| Author | Message | ||
     Buellfirebolt31 |
Why are all these firebolt owners putting side fairings on their bikes? it makes it look good but does it affect the handling? Next, is it worth $400 to buy aftermarket exhaust for my XB12 Firebolt? What about axle sliders? Do they serve any great purpose besides in a fall protecting the aluminum? I need atleast a rear stand for my bike? is there any sites with pics of them in which i can see before i buy them? And last, what about relocated license plates? Is this madness illegal cause it looks great. Fell free to post pics with this items on your bike.....Thanks a ton | ||
| Buell12hundo |
go to sponsor page | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
OK, I'll take a shot  1. Firebolt guys add lower fairings for two reasons a. they are going racing b. they want to look like a. 2. An aftermarket exhaust is a very popular addition among the members because it sounds cool and makes the bike run better. Normally they are used with an improved air filter and the Buell race ECM . The Buell race kit is an economical, easy to install way of going, lots of brothers like other exhausts. There is a recent thread on the subject, I think there are over a dozen choices. The Drummer is a popular one, as is Micron, D+D and Jardine. 3. Axle sliders protect the swingarm as you suggest. Some brothers also use them on the front forks. Once you price out these parts you will understand their popularity. 4. A rear stand is a must for changing tires and belts, and a front is a pretty good idea too, although some mufflers can be used as a jack point. Pit Bull Stands are popular and available from one of our sponsors, Daves, Pit Bull has a web site. 5. Lots of guys relocate their license plates, sort of depends on aesthetics and the point of view of your local constabulary. just my . 02¢ | ||
| Olinxb12r |
The full fairing are for racing or looks. It doesn't effect the handling because it really isn't that much weight at all. You don't have to spend $400 on exhaust if you don't want to. You can find the Jardine for about $225 online, and there is a Drummer that is somewhere in that range also. If you are so inclined you could always pull off the stock exhaust and gut it for the cost of the equipment that you use or borrow too. Any of these ways will make the bike sound so much better than stock. If the sound is all you want go with the gutted trick, but if you want weight savings and top end go with the Jardine. If you want top power, an even torque curve, sound, and weight reduction you are going to spend some money. The Drummer seems to be a performer along with the full Micron system. Axle sliders are for falls, or you can get some that can be used as a spot for your rear stand also. They save the swingarm from damage in a fall, and from what I've seen if you go down on an XB the swingarm will be damaged without them. Frame pucks are equally as good of an investment for the XB especially since they are only $40. If you have sliders and pucks your bike should come out of low speed falls without much damage. Pit bull makes stands for the XB, or you can probably find one in the classifieds here or on ebay. Where do you want to relocate your plate to? It all depends on the state and the mood of the cop that pulls you over for it. Do you want an entirely new undertail, or do you want to stash your plate on the side of your swingarm?   I have the complete Ermaxx undertail from American Sport Bike, and it is probably the best looking one out for the Firebolt right now. Look around the American Sport Bike site, I'm sure you'll find plenty of things to put on the wish list. | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
Do you have to get the ECM or other headers when you get a pipe? | ||
| Skyguy |
Buy the sliders!!! 40mph lowside resulted in minor scratches on the frame (under the pucks now) and a scarfed swingarm. Swingarm was bad enough to file down an edge on the axel as well. Nothing on the forks but that was just lucky. Oh and a broken collarbone and six broken ribs. Note to everyone DO NOT CARRY A SCREWDRIVER IN YOUR JACKET!!! I was messing with suspension settings the day before and still had the full size screwdriver in my pocket. Pretty sure that is what broke the ribs. Stupid car was in my lane I got real lucky. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Some will say you do not need a race ecm with an aftermarket pipe. It is my opinion that this is not correct. the EPA mandates that bikes run lean from the factory, so any improvement to flow only worsens this condition. The exception to this rule is if you re-program your stock ECM via direct-link. That is a software package that some of our sponsors sell. Al at American Sport Bike and DaveS at Appleton. As stated before fairings have no effect on handling. On race bikes they are used to clean up the aerodynamics of the bike a bit and serve as a way to contain oil in the event of a blown motor. Be aware that the XB has a wide swingarm and not all "universal" rear stands will be wide enough for it. I highly recommend the pitbull. We use them in the pits at races. 