| Author | Message | ||
     Spacewolf |
OK guys, if your missus gives you the green light to spend some cash, and you can't justify a 4th bike, what engine mods do you go for? I'm thinking a cam (of some description, tho I wouldn't know which to go for), maybe some KB pistons. What about a fuel system? And if so, what system? I got an 08 long, that currently has K&N filter, full (coated) micron exhaust, and iridium spark plugs. I did flirt with the idea of a bolt on 1250 kit, but I'm a little stand offish on that one. Any ideas/help would be most appreciated. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Hmmn, I would go with what I thought was missing in performance. You sound like you don't really see anything missing and are not really sure what the mods would do anyway. (Being respectful here.) Maybe you should look at new tires, new riding equipment or some cool cosmetics for the bike. You won't spend so much and you'll have change left over. Take her out for a treat so you have better chance of more green lights in the future. | ||
| Werewulf |
if you have an 08, proceed with caution... there are enough stock running issues that havent been resolved... if you do engine mods, you are living on the edge... you might get lucky, or be stuck with a perpetual nightmare.. i put a 9 sprocket in my 08 and thats all im going to do until someone in the aftermarket finds a cure for the driveability issues on many of the new models.. | ||
| Sticks |
Trojan Horse does have the TFI box listed for '08 bikes. So their are options for getting it running right with mods. They are a Brit sponsor here. | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
Track days and suspension mods will make you & your bike faster than motor mods will. | ||
| Bads1 |
Many have tried the TFI unit. It was learned to be more of a pain in the neck then what it is worth. Your bike will not run the same day to day. Air temp,elavation,humidity. Your best to leave alone. Cam's are great but you usually on a stock motor hamper either your top end or you bottom end and even your torque will be maybe more on top and less on the bottom. Or all of the above vise a versa. | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
Take her out for a treat so you have better chance of more green lights in the future. I officially count that as a 'pimp move' Ha! im not sure what you have, the all important pimp move first, and your change can buy...... but you can do that airbox trick, where you dont have the actually airbox cover but only the top cover part.... not really a engine modd, get cosmetics shifters, levers, or a hydrolic clutch, tires, track days, wave rotors, steering dampner, SpOps heat shield, blinkers, auto blinker kill switch, 1125 mirrors, integrated tail light, more tires, brake pads, primary gear reduction kit, custom paint job, Front&Back bike stands, .... ahh whats left? a new home theater system, some klipsch speakers, a HD projector and a nice white wall for the real home theater feel (we have one and its really nice, but not HD) | ||
| Sticks |
Thanks for your insight regarding TFI woes Bads1. I don't have any experience with this product, or with a woman saying I should buy crap to make my bike faster. I've never heard of such a thing. We do owe it to Spacewolf to make certain he spends money on mods of some kind. It's the right thing to do. | ||
| Spacewolf |
Thanks sticks! To get her to say this, I nearly had to die by the way (not kidding!) I've got a bit of an idea of what I want to do with it. I know I can get various cam grinds to bring power, or torque, on at certain points in the rev range (depending on the grind of the cam), and that some high compression pistons will generate a hotter burn (and also a crisper throttle response). Iamarchangel is close to the money when he says I don't know what I want: I know what the engine mods will do, but I just don't know where the general consensus thinks the engine is lacking. I don't think I want top end (I had a K5GSXR1K, top end is only a disposable lisence). Bottom end to mid range power is pretty good on these things anyways, I'm just wondering if it's worth "beefing it up". For those who suggested body work: I've already been ok'd to get as much carbon fibre bits as I wish (which will happen). I did think about going with yellow panels, but a few of the fellas here thought it may be a bit pansyish. Werewulf: I have been nervous about the 08 running issues, but thus far the bike's run great, including a recent 2500 kay trip to Cairns and back. (touch wood) no dramas, even with oil usage (and yes, there is oil in the bike. I think.) I guess the question should be, what are the most common engine mods? Or, what are the racing blokes running? Thanks for the responses fellas! | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
few of the fellas here thought it may be a bit pansyish F%(k the fellas. The fact they don't like yellow makes it that much cooler to me. My last bike was yellow and I liked the fact not that many people had yellow bikes, but that's just me. One of the things that I liked about the Buell is that not many people had one. | ||
| Sticks |
