| Author | Message | ||
     Moondust |
Ok - I've only had her for a month or so but I already feel like I want more grunt & speed. Im starting to think I should've opted for the XB12s but its too late now - so whats the deal on a race kit ? Will these up the power for a satisfying grin while I ride to work everyday  ? Any tips - much appreciated (Message edited by moondust on February 09, 2007) | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Yes, the race kit will definitely assist in grin production, no doubt about it.  There is one small fly in the ointment, however. The Buell factory race kit is no longer offered by the Company, at least in the USA, The work around is to buy the Buell Race ECM, a K+N air filter, remove the intake tube that goes through the frame, (the so called "snorkle"), and fit an after market muffler. One of our sponsors, Adrenalin-Moto, is British, and has many Buell Aftermarket parts. The Micron muffler is highly regarded, as is the Special OPS, and the Drummer which I use, and which is made by another sponsor. There are many others. You might want to look at the XB muffler shootout, on the American Sport Bike Site, another estimable sponsor of this board. | ||
| Reepicheep |
If you are serious, then you can up the displacement on your 9sx, and end up with almost 1200cc but in a higher revving short stroke package. This will make more peak power then the stock 12's, but less low end torque. It's not cheap, but if you factor in the price difference between you 9 and a 12 and the money you would be putting into the race kit anyway, you are probably almost half way there. | ||
| Wazza |
I was not so impressed with the Race kit on my XB9. I am however very happy with the performance of my current setup of Micron full exhaust system, American Sports Bike open airbox kit with K+N filter and catch can. Still have the race ECM in it as well but would probably go for getting the STD ECM flashed by American Sports Bike if I did not already have the other. | ||
| Ejiii |
I have a race ECM, Drummer SS muffler and a FAST intake system. I am very satisfied with this set up. I have had it this way for some time now and I ride everyday. It works great. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Thats a good point. A Micron with a custom map, and a heat blanket, and catch can, would probably get you close (or maybe even above) a stock 12 in peak HP. | ||
| Aj06bolt12r |
Again in the same night i must suggest that buells are not designed for straight lines or high engine output, If you are dissapointed in the acceleration of your xb then you prolly should have bought a gskr1000 or some such animal. Buells are designed with curvey back roads in mind, they are damned good at what they were intended to do, but if you want tickle your stomach acceleration from a 60 mile an hour punch in a straight line you are barking up the wrong tree and no micron pipe of custom map or heat blanket or k@n filter will change that. Yes I am the high preast of the painfull truth in this case and yes I stole that quote from a certain talk raido show. Any 1 know who I am talking about? | ||
| A14victory |
I agree with AJ. I am a new buell owner, but I have fell in love with the likes of vtwin bikes. I have had a ducati monster and I still have a Tuono in the garage. So far I am liking my 05 lightning xb9, engine wise its like a 750 ducati but with more torque. The sound just makes me want to flog it. You can be smooth, maybe fast, but never smooth and fast on this bike. Or at least with the clutch. I am looking forward to learning how to ride this baby. Going to picker up tomorrow. I rode it yesterday on some back roads and it was intrigueing, had to buy it. I have never rode one with stock setup, this one came with the hd race kit installed. Still purty weak compared to my 1000 tuono, but much cheaper too. Its a puzzle to me, want to learn how to work it!! Oh, is there any aft market master cyl for gor this bike. I want more of a progress feel to tame the torque and flywheel | ||
| Buellballs |
He never said he wanted his xb to perform like a ricer, he just wants more performance. Now if he said he bought a ricer and wanted it to look like a xb then we have problem.  | ||
| Tigerbythetail |
hi.............Reepicheep please be so kind and explain to me how the heat blanket and the catch can increases performance? tiger | ||
| Glitch |
Let's not go there again. Everyone knows your view, there's not need to start another debate. Thanks for understanding, The Management | ||
| Moondust |
He never said he wanted his xb to perform like a ricer, he just wants more performance Thats exactly right - I just want a bit more oomph - If i wanted a sport bike I wouldv'e just copped an R1 or watever - I like the city cross & maybe I should've got the XB12sg ( I had get a lower seat for my 9sx ) but its too late I've had my 9sx for a month now & im financed to the hilt - I guess I just have to make the most of the 9sx , hence a race kit or something to spice it up | ||
| Tigerbythetail |
This is not a question of having a view. does this mean "The Management" acknowledges that there is no evidence for the catch can claim?.................no evidence means there is no place for miss leading and unproven statements..........I dont give a toss what the Management thinks!.......... What about the thermo blanket. Thats another myth that is worth while looking at. A year 2006 XB 12R (600 miles on the clock) with a rubber stack and K&N Filter no air box pulls 6 BHP more than the original with the closed airbox/normal filter. Their is no significant difference to a FAST or an alternative intake stack. Measurements done in 01/2007 Dynoject Lambda measurement etc. ECM was nulled and TPS reset was done. Temp 20 degrees Celsius. Humidity around 70% Conditions and engine temperature constant during all measurements (we have done about 20). Best Regards tiger | ||
