| Author | Message | ||
     Buell_runner |
I recently purchased a new 2009 Black 1125CR from McHenry HD and was happily breaking in the bike for the past month.... but then I read about the 1125 Exhaust Shootout and the recommended performance mods on this page. Well, I had to give it a shot. I just completed the Trifecta upgrade this weekend which includes the following: 1) K& N Air Filter 2) Erik Buell Racing ECM for Barker Exhaust 3) Barker Exhaust (Black Powder Coated) I must say the performance improvement is amazing compared to the stock configuration. This is the way the bike was meant to be. I have not dyno'd the bike so I can't state absolute performance figures but the improvement is dramatic and you can immediately feel the boost in torque and HP when you twist the throttle! Another perk is the wonderfully throaty, resonant sound of the exhaust. This is a sweet ride now. Any other mods I should consider? I have already added the upright handlebars and heated hand grips, but this is my first set of performance mods. BTW- Thanks to my bud, Buell_Boy, for showing me his modified 2009 1125CR. His bike is what really got my hyped about the performance mods. | ||
| Tpoppa |
Compared to stock, what are your impressions? I would expect more power, but what about smooth acceleration? Any popping on decel? | ||
| Bahnzii |
How is the throttle response now? I am considering ordering the exact same pieces (already have the K&N). My hope is the Erik Buell Racing ecm and exhaust smooth out the throttle response especially in the 1500-4000 range where I can feel a fair amount of what feels like surging in my stock 2008 1125r. | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
I have the Erik Buell Racing ECM and K&N filter on right now and I am waiting for the KEDA exhaust to come in. I can tell ya that just by putting the new ECM on, the bike has really smoothed out below the 4000 RPM range. No more herky-jerky in the low rev range. The only downfall for me is the diminished engine braking but I hear you can opt to keep the engine brake if you notify Erik Buell Racing when purchasing. | ||
| Thecowboyblack |
let's see a pic of the Black Barkers... Congrats! | ||
| Mls1 |
I noticed way less engine heat with my Barker Erik Buell Racing ECM as a bonus to the smooooth low rpm range. Top end I don't notice much difference since either way its accelerating like mad then anyhow. ML | ||
| Bahnzii |
Not so worried about top end rush as my other bike is a stupid fast ZX-14 putting out just under 180whp  I like the 1125r for lots of torque down low, especially if I come into a corner a gear or 2 too high. | ||
| 09_1125r |
I'm really starting to lean towards a pipe, K&N, and ECM. I rode 400+ miles the other day and couldn't even hear my own bike, until I pulled away and hauled ass from the group. I am happy with the performance and overall ride-ability of the stock setup. I REALLY like the sound of the aftermarket exhausts that I've heard... just wondering how much I would like it long term with the constant extra noise and vibration. I like to ride hard and fast. I know my neighbors wouldn't appreciate it as I get home late at times. | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
I have the same setup as Buellrunner, except for stock air filter. I am not liking the ECM as much as Erik Buell Racing generic version (vs Barker specific) at low end 3000-4000rpm for normal/city riding in the traffic. Seems like the torque is gone at this low rpm. I'm going to switch back to Erik Buell Racing generic and see if it is not just my imagination. | ||
| 01fxdx |
interesting i run a cross this bike again. i tried to purchase there "last" black one until they tried to squeeze me for another 1000 bux for it. after 2 lengthy phone calls about buying the "last" black bike in the country. that was in july. glad to hear you're enjoying the machine. i love the red one i ended up with, just not crazy about the color. | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
I really enjoy the setup ... A LOT. When I get my 12K mile service done this (Jan-Feb or so) I'll send my E-B-R ECM back and get the Barker-specific tune flashed on as opposed to the generic flash I have now (I got mine before the shootout). Don't really expect much of a difference, but hey: if they have a specific tune for the pipe then why not while the bike is down for a bit. Still using the stock air filter as I don't really have a reason why to get the K&N ... plus I don't really like K&N anyways (filtration > flow). If it's good enough for the race bikes, it's good enough for me. The sound is also really nice, if not just a TAD too loud without the quiet core installed (but what exhaust for this bike isn't, lol). I put the QC in yesterday just for a change, and I hate how it makes the pipe sound (I have the original 1" QC). (Message edited by jeepinbueller on October 12, 2010) | ||
| Green1 |
I would like to see a pic of the Black Barkers as well | ||
| Bad_boy |
k&n , barker exhaust , Erik Buell Racing ecm | ||
| Buell_runner |
Acceleration and throttle response is much smoother. I have not noticed any surging after the mods. With the stock configuration the throttle response was uneven and some surging was readily apparent. I do notice a little popping on deceleration, but nothing significant. My first impression is an immediate increase in torque and acceleration. This is the performance I was looking for. In addition, the exhaust sounds really sweet! I purchased the Barker with the 1 1/2 inch Quiet Core to reduce the sound a little without too much of a hit in performance (1 1/2 inch Quiet Core costs $15 additional and according to Barker you lose about 1 1/2 hp) Throttle response is smooth. A dramatic improvement over the stock configuration. The Barker web site shows dyno curves and indicates peak torque increasing from 68 ft-lbs to 78 ftlbs so that's about a 15% increase and it's pretty uniform increase across the entire rpm range. Peak HP increases from 122 to 139. The improvement is immediately noticeable. The Barker link is provided below (btw - in addition to dyno curves Barker also posts an audio file so you can listen to the exhaust) http://www.barkersexhaust.com/atv-utv-motorcycle-exhausts/Motorcycle/Buell/1125-R/Buell-1125-R-Slip-On-Exhaust.html I would highly recommend the performance mods. I was smiling ear-to-ear the moment I twisted the throttle. Here are some pictures of the black-powder coated exhaust. It has a gloss finish, not flat. Nice craftsmanship and easy to install. Everything went together smoothly although there are no instructions. Black powder coat cost $50 additional, but I am glad I did it since the bike is black. Hope this helps. Note: The exhaust bracket slips behind the bottom of the foot peg bracket. You need to remove a 1/2 inch spacer and then the exhaust bracket slips right in. (Thanks, bad_boy for the guidance!). Everything fits together nicely, craftsmanship is very good. The biggest challenge is trying to slide the exhaust bracket around the exhaust without scratching the finish. I was somewhat successful...there are a few minor scratches.   | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
I switched to E-B-R generic map ECM and rode around locally in traffic. There appears to be a slight improvement (hardly noticeable) in torque at low end (around 3000rpm), but the bike seems to run cooler (roughly around 10 degrees in traffic according to my estimate based on previous rides for the corresponding ambient temperature). It was in the 70's today, but the coolant temperature only reached 190 degrees sitting at a stop light. It should have gone up to 200 degrees with the Barker map. If it's running cooler at low RPM, it must mean it's running richer than with Barker map. | ||
| Dieseldreamer |
Can a belly pan fit around this specific exhaust? Erik |
