Buell P3

'Buell P3 Blast'
Manufacturer	[[Buell]]
Also called	Blast
Production	2001 - 2010
Class	[[:Category:Road motorcycles|Road]] [[Category:Road motorcycles]]
Engine	single cylinder, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke	88.9mm x 79.4mm
Compression ratio	9.2:1
Horsepower	33.26 HP (24.8 KW) @ 6500RPM
Torque	30.02 ft/lbs (40.7 Nm) @ 3200RPM
Air Filter	K&N BU-5000 `00-10
Spark Plug	NGK DCPR7E '01 NGK DCPR8E '02-08
Battery	YUASA YTX14-BS '01-08
Transmission	Gear box: 5-speed Final Drive: belt Clutch: wet, multi-plate
Final Drive	Belt `01
Suspension	Front: 37 mm showa conventional forks Rear: showa non-adjustable, gas-charged compression shock
Brakes	Front: single disc Rear: single disc
Front Tire	100/80-16
Rear Tire	120/80-16
Wheelbase	55.0 inches (1397 mm)
Length	77.8 inches (1976 mm)
Width	29.29 inches (744 mm)
Height	42.4 inches (1077 mm)
Seat Height	25.51 inches (648 mm)
Weight	360.01 pounds (163.3 Kg) (dry), 163.0 kg (wet)
Oil Filter	Fram PH4967
Fuel Capacity	2.8 Gallon (10.59 Liters)
Manuals	Service Manual

The Buell Blast was a single cylinder, four-stroke Naked motorcycle produced by Buell between 2000 and 2010. Max torque was 30.02 ft/lbs (40.7 Nm) @ 3200 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 33.26 HP (24.8 KW) @ 6500 RPM.

Engine

The engine was a air cooled single cylinder, four-stroke. A 88.9mm bore x 79.4mm stroke result in a displacement of just 491.6 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead valves (ohv).

Drive

The bike has a 5-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the wet, multi-plate.

Chassis

It came with a 100/80-16 front tire and a 120/80-16 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via single disc in the front and a single disc in the rear. The front suspension was a 37 mm showa conventional forks while the rear was equipped with a showa non-adjustable, gas-charged compression shock. The Blast was fitted with a 2.8 Gallon (10.59 Liters) fuel tank. The bike weighed just 360.01 pounds (163.3 Kg). The wheelbase was 55.0 inches (1397 mm) long.

As an Entry Level Bike

Once the standout in the 500cc class, at least from the perspective of the first time buyer, is the now discontinued Buell Blast. The Blast was designed as a sport-standard specifically for the adult entry level buyer. It has an OHV 492cc single cylinder motor designed to be as maintenance free as possible. The transmission is a rugged five-speed. In fact, the whole motorcycle is designed to be as maintenance free as possible. Valves never need adjusting, there is a single 40mm CV carburetor, the choke is automatic, the final drive belt never needs adjusting, the 16" cast alloy wheels run sticky tubeless tires, and so on.

Everything about this motorcycle is designed to be fun and un-intimidating, including the price. Included for the reasonable price are disc brakes front and rear with two piston calipers, optional seat heights of 25.5 inches or 27.5 inches, a dry weight of only 360 pounds, and a 2.8 gallon gas tank (sufficient since the mileage approaches 70 miles/gallon). The primary load bearing frame member is a rectangular steel backbone, which also carries the oil supply for the dry sump engine. Suspension is by conventional telescopic front forks and a rear mono-shock.

The Blast's reported top speed is 95 mph. Stability is good, and the handling is quick and razor sharp. As delivered, the Blast is so quiet and smooth that it almost does not seem like the big single that it is. However, a Vance & Hines replacement header/muffler, coupled with a low restriction air filter and a re-jetted carb, will fix that.

History

The Blast is Buell's only model to use a single-cylinder engine. With 492cc displacement and 360lb dry weight, it was their smallest model, often used in Harley-Davidson's "Rider's Edge" new rider instruction/riding schools. This filled Harley CEO Jeff Bleustein's idea of having a make-specific training bike, since many students end up buying a bike from the dealer where they trained.

The Blast came from a quick proof-of-concept at the Buell factory. It originally used half of a Sportster 883 engine. The engine ended up 80 percent over budget and very expensive compared to the higher-technology Rotax engines available from outside the company. Cycle World wrote "Such an overrun would be unheard of from an outside supplier, but when your supplier also owns you, you grin and bear it." The Blast was ultimately the most expensive development project Buell undertook.

Because the engine was overpriced, it ended up making money for Harley while losing money for Buell. It was regarded as a technical success.

In July 2009, Buell ran an ad campaign stating that the Buell Blast would no longer appear in their line-up. The ad featured a Buell Blast being destroyed in an automobile crusher.

2006

2006 Buell P3 Blast in Black

2006 Buell P3 Blast in Black

2006 Buell P3 Blast in Black

2006 Buell P3 Blast in Black

2000 Buell Blast

The 1999 MY Buell Blast has, at its heart, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 492cc, single cylinder powerplant paired to a five-speed manual transmission that can produce a claimed 34 hp (25.3 Kw) and 46 Nm of torque. This middle-class naked also boasts standard fittings such as a large, 320 mm front disc brake in the front coupled to a 220 mm disc in the rear, a Showa suspension package composed of a 37 mm telescopic fork in the front and a gas-charged rear mono-shock, cast-aluminum wheels, an one-piece, dual seat, a small, matte wind deflector, an analogue and digital instrument cluster, mid-mounted foot controls, and an engine mud-guard.