| Metalstorm |
A thermo blanket insulates the rider from the heat coming off the engine allowing the rider to not think about said heat and focus that freed energy on riding and thus increase performance by providing the rider a larger attention allowance. Ow, now my head hurts  | ||
| Glitch |
No, what I'm saying is that you need not rehash the same thing over and over about it, it just gets old. If you want to post some dyno graphs of testing you've done proving what you say, go right ahead, that's what the Knowledge Vault is for. If you'd look there, you may find something that backs up part of what you're trying to say. I dont give a toss what the Management thinks!.......... Sorry to here that. All I try to do is keep things on an even keel, and it seems most of the time I get bad attitude. I was hoping you would be an exception. | ||
| Reepicheep |
It's a fair question, I was one of the skeptics. The theory (which I accept but did not suspect would make a big enough difference to show up on a dyno) is that the heat blanket works because a colder charge of intake air (which is more dense and contains more oxygen to be burnt) will produce more power then a warmer charge of intake air. I know this is true (and will accidentally throttle only wheelied the xb9sx on just about every sub 45 degree morning ride to prove it). I think there are some other dynamics as well that have to do with theoretical efficiencies for thermal deltas for ideal machines, but my background is electrical engineering not mechanical, so I am not an expert. I questioned though (given the dynamics of a rolling motorcycle) how much it could heat up the intake charge even if it wanted to. I didn't think the difference would be that significant. The catch can is similar. Burning a hot oily mist will make less power then a fresh clean charge of intake air. No doubt about it. I ran my M2 that way, but that was more about getting rid of the breadbox air intake then getting more power. It prooved to be an overall pain in the behind, as I got tired of little oily goo everywhere, so I was recommending people just run it back into the intake like the factory did. What changed my mind? Somebody who can be trusted, who is incredibly knowledgeable on the topic, and who has run about a million freaking tests on a dyno with a ton of experimental discipline. Al Lighton at American Sport Bike. I can be ambivalent about the theory, too many unknowns. I am not ambivalent about Al though, he clearly has the knowledge, the experience, and has done the hard work to know. So why do I think they make more power? Because I saw a dyno plot of an XB9 with a micron, a catch can, and a heat blanket that was making as much or more power then a stock XB12. My apologies if I mis remembered anything, Al has the Dyno results posted so anyone can check for themselves. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Oh, and I promise you, I ain't the management.  . If you are willing to publish dyno results and methodology, there are plenty of people here that would be happy to benefit from your work. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Oh that thermal heat shield! I was thinking of the "under the seat" thermal heat shield. Ooops  Thanks Reep. That was educational and worded in a way that even a buffoon like me could get it. Though I warn you now.. If I ever end up getting either those items, you will be at the top of my blame list  | ||
| Reepicheep |
I had a race kit and a modified pipe. They were fun, but I put it all back to stock. It performs "almost as well" and is a lot quieter, and gets better fuel mileage. I still want to go faster, but I am working getting that from being a better rider, not from having a faster bike. The "cut up the airbox" is a mod I like, as much for the happy noises as anything. The HID is another change I was very happy with, and the GPS is great fun. The bike is just really damn good straight from the factory. It's astounding what they have been able to get out of a reliable and EPA compliant motorcycle. | ||
| Ustorque |
so you want a little more gin factor?... i have a stock '06 cityX. leave your bike stock. get some of your buddies together that ride imports( r1,gsxr,cbr) and get them on a twisty mountain road...the grin factor really comes up when you have to wait for them to catch up because they can't find the right gear! | ||
| Tigerbythetail |
Reepicheep.................thx very much for your friendly and clear posting. I very much like the work Al has put into the XB (e.g muffler test).............we have a difference in opinion with regards to the cc issue..... I currently don't have the curves as jpegs. I will put this together in a little report similar to what Al has done for the mufflers. I am currently preparing another run of tests to optimised the air intake solution for my new engine and I want to show an interesting experiment that picks on another part that is sold and that needs re-desining as it actually costs arround 1 BHP. The micron is a very good system. It would be interesting to see how it features against the TiForce or the DeepThunder. Over the last 2 years I have invested heavily into performance parts to get more out of my XB12 based on peoples claims. Still many on the products on offer cause more problems than good in the longer term. This is not only my own experience. It is unfortunate that one has to spend quite serious money to get more performance from the XB engine. It still is excellent fun to drive when left alone.........I completly agree. tiger PS: Glitch...............omit the attitude " The Management" yourself and you will not get any back from me. Thats a promise. | ||
| Elff |
