Disreguard...

[Lostmycage]

[edit]Can't do it... at least not yet. I'd of course love to have another scooter for touring purposes, but for around town, the Blur's an awesome traffic assault vehicle. [/edit]


So I hate, hate, hate to do this, but I'm letting the Blur go.

I've been handed a tough choice. My office is being moved to a location that means my commute (the whole reason I bought a scooter in the first place, even through the winter) is being extended by a large margin. I can either take the back way which runs on 45mph streets for about a 45 minute commute through stop and go traffic or hit the highway (an extremely scary proposition if you're on 2 wheels, let alone one that maxes out at 5 over the posted speed limit) which I could do the commute in about 20 minutes.

This is part of the reason that I've been on such a rampant modding path with the Blur. At one point I had it doing 80+ indicated on level ground, but the key part of that caused other problems (which is why I've never posted what got me to that speed!). I've gotten the Blur to do fantastically around town (I can beat damn near anything on the road to about 45mph) and it turns and stops better than anything I've ever ridden before. But it's just not going to get to the speed that I need it to (the 65mph road has traffic traveling at 75+).

My choices have been narrowed down to three options.

1) I could keep the Blur and get a motorcycle (where the motorcycle would be the main vehicle for commuting). The motorcyle would be a Suzuki V-Strom in either 650cc or 1000cc. There's no other motorcycle that interests me. The problem with that is that the Blur would not get a lot of attention. Actually, I'd probably rarely ride it except on the monthly group ride that my scooter club hosts. That would be a complete waste of the Blur. Plus it wouldn't make sense financially .

2) I could keep the Blur and drive my truck to work. This of course sucks. As mentioned above, the whole reason I got the scoot in the first place was to alleviate the weekly cost of gas, but in the process I've become infatuated with the freedom and thrills of riding. Hell, I was the crazy guy who made insulated chaps so that I could commute in 20 degree weather - that was a lot more fun than it sounds. The poor Blur never got a proper winter storage. Plus, it would stick me with a weekend only usage.

3) I can sell or trade in the Blur for a SYM Citycom 300i(I've been lusting after this scooter since last fall when I test rode it fresh at the dealership). Well, either that or the SYM HD200. Both models are quite nice, but the Citycom edges out for a few reasons. It's got a better seat for 1 or 2-up riding. In stock form it'll do 80mph and it'll get 80+mpg (no way in hell I believe it gets the speced 91mpg, at least not with realistic conditions - I don't ride at 25mph unless I'm in a parking lot, lol). Ever since we got hit (unfortunately she was riding cupcake at the time) she won't ride solo - which is why we sold the Buddy in the first place.

Option 1 and 2 just suck. I like riding to work. Sure the traffic sucks and inclement weather's a downer, but I still love it. Option 3 looks like the best solution on many levels. When we first got the Buddy, the plan was that she'd end up with that once we got a second scooter and she was comfortable with the Buddy. She's had no interest in riding since we got hit. I got back on the Buddy in the same week - my defiant stance against the forces of the universe, or at least against the @#%@#& drivers around RVA. Truth is I still enjoyed it and she didn't. She still likes riding with me - but that's not comfy on either the Buddy or the Blur - at least not the distances that I like to ride. So the Citycom wins out (Genuine has nothing in this range yet and my needs are much more immediate). So option 3 is drowning out the competition.

So it looks like I'm not going to be on a Genuine bike any more. I doesn't make sense to have two scooters that handle the same, which the Citycom did when I test rode it. It really is like a bigger version of the Blur. It sucks to have to let go of the Blur, but my wife won't let me keep it and get another scooter (especially one as expensive as the Citycom). She'd be wiling to slide on keeping the Blur if I were to get a motorcycle, but the Blur would get such little use it'd practically be abuse. And I don't want to use a motorcycle to commute with because I love not having to shift in stop and go traffic.

I wish we had the money to keep it and turn it into a wicked machine, but there's not even a track to enjoy it on around here.

I've pretty much made up my mind at this point. I hate to see the Blur go, but as long as it ends up being appreciated, I'll rest plenty easy. I'd rather it be ridden properly by someone who will appreciate it. I'd also like to be close enough to give them a healthy ration of crap if they let it sit

I don't plan on leaving MB at all. In fact, I really hope to inspire some confidence in my wife so that maybe next year she'll be interested in a Buddy. I'm kinda looking longingly at the 4T Stella (hell, even the 2T would be fun to putt around on).

