| Author | Message | ||
     Coldwthrrider |
So after months or looking, test riding, etc. I just picked up a used 2003 XB9R yesterday. I drove 750mi round trip in the rain with my new cheapo car (sold car to afford this bike) pulling a trailer. I didn't get to ride it because it was raining at the dealer but we fired it up and man does it sound sweet. I had never actually heard the race pipe, only stock pipe, and it's significantly louder! I can't wait to transfer the title today and ride it. The guys at ACE Powersports in Kenosha, WI were great to work with, too bad they don't sell Buells. Thanks also to DaveS and Dyna for helping me out with buying a bike so far away. It was great to know that the dealer wasn't shady and have a personal assessment of the bike. And the mexican food was great too! A Honda 1.6L doesn't pull trailers very well!  The bike chased me 360mi across Wisconsin  At home and almost dry again  I've been reading a lot of older threads on oil and tires so I know what's going on there, but I still have a few questions... 1. It's from a non-Buell dealer and has a race pipe but they're not sure if it's the full race kit. How can I check, are there part numbers on certain things like the airbox or ECM? How do I take it apart to get to those items! 2. I did get the manual and will be going over suspension settings because I understand this bike is very picky with susp and tire pressure. I'm 6' and 150lb, does anyone have any suggestions for settings? I'll probably start with the "standard" and work toward the aggressive. (Yes I know that's twiggy, but I'm training for a marathon next week and can't keep any weight on!) 3. I forget all the stuff I wanted to ask, any other suggestions for a new Bueller? I'm just going to take it easy at first and get a good feel for the bike before opening it up too much and getting in trouble! Thanks, CWB | ||
| Yeahcmon |
Yes there are part numbers but the easiest way to tell is to take the seat off and look at the ecm(towards the back, has the big black and grey connectors), the race kit ecm will say on it "FOR RACE USE ONLY". Then remove your airbox cover and look at the air filter, if it looks like a K&N filter(purple with a black seal)your good to go! If it's white with a blue seal you have the stock filter. Glad you like the bike and welcome to the madness. | ||
| Daves |
The ecm on Firebolts are behind the fairing. Ride to the edge! Dave daves@h-dappleton.com | ||
| Darthane |
What Daves said. Firebolt ECMs are tucked inside the front fairing. You'll have to remove the turn signals and mirrors before taking the fairing off. The Race ECM will have the "For Race Use Only" disclaimer on it. To check if the filter was installed, remove the outer airbox cover (what would be the gas tank on a rice-burner), then the upper airbox cover. You should have a red K&N filter in there, not a blue and white paper one. Also, check the air inlet in the left side of the frame to make sure that the rubber snorkel has been removed. If not, take it out. I'm 5'11" and 140lbs. The bike doesn't give a •••• what you weigh as long as it's set up properly - and it won't matter if someone else has 10 HP over you if you and your bike weigh 100lbs less! Welcome to the club! | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
Glad to see you made it ok. Sorry for the poor choice of restaurants inthe area, but that mexican place kicks •••. Enjoy the bike. | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Well crap, I expected to spend the day riding, but now I'm back home again and will dink around with the suspension and other stuff on it. The title transfer process is a huge pain, I've been to the DMV two times so far and they're dicking me around and I probably won't get a plate until mid week! This sucks. I'll go for a short ride because I've got to try it out but don't need to get caught and pay more! Dyna: For $5 I had two burritos with extras and some awesome chips and salsa. I wish things were that cheap here! | ||
| 420at145mph |
welcome to the sickness  | ||
| Barkandbite |
