| Author | Message | ||
     Moondust |
well - I've just found out from my local HD dealer that when I test drove the XB9SX - it had the DRUMMER exhaust system - which is probably why I feel my normal stock XB is lagging the oomph. I thought it was just a case of running her in for a bit then one day the same grunt would kick in. I know now - that isn't gong to be the case }  - so what do you folks think of this ? Will the drummer system improve the power ? its obivious the sound will improve. Any thoughts ? I dont really want spend £700 on a Drummer just for sound but if its giving me more power then I might invest..  (Message edited by moondust on February 12, 2007) | ||
| Metalstorm |
Here's a great place to get good info on the Drummer. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/171 43/73757.html?1171137343 | ||
| Cycleaddict |
imho the drummer is probably the one most significent performance upgrade you can make to your "9" . the std. drummer has very good power characteristics and is not too loud ! | ||
| Reepicheep |
My understanding (none of it first hand) is that I don't think you will get quite as much out of a drummer as you would out of a micron. That being said, the drummer is a heck of a lot cheaper. The drummer will work fine with the stock ECM, the Micron needs a custom map (what, $100 for the unlock key?) on top of the $1000 price for the actual exhaust. Both are a lot louder then stock though, which is cool part of the time, and annoying a lot of the time, and occasionally downright rude. I still recall feeling like crap after realizing I just rode by a church with open doors with a loud pipe during a funeral. I cut the throttle when I realized what was up, but I am sure it was a disruption, and I'm sure it's not the only time I had annoyed somebody. YMMV, I am not judging anyone, just relating my decisions. You are welcome to ride by my funeral with loud pipes... it won't bother me a bit  | ||
| Bads1 |
Bill where do you get that the Micron needs a map??? It'll run fine with a race ECM. They don't have a map for the SS yet. As far as dyno's the SS has done over the 100 HP mark. The dyno run is on Kevin's sight.} | ||
| Buellballs |
Micron is $799, not $1000, for full system=more hp than drummer. Drummer is cheaper and you already know it's performance. If you think you need more performance than what the test bike had you will have to spend the money for a Micron, otherwise get the Drummer or something else. You really should download the Exhaust Shootout from American Sportbike so you can pick the pipe that is right for you. Sound clips, dyno charts, prices, pictures, weights, and more. It's all there so you can make an informed decision. | ||
| Aj06bolt12r |
bingo xbullet, i was wondering if any one would take the time to humor me | ||
| Just_john |
Moon Dust, which Drummer are you considering getting? I bought the original and it cost $400 for the Drummer, about $50 for a secondhand exhaust off ebay and $80 (I think, it was a while ago!)for the shipping, that's about £280 total at todays exchange rate. | ||
| Xbullet |
np Aj, i like humor. here's to being opinionated and passionate about all things american, including our buells and how to make them rip!  | ||
| Xbullet |
btw boys... if i don't hear loud pipes at my funeral i'll be rather angry... | ||
| Reepicheep |
I was just going by Al's dyno shootout results. It was (and still is) from memory, my apologies for anything I got wrong. As I recall, the drummer was designed to work quite nicely with the stock ECM, which was a great approach. I seem to remember that the Micron without a custom map left a LOT of performance on the table. I look more at the 9's, as that is what I ride. The math may be a lot different for the 12's. That's good to hear that the micron system is only $800. So add in, what $125 for the software key to let your ECM be reprogrammed with a custom map, and thats $925. And that gets you what... an honest 10 to 15 HP on the dyno? That's pricey, but actual a fairly good deal for a modern bike. 15 hp doesn't come easy anymore. An XB9 with it's high rev's and 90 honest and reliable rear wheel HP would be one heck of a fun ride. | ||
| Elff |
One thing people are not accounting for in the cost is Installation The Drummer is definately a do it yourself install. Not everyone will be able to install the headers on the Micron and might need to pay someone to do the work. I would guess it would be charged at 2-3hrs of labor at what rate the shop charges. Just some food for thought. | ||
| Moondust |
Hey Just John - I've been quoted £600 here in the UK + a couple of hours labour - thats an extra £150 for the drummer - that would include them sending my stock off for conversion jeese... I wonder if I order straight from drummer them selves - would it be alot cheaper ? | ||
| Just_john |
Moondust, I bought a secondhand exhaust (muffler?)off ebay, the seller was in the states and he shipped it straight to Kevin. That saved a deal of cash on shipping and meant I could still ride whilst I waited. Then I was just charged $400 + shipping for the Drummer. I paid a small amount of import duty, about £15.00. I did the fitting myself. They we're good people to deal with. Check out their web site, it's in the sponsor section. | ||
| Glitch |
IMHO, the Odie Spec-Ops pipe is the best bang for the buck. Drummer would be second. If I were in the market, I'd get the Micron with the custom ECM. Right now I'm running the Buell Race pipe and Race ECM. I had an Spec-Ops pipe for a long time, but it was too loud for my neighborhood, but loved the pipe and the sound. Tiger  | ||
| Cycleaddict |
i've run the race muff. & the drummer (9) and prefer the broader spread of tork that the drummer provides. (power comes on 1000rpm earlier) the drummer is $400, retains stock jacking points,and chin fairing mounts. it does not"need" the now unavailable race ECM. | ||
| Bads1 |
Bill you recall the Drummer was designed to run with the stock ECM?? Where did you get that?? The Econo Drummer was designed for that. What Kevin designed he has found that his system will run just fine without the help of a ECM and that is race proven. Now he did not say that the Drummer will not benefit from having the Race ECM installed. You may want to look at his Dyno sheets on his sight. BTW Bill I have a 9 and a 12 in my garage for quite some time. (Message edited by bads1 on February 13, 2007) | ||
