I'm 15, 6'2", 180 lbs. I'll be on a minimum wage budget so I think i've decided on the blaster. Is this a good beginner's bike and is there anything I'll need to upgrade or modify from stock. Also is it close to Polaris Trailblazer speed or less? Thanks

 

Well, it looks like I'm going to be the opening gun in this never-ending debate so here goes: given your size and weight, you'd be pushing the limits of a bike designed for an ideal weight of up to 150 lbs and height of up to 5'10".
I know, I know, there are those over those figures who ride Blasters & swear by them, but those in the business, if they were honest, would tell you the same thing.
As to modification, like most sport quads, The Blaster has a whole range of upgrades available. The biggest fault with the stock bike is the poor brake system which relies on mechanical means rather than hydraulics, requiring more frequent adjustment. At your weight the suspension would certainly be taxed to the limit or beyond in any sort of vigorous riding. Just replacing these two items could be in the neighborhood of $1000, not to mention other performance-oriented additions.
The little Blaster is a great bike in the tight trails for a smaller rider as long as he keeps it on the pipe like any other 2 stroke, but I feel that you would be better served with a bike somewhat larger in size as well as displacement. As a Warrior owner I'm obviously not down on Yamaha,but trying to save you the expense of learning the hard lesson of buying a quad to fit a price instead of fitting you.

 

I ride a Blaster and love it. I'm 5'9" and 165lbs if I were any bigger I would look for a slightly larger quad to ride. Don't get me wrong the Blaster is a great machine but with your size and weight I would try to find a bigger machine maybee a good used quad, considering you are on a budget. Look at a 250x, 300EX, Warrior, or Mojave. These are all good quads that won't require mods. to have fun on considering you are on a budget, plus they won't make you look like an elephant riding an ant.

 

Both of the previous posts had good points but you both forgot to remember the guy is on min. wage salary. The Blasters are cheap in price, but for his size will have to mod.
I would go with the Trailblazer for now till your income is better. he did forget to mention whether
he is buying new or used and what kinda of min. wage budget he had.
I bought a trailblazer and put aftermarket pipe and pistons in it. I keep up with my friends 300 ex just fine on the trails.
Good luck with your choice and whatever it may be
I know you will be happy.

 

I'm 6' 185 pounds.

My blaster ran like it was crazy with me on it.

Although it blew up twice..oil injector once. And Head came loose the 2nd time(majorly my fault..)

 

A guy I go riding with is 6' 280lbs. And rides an '88 Blaster!!! No Joking. Of course he looks like one of those Shriners in a circus on a mini bike. He revs the ***** off that little quad and it keeps running. Says something for quality doesn't it.

 

I dont know about ur height but ur weight isnt too much. Im 5'9 210 and my blaster will fly with me on it. I have no trouble with the bigger bikes on an mx track with the exception of the 250R, and some banshees and 400ex's. I rode both the warrior and the blaster before i bought my blaster. I just liked the peppy motor of the blaster even though the stock warrior does have a little more top end and probably better suspension and definently brakes. Go see my site and u will see i have no trouble jumping it.

http://community-2.webtv.net/anthony1999x/AnthonysPage
If u have looked at it already, look at it again, i added a lot more pics.

 

First of all, I bought a new '98 Blaster for my wife. I bought it because she was small; about 5'2" and 120 Lbs. Anyway, All I can say is I sold it and she rides the Warrior now. The Balster has very stiff front shocks even with me on it (I weigh twice as much as the wife), the breaks suck, it is too short and narrow. That being said it always ran well and gave me no problems. It's a cheap quad and you get what you pay for. For your size go with a Warrior it will fit you much much better. The Balster is way too small for you. I realize you have a budget but why waste your hard earned cash on a quad that will not suit you?

Oh by the way. I personally wouldn't be caught dead on a Polaris of any type. I am not trying to offend Polaris owners. I respect the ingenuity and unique designs that go into the Polaris. My problem with them is their reliability. I ride enough to see what types of quads are always breaking down or people spend the whole weekend wrenching on. Polaris.

 

i just bought a 2001 blaster and i love it of course i am only 14 and is 5'7 and weigh about 135 so it is perfect for me and i pretty much think it is a one carb 200cc banshee and when the powerband hits and you can definatley tell when it does, it feels pretty awesome, but anyways you might feel a little bit more comfortable on a 300ex which you can find some good,cheap used ones at www.traderonline.com, maybe on a trailblazer which is mighty big and is the same price as a blaster you might feel more comfortable. my friend has a 99 trailblazer with a stage 1 kit by RCR and he keeps up with me. that is just my opinion