| Author | Message | ||
     Whisperstealth |
So been dreaming / thinking about the what if's... And was wanting to know how much it would cost to get 100 - 105 or so RWHP. I have an 09XT for reference. Is this something that I can get close with, using an Erik Buell Racing ECM, Exhuast, and K&N air cleaner? - Already have the K&N. And what kind top speed can you get with these upgrades? What I would ultimately like to achieve is an actual top speed of 140mph or more. I weigh 250 for reference. This will probably be years down the road, when it is time to re-build the engine. However, what would be involved in getting to this goal? I'm guessing I'll need a 1250 kit, and probably stage1 or better head work done, along with the ECU,Exhaust, etc. Assuming my bottom end remains good, and only the top end work needs to be done, what is the cost for engine parts? What is the cost to have it done? Any experience or knowledge would be cool. I'm sure somebody out there has already done this.  | ||
| Hughlysses |
IIRC these bikes would dyno at 90-92 RWHP when they were new, so getting to 100 RWHP with external mods (exhaust, ECM, air filter) doesn't seem out of the question. Certainly with a 1050 kit and mildly modified heads you'd be there. I'd suggest e-mailing one of our sponsors (there are several that do high performance engine mods) or Erik Buell Racing and see what they have to say. | ||
| Eternalbiker |
How much speed can we squeeze out of the 09XT? I've only been around a 100 MPH I keep running out of road, or getting Blue Light Fever. Seems like the Erik Buell Racing ECM with intake and exhaust mods would make 140 MPH possible. But then I only weigh 150 lbs... I once squeezed 130mph out of my Gold Wing before it went into a high speed wobble. But that was a 1500 6 cylinder. | ||
| Hangetsu |
A note about top speed: At some point aerodynamics have as much or more to do with top end performance as horse power. Any body shape (think the hull of a boat) will have a maximum "hull speed". It can only be pushed through the air so fast, after which horse power increases do little to nothing to increase top speed. My guess is that the aerodynamics of the Ulysses are pretty damn poor, especially with a 250lb gorilla sitting aboard. I honestly doubt you will ever get much more than the current 130mph, maybe 140 top end out of your Uly regardless of how much HP you squeeze out of it. Where you will gain is how fast you get to that top speed, corner-exit speed, passing speed, and wheelie potential. (Message edited by Hangetsu on April 02, 2011) | ||
| Froggy |
The bike will do 140mph bone stock. I've done it, and the windshield flew off last time I tried. As for breaking the 100hp mark, that depends on your dyno, I've seen my bike with micron, open airbox, and correct tune due anywhere from 85-95hp depending on the dyno. For what it would cost to get a solid 100hp, your best off just buying a used 1125R and enjoying the 50% increase in power, and it will do 160mph without flinching. | ||
| Smokey3644 |
What about the XB9 piston swap? A friend of mine did it with the drummer and Erik Buell Racing ecm and is pretty happy, he thinks he's getting about a 100 at the rear wheel, could be close. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Froggy, Was that 140 indicated or actual? And I knew you'd chime in with getting an 1125r I'd like to have one, that's for sure. But I'm just wondering where I can take the Uly, and how much it would cost. | ||
| Froggy |
Yes 140 actual, thats redline in 5th on a XB, or just above idle in 6th on an 1125r. I have GPS proof if you want | ||
| Whisperstealth |
I believe you Someday I'll get the Erik Buell Racing ECM, and a Drummer. But, I'll never be as aerodynamic as you are! Best I've gotten on the Uly so far is 131 indicated, with the tall screen. | ||
| Uly_man |
Hangetsu is right. I have had many sports bikes, one was a RSV-R on which I could just about hang on at 120 mph, but its easy at 120 mph on the Uly. Given that the Uly is a naked bike I think thats great and I am 2m tall and very heavy. It needs to be made clear that the XB engine is close to its tune limits. Why do you think the R and CR came along. If you want a fast, 140 mph plus, bike then use something else that was designed to do it. Oh and just in case anyone does not know it some Dyno people mess with the numbers to make it look good. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
While everybody is entitled to their opinion, and is free to share it here on BWB. - It would be nice if, while giving your opinion, you also tried to answer the question posed. I know the Uly is not the most efficient means to achieve 140. I know that the engine is close to it's max. But I also know people have done it. People have achieved true 100 RWHP. 1250, 80", and 88" kits have been used. It was my hope that somebody would share their experience in doing it, and could tell me the cost/work involved. Telling me simply to get another bike, does not answer my question. Asking me "Why do you think the R and CR came along." is a sarcastic, back handed statement, that adds nothing to the discussion | ||
| Hangetsu |
Whisperstealth, Sorry, I wasn't just trying to spout an opinion and ignore your question. To me your question seemed to infer that the 140+ top speed was the primary purpose for the increased HP. Where I know achieving a true 100 RWHP is very doable for an XB12 engine, all I was trying to say is your top speed will likely not change much. After a certain point, it takes a BIG increase in HP to achieve even a couple additional MPH top speed. My question would be, is it really worth it? Gearing also has a big role to play. If Froggy is hitting the rev limiter at 140 in 5th, I'd say 140 is about all you're going to get without changing the gearing, regardless of horse power. (Message edited by Hangetsu on April 04, 2011) | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Hangetsu, I hear ya. And agree with every thing you've said I appreciate your thoughts, and the info you gave. My comments were not aimed at you, so much as at Uly_man It's the "get another bike", with out answering my question, that puts a bee in my bonnet. >>>Where you will gain is how fast you get to that top speed, corner-exit speed, passing speed, and wheelie potential. This is definitely part of my thinking as well. Not so much wheelies, as the other stuff. No longer thinking +140, but getting an actual 135 even 140 would be nice. Right now I'm at 131 indicated, which is about 127ish. Maybe it's not worth the cost / effort. That's what I'm trying to find out. I'm amazed at how well these engines do. For an air cooled V-twin 1203cc machine, they are incredible and I'm enamored with them. I do not think I'd go the 80" or bigger route, that I believe would not be worth it to me. Would much rather invest in an 1125. But a 1250 kit, when the engine is in need of re-builing / freshing is something that I would / might do. | ||