So that's that.


[edit] I want to keep a small frame scoot around and it doesn't make much sense to get another, only to upgrade and empty my wallet on it when I already have a pretty good starter platform... Plus, Krustyburger made me this fancy avatar and everything.... So yeah, I'm gonna hang onto it for a little while longer. I might get a supplemental bike for touring in the very near future or something, but I'm going to keep Voodooing my Blur till it blows up or hits the sound barrier)[/edit]

[bluelghtning]

Good luck man.

You are in the same boat I am. My commute went from 7 miles day round trip to 100/day back in April. On my new commute, I have the option of jumping on the interstate or taking nice back roads. Its shorter on the back roads, but takes about 15mins longer. Its 45mins in the interstate vs 60mins on backroads. I rode the Blur one time (mine is stock) and for the most part I was okay, but there was one highway with a 55mph speed limit that I'm on for quite a while where I was holding people up hill.

I commute now on my 2007 Vstrom 650 on the back roads most of the time. Its a great commute bike, but I really do miss a scooter. I'm able to pull 53-54mpg most times on the strom. I've thought about upgrading to an HD200 or something else a little bigger also, but I have a ton of bikes to ride too.

[BeachBuzz]

QUITTER

that sucks bro - you know how much you're gonna miss the Blur - until you start riding that Sym 300i. It looks like a sweet ride, kinda like a bigger cousin of the Blur. Ride what makes you happy - things change and so do our needs, that's why I started collecting

[Lostmycage]

Yeah I know

I really wish we had both the room and money to keep it, but it's just one of those things that doesn't make sense, especially in the monetary department. Hell, I could make space, lol.

[fs8gbe]

that blows. i can understand the attraction to higher cc sym bikes though.

just fyi i drive 55-65 minutes one way for my commute. it does get old though. and i don't have to go into the office everyday and i can work from home so i guess that evens it out.

post pics once you get the sym!

[GFridrich3]

Best of luck whatever you decide to do. I found that after buying my motorcycle (Suzuki M50) I never rode the Blur anymore. Even for just around town jaunts, the bigger bike always won the "pick me" battle.

My personal opinion is to get what you are most comfortable on. If its a scooter you really want with its easy no shifting riding, then go bigger. Otherwise, if you dont mind shifting go for the v-strom, you wont regret it.

[Lostmycage]

Well, I'm definitely going to stay on a scooter. The plan is to coax my wife into getting comfortable enough on them so that next spring she'll want her own. We'll try to swing a V-Strom either in the fall or winter if the righ deal comes along. But for now we need a scooter that can hold the two of us more comfortably for that plan to even work.

Unfortunately, there's a little bit of a hiccup in the original plan. I was going to trade it in, so as to avoid the tire-kickers on craigslist, but it's looking like that's a no-go. They have offered to let me keep it up there so that they can show it during the day (when I'm at work) so that's pretty cool. Then again, they're pretty cool people up there.

Thing is, I've not idea what to charge or what to include. Any advice from fellow Blurers?

It's an 06 with 5648 miles on it.

I've got the rear rack, windshield, Nautilus horn, brake light modulator, NCY 260mm front brake rotor and better grips installed. I've stripped all the performance parts off of it, and the carb's been rejetted so that it's set for use with the stock exhaust again. It was switched to Mobil 1 Synthetic (motor and gearbox) Always ridden hard, but meticulously cared for. It was of course involved in a hit and run which bent the forks. It was stripped to the frame and there was no damage other than the plastics and the forks. All the plastics have been replaced (with the exception of one lower fairing on the left side) and the forks of course were replaced. The brake levers have a few scuffs on them as well, as I was going to replace them with non stock, but never got around to it.

In the parts bin is a Dr Pulley variator, The NCY CVT Kit, an extra "performance" driven pulley set, various slider and roller weights, 2 different performance CDI's, Prima exhaust, A spare set of Orange plastics (and rear grab bar) and black stock wheels (it's currently got black plastics and orange wheels), an extra seat (never did get around to reshaping and re-padding the seat, but I did manage to find the right shape - but then I got lazy and just sat on that on top of the mounted seat, lol). Well, that's all the stuff I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure there's more (misc springs etc).

