| Author | Message | ||
     Ronwilson |
Howdy In recent years I have been riding a KTM 520 EXC on the wild streets of Manila, Philippines. Love that instant torque. My new XB9S Buell seems to be just my style at this point in my life (44yrs.). I ride pretty hard, but not like some... My XB9S is still bone stock with 3000 miles. I have been reading posts about the added performance characteristics of the Drummer pipe with race kit, and even with a Buell pipe. Have ridden my bike enough that, yep,I can now feel that torque curve dip in the 3000-4000 rpm range.... and like many, wish it to disappear. I read a post on another site that seems to be proposing that the addition of an XB12 airbox alone, while maintaining stock air filter, ECM and pipe, produces a similare torque curve improvement as upgrading to a Buell race kit, and only costs a few bucks..... compared to about $600. Does anyone out there have a result like that? I am all for saving money!.... if the performance results are virtually the same. Thanks, Ron | ||
| Fullpower |
ron, nothing wrong with changing one part at a time. if it were my 9 i would install the 12 cover, with the K&N air filter, and yank the rubber snorkel out all at the same time. still under a hundred bucks, and will improve the breathing a bunch. then when you want it to sound real nice, get the DRUMMER. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
ron heres the problem with the internet. its a freaking grapevine. yes the 12 box does a complete improvement across the whole rpm range. will it give the same improvement as a pipe and ecm and filter. nope ..not a chance in hell. as far as I know nobody has dynoed this with a stock set up so I can't say of the gains. I tested the 12 airbox on xb9 with drummer filter and ecm and it was about a 4hp gian and about the same in torque across the rpm band. maybe I misunderstood but if someone said just by plopping on the box top to a stock configured bike the dip disaapears well they are more than likey full of puckey | ||
| Buell_168 |
Buckinfubba: Did you also yank the rubber snorkel out too ? | ||
| Buckinfubba |
yep | ||
| Prof_stack |
The XB12 airbox cover is a good FIRST step in performance improvements. The K&N air filter would be next. Snorkel removal also gets more air in there. Then count your $$$ for the serious upgrades. How much improvement vs money is your question to answer. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Here's a question for all you concerning the 12 cover on a 9 & the snorkel. Does removing the snorkel really help without a pipe? I always thought since the exhaust is restricted via the stock pipe, that it'd be best to leave the snorkel in until such a time as an aftermarket (Drummer) pipe (Drummer) could be installed. And of course a race ecm to go with the pipe as well. If all you have is a filter and 12 cover, wouldn't removing the snorkel mess with the low end power? I know it's probably not the brightest question but I don't have an XB with which to see (feel) for myself. It's just one of those curiosities that just gnaws on the brain  | ||
| Ronwilson |
Bubbba and crowd, Thanks for your honesty and wise perspectives. Yep, the internet is potentially one of the greatest gossip grapevines and repositories of shared ignorance ever created.... or at times one of the most helpful sources of information.... Small, but useful improvements in engine characteristics cannot be had for nothing and I now know it clearly. There are no true infomercial miracles out there.... Guess the "package" of XB12 airbox, K+N filter, race ecm, and drummer must remain a package to work well and is likely the best package for simple but useful XB motor improvement. | ||
| Glitch |
Guess the "package"... Yer right, they all work together. But like the professor said, you can do it a step at a time. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
Ron In your "package" thing...I would never say that the drummer is best. because the best is very subjective. one's pleasure is anothers pain kinda thing. but yes 12 air box, filter and ecm and pipe is probably one of the best bolt on options period. now that being said...for me and many others the drummer is the pipe because of the smooth power delivery, the gains, the sound and the price. me and kevin worked diligently and still do at making it the best all around for the buells because they are the bikes we love. but yes they can be added on as you go. | ||
| Brucelee |
I have the race kit on my 9 and it is a very very nice addition. I will be adding the 12 air box cover as soon as my dealer gets it in stock. I will post my assessment ASAP. Fun stuff!! | ||
