| Author |
Message |
    
Speedstar
| | Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 09:18 pm: | 
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Thanks for the write-up Chad. I would love to hear one of these in person. I don't like them too loud but I want just a little more than the stocker. The benefits that you pointed out all sound ideal. |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Saturday, March 04, 2006 - 09:59 pm: |
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I know you've all heard a Harley rumbling down the road. That's pretty much what the race muffler sounds like. The classic Harley sound.
I did about 125 miles today, and BOY I can't believe how much smoother the engine runs with the race kit. I rarely ever used 5th gear prior to the race kit. Only time I used it was on the interstate or major highway. Had to be running about 70mph. Anything under that in 5th gear caused the bike to have a lean surge that was uncomfortable. Now I can short shift up the 5th no problem. The bike runs good even at 2000rpm. Not that I'd run it there, because lugging the motor is not good, but it's amazing the difference.
I entered a corner today in too high a gear. RPMs came down to about 2500, and I rolled on. The engine pulled smoothly without protest.
I'm not a big fan of the extra noise, but it's a fair trade off in what you get from a "feel" standpoint. I'm still wondering about fuel mileage. At 125 miles, the low fuel light hasn't come on yet. If I get a chance tomorrow, I'll try to finish the tank off and see what I get.
Don't be fooled by the dyno charts that show a dip in the low end torque. I haven't felt it. Even top gear roll ons are no problem. Doesn't feel substantially faster to me either...just much better running. Smoother. Better throttle response. And if you're into it...a big booming exhaust note. |
Eor
| | Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 02:32 am: |
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Thats sounds encouraging. I too am really not interested in additional speed or power...Id just like the engine to run better in that 2500-3500 RPM range where it seems to stumble and struggle a bit.
I have made a similar observation regarding 5th gear, but mine sure runs well in 4th at that speed.
I've got a few days to make up my mind before it goes to the dealer for scheduled service....decisions, decisions.
I sure wish I could hear yours....I'm not a big fan of "loud" and am afraid I'd end up returning the bike to stock like I did the CityX. |
Opto
| | Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 05:44 am: |
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I find my Uly pretty disappointing in rideability at low rpm compared with my 04XB12S which has a non-standard fuel injection system. It's more than likely that Al from American Sportbike could reprogram the stock ecm for a stock (or non-stock) Uly and give much better rideability for cheaper than a new ecm. Just a thought.
Edit - Better running, smoother, better throttle response could be achieved quite easily with the Direct Link software, the Buell passing EPA regulations was done at the cost of running the engine on the lean side, but in the end Buell have done us a favor as we still have a basic simple motorcycle engine that can now be tuned and modified and doesn't have catalytic converter etc. The mpg may increase with the throttle applied, but I feel a reprogrammed ecm would do similar mpg in tour mode.
(Message edited by opto on March 05, 2006) |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 08:53 pm: |
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I would like to retract my earlier statement saying the race muffler is loud.
It IS loud when you're on the bike...but I let a couple of friends ride the bike today. Once they got about 50 yards away, I could barely hear the bike anymore. I didn't sound loud at all, even when they were getting on it.
I can't explain why it sounds so loud when you're riding it. Maybe it's due to the under engine muffler layout?? Who knows?
But the race exhaust is not loud when you aren't on the bike. I don't think it would disturb your neighbors or draw the attention of the cops. Sort of a best of both worlds thing. Loud to the rider, but not to anyone else.
Wierd.... |
Lowflyer
| | Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 10:18 pm: |
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Dammit Chad, now I want a race kit.   |
Snub13
| | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 10:40 am: |
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OK, let me modify my post on the "to do list" thread.
5) add race kit.
6) add more beer.
 |
Stevenknapp
| | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 12:40 pm: |
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Dammit Chad, now I want a race kit.
Exactly.
:P |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 01:46 pm: |
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I kept wondering why I wasn't getting the typical angry looks for the general public when I was riding the race kitted bike. When I'm on my Ducati, I get lots of scowls from other motorists, while fellow motorcyclists turn to look at what bike is making all that noise. I got neither when on the race kitted Buell.
Looks like a "win-win" situation with the race it. |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 02:24 pm: |
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One more thing I forgot to add.
I ran my first tank of fuel though with the race kit installed. Got 156 miles to the low fuel light. I refilled and calculated that I'd got 43mpg. That's with a mixture of highway and backroad riding. I wasn't as aggressive on this tank as I usually am, so I suspect to see a drop when I'm hammering the bike.
