| Author | Message | ||
     Werewulf |
is the xb motor better than the one used on the tuber? whats the real difference? | ||
| Mikej |
Define "better". Tube frame engines have the trap door tranny. Yeah, maybe weaker, maybe rarely need to access the tranny, but still a nice feature to be able to access the tranny without splitting the cases and messing with the crank assembly. Define "better". | ||
| Jos51700 |
I think it's safe to say the XB's are better in crankcase breathing, and the '06-later have way better transmissions, but the actual make-it-go-down-the-road part, like MikeJ said, fairly objective. | ||
| Werewulf |
well, better as in more reliable and more powerful.. so, the tube motor doesnt require to split the cases to access the tranny?? is the xb motor basically the same as the 1200 sportster motor like the tube models and the old sportsters? | ||
| Spiderman |
the engines are two different beasts. Just like MikeJ said AND the way the mount in the frame. It would become very costly to mount a XB motor in a tuber. If you want the best of both worlds just throw a XB top end on your tuber, all you need is a new front motor mount. With a XB top end, 40MM CV carb and X1 cams I was seeing 91 HP at the wheel. | ||
| Buellsrule |
The XB engine is simply a refined thunderstorm "tuber" engine. Better heads, better crankcase breathing, better transmission(although you can't get to it unless you remove the engine and split the cases). For '08 a better and stronger bottom end. You can make them both as strong as you want to in the power department. Like was said before, the best engine is probably the original thunderstorm with the XB heads. That way you can access the tranny. I really like the '08 engine as I believe it is the most refined Thunderstorm engine yet. It would be great if you could put one of the new engines in a tube frame bike. I hope that Buell builds a tuber again some day(like Ducati). They are truly the best looking Buells ever built(IMO). | ||
| Koz5150 |
I hope they don't and my M2 remains a classic cool looking bike that everyone else doesn't have! | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Tube frame engines have the trap door tranny. Yeah, maybe weaker, maybe rarely need to access the tranny, but still a nice feature to be able to access the tranny without splitting the cases and messing with the crank assembly." I've had my transmission out twice on my tuber - once to install a Bakers kit and another to change two countershaft gears. Believe me... it was a HUGE mistake to do away with the trapdoor on the 03+ transmissions. Only a person who has had to split cases to get to a transmission could ever appreciate this feature. As far as being weaker, I'm sure if you add significant power to a tuber, the transmission may reveal some weaknesses, but that sure as hell didn't keep Buell from using a trapdoor transmission on the XBRR racebike. | ||
| Mikej |
Some performance shops have been known to convert XB engines to a trapdoor tranny configuration. | ||
| Jos51700 |
"The XB engine is simply a refined thunderstorm "tuber" engine. Better heads, better crankcase breathing, better transmission(although you can't get to it unless you remove the engine and split the cases). For '08 a better and stronger bottom end. You can make them both as strong as you want to in the power department. Like was said before, the best engine is probably the original thunderstorm with the XB heads. That way you can access the tranny. I really like the '08 engine as I believe it is the most refined Thunderstorm engine yet. It would be great if you could put one of the new engines in a tube frame bike. I hope that Buell builds a tuber again some day(like Ducati). They are truly the best looking Buells ever built(IMO)." Buellsrule is right, the '08 has a stronger bottom end. It also has a different (Better? I don't know) oil pump and camshaft setup. | ||
| Bad_karma |
I don't know about weaker. Looking at an AHDRA PROMOD/PROSTOCK motor and they run the XL case design. Granted they are beefer. But if it where a major strength compromise I would have though they would have used another design. Joe | ||
| Smoke |
limited xb experience on my part says the performance of the motors is similar, but the xb motor may have better longevity and the xb r&s frame is stiffer and is a better high speed handler although the short wheelbase makes it twitchier. (try an 1125R!!)YMMV tim | ||
| Aaomy |
hmmm,, what are we comparing any way,, a tuber motor?????? stock sporty lightening thunderstorm and now the xb,, its a long going process,, of course thing get better as you refine them.. it all depends on what you want do you want to leave it stock or modify the hell out of it.. think a stock xb would outlast a stock tuber motor? yes,, better heads, better cooling, and the oil squirters,, dont they have them too.. would say the xb is the better motor,, but probably have more mods available for the tuber guys.. its all a big bag of apples pick one and enjoy.. | ||
| Werewulf |
i just came from destination daytona... the store was packed with harleys, but only had five buells on the floor....maybe they are selling good, i dont know... im getting ready to buy and still cant make up my mind if i want to xb or not... being a former tube owner, the moco dropping interest in the tubes and parts, still has me ticked.. i know that im going to buy one tube model, but cant make up my mind on the xb.. why am i going back to buell? its because i like the little hotrod that gets respectable gas mileage and its simplicity... as much as i ride, the price of gas is a factor... i can work on a harley motor, but dont have a clue about some of the others... however, i went next door and looked at the triumphs... i like the simplicity of them too.... any of you blokes know if the thruxton is a good bike?? im now thinking of maybe a tuber and a triumph... i also found a 06 rocket3 for 9k bucks with 5 grand of extras on it.. i hated it at first, but that thing hauls butt.... any feedback on that model? bottom line, is that i always take it in the shorts on bike deals and want a good deal for a change.... best bang for the buck thing! | ||
| Werewulf |
speaking of gas mileage... i am impressed with the decent gas mileage that the buell motor gets... i see a lot of bikes with less power that the buell with worse mileage.... | ||
| Djkaplan |
.... any of you blokes know if the thruxton is a good bike?? The seating position screams 'racer', but the performance screams 'scooter'. A 650 Burgman scooter could probably outrun one, though. | ||
| Billetmetallic |
heres my two cents, the early tuber motor is just more visually pleasing than the xb series, those polished heads, that polished primary cover, polished pushrod tubes, amongst other details screams american muscle! now im sure the dressed down xb motor 'could' perform better or longer, also i 'could' be biased, but the early tuber powerplant is definitly the better of the two  -g | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
im with you on that one billet | ||
| Werewulf |
the xb motors are sure nothing to look at! |