Set the suspension before you go toddling out and make sure your tire pressures are 36/38 -- that way you'll have a baseline as you get used to the bike. You'll learn that the first gear throttle control takes a little time (and cable adjustment) and you'll also get used to the following: "Hey, Mister, you've got a light out!" and "Hey, Mister, your bike's still running..." BTW, the first thing you really need to buy are the '04 mirrors -- the 03's are useless and I can now actually use mine. Best $45 I spent on the bike. Welcome to the disease!  CHris | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Back from the 70mi test ride. I couldn't resist and luckily had no issues with any authorities. Found some rolling hills with winding roads....this thing rocks. The suspension is not the best yet though. I set it up to the standard position, it was already there but I had to turn all the screws to make sure it was. The demo bike I rode had issues turning at low speed, as in it took a lot of effort. Mine rides the same way. The 12R I demoed was a lot easier to get turning, I want it to be more like that. What do I do? Once rolling though, it isn't too hard to go through curves above 40mph and feels very planted, compared to the bike I was used to! Plus, I thought the ergos were great for a sportbike. I didn't get uncomfortable at all. On the demo rides it seemed nice, but 20min + 20min is not much time to tell. The only discomfort is some right hand numbness due to vibration, but I'm actually used to that from my Bandit. Maybe some bar ends or even better, a bar end throttle lock to be able to remove that hand every once in a while. The sound is great! The guy I went out for a ride with pulled up on his new V-Star 650. I fired up the XB and revved it a bit. He immediately said, "That's how I want my bike to sound!" The import cruisers are very quiet stock. I have a theory, that I'm surprised nobody else has mentioned or else I missed it. The race kit (or at least race pipe) is their attempt to make the bike as Harley-like as possible. For the first 20mi I was hootin and hollerin in my helmet about how I could get it to bark and grunt and pop and everything else a Harley can do. The demo 9R I rode was stock and sounded like a weak air compressor. That's probably why people have been able to make better power curves with the Drummer or other pipes than the race, but I like it. It sounds great and I love how it goes out each side. I noticed that a lot of people were noticing me in their cars. I was lane changed into 3 times already this year on my Suzuki because it was so quiet. Since I ride in heavy urban traffic everyday, a little noise out both sides is a good thing! So the initial reaction is hell yeah, I love this thing. I just need to get the suspension worked out, or at least learn about it so I know what's going on and how to adjust it safely. Then I should maybe get a license plate, before I ride it to work I suppose. We'll see if I can resist next week! CWB | ||
| M1combat |
As far as reducing steering input I recommend switching to Pirelli Diablo's or Metzeler Sportec M1's. The bike will feel more stable at all lean angles after this as well. | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Thanks M1. That is my plan based all the tire threads. But the bike has pretty fresh Dunlops so I figure I should wear them out before I spend the money on better tires. I'm still recovering from the purchase financially! | ||
| Sshbsn |
...The demo 9R I rode was stock and sounded like a weak air compressor.  I knew my XB sounded as familiar as an old friend!! CONGRATULATIONS! | ||
| Aydenxb9 |
Ditto on the tires. Changed over to Metzler Sportecs and the low speed handling problems disappeared. Welcome to the sickness, it only gets funner from here! | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Another question....about idle. The manual says it should be between 1050-1150. Right now it's hanging around about 900, but seems okay. Is there any reason to change it or just leave it? I definitely like the sound of the low idle  | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
I would set it a bit higher. Too low an idle on a warm day could lead to very thin oil & not enough pressure to properly lubricate. | ||
| Unibear12r |
You should raise it imho. Might tempt fate with oil starvation at idle in the long run and it might die at stop lights etc... Just barely too high and it floats at 2k for awhile before dropping to idle. Nice bike...enjoy! | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Thanks, I turned the idle adjustment a few clicks and it's better now, about 1050. I love how the important adjustments on this bike are so easy to get to! I played around with the suspension today, after riding it in the standard configuration, it's so easy. Next question: I want to try to dampen the bar vibration a little and add a throttle lock at the same time. I found an older thread mentioning http://www.throttlemeister.com. I was looking at the bars ends on the XB and there are just little plastic caps but no bolt in the middle. How do these come off? If they screw in I could just take a vise grips to them, but that would pretty much do them in! | ||
| 420at145mph |
they just pop out i got some bikemaster anti vibration ones n they work good just use some kinda glue i lost on of the first set i bought | ||
| Yeahcmon |
My bad fellas, stuck in "S" mode. Disregard my post for I have lack of knowledge of the great firebolt. 'cmon | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
