| Author | Message | ||
     Greg_m |
I've just gotten an '08 XB12XT. With only a handfull of rides so far I'm definately still in the honeymoon stage but boy do I ever like this thing. E-start, wow! Heated grips, wow! I've never had anything resembling a modern bike so the handling/cornering is other worldly to me. Other things I've noticed. Surprizingly the engine is almost too quiet and smooth. I can't remember ever having to glance at the tach to see what an engine is doing prior to riding this machine. At idle it sounds healthy and vibrates vigorously but that quickly goes away. And this engine seems to wake up above 3500 rpm shortly before I wrongly expected it to fall flat. Perhaps coming from a built single my perspective is off but this is a thundering V-twin right? The PO said the bike had an aftermarket pipe on it when he bought it but he converted back to a stock exhaust (single outlet). The ECM has "Race use only" embossed on the cover. Is this a stock ECM? Do I understand correctly that the difference between the embossed ECM and one without is the former is 'unlocked' and can be remapped? There's a bumper on the forwardmost ECM mount. Is this sufficient to avoid problems from seat contact? The VIN is 5MZFX03N483A00485 if it helps answer any of my questions. A couple of other things. The handguards seem flimsy and not overly effective, might have to change something. The footpegs are slick - way less grip than I'm used to. Only an issue at low speeds and I might get used to their feel. Thanks everyone! Cheers, Greg   | ||
| Etennuly |
That ECM was offered from Buell. It should work fine with the stock pipe. Well I cannot recall if the Race ECM on the 1203 activates the exhaust valve. I had that set up on my XB9 that had no valve. What it does is alter fuel maps and timing and rev limiter gives you a little better acceleration and a higher top end. My 9 gained 10 mph on top end with the Race ECM and pipe, and had a notably louder deeper tone. Bit of a drone on long rides because the pipe outlets are under you. | ||
| Etennuly |
These hand guards are more air shields. They get in the way when standing up on trails and such. Someone will get back about them and aggressive dirt pegs I'm sure. | ||
| Ratbuell |
The race ECM does not activate the exhaust valve, unless someone has hacked it and changed it. They are not "unlocked". The alphabet soup alphanumeric on the sticker is your program ID code; I believe (I could be wrong) that is an EBR ECM and you may be able to contact them to see what programming is in the ECM. The straight accessory-catalog race ECMs looked different, and didn't have the sticker; EBR could do some different to-order programming and you may have one that actuates the valve. Not sure if he's still there, but I believe Michael Richter was the one who handled most of the ECM's at EBR...perhaps email them to see if anyone can shed some light for you. Knight Designs makes (made?) pegs for these that were quite grippy. Keep in mind, you have an XT - they did not have the reinforced rims that the true adventure-style X had. Nor do you have the full long-travel suspension of the X. The XT was the "sport-tour" version; X was the "adventure" bike. Regardless, as you're discovering...you're going to love it! Congrats, and welcome to the madness. | ||
| Froggy |
Rat, the EBR Race ECM for stock exhaust will use the actuator on 08+ bikes. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Agreed...IF it's the one for stock exhaust. Remember - I have a ...we'll say, "uniquely programmed" EBR ecm in my '06 that works the factory exhaust valve. My point above was that the over-the-counter Buell Accessory "race ECM" was designed for the valve-less race muffler, and thus does not actuate the valve. | ||
| Greg_m |
Ratbuell: "that is an EBR ECM and you may be able to contact them to see what programming is in the ECM." Well, I sent an email to the EBR parts address and got a near instantaneous response telling me my question had been forwarded to the Tech department who may be able to help. Incredible given this is a 10 year old machine built by a defunct company. I'm impressed to say the least. Are parts like the the exhaust mentioned above, 6 mm rotor and mounting hardware, etc. still available somewhere? And I should be clear that I won't be doing any real offroading with this bike. The Continental knobbies were on it. I wouldn't be able to muscle 500 lbs of bike around in the dirt (at least not while enjoying the ride). | ||
| Ratbuell |
The exhaust is pretty much unobtanium. EBR didn't make those, they were a Harley/Buell accessory part back in the day and are rare as hens teeth now. Once in a while they pop up used on places like ebay or here in the classifieds. XB9 and XB12 race mufflers are identical, if you ever see one. The rotor and mounting hardware are EBR parts and I'm not sure if they still have them or not... | ||
| Froggy |
EBR was working on reproducing the old Buell Race muffler but it ended up being cost prohibitive (couldn't get a company to make them in a small enough quantity while still being affordable) Rotors and hardware are still available, should be right on EBRs website. | ||
| Greg_m |
Got a response from EBR Tech, already. To put this in perspective it's Friday afternoon in much of the world. On the same day I inquired. These guys should be in charge of, well, everything. Experiencing great service makes me think I should be less hesitant to complain about the lousy service I can almost count on elsewhere. But I digress... Here's the response I got: "Are you overseas? The VIN of that bike is one that was built for export. That ECM is calibrated for a Drummer Stainless performance muffler. That muffler does not have a valve, so the spark and fuel maps were not created for the exhaust to have a valve in it, but the ECM will actuate it if you do have one connected. Glad you like the bike so much, the Uly was one my favorite Buells." Maybe I should start looking for a Drummer exhaust. Will have to learn the characteristics of that pipe. I prefer low rpm to high. Under 5000 is where I'll spend most of my time. And while I'd like more sound from the engine obnoxious is not the goal either. I'll be looking for sound clips. A great day for me. I'm starting to like the community as much as the bike! | ||
