As a long time thumper emthusiast, I have followed the Buell Blast (and the Bullet!!).I was very interested in both bikes. Theres a couple of Blast forums/groups (Yahoo) that I receive digests from. Prof Stack, I believe, had a positive experience with his Blast. These forums, while many owners are happy with the bikes, are reflecting some problems with the bikes such as the breaking off of engine stabilizer bolts in the cylinder head, disintigrating oil pump drive gears, fairly frequent failure of the rubber carb boots, and fairly high oil use. I may be spoiled because the over twenty motorcycles I've owned over the last 45 years have simply used no measureable amount of engine oil between changes.
I test rode a Blast, and really like the bike. I happen to know first hand (no police reading this I hope) that a 500cc Buell Blast can easily hit 85 mph, and cruise easily at 70. They do clunk going into first gear, and they feel a bit small physically in size to me, but I liked the bike. In fact, I bet some day I will own one of them too.
As for the price of Bullets. I can say that I feel good at the purchase I made at Vince's. First-he was having a sale on 2007 models, as the 2008s were on the way.Second, I bought in December, so it was a buyers market. Third, my bike just runs like a top and is getting 75 miles per US gallon easily.Fourth, today, while waiting out a rain storm at a Starbucks in Orting, Wa, I had two different gray haired (like me) gents approach me. Both asked right off "what year is that motorcycle?". Which led to me going through the history of the Indian/Enfields. Both guys commented on what a great looking bike it is etc,etc. I don't get any of that when I ride my KLR650 or XT225. One asked me where a dealer was, and I told him of Vince's in Olympia. I hope he pursues that.
So I feel good about my purchase, and I'm glad I picked up the iron model.
Jon in Puyallup, Wa. USA