r/TwoXriders • u/Hen1795 • 4d ago
First Bike is a 2007 Buell Blast
New to the community so please be gentle. I just got my license (fresh off the printer) and am inheriting my mom’s 2007 Buell Blast with literally 5 miles on it (from the dealership to the trailer, from the trailer to the garage).
I’m getting it serviced before I take the bike out because it’s been untouched in a garage since the day it was bought, but Im looking for any advice you might have either about the bike or just as a beginner rider!
I’ve heard the Blast is a great beginner bike, especially for the shorter crowd, but I’ve also heard it’s a nightmare bike. From what I’ve read the bike vibrates pretty bad, causing parts to come loose and due to its age and discontinuation parts are hard to come by.
Im not looking to go crazy on the bike, mostly city/casual riding averaging around 70/75mph (I live off a highway).
Thanks in advance!
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u/NinjaGrrl42 3d ago
Nice!
Remember your skills and practice them. Work on defensive driving, always look for an escape routes if someone does something sketchy. Never trust they see you.
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u/Hen1795 3d ago
Definitely! I’m considering trying to take service roads as much as I can until I get more comfortable just cause I know my bike sits pretty low and speeds aren’t as high
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u/NinjaGrrl42 3d ago
Ride a few mi uses, as many days in a row as you can. Waiting until the weekend to ride m you lose the feel of it some.
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u/wintersdark 3d ago
Just wanted to say that's a very cool bike to get started with. Particularly today, it's going to be unique and interesting. Awesome!
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u/Hen1795 3d ago
Thank you! I think so too, I know it got a lot of hate in the past for its look but I always thought it was cute
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u/wintersdark 3d ago
Like cars, lots of bikes aren't really appreciated when they're new, but later on they stand out and can have a lot of appeal that way.
Sure, it's not a super powerful bike, but it's great for a first bike, totally highway capable, and it's super light even by smaller bike standards making it really easy to handle. That weight allows it a surprising amount of actual performance despite what a spec sheet says, while being easier to handle.
And yeah, I think it looks great as well, both in its own right and also in how unique it is today. Makes it a head turner and fun conversation piece.
Also, being belt drive with no valve adjustments, you sidestep a lot of issues one normally finds buying a 20 year old bike - cuts a lot of the early big maintenance spends.
My one bit of advice though, as with any older bike, check the date code on the tires. If they're more than 10 years old, or are showing any cracking, replace immediately.
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u/IFreakinLovePi 4d ago
I had one. I thought my KLR was smooth by comparison.
They're fun, they suck to work on. Keep a spare drive belt with you because they can just snap and you can't fix it with a master link, but it's still an easy fix if you have the part on hand.
The rubber boot around the carb likes to tear from the vibrations. You might run into transmission issues (my dogs liked to skip teeth in 1st).
It really sucks on the highway and the engine will lug at 60 in 5th at the slightest incline. ETA: I missed the foment about going 70-75 on the commute. Get an ebay windshield and be ready to constantly wish for a 6th gear.
Oh, and invest in a gas bottle (like a water bottle shaped Jerry can) because the tank is tiny and it gets pretty bad mileage for a bike.
Oh oh oh, and don't keep the stock tires, you'll chew through them and theg get kinda slick when hot. I forget the brand, but most forums will tell you to use maxi scooter tires instead and I agree.