| Author | Message | ||
     Smoothrod |
Hello everyone I just bought my wife a 03 XB9S and she is pumped about it. If yall would be so kind can you please tell me the basics that I will need. Tools? I have all the tools I need to work on my V-rod, im not sure if these will be the same or not? Moto Lift? I have a motorcycle jack that is not going to work for this K&N filter? It has the stock paper one still on it I would like to do something to the exhaust, maybe make it more throaty! Do I need to by after market or can I mod the factory one. She needs it lower, she is on her tip toes. Will getting the lower seat work, or will I need to change the rear shock also? Any other mods that you guys can think of that you do right off? Also if you could tell me were to buy these items. Thank you so much. | ||
| Midknyte |
You don't "need" to do anything other than ride it. It's an awesome bike as-is. There are lots of things you "can" do.  Hang out [here] and you'll figure out... | ||
| Metalstorm |
The cheapest, easiest way to lower the seat height would be to buy the low (cg) seat. It will drop the height down about an inch. If the low seat is too uncomfortable or you need more, the the rear shock can be swapped for a cg shock. I'm not sure if the forks have to be replaced with cg forks or if they just need shorter springs & revalving. I'm sure you can find several threads about that in the knowledge vault under the suspension topic. There are many outstanding aftermarket pipes available. If I were to get one myself I'd be torn between the Special Ops pipe & the Drummer. Info on these & others can be found in the knowledge vault as well. Where to find this stuff?.. You're in luck. We got the coolest sponsors on this board that can get you pretty much anything you want. Just to name a few, we have Daves the guru of Buell service, Al of American Sportbike & Clown of Stone Mountain. As you explore around you'll find their names popping up a lot. Check them out in the Sponsors section. I hope this helps some. I apologize for the "check this thread & check thread" advice but there's just too much info for little ol' me to type out & it's already here on Badweb for the taking  I hope your wife enjoys her Buell & welcome to Badweb. Don't hestitate to ask questions. | ||
| Daves |
Congrats to your wife on her new bike! Tools, there should be a tool kit under the seat. It isn't much but there will be a multi-screwdriver,an axle nut,a spanner for the rear shock and a torx wrench. I am not sure how much work you are planning on doing on it. Moto lift, what kind do you have? The XBs can be jacked from the bottom of the muffler with most motorcycle jacks. Be careful the bottom of the muffler is not flat so you need to steady the bike as you jack it up and then tie it off so it doesn't fall of the jack. If you want to change the exhaust any way the best way to do it is the Buell race kit. It includes the high flow air filter,race muffler and race ECM List price is 619.95 I sell them for 557.95 Lowering, the low seat will get you all but 3/4 of an inch of a low model. I would try the seat first. They list for 97.95 I sell them for 88.15 Do not change just the rear shock, you will need to do the forks too or the bike will not handle properly. Other things to do right away? Set up the suspension according to her weight. Info is in your owners manual or call me and i can walk you thru it. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Frame pucks, if you don't have them, you need them. 49.95 is list price Badweb price is 44.95 These will save the frame from damage if the bike goes down. Where to buy? Well, from me of course! 10% Badweb discount on almost everything for your wife's Buell or your V Rod | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Congratulations, the 2003 XB9S is a real classic, and a great value. The knowledge vault on this site by now has just about the answer to any question in reference to that model Buell. To briefly answer your questions. Probably the best thing you can buy is the Buell shop Manual and parts book which shows exploded views of all assemblies. Daves at Appleton Harley Davidson is the guy everyone calls when they need parts. He is one of our sponsors, and all around wonderful person. His number is 920 757 1651. Monday is his day off. The other sponsors are all Buell specialists too, you should check them out. Once you have the manuals, you will see that there are infact jacking points on the Buell. They are under the muffler, and marked as such on the bottom of the muffler. Your V-Rod tools will work fine. If you buy the factory race kit, you will get a better, louder muffler, a K+N like air cleaner, and a revised chip . This kit will make you bike sound and run much better. There is a low seat for your model, Daves has them. A great source for third party aftermarket stuff is American Sport Bike, one of our sponsors. Al Leighton, very knowledgeable Buelletician. One thing you may want to do is make sure that the Belt on your bike is the latest version. Earlier versions were prone to break prematurely. Welcome to the club. | ||