| Blake |
Best source for this is a competent Buell performance shop. Your looking at new top end, cams, headwork, performance exhaust system, and custom mapped ECM. At least $4K, maybe closer to $5K would be my educated guess. You can sell the old parts to recoup some of that. It's amazing what some Sportster folks on ebay will pay for Buell engine parts. | ||
| Hangetsu |
Give these a gander. http://www.nrhsperformance.com/ http://www.jetroadracing.com/racing_pages/performa nce/buell_xb12_performance.html | ||
| 46champ |
How much extra horse power can be achieved with the stock throttle body? I'm sure 100 RWHP is achievable with the stock body but that will be a limiting factor. As a guess I would say at least $3000 for a set of cams muffler remap. A lot depends on how much you can do your self. If you farm out all the work $3000 might not do it. | ||
| Smokey3644 |
wisp, You said you want specifics so here are some, on the xb9 piston swap, drummer about 400, shop work at a dealership, I think my friend paid about another 400, race ecm, 250. here is a thread that discusses the swap. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/573543.html | ||
| Treadmarks |
Yeah, I've done it.  Not too easy, but very possible. Mine will do over 140, when ever I want. I can also change fueling and get a best of 65 mpg, two up with full bags. (with Al's modded fuel map) I have had the NRHS ported heads with bullet guides and their 1250 kit for a few years now. (Over 15,000 miles) It has been, and still is a great daily driver. It doesn't get hot even in traffic, nor does it consume oil. Sometimes difficult to keep the front wheel in contact with the road, but I am working on that. I am still on my factory belt, even after tons of wheelies. It has been through 6 sets of tires since bought new in 06. Since adding the late model trees, the uly is much more stable over 130. Stock cams are fine for me, even after upping the rev limiter. The ported 1250 micron combo sounds freaking awesome at 7500 rpm. My recipe: As much cool air as possible, ported heads, 1250cc forged pistons, proper fueling, timing and EEPROM, and last but not least........ Gonads that don't jump up in your gut at 130 mph on a Uly!  Disclaimer: I didn't mean to come off like a @&$%, however just in case-I apologize in advance if anyone was offended. | ||
| Hangetsu |
So I think I'm missing something here. Are the XB9 and XB12s the same bore? | ||
| Froggy |
Hang - Yes, same bore, different pistons and connecting rods to give a different stroke. Same case, heads, and pretty much everything else. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Thanks Guys! Way cool, this is the info I was hoping to get.  And now, a maybe dumb question... Do you have to split the cases to put in the XB9 pistons / connecting rods? It would seem like you would. Anyway this answers most of my questions, and gives me a good idea of cost involved, thanks | ||
| Blake |
Rod replacement would require splitting the cases. Also see the products at Revolution Performance. | ||
| Prowler |
Froggy, you're not going to get more stroke from different pistons and rods. Stroke is determined by crankshaft throw (last time I looked?)............ | ||
| Hughlysses |
Whisper- you don't need to change the rods to use the XB9 pistons, so you don't need to split the cases. | ||
| Blake |
Yeah, what Hugh said. Was wondering why you were asking about changing rods. | ||
| Uly_man |
Whisperstealth. Sorry no "bad thoughts to you" were intended. I know nothing and all posts are withdrawn. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Blake, was asking because I read the link that was posted above, and it talked about using the connecting rods as well. Less stroke, higher RPM's. If I were put in the XB9 pistons, I wouldn't want to use the connecting rods as well. But I wanted to ask the question for general knowledge I would love to take a class on these bikes! When / if the time comes, I think I'll go Treadmark's route if I decide to go more than stock. Uly_man, I don't believe any bad thought's were intended. Don't believe that at all. And I do believe you do know quiet a bit. I have read other post from you, and found your information of value. I believe you have more to offer than to essentially say "get another bike". It was my hope you would do so. | ||
| Uly_man |
Whisperstealth. Thank you for your understanding. I have found BW and its members, like yourself, to be true Buell people. With regards to your question. Tuning is Cubes and/or revs. Speed is frame, what said, drag and weight. Most bikes/cars of today are of a high level of tuning. You can tune a XB 1200 up but it will cost a lot and may make it unreliable. Something that is not good on a road bike. The thing is the XB does its thing so very well in bends. More torque, in those bends, would be better and more Cubes is the way to go. It depends on what you want but any well set up XB will run rings around any bike on the road up to 100mph. The combination of the Rotax engine and a Buell frame just makes me wet myself. I want an "R" so very bad and a Uly version is something that would kill the BMW GS over night. | ||
| Dennis_c |
My GPS said 130MPH my speed indicated 143MPH with a stock ULY It had about 3 to 5 MPH more if I had a lot more room. |
