| Author | Message | ||
     Papachristou |
About two months ago, i happened across a young man hobbling around in cast. I asked what happened and learned that he found an '03 xb9r with only 7200 miles on it and thought it would make a great first bike! Unfortunately, he didnt have any training, experience, gear, insurance or license and ended up getting into a slide with too much rear brake, letting go of the brake while moving and shattering his ankle. Suprisingly, the bike suffered very little damage: bent both clip ons, turn signal, rashed mirror, minor rash on front fairing, snapped both footpegs and broken brake lever. I got all the necessary parts (not cosmetics) from HD dealer for $150! Just need the left turn signal and im good to go! I got up about nine this weeekend, made some coffee and was out riding about 10:30! Love the power delivery, it handles pretty good (not as good as my Daytona 675 but good) sound is amazing! Anyway, i was going to flip it but my dad loves it so i think i may keep it for him to ride. I do need some new tires for it as these are old, if anyone happens across some good street tires clearanced out, please send me a PM or email! . why boots are a good idea...           Riding time!  Dad going for a spin...  | ||
| Mtnmason |
Lucky bike! Typically when an XB goes for a hard slide it winds up with a really nasty dent on the frame/gas tank that it will wear forever. Alot of guys run the frame pucks to prevent this. I think theyre horrid looking but after a close call a few weeks back I'm really starting to consider them as an option for my 'bolt | ||
| Mtnmason |
Also - give it some time getting used to the handling and you might find that it is in fact is more nimble than your daytona (which is a sweet bike itself - dont get me wrong). Plenty of guys opine that these are some of the best handling sportbikes ever mass-produced! | ||
| Papachristou |
Got a link to where I can get those? | ||
| Mtnmason |
just google search "buell frame pucks" and you might have a few options. Or head over to americansportbike.com. They are one of the sponsors on this site. | ||
| Papachristou |
Thanks for all the help guys. Yes, I can tell it loves the twisties! It was new to me, it was child out, and the tires need replacing next year. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Toss a set of PP 2ct or Q2 on it, the handling will be amazing. | ||
| Papachristou |
Are you talking about the michelin pilot power? | ||
| Terrys1980 |
Going with Michelin Pilot Powers is a waste unless you do track days. The Pilot Road 3 will get you more mileage and is also a 2CT tire. Haven't we discussed tires enough lately?   | ||
| Papachristou |
Sorry, I wasn't here for that discussion!. I found some pilot power for $200 for front and rear. | ||
| Xb12randy |
A pilot power will last about 1500 to 2000 miles tops on the back of a Buell. To much torque and a happy right wrist will ruin them in no time flat. even the 2ct models. I second the Pilot Road's. I have Pilot Road 2's on mine and they wear like iron and handle way better then my meager skill set can throw at them. Great score on the Buell BTW. With a rare and elusive race pipe to boot. NICE | ||
| Papachristou |
i definitely twist the wrist too much... Ill look into those PR 2 or 3s. Do you know the difference by chance? What is the deal with the race pipe? how can you tell? | ||
| Gunut75 |
Yeah, it has the Buell muffler. I wonder if it has the race ECM. Beautiful bike. Nice to see it getting ridden. Nice work. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Some people claim to get 6K miles or more from a tire. None that I have ever run on my XB have gone more than 3,500 miles. I have a Pilot Power with 3,200 miles on it. It has maybe another 800 miles or so before it is completely down to the wear indicators. I have run Pirelli Corsa III (2 sets), Dunlop Q2 (2 sets) and now the Pilot Power. The Pirellis were done at 2800 to 3000. The Q2 were very good, but also done at 2800 to 3000. I bought a new set of tires for myself for X-mas. This time I am trying Bridgestone BT-016. A buddy has a set on his XB and loves them. I figured WTF, give 'em a try. He is a "Total Control" instructor, so I value his opinion. And they were $211.98 At Jake Wilson. I will be 58 this January. I learned to ride on the rock hard tires of yesteryear. I fell down a lot in the process. Now we have street tires that are better than the race rubber I rode on in the 70's. I will gladly trade tread life for grip. I don't heal as quick as I used to. | ||