I spent about 2 hours or so last night taking all the performance stuff off since I was told it wouldn't effect (and might actually hurt it's selling in the shop as either a trade in or consignment).

I don't mind including some of it in the sale, but I'm not sure how much to include. That and I'm positive that someone not familiar with the Blur would even care or know what the stuff is.

What do you guys think? Sell it in a giant package or scoot and parts separately? What do you think I should include? Hell, I don't even know what it's worth, lol.

[BeachBuzz]

Sell it as is with full disclosure, cause chances are a buyer will show up from this board or will end up here eventually. When you communicate with any potential buyer offer them the extras at reasonable prices to sweeten the deal for both of you if they're interested. Post any leftovers for sale here and start the process on your new scoot.

I would be interested in chatting with you offline about the performance parts you have leftover - particularly the pipe, variator and CVT kit. And of course your expertise and installation guidance

[Kaos]

I still think you just mod the Blur out more and ride it I do 50 miles round trip on my Buddy every single day....

Good luck on whichever you do. Who knows, we might see the first Voodoo Citycom

[KCScooterDude]

Have you ridden a Yamaha Majesty 400? Nice Euro styling and quick as all get out. The pet carrier is as big as 737 overhead bin. I say this because it's only a bit more expensive than a Citycom, (well $600) and of course you can find some pretty good deals on a used one.

If I was forced by the wife to have one bike, this would be it. I've talked to a few owners and they rave about how comfortable it is on long rides. You might find it gets you out of the elements on cold days better too. If I remember, they make add on air deflectors and heated grips plug directly into the wiring harness. Might be thinking of the Burgman 400, though.

I don't think I've ever gone 0-70 on anything quicker, including several motorcyles I've ridden.

[KCScooterDude]

Yeah I know

I really wish we had both the room and money to keep it, but it's just one of those things that doesn't make sense, especially in the monetary department. Hell, I could make space, lol.

FYI, if you like to tinker, and I think you, do, have you considered finding an old bike? MY 1981 GS550L cost me $425. Only thing wrong with it: Needed the fluids drained and replaced, carbs cleaned and a gas leak fixed.

We've got a group around here of about 11 guys who have these GS bikes: 425, 550, 650, 850, 1000 and 1100. They are bullet proof, cheap to run and parts are easy to find (www.thegsresources.com). The really cool thing is you can fit a Vetter fairing to them easy. Hell of a commuter bike for well under $1k.

Also, buy a bike that old, doll it up and start winning awards at VJMC events. (www.vjmc.org).

Just a thought. Personally, I always seem to go back to the scoot for around town stuff. Love the bike, but TNG is just so easy!

[Lostmycage]

OK, so I guess I haven't been super motivated to sell the Blur. Turns out I really need not be. The retarded company that I work for (that's moving our office) pushed back the move date to September (after pushing it back half a month). Keep in mind that this is the same company that has been talking about this same move since a year and a half ago. They call it "Matrix Management". Basically it equates to 5 managers, who are underqualified and even less clued in, per actual productive employee. The managers tend to sit at tables, talk about... pretty much anything but relevant topics (lunch is a 4 hour process at my office, they spend 1 hour deciding what to get, 1 hour ordering, 1 hour waiting and 1 hour eating.... they take "breaks" from this process too. I brown bag it and lunch is a 15 minute process for me).

OK, ranting aside it looks like I'm not really in a hurry to get rid of the Blur. We'll see if there's anything to tempt me into keeping it. I am considering getting a Maxiscooter for 2-up jaunts, and devoting the Blur to just me (complete with 1 person focused seat with a more shelf like cushion behind to facilitate strapping things too). That means I could basically trick it out to my hearts content. Riding around with a stock bike again has been kind of refreshing. I'd not paid as much attention to the handling lately because I was so focused on trying to make it faster. It's like cheating on my Blur, with my Blur.

We'll see what happens, I guess. Either way, I'll still be 'round.

[ScootVet]

Would luv to see pics of a custom seat redo. That damn riser gets so annoying with 1+ hour in the saddle.

[Lostmycage]

topic11248.html#145181

Beachbuzz has the best so far

[BeachBuzz]

topic11248.html#145181

Beachbuzz has the best so far

grambow has a stock seat mod that looks like it would be more comfy than stock without the full blown rebuild.
topic11046.html

[KCScooterDude]

So I hate, hate, hate to do this, but I'm letting the Blur go.

