| Author | Message | ||
     Biggeneratorguy |
Hi Everyone! Great forum here. I just picked up a used (5300mi) 2006, and believe all the recalls have been complied with. Totally love the bike, it's all I was hoping for and then some! After spending the afternoon and evening working through a lot of the posts here it appears I've got a bit of work to do. It looks like I need to pull the fuel pump, get some new pads, and check throttle cable routing. I'll also have the wheel bearings replaced at the next tire swap. I've seen some traffic regarding airbox mods and ECM fuel map tweaking as well. I'm particularly interested in the airbox mod as the idle and off idle performance seems like it has some room for improvement. Does anyone see any glaring omissions in the above? I haven't seen any traffic that really goes over what the airbox mod is and what it addresses. If someone could point me to a thread I'd really appreciate it. | ||
| Xbimmer |
First, welcome to BadWeB! Second, Things to do to a bone stock '06 Ride the snot out of it!  The 2006 has an air cleaner cover with only four (?) slots for intake on the right side. For '07 Buell eliminated those slots and perforated the cover just about everywhere else. The theory is that it provides more airflow and may eliminate sucking hot air from just above the exhaust headers on the right side. Some guys just drill out more holes, I bought the '07 cover. Get the Official Factory Buell Parts Catalog part #99575-06Y (for 2006 models), and the Official Factory Buell Service Manual part #99494-06Y (for 2006 models). They are both excellent, though not perfect. Whatever you do don't tighten the oil drain plugs to spec as listed in the Service Manual (or the online Owner's Manual on Buell.com, last time I checked). Strippage will occur! Just snug them with sealant and a good o-ring. Any problems, see BadWeB. (Message edited by xbimmer on March 12, 2009) | ||
| Crusty |
Biggeneratorguy; I had an '06 X and put over 34,000 trouble free miles on it. I'm also from the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" school of thought. I suggest you put about 10,000 miles on it, then think about what you want to change. The Uly is a great bike; you're going to love it. | ||
| Thunderbox |
I have to agree with Crusty, ride it for a while then make the mods you think are needed. I only changed a few things last summer and that was my third year with her. | ||
| Etennuly |
Ride the crap out of it. Some of the things you listed never break. If you are far from a dealer it may not hurt to see if they stock some items.I think "if it ain't broke don't fix it" is the mantra that should be followed. Mod to taste, ride as often as possible, fix when and if needed, watch for cramps in your cheek muscles from permagrin! | ||
| Hooper |
These probably fall under the definition of "farkles", but for a bone-stock Uly, I think there are some mods to do immediately, to protect the bike and make general riding more enjoyable. Touratech handguard extensions: the stock guards are maddeningly not tall enough to block air, rain, and debris from the tops of my hands. I don't understand why Buell hasn't changed those. Maybe I'm crazy, but a lot of people have them. Frame sliders and bar end weights: got mine from Darkhorsemoto and HVMP, respectively. I almost don't consider this a true "mod"...it's sort of like wearing armored gear when you ride, because you never know when you're going tip it over or lay it down. Better safe than sorry, when an expensive, scraped up frame, fork, or handlebar could have been prevented. I wish I had them when I hit my deer. Next bike I buy, I'll be considering these types of things as the very first mods to do along with the recommended fixes and recalls. | ||
| Strokizator |
Personally, I think the switch over to '07 fork springs falls under the "must do" category. Other than that, just about everything else goes into the tinkering column. I went with the '07 airbox but haven't felt the need to mess with the ECM figuring I have about a 50/50 chance of screwing things up instead of making any improvements. Just get on it and ride. | ||
| Crusty |
Mod to taste, ride as often as possible, fix when and if needed, watch for cramps in your cheek muscles from permagrin! And avoid strange individuals with tubes of Ben Gay! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Voltage Meter. Heated Grips. | ||
| Court |
Voltage Meter. Heated Grips. Ride, ride, ride . . . this bike is about as much fun as I've had on a motorcycle. | ||
| Florida_lime |
it appears I've got a bit of work to do. It looks like I need to pull the fuel pump, get some new pads, and check throttle cable routing. I'll also have the wheel bearings replaced at the next tire swap. I've seen some traffic regarding airbox mods and ECM fuel map tweaking as well. I'm particularly interested in the airbox mod as the idle and off idle performance seems like it has some room for improvement. Pull the fuel pump ... ...if you have a problem with it. Get some new pads... ....if you get the brake pulsation. Some don't. I have used OEM, Lyndals, and EBC. They have all done it to some degree. Have a look at the bearings at your next tire change... change them if you need to. Etc. Don't feel you need to rush to 'fix all these problems'. Most of us like to change things to suit our particular preferences. I have done the same. Most important, as others have said -- ride it !  | ||
| Cyclonedon |
change rear tire at the 10,000 service, replace rear brake pads at 17,000 miles and replace the headlight bulbs just prior to the 20,000 service, and then change both tires and front brake pads at the 20,000 miles service. Throw in a couple of oil changes and your good to go! Just ride your Ulysses and use a full-face helmet to keep the bugs off your teeth since you'll be smiling from ear to ear! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Don't hang your helmet on your foot peg. Don't ask Vern why?  | ||
| Paul56 |
I would do the fuel pump wiring as a preventative measure so you don't have to do it on the side of the road somewhere. It's cheap (only need fuel pump o-rings) and easy if you are doing it in the garage. And if it fails you will coast to a stop thinking "why didn't I do the pump wiring when I had the chance?". | ||
| Paul56 |
Otherwise, +1 on riding the snot out of it. 61.5k mi on mine- still grinnin. | ||
| Biggeneratorguy |
Everyone, Thanks so much for your replies and advice. I have to admit that my job has me fixing things every day, so that is the way I tend to look at everything I own. I really appreciate the "just ride it" advice. I think this is the most fun bike I've had, except for perhaps the old Honda XL125s I had many years ago. No wait, I think it came back after working out for a long time as the Buell!! | ||
| Biggeneratorguy |
I did get the air cleaner cover tho, as it was cheap! | ||
| Prichmon |
Look into 07 wiring guard at the neck of the bike. Some bikes have damaged the wiring at the neck. Check underseat wiring at the ECU since the seat tends to rub against it. I put a PVC covering overing mine from Autozone. +1 on heated grips. I bought Pollyheaterz for ~$50. Perfect. If you're a MANLY fella look into a Hyperpro spring for the rear. Ride, Ride, Ride... Have fun Rich | ||
| Tootal |
I just finished the 08 triple tree exchange w/07 fork springs and changed the primary ratio to the XB9's ratio. None of this is necessary for enjoying your new toy, just personal upgrades for my type of riding. The springs ride a lot smoother on rough roads and the new primary and 08 trees allow much better off road capability and believe me, your bike will go off road a lot further than you would believe, if you like that sort of thing!  | ||
| Jlnance |
Congrats on the new bike! |