| Froggy |
EBR is correct about your VIN, it would start with a 4 if it was a US spec bike. The 5 indicates it is an international bike, and the N in the 8th position means it is the Canadian spec, which from what I remember is identical to the US spec other than the speedo in kilometers. Your profile says you are in Canada, so nothing sees amiss here. | ||
| Ourdee |
Dean Adams makes a package you may want to look at. http://ecommerce.deanadamsdesigns.com/product_info .php?products_id=56 My pipe is close to the pipe Dean sells. I do not sell pipes. I run the Drummer program with the pipe. A talk with Dean will get you some better answers on the pipe than I have. There's a bumper on the forward most ECM mount. Is this sufficient to avoid problems from seat contact? My short answer is "no". Longer answer is; When it gets warm out the seat will sag enough to touch the wire plugs attached to the ECM. I relocated mine after it cracked the ECM. | ||
| Yan |
>>>There's a bumper on the forwardmost ECM mount. Is this sufficient to avoid problems from seat contact? Me thinks it depends on the rider's weight, and maybe the type of seat you have on, and how far forward you tend to slide when riding. I am yet to damage the ECM on mine (having used all 3 types of seats by Buell) in 7 seasons and over 30 thousand miles, and neither has my wife on her Uly. >>>The footpegs are slick - way less grip than I'm used to. Try getting '09 pegs (black color vs silver) - much better grip. (Message edited by Yan on February 16, 2018) | ||
| Dtaylor |
In addition to the other peg suggestions, Precision Engineering makes a nice, big grippy peg set: https://www.preeng.com/xcart/Buell-Ulysses-Billet- Footpegs.html | ||
| Tootal |
The PE's are pricey but man do I love them. I guaranty you won't slip off of them! They make a one inch drop which is stock or a two inch drop which is nice for a little more leg room. | ||
| Odd |
I weigh 180 and broke the ecm. I would relocate the ecm it does not take that long to do and it's cheaper than getting a new one | ||
| Ourdee |
Yan, I said when it gets warm out. You live in Canada, Eh. | ||
| Redtail |
I swapped the silver pegs for a set of the black ones and they are way better than the silver ones. They seem deeper groves and sharper my boot doesn't slip on them like the other ones. Relocate the ECM the plastic seat pan softens up when it gets warmed up and it will get hot. Heat shield stuck to the bottom of my seat the gold kind it in the auto parts shops it looks like gold foil and is around $30 money well spent. No more chestnuts roasting. Bottom of my seat looks like it came off the lunar lander. Also Shop Manual is a must. Cheers and Enjoy the Adventure.. (Message edited by Redtail on February 18, 2018) (Message edited by Redtail on February 18, 2018)  (Message edited by Redtail on February 18, 2018) | ||
| Greg_m |
Spring is coming right?   The aftermarket pegs look great but $$. Might have a go at adding grip to the stockers first. I had a quick look under the seat with an eye to moving the ECM. Sure would be nice if the harness was long enough to get it back behind the battery but it isn't. | ||
| Afsoc_commando |
Remember if you decide to buy 2009/2010 Pegs used they MUST be from a ULY due to the mount being a different size then the rest of the XB line. I know this since I won some Knight Design drop pegs on a raffle that were for an XB and they did not fit my XT. The precision engineering are pricey, but they have much more meat on them, grip extremely well and if you do ride through mud they will self clean pretty easily. If you can swing the money I would recommend them. | ||
| Greg_m |
I took a crack at relocating the ECM. My first thought was put it between the battery and fuse box so I modified the battery tray and this is what I got:  But the wires definately contact the seat base (which has a molded boss in exactly the wrong spot) so this might be worse than before. So I tried this:  Seems better. I might try claying it when the weather warms up to see exactly whats happening but this is how it sits for now with the standoff on the front mount reinstalled for some extra peace of mind:  | ||
| Froggy |
That is how I ended up doing mine. I do get a little rubbing on the corners of the ECM, but at least it isn't pressing on the connectors anymore. One of these days I'll 3d print some kind of shield. | ||
| Ratbuell |
200 lb rider, 2006 with stock tall seat, one of the factory blocks on each of the ECM screws, ECM in the stock location, 30k+ miles...zero ECM issues on my bike. | ||
| 1313 |
One of these days I'll 3d print some kind of shield. Before there was 3D printing there was laser cutting and sheet metal bending.  Will you look at that 13 in the middle...  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
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| Etennuly |
My 06 has had two of the little factory spacers since near new. Original location. Started to show crack in sealer on ECM, so I put second block in and sealed it with RTV at about 2,000 miles. Still going at 64,000. | ||
| Greg_m |
About the Shop Manual. I found an Owner's Manual. Parts Manual, and Electrical Diagnostics Manual at Buellmods.com but no Service or Shop Manual. Is there a source other than Ebay? | ||
| Arry |
Have you checked with a Harley dealership? I don't know if they still have them. | ||
| Screamer |
Greg_m, I sent a PM to you. R |