| Brucelee |
Bucky, and all you other tech experts!! Please help. You may recall that I have 9S with the full race kit. I bought the 12 air box cover and installed it today. Two key questions! 1. When I took off the tank cover, I noticed that the air box snorkel was still installed. I pulled the instructions that came with my race kit and it seems to me that IT CLEARLY STATES that this should be removed! Did my HD dealer screw up by leaving it in there all these months or am I misreading this. Anyway, I removed it. Question 2-the velocity stack that is on my bike is NOT sealed all the way around. In other words, there is a about a 1/4" space between the lip of the bottom of the cone and the horizontal surface. Question is, is that the way it is supposed to be or is it supposed to create a seal of sorts? I know these may seem like layups to you guys but I am not the expert in this area for sure. Thanks guys!! | ||
| Ironiceberg |
Brucelee, 1) Yes HD should have removed the snorkel. They missed mine too. 2) The velocity stack has two lips around it and the bottom of the air box should be sandwitched inbetween it. Its kinda hard to do you just have to pull on the sides of the stack to get it to snap into place. | ||
| Brucelee |
So the bottom lip SHOULD form a seal of sorts to prevent air from going around it? That is what I thought. That was not installed correctly either. Shit. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
bruce yep seal it up...sorry it took so long but Ironiceberg gave you the right info anyways | ||
| Xb9er |
Yeah, it sure is a pain trying to get the velocity stack seal back in place on the air cleaner base plate. But having that opening sealed tightly is pretty important. | ||
| Brucelee |
Got the seal reseated. Riding later today with anticipation!! | ||
| Brucelee |
Great ride, great addition to the bike. Love the new air box cover and the race kit installed correctly. | ||
| Tucsonxb9s |
Got my airbox and K&N today! Thanks Dave! We'll see what kind of performance enhancement is gained (or perceived) on tomorrow's ride in to work. | ||
| Buelluk |
Did the XB12 airbox and snorkel removal this weekend on my stock 9S - huge improvement in throttle response, pulls to the redline in 1st/2nd a helluva lot quicker. - nicer intake noise as well ! - well worth 40 bucks and 20 mins of your time ! | ||
| Xb9er |
Yeah, I got the same impression. Felt the throttle response and pull to redline were improved. After I started thinking about it, I wondered if it was just the fact that I had only ridden twice this winter and the rush of finally riding in great weather again gave me the perception of performance improvements. I do know the new intake "noise" is real and I like it! | ||
| Tucsonxb9s |
Well, I have been lucky enought to be riding all winter and I can report a noticeable change. Intake noise is completely different and it is pulling a lot harder and quicker to the redline. Now I just need to save my lunch money to complete the package....drummer and race ecm! | ||
| Xb9er |
OK, you guys convinced me. I like the changes and improvements. It's great to do these relatively inexpensive mods and get results. I also need to save up for the drummer and race ECM. | ||
| Lothodon |
got my first ride with the drummer and 12 airbox cover and it's not just a first ride of the spring thing....there is definately an improved throttle response. best improvement ever. | ||
| Brucelee |
Ditto on these changes. Feels like a diff bike. | ||
| Blake |
Could someone post a dyno test of the 12 airbox on a 9. Even better, post plats for the before AND after performance. Where's Buckinfubba on this topic? ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) | ||
| Buckinfubba |
I thought I sent those to skully once and I thought he put them up in the knowledge vault. hell I can't remember. but I can tell ya this on the drummer and buell race pipe. with the 12 airbox the curves looked almost the same except for about 4hp across the rpm band and 4or 5 ft/lbs of torque all the way across the band. the drilled 9 airbox and 12 airbox do almost the same thing just less noise with the 12 airbox. | ||
| Buellny |
When you guys are talking about the 12 airbox what exactly are you talking about? I ordered the black plastic thing with the nipple on it for my XB9...part #P0215.1AA. Is this what you all are talking about? | ||
| Buckinfubba |
yes | ||
| Glitch |
The dyno graph attached shows 2 runs done on a 03,4000ml, stage1 Buell race-kitted 9s with the stock 9 lid,and the 12lid on the 9base. Thanks to StooBr2  |