My guess would be that most Buell owners do fit some kind of aftermarket exhaust and air filer and correct for those bolt on mods with ecmspy or direct link or some piggy back arrangement. There is no shortage of mods available, it just depends on what you want and what you want to spend. Really, if your bike is running great maybe just some simple stuff like a slip on and filter and tune or some other means of correcting for the mods and some trick suspension. There is also a thread where a guy posed the question " If you had 2K to spend what mods " A member here said the biggest bang for buck mod on his bike was replacing some of the primary drive stuff with trick alloy bits, sprocket etc. This allows the bike to spin up faster with the reduced mass. You can do a search on that one. There are complete big bore piston kits from sponsors here and head work etc. You're talking big bucks once you start down that path. You could spend 2K easy just on trick suspension. That's what I'd do if I had 2K to throw at my bike. Carbon fiber is cool but other than look cool that's about all you get there. You could replace every single piece of bodywork and I don't know if it would even save you a pound. | ||
| Bads1 |
Build and good luck??? 98% percent of the members here on this forum don't have internal engine mods. To many problems come along with it. Although a couple 9's are done here but not heavily. I know of one Uly done with a 1250 kit. So since the XB came out on this forum anyways, I've seen maybe 4 or 5 done. The cam grind that's in the bike is probably the most effective for street use. Change it.... something else suffers. Put a 1250 kit cam's??? Now you need someone to Dyno tune it and figure out the 08 fueling issues. The blessing you have from your better half is the same I have gotten from my wife years ago when I bought my 12. Also I have one of the best dealers as far as Buell's and there Racing back ground with Buell's.... Hal's. Also have one of the best Engine builders with Buell background...Revolution Performance. That would be Brian Nallin and staff and I still opted to leave it alone for reliability. Mind you either one of these fine establishments are within 4o minutes and a hour and 15 minutes. If I were to race then these are the guys I'd choose. Since I don't..... I enjoy my bike just the way it is and did bolt on performance item's. But you do what you like. After all its your bike. Check the sponsor section of this forum and ask very through questions. Then make the ultimate decision | ||
| Spacewolf |
Thanks sticks, bads1. I like the idea of the lightened primary bits, sticks. Suspension isn't terrible either, but finding an Ohlins set up is proving difficult. I've already got the exhaust, filter and iridium plugs. I guess you guys have answered: lighten the primary bits. Thanks! | ||
| Js_buell |
From my experience the best speed mod of all is a good racing school and god know`s you guys down in the states have plenty of good choice so you might want to look at this option too. | ||
| Point_doc |
...my bad (Message edited by Point_Doc on October 28, 2008) | ||
| Swordsman |
As picky as the fuel injection is, and being as difficult as it is to do proper tuning without the proper equipment, I'd personally stay far, far away from anything crazy like a cam and whatnot. Maybe a front bung and two wideband sensors should be the first purchase, and then go from there? ~SM | ||
| Point_doc |
+1 Swordsman For the very reason as you have stated about the cams, I also have stayed away from changing them. This is the main reason I stated in another thread that the best bang for the dollar is to remove weight. There is zero remapping and it free's the motor to do what it does best, SPIN. | ||
| Skinstains |
Ohlins fore and aft. | ||
| Werewulf |
if you have an 08, the sprocket has already been machined to be lighter than earlier years. | ||
| Slaughter |
You want to be faster, rider harder with more confidence and NOT sacrifice reliability then put your money into suspension and a notebook. You need the notebook so you can record your settings. If you want to be louder and sacrifice reliability then the engine work will do it right. You really can push these machines a LONG way before you're at the limit of the handling. Of course if you live where there are no twisty roads, that's different. Suspension and brakes and tires are where it's at. (Message edited by slaughter on October 27, 2008) | ||
| Spacewolf |
I'm dragging the exhaust ends already guys, so I am not really wanting to take the bike and me 1000 kays for a school (provided brisbane does it). Werewulf: bummer news. I was seriously thinking about going down that route. I've given up on the cams/pistons idea. Ah well, looks like I might have to leave it the way it is huh? | ||
| Skinstains |
I'm thinkin' another bike is in order. | ||
| Rkutzner |
Nuther Bike !!! YES ! | ||
| Sloppy |
Track days, track days and more track days. When you find a 500cc passing you on the track you quickly learn that it's the software between your ears that you need to mod. The bike is 10% of your performance - you are the remaining 90%... The reality is that track day riders can lap faster than you on a "warm up" lap. Spend $150 for a track day and learn for yourself just how fast you think you are... | ||
| Spacewolf |
Well, as far as track days go, $150 is bullshit, it'll cost me a hell of a lot more than that, as tracks are few and far between in regional Queensland. Think 700 odd miles, if there is one in Brisbane (which I'm not sure if there is). The next one would be somewhere in new south wales, about 3 000 miles from me. If there was not an available one there, then it's victoria. Bout 5000 miles for that. So, track days, track days, track days, are not a practical answer, as I would not get the time off work needed for a 2 week round trip (for one track day!). I do believe that "track day riders" would pass me. I actually don't really care if they can or not. I'm more interested in the feel, and look, of the bike than wether or not I can piss further than a track day rider. Not to worry, I think I have all the answers I need, so thanks to all who contributed, much appreciated. |