So is it possible to put on bar ends with the bolt in the end? I don't want to spend $125 on nice heavy throttle lock bar ends and then lose one! I guess I'll pop off the ends and take a look. On another note, riding to work this AM I set off a car alarm going down a city street with lots of parked cars! This thing is sick, I love it! | ||
| Daves |
I have a Throttlemeister in stock for you. 125.00 Ride to the edge! Dave daves@h-dappleton.com | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Dave, have you installed the throttlemeister on an XB9R with stock grips? I just want to make sure it's going to be secure! Let me know and I'll place an order with you. Does the 10% apply? | ||
| Daves |
I sold a set to Easyflier but I think he has the traction grips. I would recommend upgrading to them anyway. They are 16.95 before discount. If you order both from me I'll do the 10% Total would be 127.76 Ride to the edge! Dave | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
What are the traction grips like? Do you have pics or a link? I don't mind the stock grips and definitely don't want foam or gel grips... | ||
| M1combat |
I think they are the same material but are barrel shaped in the middle. | ||
| Daves |
Cold, Thanks for the business. There is a slight delay, the Throttlemeister people didn't have the "friction" sleeve in the box. Glad I checked before I sent it out to you. They are sending me one for you today and I will ship everything by end of the week. Sorry. Dave | ||
| Xb9er |
Buell Traction Grips | ||
| Easyflier |
Coldwthrrider, They are an easy fit on an XB with stock or traction grips. The traction grips are a little more barrel shaped and offer more "cushion" than the stock grips. Loctite blue is included with the bar ends and when they get tightened up with the double O-ring compression I don't think they will go anywhere. The quality of the Throttlemeister is great and it adds a little useful "bling" that isn't chromed from you non-local Buell/HD dealer.  If you plan on doing any extended trips they really are great. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Love my traction grips... | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Thanks all for the info, don't worry about the delay Dave. Maybe I'll actually have plates when the grips/ends arrive! My attempt to go to the DMV was foiled by extremely long lines today at lunch. I do plan on some touring in the future, but for now nothing more than an hour or two. Hopefully this combo will help the vibes a little, I'll just deal with the rest. Next question (yes, they just keep coming): Something almost seems loose in the front end, but I can't really tell what it is. I checked all the fork mounting points and they seem solid, and watching the front fork/wheel going over bumps at speed seems solid. If I flick it back and forth hard at low speeds or hit the front brake quick and hard, something seems to rock a little. Is there a way to tell if the front wheel bearing was replaced? I know there was a recall on this on these bikes, but not knowing the history of it I don't know if it was done or not. What were the symptoms of the wheel bearing problem? Or maybe the brake is just loose because it seems to travel a little ways and then catch really hard? My previous bikes were not high performance so I'm not used to this level of traction, precision, stability, and touchiness! | ||
| Darthane |
The bearing seals should be orange. If they are black, have them replaced immediately. If your bearing goes, you'll know it, and it's not something you want to experience at speed! | ||
| Daves |
Have a dealer check your neck bearings. They can check for the upgraded wheel bearings at the same time. There was also an upgrade on the kickstand. Ride to the edge! Dave daves@h-dappleton.com | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
The bearing seals look orange, well one is dirty so it looks brown but they're not all black. I'll take some pics of these things when I get a chance, for confirmation of the seals and kickstand. I was at the HD dealer last night but didn't make an appointment yet for checkout of the neck bearings, maybe soon if it persists. Question about the engine number, I didn't find anything in old threads about this. While I wait for a lien release to get my plates, the DMV also wants an engine number. On other bikes this is different than the VIN. I was looking around at the engine and on the left side there is a number engraved, but it looks the same as the VIN engraved on the frame up by the bars. Is there a different number for the engine? I need to know this because if I try to give them the VIN I know they are going to yell at me for the 10th time. |
