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Running on Fumes

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2010 Buell Blast First and Last Look?

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Crushed pile of steel rubble: That sums up the Buell Blast for 2010, as Erik Buell has decided to demolish the poor little single-cylinder entry-level motorcycle. We’re guessing the 2010 Blast’s entry on the Buell website is a humorous, not-so-subtle declaration that it will no longer be in the American sportbike company’s lineup. That is, except as a crushed 28 x 28-inch hunk of metal… Either that or it’s an awkward promotional gag.

The 2010 Buell Blast?

Read the explanation and spec sheet ripped straight off the Buell website below. (Also check out Buell's website to watch Erik Buell's video describing the reasons for his wanton destruction of the fuel-efficient mount that, according to Buell PR, has trained over 175,000 new riders in the Riders Edge New Rider Course since 2000.)

Courtesy of Buell

The Buell Blast was a cute little motorcycle. It just never made much of a sportbike. But, as luck would have it, it makes a killer ottoman. Or end table. Or art piece. Through an innovative process known as crushing, we’ve turned a limited number of Blasts into colorful metal cubes, each numbered and signed by Erik Buell himself. Hey, there’s no denying the Blast’s aforementioned cuteness. But there’s nothing cute about racing or riding a sportbike the way it was meant to be ridden.

2010 Buell Blast Spec Sheet:
Overall Height: 28 in.
Overall Width: 28 in.
Engine: Smashed
Peak Hp / Torque (Ft/Lbs.)*: 0 / 0
Suspension, Front: Compressed
Suspension, Rear: Bottomed
Brake, Front: Fixed
Brake, Rear: Fixed
Seat Height***: Variable
Wheelbase **: Variable
Dry Weight: 360 lbs
Colors: Sunfire Yellow, Midnight Black, Battle Blue

Post Tags: 2010 Buell Blast, Erik Buell Blast

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Comments

Motorcycle Nut -wake up November 28, 2010 06:13 AM
the new CEO at harley closed buell, so this should help add 2 the understanding as to why they might crush a blast...they turned arounded and opened eric buell racing,,, so Mr. buell still works for harley but no more street bikes only racing bikes will come from his stables,,,but as a lover of all bikes i would hate 2 see any bike destroyed,,,from a boss hoss, too a vespa scooter,, i love them all and think its against the ideas of promoting riding 2 the public,,,all folks should have the chance 2 ride somethimg,,, crushing a perfectly good bike makes no since,,,,?????? what was he thinking??????

Steve -Blast November 21, 2010 05:07 PM
I'm a Harley owner, but mine is storage till spring. So I was at the local dealership the other day and there out front was sitting a new 2009 jet black Blast. I had an '06, had a alot of fun with that bike.
So I bought it. Then this winter maybe I can get some riding in to cure my pms. (parked motorcycle syndrom).
I think Eric Buell made a big mistake when he smashed that 2010 model.
Lost credibility with me, and many others.

Marty -Erik Buell - not cool October 23, 2010 12:02 PM
I used to think Erik Buell was innovative and cool, but to just crush Blasts because their not "ruthless" is just stupid. Why did he build Blasts in the first place. Didn't he know at the start that the Blast wasn't a sportbike? Did he just discover this in 2009? Is he pissed because the development was way over budget? A good guy would've donated the bikes to a rider ed program; an a55hole crushes 'em.

Eric Buell -Lol at u noobs... Ride a big bike or go home October 20, 2010 04:50 AM
Bunch tards. Driving sissy bikes. I want u on big sloppy Buells that cost as much as a nice car. The blast brought customers that Buell didn't want in the first place.

Nicole -My first bike June 22, 2010 01:42 PM
I bought the Buell Blast for my first bike. I love it! It is perfect for someone short like me and fun to ride. Jeez you don't have to crush it into a cude...especially since I am still paying Buell money for the damn thing!

StingRey -Blasted March 9, 2010 09:10 PM
I learned to ride on a Blast at the Rider's Edge course in Corpus Christi TX. Those lil thumpers still hold a special place. I now own a Suzuki GSX-R for the track, and a Ducati Monster S2R for the street. I still feel that the Blast is more fun then either. Go ahead and hate, but you can be a complete holligan on a Blast. Wheelie, drop it, it hardly shows a scratch. Sure hope they remake them as I'll be looking for a street bike for my son in a few years.

Dan -the Man February 23, 2010 01:41 PM
Now that the economy tanked, dumping the Blast seems a bit ill-timed...

Former Buellman -Another great move by Buell October 3, 2009 03:52 AM
These executives at Buell really know what the're doing. They (1) develop a nice bike for beginning riders, (2) they sell a lot of Blasts, (3) they discontinue the Blast with little notice, and (4)they go out of their way to trash the Blast and tell their customers that it was never any good. That's great strategy! I can't wait to buy my next Buell.

GaryC. -Buell Blast September 21, 2009 01:12 PM
It's a shame. Great engine that could have been utilized in many custom builds. It'll make my garage full of XS650's more valuable.

BK -Blast September 17, 2009 02:23 PM
When I saw the video, seemed to me like it was hinting at a complete redesign of the Blast for the upcoming model year and wanted to get people interested.