I've been handed a tough choice. My office is being moved to a location that means my commute (the whole reason I bought a scooter in the first place, even through the winter) is being extended by a large margin. I can either take the back way which runs on 45mph streets for about a 45 minute commute through stop and go traffic or hit the highway (an extremely scary proposition if you're on 2 wheels, let alone one that maxes out at 5 over the posted speed limit) which I could do the commute in about 20 minutes.

This is part of the reason that I've been on such a rampant modding path with the Blur. At one point I had it doing 80+ indicated on level ground, but the key part of that caused other problems (which is why I've never posted what got me to that speed!). I've gotten the Blur to do fantastically around town (I can beat damn near anything on the road to about 45mph) and it turns and stops better than anything I've ever ridden before. But it's just not going to get to the speed that I need it to (the 65mph road has traffic traveling at 75+).

My choices have been narrowed down to three options.

1) I could keep the Blur and get a motorcycle (where the motorcycle would be the main vehicle for commuting). The motorcyle would be a Suzuki V-Strom in either 650cc or 1000cc. There's no other motorcycle that interests me. The problem with that is that the Blur would not get a lot of attention. Actually, I'd probably rarely ride it except on the monthly group ride that my scooter club hosts. That would be a complete waste of the Blur. Plus it wouldn't make sense financially .

2) I could keep the Blur and drive my truck to work. This of course sucks. As mentioned above, the whole reason I got the scoot in the first place was to alleviate the weekly cost of gas, but in the process I've become infatuated with the freedom and thrills of riding. Hell, I was the crazy guy who made insulated chaps so that I could commute in 20 degree weather - that was a lot more fun than it sounds. The poor Blur never got a proper winter storage. Plus, it would stick me with a weekend only usage.

3) I can sell or trade in the Blur for a SYM Citycom 300i(I've been lusting after this scooter since last fall when I test rode it fresh at the dealership). Well, either that or the SYM HD200. Both models are quite nice, but the Citycom edges out for a few reasons. It's got a better seat for 1 or 2-up riding. In stock form it'll do 80mph and it'll get 80+mpg (no way in hell I believe it gets the speced 91mpg, at least not with realistic conditions - I don't ride at 25mph unless I'm in a parking lot, lol). Ever since we got hit (unfortunately she was riding cupcake at the time) she won't ride solo - which is why we sold the Buddy in the first place.

Option 1 and 2 just suck. I like riding to work. Sure the traffic sucks and inclement weather's a downer, but I still love it. Option 3 looks like the best solution on many levels. When we first got the Buddy, the plan was that she'd end up with that once we got a second scooter and she was comfortable with the Buddy. She's had no interest in riding since we got hit. I got back on the Buddy in the same week - my defiant stance against the forces of the universe, or at least against the @#%@#& drivers around RVA. Truth is I still enjoyed it and she didn't. She still likes riding with me - but that's not comfy on either the Buddy or the Blur - at least not the distances that I like to ride. So the Citycom wins out (Genuine has nothing in this range yet and my needs are much more immediate). So option 3 is drowning out the competition.

So it looks like I'm not going to be on a Genuine bike any more. I doesn't make sense to have two scooters that handle the same, which the Citycom did when I test rode it. It really is like a bigger version of the Blur. It sucks to have to let go of the Blur, but my wife won't let me keep it and get another scooter (especially one as expensive as the Citycom). She'd be wiling to slide on keeping the Blur if I were to get a motorcycle, but the Blur would get such little use it'd practically be abuse. And I don't want to use a motorcycle to commute with because I love not having to shift in stop and go traffic.

I wish we had the money to keep it and turn it into a wicked machine, but there's not even a track to enjoy it on around here.

I've pretty much made up my mind at this point. I hate to see the Blur go, but as long as it ends up being appreciated, I'll rest plenty easy. I'd rather it be ridden properly by someone who will appreciate it. I'd also like to be close enough to give them a healthy ration of crap if they let it sit

I don't plan on leaving MB at all. In fact, I really hope to inspire some confidence in my wife so that maybe next year she'll be interested in a Buddy. I'm kinda looking longingly at the 4T Stella (hell, even the 2T would be fun to putt around on).

So that's that.

