Buell Blast - any real experiences?

[easter bunny]

The stigma of thrice defunct Buell means I could pick one of these up for cheap. I've basically seen two opinions in my search:
It's a Harley and it's garbage. With no specific reasons why.
It's slow and underpowered but it's practically indestructible and handles great.

Anyone have any real opinions? Might be a fun commuter and/or disposable trainer for the SO.

Before the inevitable suggestions: yes a ninja 250/300/500 would be better, but of all the stories I hear about these mythical sub-$1000 CL finds I've yet to ever connect with one. Last deal I tried to do was a friend of a friend, unregistered, back fees, hadn't run in awhile, cracked plastics, and needed tires for twice what I'm looking to pay for the Blast.

 

[ratsblast]

What you want to know? I have a lot of experience, mine has over 43k miles on it. Really fun little bikes with a rejet and exhaust. Harley used shit rear wheel bearing so plan on replacing them with all balls.

 

[russ69]

It's a bike so it has some redeeming features.

 

[easter bunny]

It's a bike so it has some redeeming features.

That's the kind of "review" I see about 50% of the time, but without anything specific mentioned.

Rat, good info on the wheel bearings. I can tackle that. Any issues with the engine? I've seen some things about broken mounts and new gaskets. I don't mind replacing or upgrading some chassis parts or the usual maintenance like fork seals, but I don't really want to drop the block.

 

[R3DS!X]

If anyone felt inspired to write a review after riding one they probably haven't ridden anything else before. It's pretty boring but can be had cheap. It's not very reliable. the 3 people who I knew who had one, had problems with it. not sure on part availability now. Many better options that are also dirt cheap, ninja 250 ninja 500.

 

[easter bunny]

It's not very reliable. the 3 people who I knew who had one, had problems with it. Many better options that are also dirt cheap, ninja 250 ninja 500.

Can you elaborate on what problems they had? I'm not sure if that means the headlight blew out prematurely or the engine grenaded.

Please also feel free to point me at any sub-$1000 ninjettes manufactured during this century. I hear about them so often I must be looking in the wrong places.

 

[R3DS!X]

1 had fueling issues kept flooding, 1 had electrical problems, 1 needed a engine rebuild but I never knew why, didn't ask.

http://stockton.craigslist.org/mcy/5959455143.html

You looking for a bike that cheap you're probably not gonna like what you get. How much would you honestly sell a decent bike in good, reliable condition?

 

[ratsblast]

The issues they have is rattling themselves apart and they burn oil. Mine was super reliable to 30k miles. The blast handles great, great brakes, shakes a lot. Years 00 to 02 had rocker gasket issues but that is an easy fix. If you drop it hard enough front engine mount rips, kind of a pain to repair but is cheap. Rear tire only last about 2.5k miles. Blast is great around town and splits with easy. Oh and everyone talks shit, thats until you are passing them with the big thumpa wumpa. The blast actually has an alright aftermarket and you can run wider tire. At over 43k miles my bike is on its last legs but I do beat the shit out of it and ride rain or shine. Oh and they crash well, go drop that ninja and see how much it costs to repair. Too speed is around 90mph and bike can hold it, it just feels like its gonna explode.

 

[easter bunny]

Thanks for the info. I've seen some issues related to fuelling but a lot seem to be attributed to ripped carb boots or issues with the idle circuit.

Yes, looking for a cheap bike. I somewhat regret selling my KLR but I bought it as a mechanic special and got double what I paid for it as sweat equity. Plus a lot of fun miles. Need something new to maybe commute and put the kid on the back for sunday rides.

 

[Blankpage]

There's also street cred. Riding a Blast is like riding two up with a dude on the back and dude is wearing skinny jeans.

 

[auntiebling]

The stigma of thrice defunct Buell means I could pick one of these up for cheap..

i dont think you'll find that to be true. b-lasts have always had high asking prices on the used market IMO, and whatever their attraction is to justify that isn't going to be affected because erik buell acquired another bankruptcy.

i've heard the salt flats landspeed people like the engine for certain classes so while too have heard the bikes aren't that great, perhaps the engines can be made durable?... like a 1990s chevy truck. the engine keeps going and the windows, paint, and gages all stop working while the headliner falls on you.

 

[Sharky]

Can you elaborate on what problems they had? I'm not sure if that means the headlight blew out prematurely or the engine grenaded.

Please also feel free to point me at any sub-$1000 ninjettes manufactured during this century. I hear about them so often I must be looking in the wrong places.

I think an 87 or 88' ninja is exactly the same as the 2005 or 6 when they changed it. I personally would go for an 86'. So much better looking. I got a 94' for 500 with a bunch of spares. Took a little effort toget it running (cleaned the carbs and added new fuel.

The smart money is a best ex500. Basically the same price as a 250, but much better power.

I'm sure if you look for a few weeks and are ready to jump when one pops up, a sub $1k ninjette is something that can be found. Arbitrary requirement of being build 2000+ is just that and limits about half of what is out there.

 

[Sharky]

There's a salvage title 12' ninja 250 on CL for $1k right now.
If it's registered and straight good deal. Fairing is pre-scratched

 

[ratsblast]

Electrical issue are caused by either bike shaking parts to pieces or the wire loom routing, airbox will wear through wire loom and cause stuff to quit working. My be last is about the loudest bike you could want and it has street incredulity. I would let anyone who wants to to ride my bike but it is a brute right now with fucked up clutch cable or clutch.

 

[BrownDawg]

It's a mode of transportation.

 

[MysterYvil]

My neighbor had a (well) used Blast, and he was routinely tinkering with it. His quote: "Bitch shakes a lot, shit's gonna fail. No biggie." It did use oil, but then again it was third-hand with 33k, so...

I rode it twice. No problems, enough power for me (but then again Ninjettes are fine by me), decent handling and brakes.

 

[easter bunny]

Thanks to everyone for the opinions. I'm not specifically seeking a blast - I'm just always on the lookout for something fun and cheap that I could use as a commuter and maybe give to the girlfriend. She's ben threatening to get a license for two years and she's been practicing on her dirtbike.

There's a salvage title 12' ninja 250 on CL for $1k right now.
If it's registered and straight good deal. Fairing is pre-scratched

Link?

Riding a Blast is like riding two up with a dude on the back and dude is wearing skinny jeans.

Lucky for me that I give zero fucks about "cred." I'm just interested in the mechanicals. Ironically about half the time I'd have a dude in skinny jeans as a pillion - my 12 year old kid.

b-lasts have always had high asking prices on the used market IMO,

This is one of those unicorn deals. But I'm not getting any response after I offered him the cash. I think he's having second thoughts or trying to buy some more time to get a better offer.

 

[Sharky]

Link?

For fuck sake man, just do a search on CL for a ninjette.

Probably explains why you can't find any deals.
:laughing

 

[easter bunny]

For fuck sake man, just do a search on CL for a ninjette.

Probably explains why you can't find any deals.

There's about 900 different CL boards around the norcal area. I'm in Reno, so it can be difficult. There's also a point of diminishing returns checking out a bike 8 hours away.

All I see for a grand is an 05 with a knocking engine in Sac, an 06 with bad bodywork and questionable carb and electrical in Stockton, and 2 obvious scams. So please point me to the 2012.

 

[Sharky]

first result in SFBay CL for ninja 250 at 1K or less
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/5992642590.html