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Buell Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through July 19, 2005 » Is the race kit worth it? « Previous Next »

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Yahooboy
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 07:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Or is it cheaper/better to buy individual components? Is the "reset" something that can be done DIY or will the shop need to do it?

Thanks,
Scott
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Kenny
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 09:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

if you own a 12 or 9 you will come out cheaper if you buy the kit. if you are looking into the race kit get with DAVES he will save you cash.
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Aldaytona
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 09:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

XB9 yes.......XB12? Call Daves for a second opinion.
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Daves
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 10:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Best bang for the buck!
I run a race kit on my 12 and love it, cept it isn't loud enough for me, but I like LOUD!

Give me a call, we can talk about what you want,how much you want to spend and get you hooked up!
1-866-757-1651
ask for Dave in the sales dept
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Cataract2
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 10:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Put it on my XB9SX. Love it. Woke the bike up just right.
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Elff
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 11:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I got mine from DaveS for my XB9SX and I love it.
It was a very noticeable difference from the stock setup. The sound is pretty awesome too. I really think it gave the bike a much needed kick in the hiney.
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Ivanski
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 11:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I love mine. rode with a friend who has a stock 9R & I couldn't believe how pathetic it sounded (sorry Phil).
I bought all my components on ebay individually & paid about half of the factory cost. give it a shot.
Ivanski
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Eor
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 11:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Put the race kit on my XB9SX.

Preferred the bike stock and removed it after a couple hundred miles...have it all in a box in the garage. I'm sure I am the minority in that opinion, though. I usually am....
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Elff
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 11:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Eor

I am curious about your opinion and reasons for not liking it. Would you mind sharing?
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Midknyte
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 12:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

yes, do
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Choldy
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 02:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

well worth it, especially if someone else payed for it and it comes with your bike when you buy it I know, I'm not helping....I'll get me coat
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Eor
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 03:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm a pretty conservative rider and generally don't spend too much time above 4000 RPM, but that is about where the power band starts to pick up with the race kit installed. At lesser engine speeds, it seemed to me that the engine was running rough. I think this is what some have referred to as the "mid range hole" in the race ECM tuning. I enjoy the "sweet spot" around 3500 RPM when I am running errands around town. I didn't like having to wind the engine up to 4 - 4.5K to get to that sweet spot. On the highway, it wasn't as big a deal for me, but it seemed a bit much for running to the post office and to meet my wife for lunch, etc...and I do allot of that kind of riding on the Buell.

I put the stock ECM back in and kept the race filter and exhaust on for a while and liked it a bit better...then another funny quirk of mine kicked in....

The Tao of Buell According to Eor:

One of the reasons I like the XB's so much is the sensation I get from the seating position... I have described it as being a hood ornament on a classic car. As you look forward, there is very little feedback that you are on a bike...it seems as if you are flying. I always wear very good ear plugs when I ride, so all I can hear is the gentle wind noise of the helmet. To me, the whole experience is similar to watching a video of someone else's ride...kind of an out of body thing.

I did like the way the race muffler sounded, but it gave me too much sensory feedback...in other words, it reminded me that I was on a bike and interfered with my illusion / delusion of "flying."

Well...you asked.

That being said... now that I have put about 4000 miles on the bike and am becoming a bit more confident in my abilities, I find myself spending more time out of town with the engine at 4 - 5K and could perhaps benefit from the race kit now. I've been thinking about putting it back on.

When I bought the bike, the dealer gave me the option of $500 off list or the race kit installed. I figured the race kit and the labor for installing it was a better value than $500 off...that's why I tried it in the first place.

(Message edited by eor on July 13, 2005)
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Elff
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 08:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Well that is understandable
It is very loud and definately kicks at it's best in the higher rpms. I have been very happy with how it eliminated the drop at 3000 rpms which has helped my around town driving. The muffler does require ear plugs for long trips too.

I like your illusion
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Brucelee
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 10:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I am very happy with the race kit. Well worth the money.
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Trolldaddi
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 04:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Worth every penny
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Fullpower
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 05:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

EOR nice dissertation. feel the same way, i employ earplugs on any ride over 5 minutes or so. I like makin noise around town, in traffic or with friends on harleys, etc. soon as i get out on the road for a real ride, i wish for quiet. earplugs are an interim solution, they are fine for short to medium rides, but start to get painful/ uncomfortable after 12 or 14 hours.
what i am really hoping for is either the Ti-Force exhaust system, which is supposed to be very quiet, and still make good power, or hope that wife buys me a new SPEED TRIPLE for my birthday. can you just imagine the sweet sound of Leo Vince pipes on a triple winding through third gear healed over in a tight sweeper, straighten up right at the revlimter, and bang a 4th gear wheelie, ahhhhhhh.yes i can almost feel the dillemma each morning of having to decide: should i ride the XB, the sportster, the Triple, or the Ducati to work.life COULD get so complicated. in my dreams.
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Yahooboy
Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 08:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey Daves,

I'll call you when I'm ready to do something. Everyone else, thanks for the tips, you cinched it for me!

Scott
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Tunes
Posted on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 01:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I liked the positive difference I felt and heard after installation of the race kit on my XB12 (& S3). I think the sound is just right. Would the Techlusion device eliminate any "holes" in the powerband? Should this be a separate thread or is this old news?

On the exhaust sound level/noise riding: I've been looking into a quieter helmet. I know a chin shield helps cut the sound intrusion from below. I have two helmets from different manufacturers. Quite a difference in design, quality, materials, weight, and noise levels. Both cost the same.
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Bbstacker
Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 12:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

When I bought my bike it had straight pipes on it and the race ecm installed. when the motor hit 4K it would go from ho-hum to rip your arms off in about 1/10 of a second. When I put the race can on it closed up the mid-range hole a bit and moderated the upper end unpredictability.
I can't recommend it enough. It gives a more predictable power delivery.
I do miss the sound of the open pipes, though.
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