| Author | Message | ||
     Skyclad |
I recently swapped in the XB9 gears, and also put a set of Avon Distanzia tires on the Uly. This combination has vastly improved the bike. I love it even more now than I did before. The lower gearing is fun on pavement, and makes the bike MUCH better when the pavement ends. I was able to handle several miles of baseball (and occasionally larger) rocks yesterday without touching the clutch. Ran 10-15 mph with no problem. The Distanzias are great tires. The profile is a little different, and the bike falls into a corner a bit faster than with the Scorpions. Dry grip is at least as good as the Scorpions; I have not used them on wet roads yet. I don't think I need to describe how much better the Distanzias are in the dirt. If the mileage doesn't take a big hit, I will be using the Avon tires from now on. Oh, and a few pictures..     Just in case there is anyone trying to figure out a good way to stand the bike up in the garage for servicing, where is my method.  The bar is 5/8" diameter. The bike is rock solid stable when the bar is in the rear axle, but I do usually add straps between the handle bars and the jack stands when lifting at the front. Not real tight; just enough to stop it from wobbling. (Message edited by skyclad on May 26, 2008) | ||
| Tsorl76 |
Looking good Skyclad, I'm glad to hear the low speed handling is better, that first gear is a little tough in the dirt. How is the rest of the powerband with the new gear? | ||
| Ulyssesguy |
what rpm are you running at 65mph on th freeway with the xb9 gearing? | ||
| Skyclad |
The powerband with the XB9 gearing is much better suited to 95% of the riding that I do. My commute to work is 25 miles one way, with only about a two mile stretch being on slab. The rest is all two lane. With the XB12 ratio, I was hardly ever using fifth gear. Actually, I wasn't even using fourth all that much on a day to day basis. With the XB9 gears, I still don't use fifth gear all that much, but my normal drive to work is in fourth, running at about 60 mph and 4k rpm. I am not sure what the engine speed is in fifth at 65, but at 70mph, I am turning right around 4k. Figure that 65 is probably about 3500 to 3750. Besides the better control in the dirt, I think the best part of the lower gearing is when working the tight, twisty sections. The bike leaps from one corner to the next. The seat step is definitely getting a workout when I roll onto the throttle. Overall, unless you do a vat majority of your riding on the slab at 75+, I highly recommend the reduced gears. Just be sure the shop gets you the right year's parts. The 08 crank is bigger, so the engine sprocket is also bigger on the inner diameter. The 08 is a bit easier, as the engine sprocket and alternator rotor come as an assembly. | ||
| Asdf |
When talking about the XB9 primary gearing, most (Not all) folks fail to mention that compression braking is also increased by about 10%. As far as I am concerned, the XB9 primary gearing is fantastic in all aspects, for my use. If I were to buy another XB12 in any flavor, I would have it changed to XB9 primary gearing before taking delivery. | ||
| 08uly |
I've got the gearing on the charts I made... XB9 Primary XB12 Primary --- 08Uly Uly Data Page Leader Boards  | ||
| Mark_weiss |
What change have you seen in fuel consumption with the new primary ratio? Mark in Arizona | ||
| Tsorl76 |
How much did they rock you for the new gear assy and primary chain? | ||
| Skyclad |
Mark, I have not had the new gears in long enough yet to really get a feel for any change in mileage. It looks like it will be about the same though. I am a big guy, 6'3" and in the 300 pound range. I make a very effective sail, and I am not gentle on the go-fast handle. Tsorl, the engine sprocket for an 08 was $121. I can not remember what the price was on the chain. The 07 sprocket (they ordered the wrong part) was something like $25 dollars cheaper. Total is under $200 and, to me, is absolutely worth it. I did the install myself. If you are going this route, make sure to have a factory service manual. They can be had for around $60 IIRC. |