Tom -Buell Blast September 9, 2009 08:52 AM
I have owned a Buell Blast for a year and a half and have driven it over 17,500 miles. It is a very reliable little bike, cheap to insure and easy on gas. It will run on the interstate all day at 70+ mph and is one of the best handling bikes around.Thats why it is used in the Riders Edge program to teach novice riders how to ride a motorcycle.If Eric Buell wants to concentrate on his more powerful sport bikes, OK, but why he wanted to poke the Blast owners in the eye with his stupid "crush the Blast" video is beyond me. I understand that the bike will still be made for Riders Edge badged as niether a Harley of Buell because they still need that little jewel for the riders program and have nothing to replace it with.For riders like me who want niether a crotch rocket or hulking cruiser there are very few bikes to chose from-and the Blast fills the bill quite well, thank you.

QED -Buell September 7, 2009 08:22 PM
I owned a Buell at one time, the tubular framed model, nothing but junk. It had false neutrals between every gear, the rear rocker cover leaked oil, it went in for a recall due to rear shock (on the bottom of the bike) being defective and a host of other problems (typical of a H-D engine with too much horsepower). I swore I would never own another American made bike, and this is why I now own a Ducati. Oh, by the way, Buell dropped the tubular framed 1200cc models basically the same way they dropped the Blast. Avoid a Buell at all costs (bad resale value).

cjs -buell blast August 26, 2009 12:52 PM
This is honestly the only time I have ever thought of buying a Buell. I think a cube would look freakin' awesome in my garage!

jman -morons August 22, 2009 01:50 PM
Why would you crush a bike which you introduced? Like previously stated, you made the bike, at least stand behind it. It was a money maker for buell and an outstanding beginner bike. My son is in market for a beginner bike, and i suggested the blast. I am personally insulted that buell would disown the bike so suddenly.

jep -that hurt August 19, 2009 07:38 AM
I ride a blast. Its great on gas, fairly reliable, handles well. Actually it made me want to cough up the 10 grand for a Ulysses, so I could have an American bike that wasnt what I feel would be just another Harley. Oh well Honda website here I come.

BMac -Abandoned August 7, 2009 12:54 PM
Buell abandoned the XB9R the year after I bought one, so Blast owners, I feel your pain.

Waiting... -Desperately Seeking an Entry-level Bike, Already! August 1, 2009 12:52 AM
I've been wanting to get an entry-level bike for awhile (one year) and they are all LAME and uninspiring! I'm glad I've waited because I feel a new, cool blast coming on. This is an attention getting marketing trick and it's working. Hurry up and show us a cool and inspiring entry-level bike already people! I want one!!

KAlvarado -Blast July 31, 2009 02:01 PM
I own a Blast, I can not believe the message Erik buell just put out to their customers. What ever happen to Brand Standards and standing behind the product you build??? Buell.

So now that Erik Buell has advertised the fact that the Blast is only good for an end table and created ZERO Value, Should I consider this a recall? What address should I send the bike to?

I will never have any respect for the Buell Brand from now on. Let me just say Bad news moves much faster than good. I know there are lots of upset customers. Even those who ride some of the "sportbikes" are wondering if Erik will decide to crush their bike.

A company should always continue to support their products even if they discontinue it. But throwing it out, crushing it. I think Erik Buell reached the peter principle long long ago.

I am not sure how HD feels about this type of carless advertising.

CDW -Bonehead July 30, 2009 07:48 AM
Buell Blast is a great little bike for learners, especially women and older people who like the low seat, short wheel base and light weight. Gas prices are not going down and people are going to be looking for these entry level bike. Dumb move Buell, if you want a better sport bike reputation - make better sport bikes.

Superlight -Blast July 28, 2009 02:07 PM
So Erik Buell is telling us the Blast doesn't fit into the Buell sportbike lineup. It probably doesn't, but they (Buell) are the ones who positioned it there in the first place, so they have only themselves to blame. I wonder why they didn'tjust rebadge it as a Harley and keep it around a while longer?
I also got a kick out of Erik expounding on Buell's sportbike credentials. If Buell really wants to be known for sportbikes thay might consider getting more serious about building and racing them (no, racing 1300cc DOHC, 4V, watercooled twins against Japanese 600s is not really racing). Look across the pond, Buell guys, at Ducati and Aprilia for a good example.

B-Pow -Not bad...really. July 28, 2009 01:18 PM
I've always wanted to like buells, I really have. But they are seen as city crusiers and toys. The removal of the toy-ish blast is a step in creating a new image, that befits some of what they have the ability to do.

Now if they could only make me have faith in air cooled, 5-speeds I would buy an XB12R. But that's going to take an act of a god...any god really.

Or if the 1125R wasn't such a aquard looking fatty...and expensive as snot to insure.

AB -Buell Blast July 28, 2009 01:10 PM
I actually liked the promotional gag!

Bob -New B? July 28, 2009 12:26 PM
Can't imagine that the one's left in the Rider's Edge classes will last forever. Been a money maker for them so I can't see them completely dumping the program. Perhaps they'll make a more sport oriented single with 17" wheels to replace it.

Bruno... -Be Last.... July 28, 2009 11:55 AM
now if they could just do that to all Harley's...

SJC -Blast July 28, 2009 11:03 AM
Weird marketing. If I had a Blast, which I always thought was kind of neat bike, I would be insulted. I do own a Ulysses. I hope it is enough of a sport bike not to be crushed!