| Moondust |
Well - I guess I need to find a second hand stock can from an xb9sx - anyone here have one for sale ? I think its better I go direct to Kevin at kdfab - I have an 07 model 9sx - will it be ok putting an older model exhaust on ? Im guessing they haven't changed anything much on 9sx models over the last few years - right ? Cheers | ||
| Reepicheep |
My bad. My apologies to anyone I confused. | ||
| 147db |
Uhmmm Moondust, just to be straight at the topic... buy a faster one! | ||
| Metalstorm |
I have the factory race kit & I like it. It was the best bang for the buck and it's the quietest of the aftermarket cans. I still have a deep down longing for the Drummer though. Not for the sound (though it sounds nicer than the race can) but because I really liked it's torque curve over all the others. From what I recall, the Micron & Drummer SS were really close. Maybe the Micron being a tad better on the 9 and the Drummer SS being a tad better on the 12? But it's hard to say which is best since not all bikes are created equal and weather & elevation can create many different results. When I get to the meat of it, Numbers be damned. I'll take a beautiful curve over a high number any day. Quality of hp & torque over quantity of hp & torque. | ||
| Moondust |
147db - explain please - faster what ? exhaust or bike ? | ||
| Buellballs |
I'm sure 147 means faster bike i.e. xb12. If you weld aluminum you could make a Latus style muffler for cheaper than the others, $100 for Edelbrock muffler. I am like Metalstorm, I like the good curve rather than numbers. That is where the Latus impressed me along with the Micron. All the pipes are close but these two were IMHO the best curves with out that valley somewhere around 3-4k. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Snag a grabbed the last Buell Nine race kit, pipe, ECM and air cleaner the day the tech bulletin came out. Don't know about the Drummer, but I wouldn't be riding mine now if it had stock exhaust. If I ever do the XR750 exhaust for more ground clearance, it will be up here as used People complain about my CityX exhaust... right up until they hear my Harley with ThunderHeader  Then I cant hear them anyways. | ||
| 147db |
Yes, of course, buy a faster bike... but NOT a 1203, the XB12 isn't faster than the 9!  It's hard to admit (after trying to improve the global usability of my XBs for 4 years with filters, ECMs, mufflers... see http://www.147db.com/) but the stock configuration is the best one, I think. | ||
| Moondust |
147db - are you saying the stock is just as good as the drummer then ? I can't get a faster bike right now - no point - just financed the 9sx & the insurance seems just about affordble - im sure a bigger cc engine will bump the insurance up also. I like the 9sx - just want a bit more - even if the xb12 was an option , your sayin it isn't any faster ?? Getting a faster bike means dropping the buell altogether - i like the buell so thats def not an option ...for a good year or so, anyway. From what i've read here - the drummer seems like it will give me the spice i want for a bit . Now anyone have a stock xb9sx can laying in their garage to sell me ? Cheers | ||
| 147db |
I don't know the Drummer, here in Italy it's not so popular. My experiences are principally based on the Pro Series muffler (and whole Pro Series kit)... and after some experimentations I'm back to the stock config because I like the smoothness and the firm and balanced output of a "untouched but well untied" 984 engine. | ||
| Buellballs |
If by Pro Series you are referring to the Buell race pipe then naturally it won't give the performance down low, it is made for high rpm gains not commuting grins. A Drummer is made for the lower everyday revs. You rode a xb before with a Drummer and liked it I'll bet you'll like it again. The pipes offer performance in different rev ranges, figure out what range you want and look at the exhaust shootout to find a pipe that matches your desire. You could also talk to Trojan or Hillbillly in the sponsor section to see what they would recommend. | ||
| Bads1 |
A Drummer is for commuting grin's...LOL | ||
| Moondust |
147db Im even more confused  You really prefer the stock over something like the drummer ? I basically want some more grunt down low - It is for commuting in the city of London - where I barely stay in 5th for more than 5 mins ( seriously ) I brought this bike specifically for the low end torque & nimble steering - I just want some more beef - my previous bike was a ducati m750 with termigoni cans & I guess Im missing that bass - my xb9sx feels great but I feel the sound doesn't do the bike justice. If I can get a can that gives me a lil more power & some bass - I'll be happy as larry. There a guy in the UK who mods the stock can called Tubbs - have any of you guy's tried a Tubbs special ? Its another alternative for me as Im based in the UK | ||
| Bads1 |
Moondust, Let me tell ya this. I bought my 12 new in 03 as a 04 model. I was the second XB12 to get a Drummer. It was to be the test pig if you believe that but declined to let it happen. At the time the Race Kit was not around yet. The first 12 was running really good with the new Drummer so I went ahead and had it done. It was a great pipe I really liked it. Later I grew tired and wanted a louder pipe. I then bought the D&D rode with it for a year and then again got tired of the noise. I decided to try the Drummer SS,which I have now. I also have a XB9 in the stable that has the factory race kit and it works great. It has a little less down low but it's not noticable above 3000 rpm's. Who is riding below that anyhow?? After taking the D&D off the 12 and putting the SS on I then really noticed how smooth the SS really is as is the regular Drummer. I'm really happy with my Drummer SS and its fit and finish and its performance. All the pipes are great in there own rights. pick one and enjoy. Honestly though the Drummer is a fantastic product with a great people to back it up. | ||
| Buellballs |
Don't get confused by 147. The reason he prefers the stock setup over the race pipe is because there is a huge valley in the race pipe's curve from 3800-4800 where the stock pipe has a nice steady climb. |
