Blur Tourer

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:55 am

Not really, but I took my luggage off the Suzuki to see how it would look on the Blur. Looks pretty good. If it only had a little more top end to tour comfortably!

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Tue May 26, 2009 3:05 am

That's awesome looking! so how does the luggage fit as far as the seat closing, tank bag attachment, etc? I've got some Neilson Rigg saddlebags that fit great on the Blur with the exception of the seat not wanting to close easily. Also, what brand/model is that luggage?

I've got all the essentials to do the same, tank bag, saddlebags, top-case, I'm just missing a tail bag. I'd love to take a few longer trips on the Blur... after I get around to reshaping the seat a little.

Lookin' good!

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Tue May 26, 2009 3:52 am

Lostmycage wrote:That's awesome looking! so how does the luggage fit as far as the seat closing, tank bag attachment, etc? I've got some Neilson Rigg saddlebags that fit great on the Blur with the exception of the seat not wanting to close easily. Also, what brand/model is that luggage?

I've got all the essentials to do the same, tank bag, saddlebags, top-case, I'm just missing a tail bag. I'd love to take a few longer trips on the Blur... after I get around to reshaping the seat a little.

Lookin' good!

The pet carrier closes no problem - just a slightly more than subtle pound with the fist so it catches. The tank bag just sits in on the tunnel, but I've I took the strap it came with, ran it through the carrying handle and and connected it to itself under the seat. This set up (see the Rapid Transit tank bag thread) works great. The bag never falls off - it sits in there perfectly - but the strap is for extra protection and hold it off to the side (like a helmet) when you hop off the bike. Bonus: Works great as a drink carrier!

The luggage is from Cycle Gear. They have a store here in town, but they are a nationwide chain and have an excellent catalog. The brand is Cargo from Frank Thomas Group. So far, it's been pretty good stuff. They are expandable and came with rain covers. They carry 30 liters each. I think the saddlebags were on sale for $109 when I got them. If you saw them up close, you'd see they are worth the money - well constructed. The tail bag expands to more than double it's size.

If I were to actually take a trip with the saddle bags I'd want something to keep them from rubbing the sides of the scooter. A piece of foam would work nicely. It's a pretty sturdy set up, I was surprised. I bought them for my motorcycle, but they work well on the scoot.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Tue May 26, 2009 4:14 am

Excellent! I'm happy to see that the Rapid Transit thread did some good to folks with other brands of tank bags. I think the only thing I'm missing is the tail bag. I might have to look into that brand... if they fit up to the Neilson Rigg bags that I have, I think it'd be damn near perfect!

now i just need some place to go to with all this storage room

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:52 pm

Lostmycage wrote:Excellent! I'm happy to see that the Rapid Transit thread did some good to folks with other brands of tank bags. I think the only thing I'm missing is the tail bag. I might have to look into that brand... if they fit up to the Neilson Rigg bags that I have, I think it'd be damn near perfect!

now i just need some place to go to with all this storage room

Yeah I'm thinking about where I can go. I'd like to the Blue Ridge Parkway, but I'd trailer there. There's lots of rural two-lane around here, but it's flat and straight. There are plenty of places to camp that would be three, four hours away and doable on the Blur.

These Frank Thomas bags are well built. Cycle Gear has some camo ones that I think they are trying to unload that don't look bad.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Tue May 26, 2009 9:02 pm

Lost - which Nelson Rigg bags do you have. I have the 850s that I run on the Burgman, they're great for 2up touring. Not sure if they would fit on the Blur, they're more square cut than the ones KC showed and may get too close to the exhaust. KC the NR bags have a neoprene pad on the inside against the plastic - I never noticed any scratching or scuffing on the Burgman.

With a more comfy seat I think the Blur would be an awesome solo tourer. My saddle is in the shop right now getting reshaped as a solo As soon as MrsBuzz gets comfortable on her Buddy for extended rides we'll be doing the weekend trip to the beach Genuine Style

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Wed May 27, 2009 3:39 am

I have the CL 550 saddlebags. I found them on eBay a while back very slightly used, so I got them (this was before I even had the Blur) for the Buddy, but they were too big. They're a little big on theBlur, but they work alright. I should try refitting them, I wasn't happy with they way they sat the last time I had them on. The nice thing is that they're very adjustable.

I agree completely, the Blur would be damn near perfect with a different seat. I'm raising mine in the front and dipping in the middle (as well as using a different foam to vary the firmness) so that it creates more of a saddle than a perch. The stock seat has a lot of slide forward, more than is necessary, especially without a tank to slide you forward into to to clamp on with your legs.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Wed May 27, 2009 1:15 pm

Lostmycage wrote: I agree completely, the Blur would be damn near perfect with a different seat. I'm raising mine in the front and dipping in the middle (as well as using a different foam to vary the firmness) so that it creates more of a saddle than a perch. The stock seat has a lot of slide forward, more than is necessary, especially without a tank to slide you forward into to to clamp on with your legs.

