| Author | Message | ||
     Werewulf |
i was wondering if there is enough performance improvements on the new bikes to justify trading in an 03 vs spending some money on upgrades on the older bike... | ||
| Jaimec |
Maybe not performance improvements (that means squat to me) but the RELIABILITY improvements would make it worth it to me. | ||
| Dmp0001 |
I havent heard of many reliability issues even with the older xbs. keep yours and spend your money on what you want for yours. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Performance wise no. Unless you'd rather have a 12 over the 9. If the bike has been reliable I would simply upgrade the belt to the 04+ pulleys and 06+ belt. I would most certainly upgrade the inner airbox to the 12/9SX style if you havn't already. My 05 has none of the newer upgrades. It has the old style straight cut gear tranny, old style oil pump gear, old style air through the frame like yours and has had zero mechanical failures. I can't imagine parting with her. Then again, she is my first Buell so I guess that makes her extra special to me  | ||
| Werewulf |
what is the airbox upgrade? | ||
| Dongalonga |
I sold my 03 XB9S to buy my 08 XB12R and have no regrets. The Lightning was a little more comfortable, but the Firebolt feels a bit sharper all around. | ||
| Bombardier |
The airbox upgrade is simply installing an 07 airbox with an 07 cover. This will cover the hole in the frame but not to worry as the air now will enter from just behind the fuel filler on top of the airbox cover. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Wolf, If the '03 is relatively low mileage,and in generally good nick, you won't really get any improvements performance wise with a new bike, and you will probably end up spending around $8000. For a small fraction of that, you could upgrade your present bike. Most brothers overlook the benefits from upgrading the suspension, but it is money very well spent. The normal air filter, race ECM, and muffler thing will add some performance. Lyndall gold brake pads, from American Sport Bike will improve braking for a reasonable cost. A new set of top rated tires will bring a smile to your face and won't cost big bucks either. Over thirty members have converted to chain, as it is much cheaper than upgrading to an 04 belt, if using the simple chain conversion supplied by Saintly, on this board, and you can change the gearing if you want. I have made over 50 mods to my 04, and I wouldn't dream of trading it in on a new one: it works just the way I want it to now. I have almost 12,000 miles on it. Of course, there is nothing keeping you from getting a new one, and then modifying it to your liking .  | ||
| Bombardier |
Check out some of the sponsors with regards to performance mods such as bigger jugs, cams, heads etc. If you were going to spend up you may as well stay with what you know and make a real rocket out of it than spend up and not really go any faster/harder. | ||
| Werewulf |
the 03 runs good, but looks kind of shaby...it has about 13k miles on it... i was thinking of a nallin head job and pulling the bike appart and doing some powder coating...then either some new plastic or a paint job... i paid 2500 bucks for the bike. (which is probably what its worth) and i would probably have that again in the bike if i fixed it up right...it would probably only be worth 3500 on the market.. yes i realize im not doing this for an investment... but i was looking at new ones yesterday and out the door price was over 10k bucks and these things depreciate at a tremenous rate..... | ||
| Werewulf |
speaking of buying new, i would think with the economy in the toilet that the dealers would be wanting to talk sense...but not!!! i called 3 dealerships and the sales people didnt even want to get up off their butts and look at what inventory they had... and as far as dealing, they said that they were priced pretty good from the factory... oh well, the dealerships are packed with new harleys that arent selling and they dont seem to care.. | ||
| Svo1023 |
Werewulf, We will make you a deal down here in Central Fl. Just give me a call... Mike Seminole Buell Shop....407-831-8888 | ||
| Js_buell |
Wulf you can be sure it's not that bad that the dealers on your side of the border are not moving on price up here even if our dollar is currently doing well compare to yours the price are still higher then the US ones. I only know one H-D/Buell dealer here t5hat as dropped hes price to close to your price which is 10400 for a 12s or 9900 for a 12r, other then that everywhere else they are over 11k | ||
| Eicas |
For most riders, including myself, the biggest performance improvement they can make is on their riding skills. If it was my money and the bike is basically sound, I would put the money into "track time" this summer. Besides, I think that there is something cool about an older bike that is well ridden that is able to leave the newer shiny and more expensive bikes behind. | ||
| Werewulf |
i just got off the phone with mike at the buell shop...he offered me a pretty painless deal...i will be going to see his inventory on tuesday...he sounded like a real gentleman... |
