| Author | Message | ||
     Conchop |
After a crash 2.5 years ago, I'm just like the Gene Autrey song - Back in the saddle again. I bought an 08 Uly and I'm slowly re-learning all of it. I was a Victory dealer and still maintain a web page called consolidatedchopper.com - my claim to fame is the wvsuperchip. So I know a little bit about tuning in a bike. I have a few questions and I would appreciate your inputs. I understand the Drummer is the best pipe for the bike. Is it too loud or about right? Any quality issues? Does the race ecm ruin the fuel economy? Does the race ecm ease up the low rpm vibration? Are there any other "budget tricks" out there? Is there any bar weight available for the Uly with the handgaurds? Are there any other heavier springs or aftermarket shocks with heavier springs? I'm a big ol boy and I look like donkey-kong went 4 a spin when I'm on the bike. I know once momma gets on, there will be an "issue". PS - I've put nitrogen in the tires - they seem to be happier. So far I'm luvin this hack! I live in the mountains and the bike flys over the ruff roads with ease. Very good blend of old school motor with contemporary suspension tech. The styling leaves a little to be desired. 300 miles so far Thanx 4 your time and info. | ||
| Froggy |
Welcome, i'll take a stab at some of the questions "I understand the Drummer is the best pipe for the bike. Is it too loud or about right? Any quality issues? " There is no real "best" pipe. All of them have their pros and cons. Read the American Sportbike shootout, they dynoed the popular pipes on both a XB12 and XB9 to give a better idea of what to expect from each pipe. ftp://ftp.americansportbike.com/outgoing/XB_Exhaus t_Shootout_Test_Report.zip "Does the race ecm ruin the fuel economy? Does the race ecm ease up the low rpm vibration? " I saw next to no MPG decrease when i switched to the race ecm on my 06, and low RPMs did improve a bit. Part of the reason for the horrible low speed performace is because of how lean the bike needs to run to meet EPA requirements. "Are there any other "budget tricks" out there?" Get the Aprillia Turono mirrors, its $38.50 for a pair from a dealer, and there is a night and day difference. "Is there any bar weight available for the Uly with the handgaurds?" I believe the HVMP weights can be used with the hand guards I can't comment on the suspension stuff, so stick around till someone with a bit more meat on the bones comes by  | ||
| Uly1080 |
Welcome aboard Uncle D. I knew you'd pop up eventually. This site is chopped full of great info and even better people. Keep in touch and we'll set up a ride. Josh | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
There are a few things you might try. If you have the ECM Spy software, you can tune the existing ECM to your liking. If you've got access to a dyno, Bob's your uncle. I have the Race ECM with Race Pipe and really like it. The new ECM did smooth out some of the low end, but I still had a flat spot in the middle that would appear until about 4,000 and then "hit". I bought the 07 airbox to increase airflow. It removed the flat spot. I am assuming that the 08 already has that, though. Easy mods include bridging the front headlights to allow both to come on at the same time and fitting a 194 bulb into the center plug location in your headlight assembly. You may want to check out Traxxion Dynamics (http://www.traxxion.com/store/product_pages/produc ts.shock.asp), GMD Computrack (http://www.gmdcomputrack.com/), or Trackside Engineering (https://www.tracksideengineering.com/ecommerce/cat alog_ms2.2/) to get your suspension reworked. Any of these can assist in designing a custom suspension for you. Welcome to the BadWeb. What I would recommend is lurking around in BB&D and reading the profiles of those who are running around there. Most have their modifications listed and would be happy to provide you with any information you might need. You couldn't have picked a better bike! | ||
| Maximum |
I have used the stock pipe, the race pipe, and the Drummer. They are all good, just different. I liked the top end of the race pipe and ecm, and saw no change in fuel mileage. Then I went to the Drummer, and really liked how the bike performed in the 2000-3000 rpm range (it was actually pretty good across most of the rpm range), and again the fuel mileage with the race ecm was about the same. I had a little too much backfire (lean condition) with the stock ecm and map. It liked the sound of the race pipe but liked the tone of the Drummer even more. But the Drummer was noticeably louder than stock pipe. The sound volume of the race pipe was about right in the middle of the stock and Drummer. I always (95% of the time) ride with earplugs (actually in ear monitors for listening to XM radio), therefore I really didn't hear any of the pipes that much when I was riding. I finally went back to the stock pipe because I felt like the ride was smoother at highway speeds and since I couldn't enjoy the tone of the Drummer with earplugs anyway. I believe the added rumble of the louder pipes also adds additional vibrations. I may go back and try the others again when I am bored. I wish that I had a pipe with the tone of the Drummer (only less volume), the low end of the Drummer, the high end of the Race pipe, and the smoothness of the stock at highway speeds. I'm sure that you are now totally confused...so...I'm glad I could help!  | ||
| Conchop |