| Ginzero |
Welcome to you and your wife to the XB club! XBs for short riders has been talked about a lot recently in this thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/166415.html?1136281868 I have no doubts that your wife will both be able to handle the XB and enjoy!! Have you taken a ride on it yet? | ||
| Ratyson |
Congrats on the new bike! And on having a wife that loves to ride! (I really wish I could get my wife interested.. she is scared crapless when it comes to bikes). Other things to check on the bike would be the wheel bearings and side stand bolt. Correct me if I am wrong guys, but didn't they have problems with these two items until after 03'? If not, I stand corrected. And there is more information on this forum than you can shake a stick at. In most cases, if you can think of it, it has probably been discussed at some point and is there for your help. If not, well add all you can. HAVE FUN! Russ | ||
| Truk |
Congratulations The upgraded/recall sidestand should have a little "R" stamped on the base plate The upgraded/recall wheel bearing should be orange in color, not black. I have the original belt on my 03 XB9R and have 12,500 miles on it. According to the manual it is scheduled to be replaced at 15,000. Mine is holding up just fine and will be replaced at 15,000 miles service interval There is an upgraded belt that replaces the original for this bike. In my opinion most of the problems with the original belts breaking were due to incorrect procedures used in removing it when changing the rear tire. (Probably get flamed for that one) I also strongly recommend that you get the Service and Parts Manual. These bikes are easy to work on, but there are some specific ways you are instructed to do things in the Service Manual that will save you a lot of grief. I got mine form Daves. Great guy! I also agree with the the need to get the suspension sorted first thing. It is real easy to do. If it is wrong the bike doesn't handle as it should. Finally, I too say ride it as it is....a great bike right off the shelf. I have stock pipe and as the miles have been added it sounds better and better. Some of the pipes are real loud, which I would find annoying...but to each his/her own | ||
| Smoothrod |
Thanks to everyone who has posted info!! Between posting this I have allready gone to get a service manual. Ive done all the work to my V-rod so Im gonna guess I can work on the XB too. Dave Im gonna call you so I can ask specific questions about adjusting it to my wife, she is just over 5ft3in and 125lbs. I use mobile 1 20w 50 Vtwin syn oil, is this ok the the XB? The bike only has 2200 miles but I think it sat for awhile should I change the plugs too? Oh and yea I have rode it  one wheel threw 3 gears!! Thanks again | ||
| Smoothrod |
The side stand is the new one but the rear wheel bearing is black. Not sure if the belt has been replaced either. Here is a pic of my rod with a set of XB Villian black wheels.  | ||
| Truk |
I would check with Daves about the wheel bearings...they might be a recall issue and replaced by the nearest HD/Buell Dealer. If the bike only has 2,200 miles, and you make sure the directions for changing the rear tire and care for the belt are followed by you or whoever does your tire changing, I wouldn't worry about it... On the other hand if you plan on riding it all the time instead of your wife, and that on one wheel all the time, I would keep a close eye on it I stayed with the HD oil and tranny fluid at the 2,500 mile service and then went to the Mobile One VTwin 20W50 and their 75W-90 gear oil for the tranny at the 5,000 mile change | ||
| Daves |
They are a service upgrade and will be replaced for free. | ||
| Diablobrian |
A good quality t-27 torx socket will save you a lot of grief in the long run. The little L wrench is OK in an emergency, but if you need to remove the front fender you'll be glad you bought the good wrench. | ||
| Old_man |
The first thing I would recommend is to replace the tires if still having the standard Dunlops. It was the best thing I did to my bike. The originals REALLY suck. | ||
| Kootenay |
You might need to buy her a crowbar to pry your butt off her XB...  (Message edited by Kootenay on January 05, 2006) |