'nuff said. relocating license plates is very much subject to the tolerance level of your local police. Be sure that no matter where it is relocated to it is lit after dark. Lack of light is the biggest single reason people get tickets for moving the plate. Frame sliders are a good idea on any sport bike. We all fall over from time to time. These things save you money when it happens. (even though Buell's are cheaper to fix than any sportbikes I've owned, or even heard of) Cheap insurance against the inevitable. Also wear your gear. Every time. No poser excuses. It is NEVER too hot to wear protective gear. NEVER. You are off to a good start, you are asking questions, and Buellers in general are a pretty good bunch of people that aren't bent on conforming to anyone else's opinion. Finally, get ye to a MSF, rider's edge, or similar riding course. You'll be glad you did. (Message edited by diablobrian on March 20, 2006) (Message edited by diablobrian on March 20, 2006) | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
Are there certain stands the go over or on the axle sliders? the pic shown above seems to use the axle sliders for the point on the stand. Gracias Senior | ||
| Diablobrian |
the axle slider/spools cannot be used for tire changes. the "spool stands" have a sort of v shaped top that hold the bike. some are reversible between spool and non-spool use. this may help explain, a pic is worth a thousand words. http://www.pit-bull.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23_178&osCsid=0dcc3778fcc88ee8883914569390d12c (Message edited by diablobrian on March 20, 2006) | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
you do have to remove them when change a wheel anyways...right? | ||
| Olinxb12r |
Yeah, if you get the sliders with the lips on them it is only useful for cleaning or doing work that you need the back wheel up but not off. A pit bull stand that you put under the swingarm is the way to go for sure. | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
can you throw a link up here of one.....i've searched all over for them and have had no luck at all....thanks for your cooperation | ||
| Diablobrian |
did the pitbull link not work? | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
where? i couldn't find anything | ||
| Diablobrian |
http://www.pit-bull.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23_178&osCsid=0dcc3778fcc88ee888 3914569390d12c | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
got it.....thanks very much, what kinda exhaust and ecm and low fairings do you have on ur bike? | ||
| Diablobrian |
I have a Jardine aluminum pipe, sharkskinz lowers, and a race ecm. My bike is a 1250 stroker built from a 9 before the introduction of the xb12 . Hal's Performance Advantage built it to show off what they can do. It has the chain conversion too so I can use spool stands on my bike. | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
sweet | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
Does a different suspension setup in the back make it squat more and lift up when you romp on it? with a softer setup will the front come up easier?....thanks a ton | ||
| Diablobrian |
if you soften the preload in the rear it will cause the weight to transfer more easily. That will ruin the way the bike handles in the corners though. The xb12r is a very easy bike to wheelie. Power wheelies are easy in first and second gear as it comes from the factory. With a little clutch work third gear should be doable. If you are trying to get better launches as I guess you are after reading your post on another thread, Ignore what the guys on the japanese bikes are doing. the suspension geometry is different than your bike. These bikes don't do very well as drag racers from the factory. the wheelbase and swingarm are too short to keep the front wheel down. You'll take them in the corners anyhow. (Message edited by diablobrian on March 20, 2006) | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
thanks but i'm looking not to wheelie. i figured if the rear went down more the fron must come up...just trying to analyze things...thanks again | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
thanks but i'm looking not to wheelie. i figured if the rear went down more the front must come up...just trying to analyze things...thanks again | ||
| Diablobrian |
There is a very good book on the market called Motorcycle Design & Technology, by Gaetano Cocco. Cocco is/was a design engineer at Aprilia. Some of the stuff in the book is not applicable to our Buells, but it should help you understand more of the hows and whys of things. | ||
| Rafartist |
olinxb12r, can you lead me to the $225 site for the Jardine? |