2002 Buell Blast

The 2002 MY Buell Blast boasts a maximum power output of 34 horsepower and 46 Nm of torque from its air-cooled, four-stroke, 492cc, single cylinder engine that has been paired to a five-speed manual transmission with a Kevlar-reinforced belt final drive.

Also, it comes with a large, 320mm front disc brake in the front coupled to a 220mm disc in the rear, a Showa suspension package composed of a 37mm telescopic fork in the front and a gas-charged rear mono-shock, cast-aluminum wheels, an one-piece, dual seat, a small, matte wind deflector, an analogue and digital instrument cluster, mid-mounted foot controls, and an engine mud-guard.

2003 Buell Blast

The 2003 MY Buell Blast is addressed to a wide category of riders, from inexperienced and novice ones, and is sure to fit their needs. It comes with a large, 320mm front disc brake in the front coupled to a 220mm disc in the rear, a Showa suspension package composed of a 37mm telescopic fork in the front and a gas-charged rear mono-shock, cast-aluminum wheels, an one-piece, dual seat, a small, matte wind deflector, an analogue and digital instrument cluster, mid-mounted foot controls, and an engine mud-guard.

In the engine department it sports an air-cooled, four-stroke, 492cc, single cylinder powerhouse mated to a five-speed manual transmission with a low-maintenance, Kevlar-reinforced, belt final drive and can produce a claimed 34 horsepower and 46 Nm of torque.

2004 Buell Blast

The 2004 MY Buell Blast is an agile naked that was created by the American brand for both novice and more experienced ones that prefer agility over raw strength. It has, at its heart, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 492cc, single cylinder powerhouse mated to a five-speed manual transmission and can reach a maximum power output of 34 horsepower and 46 Nm of torque.

In addition, it has standard fittings such as a large, 320mm front disc brake in the front coupled to a 220mm disc in the rear, a Showa suspension package composed of a 37mm telescopic fork in the front and a gas-charged rear mono-shock, cast-aluminum wheels, an one-piece, dual seat, a small, matte wind deflector, an analogue and digital instrument cluster, mid-mounted foot controls, and an engine mud-guard.

2005 Buell Blast

If you are on the market for an agile yet gritty naked machine, that also offers a higher level of comfort, then the 2005 MY Buell Blast may be the right choice for you. It comes with a large, 320mm front disc brake in the front coupled to a 220mm disc in the rear, a Showa suspension package composed of a 37mm telescopic fork in the front and a gas-charged rear mono-shock, cast-aluminum wheels, an one-piece, dual seat, a small, matte wind deflector, an analogue and digital instrument cluster, mid-mounted foot controls, and an engine mud-guard.

Also, it boasts a maximum power output of 34 horsepower and 46 Nm of torque from its four-stroke, air-cooled, 492cc, single cylinder powerplant paired to a five-speed manual transmission with a Kevlar-reinforced belt final drive.

2006 Buell Blast

The 2006 MY Buell Blast is mainly addressed for inexperienced riders, but can also fit the needs for seasoned riders who want a more comfortable and fuel-efficient daily commuter. It has, at its heart, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 492cc, single cylinder powerhouse mated to a five-speed manual transmission with a low-maintenance and dependable, Kevlar belt final drive.

In addition, it has standard fittings such as a large, 320mm front disc brake in the front coupled to a 220mm disc in the rear, a Showa suspension package composed of a 37mm telescopic fork in the front and a gas-charged rear mono-shock, cast-aluminum wheels, an one-piece, dual seat, a small, matte wind deflector, an analogue and digital instrument cluster, mid-mounted foot controls and an under-belly exhaust system.

2007 Buell Blast

The American engineers from Buell have designed the 2007 MY Blast for both novice riders, as well as more experienced ones that want a more comfortable riding position and a fuel-efficient daily commuter. This naked comes with a large, 320mm front disc brake in the front coupled to a 220mm disc in the rear, a Showa suspension package composed of a 37mm telescopic fork in the front and a gas-charged rear mono-shock, cast-aluminum wheels, an one-piece, dual seat, a small, matte wind deflector, an analogue and digital instrument cluster, mid-mounted foot controls and an under-belly exhaust system.

In addition, it boasts a maximum power output of 34 horsepower and 46 Nm of torque from its air-cooled, four-stroke, 492cc, single cylinder engine that was paired to a five-speed manual transmission with a Kevlar belt final drive.

2008 Buell Blast

The 2008 MY Buell Blast comes equipped with an air-cooled, four-stroke, 492cc, single cylinder powerplant paired to a five-speed manual transmission and can produce a claimed 34 horsepower and 46 Nm of torque. Also, it has standard fittings such as a large, 320mm front disc brake in the front coupled to a 220mm disc in the rear, a Showa suspension package composed of a 37mm telescopic fork in the front and a gas-charged rear mono-shock, cast-aluminum wheels, an one-piece, dual seat, a small, matte wind deflector, an analogue and digital instrument cluster, mid-mounted foot controls and an under-belly exhaust system.

2009 Buell Blast

If you are on the market for an agile and fuel-efficient naked machine, that can accommodate both novice and seasoned riders alike, then the 2009 MY Buell Blast may be the right choice for you. It sports a four-stroke, air-cooled, 492cc, single cylinder powerhouse mated to a five-speed manual transmission and can produce a claimed 34 horsepower and 46 Nm of torque.

Standard fittings for this machine include a large, 320mm front disc brake in the front coupled to a 220mm disc in the rear, a Showa suspension package composed of a 37mm telescopic fork in the front and a gas-charged rear mono-shock, cast-aluminum wheels, an one-piece, dual seat, a small, matte wind deflector, an analogue and digital instrument cluster, mid-mounted foot controls and an under-belly exhaust system.