| Author | Message | ||
     Schmitty |
I'm new here and new to Buells so I have a couple questions. First, I'm looking at an XB9R and I'm wondering if the race kit is worth the money, or should I go with one of the other aftermarket pipes? If your opinion is for another pipe, I would like to hear those suggestions. Second, what are some of the other modifications that XB9R or 12R owners would suggest? And finally, what kind of insurance do you guys have on your bikes and what kind of rates do you pay? I currently have my Triumph TT600 insured with American Family, but when I asked them about insuring a Buell they told me, "We don't insure "crotch rockets."" Go figure, isn't a TT600 a "crotch rocket"? Also, what are your opinions of Dave S., as if I need to ask? He will be my hometown salesman.  Any responses and info is appreciated. Thanks, Schmitty | ||
| No_rice |
well i will just answer the insurance question quick while i have a minute. american family covers my 03 xb9r and it is not considered a superbike. atleast thats the way i got mine cheap. if it had been an X1 it would have fallen under superbike category. for some reason the xb's werent under that when i started my insurance. costing me $20 a month for full coverage | ||
| Slaughter |
I'd spend more money on suspension and brakes than the motor. Predictable, properly setup and adjusted suspension and brakes will let you ride with MUCH MORE confidence than a little more motor HP ever will. I can't give you much feedback on the factory race kit since I've gone over to the dark side and built a race bike out of the XB9. I'd spend some money on the Buell spring kit (ask Dave S if it can be matched to your riding weight) - or hit up Max at Traxxion Dynamics to see what he'd re-work your forks for (and also maybe spend the bucks on a Penske shock) Max KNOWS the Buell suspension and does wonders re-valving and re-springing the forks. Brake pads (HH from EBC) - and get thee to a track day and put as many track days as you can afford under your butt. Get some instruction from a legit track instructor who will spot your lines, braking points, throttle and shifting points and body position. You'd be amazed after just a few track days at how much faster you will be - just being confident in the machine and your ability. oh and you can't go wrong with Dave Stueve. I'll just stop by and waste his time visiting him - even though I'm in CA - just 'cause he's such a cool guy. Yeah, I get my stuff from Glendale HD/Buell but if you're in Dave's neighborhood, you're in the right place for sure. | ||
| Jak |
I recently purchased a new 12R and had the dealer throw in the race kit. After two weeks and just over a thousand miles I would recommend it. The kit is aggressive wrt sound, but not intrusive or too loud. It looks great under my black R and the factory bodywork fits. I'm sure you could get a pipe (Drummer, V&H, Micron, etc.) that may give you a few extra horses but I'd doubt that on a hundred horsepower bike, your ••• would be able to tell the 1-3% difference. Just my opinion. I got my kit for the sound/look with any performance gains as an added bonus. Last but not least, it's all factory, meaning if anything bad happens, I have no fear of a dealership telling me it's not covered under warranty. You can look at the Pompano Harley thread to see what I'm talking about. | ||
| Bbstacker |
I have the race kit and I love it. ('03 9R) It does lose some low-end grunt below 3500rpm, but not an appreciable amount. Love the sound. Throaty enough to set off car alarms along Long Beach Blvd, but not loud enough to p!$$ off the neighbors at 5:00 am. Even if you go with another after market pipe get the race ECM installed. It will help bring out the best in whatever pipe you choose. Just make sure to get the TPS reset when you are done or performance will suffer. Mark (on edit) How thoughtless of me to not welcome you to the sickness.  (Message edited by Bbstacker on December 01, 2005) | ||
| Midknyte |
Frame pucks and Darkhorse Moto axle sliders. See my profile for my additions if interested. Country Companies. They go by CC's, not bike classing. | ||
| Surveyor |
In my experience the XBr responds much better to being carefully setup to suit the rider and the circumstances (particularly on the track) than it does to an obsessive search for more BHP. My advice would be to limit your tuning activity to the induction and exhaust system and spend your time on getting the bike properly setup to suit your use and this would include decent tyres. The XBr on sticky tyres is an incredible experience. | ||
| Xxxb9s |
I'd spend money on race ECM race airfilter and race muffler instead of brakes and suspensions  I had the prorace kit and I loved it. Buy it with no regrets. consider that the prorace muffler is a lot louder than stock. Try to hear one before buying Another cheap mod is to replace the xb9 airbox lid with the xb12's. 35$ and you gain some hp smoothening also the throttle response. have fun! |