Thanx for the info guys. Josh - see u soon! Ft bstrd - can you tell me more about bridging the headlights and the bulb. I was going to install silverstars if the nite riding wasn't bright enough. If the pipes induce more vibes then I'm not a player. Its been my experience with my chips that you can ease up the vibes on the bottom with more power. 30 plus years of drag pipes is enough! BUT - there is a lot to be said about the increase in power you can get from a properly tuned pipe. The relentless pursuit of perfection is afoot! Thanks again y'all! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Take a look at this link: http://www.buelletinboard.com/forums/showthread.ph p?t=810&highlight=headlight The way the wiring is currently set up, when you switch on your high beam, your low beam goes out. You can bridge the connection with an "always on" hot lead and circumvent this portion of the wiring. I actually did an HID mod, that I really like: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/233088.html | ||
| Bertotti |
I have the extra heavy weights from HVMP they are nice and do work with the hand guards. http://www.hvmp.com/universal.htm sevn pages of goodies. I did the rss and will be doing the xb9 primary swap this winter and I also did the stick on mylar heated grips. http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-catshow/XB12X.html (Message edited by bertotti on November 23, 2007) | ||
| Etennuly |
Conchop, You asked about a two up situation. Did you find that jacking screw for the rear shock? Just crank'er all the way up for a load. I am about two forty and my son is around two sixty. This thing hauls us and all three bags totin' about fifty lbs each. My wife and eldest daughter like to ride also and I'm not privy to their weights, but trust me, just jack it all of the way up(twenty clicks) and test ride it.  Just so you know. I stand at the front of the bike and hold the bars, it is on level pavement or hard pack on the side stand. I have the wife, or other, get on like they own it, and then they slide back and I lift my foot over in front of her, him, them. Being just north of fifty I sometimes have to manually lift my foot and leg over. Have ridden many miles two up as such. You will feel some engine vibrations in a pull because you will nearly max out the rubber mounts. You might also feel a grinding vibration as you ride through a short dip, this is also a normal thing. It seems to be from a temporary hard loading of the motor mounts as the entire load maxes out everything for a second. I find that it is best to stop about every eighty miles or so for a stretch for you and your passenger. When I ride by myself I have done many 700+ mile days, usually only stopping when I need gas. And locally I ride 300 to 400 miles on a weekend jaunt without comfort stops, but loaded heavy, two up frequent stops are necessary. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
Some guys are "tinkerers" and like to change things just to change things...I am happy with the stock exhaust and the 07 air box. I tried and aftermarket pipe and it was too loud and did not help the bike, it actually seemed to hurt the mid range...save your money for a nice trip. | ||
| Pso |
Froggy or anyone-Where can I order the Arpilla mirrors for around $40 a pair. thanks | ||
| Conchop |
etennuly - you nailed it - I adjusted the suspension for my weight and set the dampers with the extra reduction for temp. I am also in my 50's and me and momma haul in as much tonage as you and your son [maybe a bit more]. The vibration that came through was a bit un-nerving at first. I stopped to adjust the rear spring to the max and that helped. I think I can tighten up the dampers a bit more and live with it. We'll see. I stop every 100 miles for gas and a puff anyway. This is an easy bike to stay on. We plan on touring with it, but I don't want to dammage the bike. From what I'm reading, the damn thing sounds like it will take a pounding. Thanx. | ||
| Froggy |
Mirror part numbers: #AP8104921 #AP8104922 Give your local Aprilia dealer a ring. Some people have reported that their dealer wanted $80 for the pair, so call around. | ||
| Uly1080 |
I believe americansportbike.com recently lowered their price on the Aprillia Turono mirrors to 29.95 each...Beats $80. | ||
| Oldnotbold |
The price was $18.25 each at the local Aprillia dealer. Dennis | ||
| Etennuly |
We plan on touring with it, but I don't want to dammage the bike. From what I'm reading, the damn thing sounds like it will take a pounding. Thanx. The only thing that I have concerns about is overloading the rear tire. I always monitor that closely and I run it a couple of lbs higher for long two up trips. Knowing the load,I also control my speed somewhat, two up we seldom go over 65 mph. None of my passengers like interstates anyways. When riding passengers under 150 lbs it is like they aren't even there. I have had to replace the front engine isolator twice. The rubber in the mount can crack allowing it to transfer vibrations to the frame and ultimately on to the seat. Both times mine failed after a long period of not riding a passenger. They were both replaced under warranty without a problem. I have over 23,000 miles on this bike and I love riding it, with or without a passenger. | ||
| Smcnamara |
Paul, PM sent. | ||
| Ejc |
If you don't want to place bar ends, you could use a bar snake. It helped quell the vibes for me. |
