windscreen and side bags or boxes for a commuter as the flyscreen it is equipped with seems a little small for much weather diversion. I personally would feel more comfortable having it equipped with a tachometer as well and not with just a speedometer. It is also said that it buzzes at idle and vibration can be felt through the seat and handlebars at speed. It is a thumper so what would one expect? I have ridden all thumpers in my life up to this point, especially lots of time on a 2 stroke 125cc, so I don't see that as so much a bad thing as a way to be in touch with the engine.
I have read in magazine reports that it has a grabby clutch due to a narrow friction zone, but that is offset by having substantial torque at idle so for a newbie it probably balances out. I didn't experience this for myself, however. I would say that if they are used in Riders Edge courses they must be easy to ride for a totally new rider or else they wouldn't be used.
I would also say that having hydraulic valves and a belt final drive would also help with a newbie getting started in taking care of a bike as both reduce rider required maintenance.
I would consider buying a Buell Blast as a first new bike after trying out others for seating position, ease of balance, price point and other factors such as maintenance intervals, fuel economy and weather protection.
|
RuralRider
|
09/03/08 08:38am |
Motorcycle Forum
|
|
RE: My Yamaha shop Devoured
As a part-time licensed (Class 01 FFL) gunsmith I can see both sides of the situation. While I am not keen on high prices, I am also not fond of customers who hold an internet purchase over my head when I try to offer good service in addition to a price that gives me a reasonable profit which allows me to stay in business. There is a reason why I work full-time in another industry and only part-time as a gunsmith.
Yes, dealer prices are ridiculous but all the more so are those dealers who have outrageous prices on top of being insulting to customers (not listening to what they want, pushing them to buy something they don't want or would be ill suited for, etc).
I feel your pain regarding high prices and poor service as there are only two places in Lawrence, Kansas where good service can be found, at the HD/Buell dealer and at the Vespa/Piaggio/Hyosung dealer. The Kawasaki and Yamaha dealers either ignore you unless you want chainsaw or lawnmower parts (has the Kawa line as a side business) with the former or unless you want to buy the largest bike in the showroom (in the case of the latter).
|
RuralRider
|
09/03/08 07:53am |
Motorcycle Forum
|
|