The person who bought my CityX supposedly seized the engine. Maybe the race kit on it is now available I liked the performance gains on my CityX with the Race Kit. So much so, that when I got my XB12R, I got a race kit for it too. It's a shame they stopped making them, but for the price, you just can't beat them. | ||
| Jaimec |
If you REALLY want to go faster, read this article before you spend a DIME on your bike: http://motorcycledaily.com/08february07_workout.ht m | ||
| Glitch |
I may have been a bit harsh, my bad. | ||
| Xbullet |
jaimec, amen on the exercise article. i'm a gym rat, so in addition to that i have to say that even if you're in good shape there's nothin' worse than tryin' to push your bike through a hot sweeper while sleep deprived or hung-over.... our bikes more often than not are more capable than we are. i see it with competitive pistols just as much. they shoot straighter than you can hold it. same applies to our bikes. they will make the turn if the rider has the experience and confidence to really stick it in there. Moondust -- i've been ridin' bikes since i was 10 (dirt, then street) and when i got on my new 06 xb9sx in july, it was like starting over again. you've only had yours a month. before you spend money, find out where you need to spend it by putting in more seat time. i'm at 5500 miles right now and i'm just now figuring out what i want it to do differently. it's a fine tuning thing, that's why everyone has different opinions on how to make your bike run "better". before you spend a lot of money, don't just ask how to get more performance. find out what kind of performance you want. sometimes suspension upgrades will make you happier than engine upgrades. and you'll still get more "performance." thoughts to ponder.... | ||
| Xbullet |
somebody has to say it..... Yes I am the high preast of the painfull truth in this case and yes I stole that quote from a certain talk raido show. Any 1 know who I am talking about? that would be atlanta's own neal bortz. | ||
| Jaimec |
Amen to that. It has been discussed MANY times here on Badweb that Buells are VERY sensitive to proper suspension setup. Fortunately, Buells come with the most comprehensive suspension setup guidelines for any production motorcycle I've ever seen! Take out your owner's manual, turn to the page for suspension set up and make SURE your bike conforms to the settings specified for your weight (and be honest about your weight; don't forget to include the weight of your riding gear too). You'll be amazed how a few simple clicks and turns can make your bike feel. Once that's done, take a riding course on a track like California Superbike School or C.L.A.S.S. Then and only then should you look at equipment-related changes. The race kit won't make you a better rider, only YOU can make you a better rider. As Xbullet said, when properly set up the bike exceeds the skills of most people who own them. By all means, spend your money. Just spend it wisely on what'll actually help you go faster. | ||
| Tigerbythetail |
hi.............forcing your brain to accept more than 22% tilt takes a while and the track days will certainly help to overcome that mental blockade. I learned this on country lanes and there it is a lot more dangerous for oneself and the rest of the world. Modern bikes have enormous reserves and most of the time riders simply fall off because they freeze or lose their nerve. I find the XB most forgiving. The point about the physical fitness is 100% true. It makes a huge difference when you are able to control your posture on the bike and position yourself accurately. .......proactive riding vs reactive riding........ The focus for changes to the bike should be on making it easier to ride and to customice the handling to ones preferred riding style.........a bit more noise is certainly desired, but it should be backed up by more not less power and how this is delivered. How about collating a little survey on what type of big bore cylinder/piston design/strokes have people put already into their XBs to return to the original question by Moodust? Lets hear it. tiger PS: Thanks Glitch we are cool.  | ||
| Xbeau12s |
The need for Speed! I've been infatuated with Harleys and the bastard son of Harley (Buell) cought my eye. I don't care how fast it goes I just love to get on it and ride. It's fast enough for me and if you want a really fast one you could dump about 30k into it and then you'd be set. I like how I can take it on camping trips and it kind of sits like a dirtbike and handles fine putting around in the grass and dirt. Learned the hard way my Ninja doesn't like any sort of loose gravel. Bye Bye Ninja hello Lightning | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'm sure the catch can adds power, the questions are first can you find it on a Dyno (and I suspect you might) and the second is can you feel it on the street (and I bet you can't). In terms of $$ per HP though, even if it only gets 1 hp (which I would not trust to see on a Dyno and know I would not feel on the road) you are way ahead. And the best I can argue is that "it doesn't hurt the engine that much". I don't think that there can be much argument that an engine that is not burning that spooge is not better off, at least a little. Considering you can make a usable catch can setup for $15 worth of plumbing bits, I can't really argue with anyone who does not mind the occasional oil spots or occasional emptying of a container. And if they want a cool and functional piece of billet, Al will sell them one a lot cheaper then they could get one built. That being said, my new XB still runs it into my intake, and I still have dockers in the closet with light stains on my right knee from the Cyclone Here I thought the point of dispute was going to be an argument about the thermal blanket! (to which I would employ an identical argument to what I have above). So I think we can all agree... venting your intake onto your right knee will stain your dockers!  |
