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Robino
Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 11:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)



as compared to say a Buell race muffler or an Original Drummer

how's the sound compare?
how's the performance compare?
the worksmanship i can see the differences myself, the OPS is home made, the welds are ok, the tips aren't top notch, but it's under the bike and that's not as important as the other two above (sound/performance)

lastly, does the same thing apply for the OPS...? meaning, the necessary race ECM/air filter?

at $250 i would consider one, there's a good $150-200 difference from the others which basically almost pays for the race ECM.
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Diablobrian
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 12:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Odie here on badweb makes the spec ops muffler.

He makes no bones about the fact it is for sound only, performance gains are all
incidental for these pipes.

It has been said it will work fine with the stock ecm, but for best performance,
and least risk I'd go with the race ECM with any aftermarket pipe.
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Ratyson
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 08:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

From my experience (I have a special ops pipe on my cityx):

Sound:
The Spec Ops pipe has a very throaty sound to it. The drummer has more of a thumping sound, and is not quite as loud as the spec ops, but louder than the stock pipe still.

Other parts needed:
I don't know about 'needed', but my cityx ran a little rich until I put a race ecm and K&N filter in. I had previously removed the snorkel.

Performance gains:
My seat-o-the-pants-o-meter tells me that there is an increase in torque. The power is also a little bit more smooth (although the power of the stock xb9 is pretty dam smooth to begin with). There are several dyno charts available from each. You can take a look at them and make your own conclusions if one is better than the other performance wise... or better yet, wait untill the exhaust shootout results come and compare from there.

Workmanship:
I have not seen a drummer up close, so I cannot make a comparison, but Odie's workmanship is great. I took a close look at the welds when I got the pipe, and IMHO they were very well done and appear to be very strong.
I got the tailgunner type outlet, wich I think makes a nice finishing touch to the outlet.

For me, and what I was looking for, the Spec Ops pipe was a perfect fit for my bike, and my budget. And Odie is a GREAT guy to deal with, and he stands by his product. And he is fun to ride with as well!

(Message edited by ratyson on May 12, 2006)
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Djkaplan
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 09:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

There was an all out XB aftermarket muffler competition staged on a dyno just recently. Results should be coming in soon.

I'd really be interested in the numbers generated.
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Dmextreme
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 10:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

please keep an eye out for Terry and Al's posts. They will have results soon. The special Ops is a very nice pipe and generated nice numbers over the weekend (i was there). I recommend K&N, Race ECM, with that pipe. Odie just sent my pipe out today. So I am thrilled to hear the sound and enjoy the performance gains. But like the world of joys.. you pay for what you get. : )
my .o2
Jerry
W Des Moines, IA
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99buellx1
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 10:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The units that we got from Odie were not the best in terms of finish and weld quality, but they were adequate for the intended purpose. The Drummer does not have any welds other than stock, it has a billet end cap, very nice!

Performance was on par, and sound was good.

As the test results will show, you should NOT run an aftermarket pipe without the race ecm! Regardless of brand.
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Firebolteric_ma
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 11:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

what TESTS..what RESULTS!? show us the NUMBERS!!!......PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. I CANT TAKE IT NO MORE!


anyone know when they will be posted? i wish i didn't know about it as my eye's are killing me from waiting in front of this stupid monitor. lol.
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Sgthigg
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 12:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Odie is AWESOME. Wich is priceless when you buy form him and need customer service.
You can call him and he will help you with anything you need.
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Glitch
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 02:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Odie is one of a kind!
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Buellerx
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 02:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Odie is a great guy and makes a good product. I didn’t notice any huge performance gains, but it does have smooth linear power delivery. I am running the stock ECM on my 12 with a TFI box. The Special Ops pipe for the 12 keeps the exhaust valve and you need the stock ECM to actuate that valve. I am hoping that someone will have a Tuned ECM available soon that gives the optimum fuel delivery for his pipe. If that happens I'll ditch the TFI box and put in a "Tuned" ECM.

Oh I almost forgot to mention, the sound is Awesome!
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Robino
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 05:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

well, i've decided to go with the Buell race muffler/kit

price wise, the OPS is cheap, yes. But, it uses our own muffler, so the cost is $250 and that's it. Another $200 for the ECM and $50 for the filter and the total is: $500.

the race kit complete is $600 roughly BUT...we're left with the stock muffler which one can sell for roughly $100 or just under...bringing the cost back down to about the same as the OPS muffler

there's no doubt as to which is nicer in looks, the Buell polished muffler is nicer than most anything i've seen (short of the super expensive euro systems)

sound and performance is questionable, i know what the Buell race muffler sounds like, it's sweet.
Performance we'll see when this test is out, but as far as cost and looks is concerned, the Buell race kit got my vote.
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Jimmy
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 06:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Does anyone else here feel as if every post Robino has to make is negative.

His bike is a VROD. Vrods are GREAT Bikes but what are you doing here Danny?

Shouldn't you go pick on other Buell haters in the Harley world.

I actually had a guy here in Bham tell me at "Heart of Dixie" that the Buell was no longer being made and the Vrod was replacing it as the Sports bike from Harley. This coincidentally was after their Buell Dealership-hood was pulled.

Don't take this the wrong way Robino, but quit Bashing on Odie.
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Robino
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 07:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

whoa there Jimmy LOL
i've sold the Vrod and own not one, but two Buell xb12's so chill brother...i'm just talking to myself here educating/learning as i go, i'm a bit wishy washy when it comes to stuff like this, one day i like this, the next i don't...that's how i am.

Respect goes out to Odie, he puts out what seems to be a nice muffler, i guess i was just talking out loud.

Nothing wrong with competition though, just more stuff to pick from, who knows, when i buy my 3rd Buell maybe i'll get one of his mufflers.

and where is it you've read about me posting negative anything about anyone...?
if i'm saying the race kit is better FOR ME, that doesn't mean i'm saying negative things about Odie.

so get your facts straight bub before jumping on that drama queen wagon...LOL
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Kmt
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 07:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I just got my Special Ops pipe this week. Installed it Wednesday by myself using Odie's directions and it was pretty easy. I love the sound, and feel like a kid in a candy store everytime I hear my bike. As far as performance, its been raining since Wednesday and isn't supposed to be a day without rain till this coming Wednesday so haven't gotten out on a long ride other than around the neighborhood and stuff. Odie has been great to deal with and will talk with you over the phone to clarify any technical questions. I believe Odie was saying someone is making a direct link mapping for the special ops so I am waiting on that for the ECM and air filter upgrades. All in all best $250 I have put into my bike!
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Lonexb
Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 09:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i have one of odies first pipes. quality is great. it has met and surpassed my expectations in every way.

plus Odie is the nicest guy to deal with.

brian
(lonexb)
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Mike_bolts
Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 03:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I can vouch for Odie as well. He's first class and very honest concerning his product.

Frankly we are discussing the fit and finish of something that goes UNDER the bike. You can only see the sides and a portion of the back, give it a rest.

We all know the Drummer is probably the better performing / "prettier" pipe but as such costs a premium. If your interested in sound only (I noticed a boost in the high end on my XB9, but I'm not an expert) go with Odie.
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Voltage_vector
Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 05:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It has been said tons already, Odie is a top shelf guy (for a Black Hawk pilot! )
Love my muffler from him...hey you want shiny? get a Jet hot silver job like I did...best of both worlds.
Keep up the great work Odie!
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