| Xb12randy |
Papa You can spot the race by the silver color and dual outlets. The stock pipe is black with a single outlet on the left side only and sounds like a sewing machine. The race pipe sounds like a proper American V-twin LOL. I know the tread pattern changed from the PR2's to the 3's and I'm sure there is a slight change in compound. I got my PR2's just before the PR3's were released from a local yamaha dealer. When you need rubber I highly recommend them. They are plenty stuck and haven't scared yet. Head Shake has scared the snot out of me once or twice but never tires squirmming under acceleration or hard lean. | ||
| Papachristou |
Ive been reading through this huge thread about a set of the pr3s coming apart but i think it was a fluke or underinflation. Ill probably just get whichever i get a better price on, this is a once a week bike probably. Good to know about the exhaust, the sound is definitely amazing and blows out my truimph! i love feeling the exhaust pound your feet when you take off from a stoplight! i could instantly feel the difference without the steering stabilizer like i am used to on my daytona. may have to add one to the buell too. thanks to all posters for the advice and help with everything, this is probably the most helpful forum ive ever been on, no one has jumped on me at all. ive enjoyed being here. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Hey Chris, I think that the smoke lens I have will work for that left front signal. Looks like the amber shield and reflector are still intact. You want I should drop it in the mail for you to try? | ||
| Papachristou |
Yes, email me about it please. I got a new one from the dealer but its mounting is different. I think it may be a rear signal. | ||
| Syonyk |
Get the race ECU if that bike doesn't have it. It smooths out power delivery very nicely & gets rid of the "step" in power at 5k. It works wonderfully with the race exhaust. Also, the bike is happier in the cold.  | ||
| Papachristou |
how can i check to see if i have the race ecu? | ||
| Ltbuell |
On the outside of the ECU it will say in white letters"For Race Use" or" Race Use Only"...don't remember off the top of my head.LT | ||
| Froggy |
Most ECMs are marked Race Use Only, either in a white stamp or engraved. There are some out there that don't have the label on it and are legit Race ECMs, and there are many "fakes" that are just the stock ECM with race programming. The only way to know 100% for sure is to check with ECMspy. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Is there any effective difference between a true race ECM, and a stock ECM remapped to race ECM maps? | ||
| Froggy |
Done right, nope. On the 03's you can flash the entire EEPROM, making a perfect copy. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
The only changes on the 03 race ECM were to the maps so buying a race ECM is pretty much pointless. I have the software that can copy the information from any EEPROM, no matter the firmware, to another. Thanks to Mike  | ||
| Fast1075 |
A little input on tires. This past Friday, I mounted a set of Bridgestone BT-016. After a couple of heat cycles and 200 miles on them on Saturday, and another couple hundred miles on Sunday I am very much liking them. They have great turn-in, tons of feedback and ride smoother than the last set of Powers. And they grip all the way to the edge with no suprises. If I can get more than 3K miles out of them, it will be a bonus, especially considering how inexpensive they were. | ||
| Nono443 |
I am shocked there was not any damage to the faring stay or frame, like they usually are when they're dumped. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Dude protected the bike, let his foot absorb the crash impact! | ||
| Froggy |
A ding and scrapes are visible on the frame, luck either way that it didn't receive a full on cavity like many wrecks. | ||
| Papachristou |
yes, he used his foot to take most of the impact! pretty smart since his foot healed with just a few surguries It has some slight rash on the fairing edge and i think the mount is ever so slightly tweaked but it isnt noticeable. Also, you can see the faint scuff/dent on the frame/tank and the other rash on the exhaust. however, not bad considering the fall it took. Only cosmetic damage. Just ready for some good weather and fresh tires! (Message edited by papachristou on January 11, 2012) | ||
| Blaylock1988 |
That white is beautiful, The red Buell logo stands out too much for my tastes though. |