I sent mine to Pirate Upholstery for a Cafe Racer style rebuild. Basically moving the pillion hump back several inches and flattening/lengthining the drivers area. They cut out some of the original foam and added gel to bring it back up to original height. I should be getting it back soon - cant wait - I'll post pics as soon as I get it remounted.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:01 pm

I'll look forward to seeing that. Any chance you mind sharing what they quoted you for that work? Gel is a little hard to find, at least for me.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:31 pm

Lostmycage wrote:I'll look forward to seeing that. Any chance you mind sharing what they quoted you for that work? Gel is a little hard to find, at least for me.

sent you a PM - I'll definately be posting pics when I get it remounted. I'm thinking about cutting the windscreen down to finish the Cafe Racer look

Roninson · Post by **Roninson** » Wed May 27, 2009 6:14 pm

BeachBuzz wrote: I'm thinking about cutting the windscreen down to finish the Cafe Racer look

I just ordered the windshield myself, and after looking at it again, it does seem a bit tall. Though, I wonder if shaving it down will diminish its effectiveness.

Nice saddlebags - thinking of getting some for my commute.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Wed May 27, 2009 6:42 pm

The beauty of the Blur windshield is that it's adjustable. I have mine down as far on the posts as possible. I still gain some of the benefits of the windshield, but it allows a little more air around me for the warmer months. It's sort of like a "flyscreen" or whatever they call they low lying type of windshield.

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:01 pm

Lostmycage wrote:The beauty of the Blur windshield is that it's adjustable. I have mine down as far on the posts as possible. I still gain some of the benefits of the windshield, but it allows a little more air around me for the warmer months. It's sort of like a "flyscreen" or whatever they call they low lying type of windshield.

i slid mine down about a quarter inch, because i didn't think it would do much good, seeing as my chest is still above the windshield. i was wrong, it really makes a difference.

lost, does the wind buffet you at all in any region with whindshield all the way down?

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:27 pm

I don't get nearly as much buffeting as I did with it around mid post. The best experiences I've had were full up or full down. Even in the winter, though, I still like it full down. It just seems like a really solid compromise between having a wind shield and not. I could probably still duck behind it, but I don't duck.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:55 pm

I did not install the windshield myself and until this post just realized it's adjustable! I can't wait to play with it! Thanks.

Mine is full up, by the way. A little helmet buffeting, but not bad.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Wed May 27, 2009 11:47 pm

maybe I'll try dropping it before I cut it. I kept it on more for form than function, I think it balances the look nicely. That's why I considered trimming it - to make it more Cafe style to go with the seat mod. I didnt notice any appreciable change when I installed it other than more head buffeting, maybe it's up too high. I dont like that the back is so open - it sits too far from the plastic. I think that dampens the effect of throwing the wind over you. The Buddy WS fits much tighter to the headset.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:09 am

Try lowering it as far as it'll go. I don't get any helmet buffeting and the windshield is a lot more solid on there. Full up it tended to vibrate at speed - and I really don't like that, it amplifies the helmet buffeting because it creates a pulsing effect with the wind being alternately deflected and focused on the helmet area.

Here's two poorly lit shots that I just took (sorry for #2, I thought I could rotate it to the right position, but I seem to have not installed that application

). You can see how it affects the front and side silhouette of the Blur with the windshield in the lowest position.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:14 am

Lostmycage, I'm going to do that. The first time I rode with the windscreen at 55 the vibration in my field of vision triggered a panic attack. I learned to live with it.

I'm very excited about this!!! Modern Buddy is great!

(It really is the little things in life).

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:16 am

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I've hit 80 on this thing and it vibrates much less than it did at 45 in the high position, and it still managed to keep the majority of the wind off me. A 10mm box wrench should be all you need (maybe an allen wrench on the front - I forget if you need to loosen those). It'll seem like it's stuck it's current position, but a little gentle "persuasion" should help it shift down into place.

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:45 am

Lostmycage wrote:I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I've hit 80 on this thing and it vibrates much less than it did at 45 in the high position, and it still managed to keep the majority of the wind off me. A 10mm box wrench should be all you need (maybe an allen wrench on the front - I forget if you need to loosen those). It'll seem like it's stuck it's current position, but a little gentle "persuasion" should help it shift down into place.

hmmm...i may need to play with that. i haven't had an issue with the ws yet, but it does vibrate like mad...

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:46 am

btw, that pipe is hot! i dig the black stock gundam wing style pipe but man, if that were still available i might be pressed to buy that...

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:55 am

It matches the big-ass brake rotor (which matches the clutch drum). At one point I was planning on getting the best of both worlds by making a heat shield for the pipe with the same shape as the stock heat shield. That's pretty low on my list at the moment.... it's a long list.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Thu May 28, 2009 4:29 am

Lostmycage wrote:It matches the big-ass brake rotor (which matches the clutch drum). At one point I was planning on getting the best of both worlds by making a heat shield for the pipe with the same shape as the stock heat shield. That's pretty low on my list at the moment.... it's a long list.

Lowered the screen tonight. Didn't get a chance to ride, but I like the position. Thanks for the info.

By the way, did your pipe give you more top end or did it make you quicker off the line? Curious. By the way, does anyone make a cylinder kit for the Blur?