I think the fact that I don't have to rev the pee out of the bike to keep it running smoothly now will help offset the increased fuel usage when I do run it hard. |
Fubar
| | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 03:55 pm: |
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What does this install do the the warranty coverage? Any different if it is dealer installed?
fubar |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 05:14 pm: |
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I think that has been a source of debate. If the dealer decides that the race kit has done the damage, they can legally void that warranty claim. I don't think it voids the entire warranty on the bike.
Obviously if you have a bad wheel bearing, then the race kit has nothing to do with that. But if your race muffler falls off because you didn't tighten down the mounting straps...that's not going to be a warranty claim. |
Fubar
| | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 05:48 pm: |
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Yeah. Most states have laws that make the blanket voiding of warranties illegal.
I am more worried about what happens then the motor grenades. What's the o-fish-ul line from the Mo-Co? |
Lowflyer
| | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 07:14 pm: |
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I am wondering if the race kit was ever included in the HALT testing of the motor. |
Fubar
| | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 07:23 pm: |
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Kinda my point. I don't want to negatively affect reliability *or* void the warranty. |
Thunderbox
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 08:14 am: |
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If putting on the race kit that may give you another 6 HP at 6000RPM is going to effect reliability then the engine is no frigging good anyway. There is no way in hell that getting that small amount of extra HP is going to cause a problem. Also consider the lower HP you get at lower RPM with the race kit and you probably will see longer engine life if anything. |
Brat
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 10:40 am: |
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I had my racekit fitted by a dealer, warranty still intact! |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 10:54 am: |
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My butt dyno is not as accurate as a real one, but I can tell you I felt no substantial increase in top end power. I also felt no decrease in the low end. In fact, it runs so much better in the low RPM range than it used to, I ride at 2500-3000 when cruising versus the 3000-4000 with the stock setup.
I suspect that the "Race Kit" is nothing more than the proper state of tune for the engine. The power dip you see in the dyno is most likely from the richening of the A/F ratio in that area. Remember, a lean (not overly lean) engine will make more power, but also create more heat and can be bad for the engine. It's an old hot rodders trick to pack the air intake with dry ice to get a more dense air charge.
This is an aircooled motor that is meeting pretty strict emissions standards (even in California). It's mapped lean in the "cruising range". The whole "race kit" thing is a marketing ploy. Yes, you can have the race ECU remapped and add a Micron full system to get real power gains, but the factory race kit pretty much keeps the stock config with a proper A/F map.
Just my .02 worth. It's the way the bike should come from the factory. I think I read somewhere that it does add some HP...but I've not strapped it to a dyno yet, and have no baseline to compare it to.
As far as reliability, I feel that it's going to add to the reliability of the engine, not take from it. Anytime you get rid of a lean condition, that's good for the motor.
(Message edited by chadhargis on March 07, 2006) |
Gamdh
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 04:09 pm: |
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Chad/Daves
I asked my local HD/Buell dealer about the race kit... they are confused. Can you tell me the part number you used for the race kit?
Thanks |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 04:59 pm: |
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I'm sure Daves can help you...Give him a credit card number and he'll ship one to you....at a discount no less! What a guy!  |
Gamdh
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 05:19 pm: |
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Of course I have to echo Lowflyer's comments.... dammit..now I want a race kit!!
After looking at your write up.. it does look like something I could do. My real issue is that I don't have a laptop right now do the TPS reset and if I buy one.. I'd have to buy a decent one and don't want to spend another $1500 on top of the race kit.. at least right now. So, I figured I'd let the dealer do the 1K service and put the race kit on at the same time.
or....maybe I just give in to temptation and get everything I need.. they are on the list anyway...
Thanks |
Smcnamara
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 05:24 pm: |
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Do we have any confirmation that the PDA version of the TPS reset software is buggy? If it's stable, you can get an old Palm for very little money... |
Lovehamr
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 06:45 pm: |
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Chad,
"I suspect that the "Race Kit" is nothing more than the proper state of tune for the engine."
My thoughts exactly.
Steve |
Bunny
| | Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 11:53 am: |
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Chad-
Did you use race kit part #82004-03Y? |
Chadhargis
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 09:48 pm: |
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Honestly I don't know the part number. I'd have to go look at the box. I just called Daves and asked him to send me the race kit. He knew what I needed. |