Do you have a list/thread with your mods. I'm want to do some work over the winter. I've seen bits here and there of what you've done, but I wonder if you have a definitive list?

Have you done anything with the lighting. I really like the SYM bikes and their lighting, which I think would draw less power. I wonder if there are some upgrades for the Blur.

Thanks.

[blurblaine]

whether you finally upgrade or not ... i have also been thinking SYM for a 2nd scooter and really like the RV250 ... even over their bigger displacement options. i won't get rid of my blur, but would like a bigger more powerful scoot for cruising with my wife...

[KCScooterDude]

whether you finally upgrade or not ... i have also been thinking SYM for a 2nd scooter and really like the RV250 ... even over their bigger displacement options. i won't get rid of my blur, but would like a bigger more powerful scoot for cruising with my wife...

I am tempted by the RV250. I love the cup holders!!!

[Lostmycage]

Lol, cupholders. I looked at those and they'd be great... when you're parked.

I think the RV250 would be a great secondary scoot, but I don't think it would be able to handle like the Blur. I was looking at the Citycom as an all-in-one solution, but I'm starting to realize that I really want two. I'm actually having a fair amount of luck convincing my wife of that as well - which is friggin' awesome.

But I'd never have an RV250 as an only bike.

[fs8gbe]

i think if i could get a 2nd bike, i'd get another red headed step child and go with the yamaha morphous. it just looks like duck dodgers should be driving that thing.

[Lostmycage]

i think if i could get a 2nd bike, i'd get another red headed step child and go with the yamaha morphous. it just looks like duck dodgers should be driving that thing.

It really does! You hit that nail on the head.... I always though it needed a couple of those Flash Gordon rayguns mounted to the side of it, but I think Duck Dodgers is way more fitting.

[KCScooterDude]

Lol, cupholders. I looked at those and they'd be great... when you're parked.

I think the RV250 would be a great secondary scoot, but I don't think it would be able to handle like the Blur. I was looking at the Citycom as an all-in-one solution, but I'm starting to realize that I really want two. I'm actually having a fair amount of luck convincing my wife of that as well - which is friggin' awesome.

But I'd never have an RV250 as an only bike.

Whenever I think about having just one scoot, I realize you have to compromise too much. When you get too far north of 150cc, you are really closer to an automatic motorcycle than the things we love about scooters. If there is any size that comes close to a good compromise it's the 250cc, though, especially a scooter like the Vespa GTS. I would want to have a smaller bike though.

I like the RV250 as a commuter. For what I have to do I think it makes more sense to add a bigger bike, like a Majesty 400.

Then again, I get on the Blur and I love it so much I figure, why fool with perfection. (Well, 95 percent perfection).

[Lostmycage]

Whenever I think about having just one scoot, I realize you have to compromise too much. When you get too far north of 150cc, you are really closer to an automatic motorcycle than the things we love about scooters. If there is any size that comes close to a good compromise it's the 250cc, though, especially a scooter like the Vespa GTS. I would want to have a smaller bike though.

I like the RV250 as a commuter. For what I have to do I think it makes more sense to add a bigger bike, like a Majesty 400.

Then again, I get on the Blur and I love it so much I figure, why fool with perfection. (Well, 95 percent perfection).

You're pretty much dead on. Actually, it's one of the most solid arguments for keeping the Blur that I've come across. That's why I've decided to improve on it instead, at least for the time being.

I work for a retarded tech company who can't settle on a deadline, so I've got some time to spare. The current deadline is September as opposed to about a week from now. I honestly should have known better. If they follow their current plan, their layout will probably send me looking at the job market within two weeks of the move-in date (they want to put me next to a useless resource waste that they call an employee).

That's all fine and well. I can commute to the new place on the Blur using back roads, and I make my own schedule, so I guess all that is unimportant. I still want to carry the wife along a lot more. I enjoy riding so much that it's become an obsession. I really want to share that with her, so we've got to find a "tourer" bike (scoot or MC, don't care) so we can enjoy that together. As it stands now, we've got some funds set aside for whatever might come along (definitely on the used market) so that we can do things like the weekend tour of our state, etc.

As it stands now, the options are still in the air, but I'm going to keep the Blur for a while longer. I think it's got a lot left to give me and I fully intend to take advantage of what it does have left, and probably more

So..... Disregard.