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu May 28, 2009 5:17 am

A hair more top end but a little less acceleration off the line (compensated by mid to high range acceleration). This was corrected with a little variator tuning after I got the jetting right. The max I could jet with the stock exhaust was about a 110, but it was a hair rich. The exhaust likes the 110 better, as it was no longer rich - but it pooped out with a 115 (rich backfire), so that's the limit with the stock (modified) airbox. To be completely honest, the difference was very minimal. I'm still a little sad about that. There may be some gains to be had from switching to a more open air intake (the exhaust is definitely more free-flowing but I'm not sure how much yet). That's still a work in progress. On the positive side, my bike starts first try every time and just plain purrs now. The stock exhaust is not the typical type; it makes jetting and tuning a little tricky because of the way it handles the exhaust flow.

Lots of people make kits for the Blur. It's got the "standard" 15mm wrist pin, so pretty much any kit out there works with the Blur. The downside is sorting through the junk.

Scooterworks has an NCY kit, several varieties, actually, but they're kinda pricey. From everything that I've gathered, we can go up to a 59mm bore jug. Beyond that, you have to machine out the case. The case opening is 63mm (per 2 reliable sources) so the outer diameter of a jug kit has to be able to slide into that. I've yet to get a measurement between the bolts on the stock case that would determine the maximum bore available. There's several kits out there that go up to 64.85mm (I'd be very weary of machining out the case more than that) that are 61 or 62mm bores. Lots of options, lots of pitfalls. Lots of money. I test what I can, but my "fun money" is limited by my more responsible wife.

There's some good resources for parts available to us, whether it's Scooterworks (expensive, but tested and proven on our bikes), KSPower (they're finishing up a Blur upgrade - a pretty heavy one at that, good prices, and very enthusiastic) or Buggypartsnw (honest merchant and very reasonable prices). There's also Ebay. You've got to ask a lot of questions. I've asked... so many... ugh! Then you've got to make up your mind! I'm incapable of doing that last part, but I think it's because there's still questions that I haven't asked that need answering. I'm extremely picky like that.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu May 28, 2009 5:18 am

Also, sorry for hijacking your thread. I really do like your luggage set-up!

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Thu May 28, 2009 3:47 pm

Lostmycage wrote:Also, sorry for hijacking your thread. I really do like your luggage set-up!

No, this is useful. I have kept my Blur pretty stock, but I'm thinking this winter I might start fooling around with it.

I'm sure I'll be contacting you and my fellow Blur Brethern with questions.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Thu May 28, 2009 6:19 pm

KCScooterDude wrote:
Lostmycage wrote:Also, sorry for hijacking your thread. I really do like your luggage set-up!
No, this is useful. I have kept my Blur pretty stock, but I'm thinking this winter I might start fooling around with it. I'm sure I'll be contacting you and my fellow Blur Brethern with questions.

all 10 of us

only 5 chiming in so far

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Thu May 28, 2009 6:30 pm

BeachBuzz wrote:
KCScooterDude wrote:
Lostmycage wrote:Also, sorry for hijacking your thread. I really do like your luggage set-up!
No, this is useful. I have kept my Blur pretty stock, but I'm thinking this winter I might start fooling around with it. I'm sure I'll be contacting you and my fellow Blur Brethern with questions.
all 10 of us

only 5 chiming in so far

If Genuine ever needs a testimonial, we're their people. I'll tell you, the Blur constantly amazes me. It just keeps me coming back to it. I bought a motorcycle, but I perfer the Blur. I think I'd like it in a 250, but then it would have to be a bit larger, which I'm not sure I'd like. I don't know. I think it's just about perfect. I also like the fact that it's rare. It did get a few looks at the Tornado Ralley. To be honest, I think people look at it and say 'what the heck is that' and might even think it's a Chinese bike, but when they see the Genuine logo they start asking questions. (I call it the Buddy's Bastard Brother). I love that Bastard!

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu May 28, 2009 6:50 pm

I love that poster! Do you guys ever think that if all 10 of us got together for a group photo it'd cause something silly, like the world to unmake itself? I felt a little queezy after I saw bluelighting's pic of the two Blur's together.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:20 pm

maybe we could get everyone to submit a similar pic and some one crafty with photoshop could pull us all together. some stock '06s & '07s along with the painted and modded ones. it would be pretty cool

there was a thread some time ago, when that poster first showed up, that we did a count and there werent many more than 10 as I recall

here it is

looks like near 30 at the time of this thread
topic3811.html

9 spoke up on this 'by zip code' thread
topic5253.html

should we do a recount

or just stay in the shadows

nobody else reads this forum right?

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:47 pm

hey i am down for a photoshoot...

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Fri May 29, 2009 2:12 am

Lostmycage wrote:I love that poster! Do you guys ever think that if all 10 of us got together for a group photo it'd cause something silly, like the world to unmake itself? I felt a little queezy after I saw bluelighting's pic of the two Blur's together.

A few months back I raised the idea of a Blur rally or ride. I'd be down. It's hard to find a time and place, of course. If somebody is interested, start a thread. I'm game. I'll go anywhere.

(We had talked about maybe Blue Ridge Parkway, and Chicago would be fun because I'm sure we could talk Genuine into a tour and maybe some swag).