| Author | Message | ||
     Dtmb |
I have an 06 xb9sx. I just ordered some bar end mirrors. I want to get a K&N filter and a special-ops or drummer pipe. What other things should I be looking to do to it? | ||
| Slaughter |
Buy a notebook and start working on suspension settings, checking tire pressures. | ||
| Dc29 |
Engine overhaul shortly after K&N install.Or throw hand full of sand in intake to get it over with Quicker. | ||
| Dtmb |
whats wrong with the K&N filter? How can it be worse than the stock filter? | ||
| Oxygen151 |
A ton of people run K&N filters in their bikes and are fine. I know that in independent particle tests, the results have been surprising in how much stuff the K&N lets by, but a lot of people have great results with them. What other filter would you recommend? | ||
| Marksm |
I know a top Auto tuner. He used to be an Engineer at one of the big 3 and he has thousands of dyno runs under his belt. He says a paper filter is fine and the K&N doesn't give enough gains to use one. On top of that most people over oil them and the oil will stick to the wires in the Mass air flow meter and throw the calibration off. | ||
| Oxygen151 |
I've heard that as well Marksm, but I mean if this product truly was the root cause of needing an engine rebuild i dont think they would be the company they are today. | ||
| Dc29 |
A while back on here sombody posted a site about a guy that tested oils. He also did a test on air filters of various material types and brands. K&N didn't do to well.Hold one up to a light. See light coming through? So does fine particles of dirt.Most all bike and auto mfgs. use paper element type. Reason, to keep dirt out of engine including Buells. If they thought they were better I bet they would be using K&N. Someone chime in with the post on this test please. | ||
| Oxygen151 |
Im not disagreeing Dc29. I have seen similar tests that are not in favor of K&N. As far as why manufacturers don't use K&N is a different ball game-Cost! | ||
| Skinstains |
Hey Dtmb, do whatever YOU think looks cool. If it is a mechanical or performance change, then look here for advice. That's my advice. | ||
| Dc29 |
Oxygen 151,they sell filters not engines. Small benefit if racing but racing engines get rebuilt before it becomes a problem. Every day rider I need what keeps engine best protected for max milage. I raced MX and cross country for years in the dirt. No one used K&N filters in that type of dirt environment. Bottom line it's your choice.JMO | ||
| Dtmb |
I've had a K&N cone filter on my car for nearly three years and I haven't had a problem. I didn't know about the lack of particle filtration. I guess it makes sense though, if more air can freely flow through the filter; so can the dirt. | ||
| Dc29 |
If more companys thought they were the way to go they would use them by the millons and the price would come down. | ||
| Oxygen151 |
Yea i get that they sell filters, not engines. I am agreeing with you that they do not filter as well Dc29. Theres no doubt in my mind that they dont, but as to why they are not installed by OEM mfgr's is not because the filters do not do an adequate enough job. Dtmb- sorry for somewhat jacking your thread. The drummer is a good pipe. I want one really bad, probably a winter mod myself. Or if you have the cash and can find one, a Micron is a great exhaust. As far as necessary mods goes, I think most people can agree upon the breather re-route mod. Good luck! | ||
| Stevenc150 |
Dtmb said: I want to get a K&N filter and a special-ops or drummer pipe. What other things should I be looking to do to it? You'll definitely have to do a re-map on your ECM if you do an intake AND exhaust upgrade or you will be running way lean. BTW, your car has a learning ECM, which is to say, when you do an "upgrade" mod like intake or exhaust, it "learns" it in and adjusts the fuel and air maps accordingly. An '06 XB9SX doesn't. | ||
| Dtmb |
how does one re-map the ECM? Will I need to buy a tuner? I'm not the greatest when it comes to electronics. Would I be better off just doing a pipe? Would I need a re-map for that as well? | ||
| Oxygen151 |
Dtmb, another thing that is very common practice amongst buellers is chopping the license plate holder on the tail down to a nice clean look. They also sell these on American Sport Bike.com | ||
| Dtmb |
cheese grater is gone. I bought the bike with that already done. | ||
| Oxygen151 |
Nice. To remap you have a few options. You can buy some dyno time and get your bike tuned on the dyno. This is the best thing to do but its costly and not always available. Most i believe use ECMspy. Its a free program that allows you to download maps into your ECM and do all kinds of adjustments. All you need is the cable which you can make or buy on ebay or American Sport Bike.com | ||
| Oxygen151 |
I can only speak for the Original Drummer, but if you end up going with that pipe, a lot of people have said you can run it and a new filter without remapping and be fine. | ||
| Stevenc150 |
Dtmb said: how does one re-map the ECM? Will I need to buy a tuner? I'm not the greatest when it comes to electronics. Would I be better off just doing a pipe? Would I need a re-map for that as well? Go to www.ECMSpy.com and start learning, just like I did. You can do it yourself, but just be careful. You can do the Intake AND exhaust upgrade by buying a Buell Race ECM and get by for a while, but to get the best long-term results, you need to re-map your ECM with ECMSpy or something similar. You can do just an exhaust upgrade and be alright for a while. The thing is that Buells come from the factory mostly LEAN. Lean means bad news for the engine as far as long term is concerned. Eventually, running lean, means running hot....which is bad for the motor (long-term). A lot is discussed about re-maps on BuellXB.com if you want to check it out. | ||
| Herobluebuell |
as posted by DC29 "A while back on here sombody posted a site about a guy that tested oils. He also did a test on air filters of various material types and brands. K&N didn't do to well.Hold one up to a light. See light coming through? So does fine particles of dirt.Most all bike and auto mfgs. use paper element type. Reason, to keep dirt out of engine including Buells. If they thought they were better I bet they would be using K&N. Someone chime in with the post on this test please." That someone was me actually. two good articles. http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm and http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.h tm | ||
| Punkid8888 |
HID kit, still one of my favorite mods | ||
| Rah7777777 |
I have a special ops pipe and LOVE it! But Drummers are damn nice too! I would stick with either of the 2 and you will be happy!!!! +1 on the HID setup Might want to look into www.xblights.com (thats me.) Look into some Pazzo or CRG levers Download and learn ECM SPY as it is nothing but your friend. possibly a catch can setup, American Sport Bike has a beautifully crafted one. Shoot, go ahead and buy a notebook and number the pages 1 through 1,000. each different idea/mod you have throw it on a different number. In a couple months you will need a new book! :-) Keep it safe -Robert | ||
| New12r |
I use a K&N on my bike's and cars, not for performance but so I NEVER HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER ONE. $50 for ONE air filter, or $15 a pop every 15k, well at 45k on my truck I have got my moneys worth. My firebolt had 35k when I totalled it, K&N from day one, that motor is still running strong with a K&N at well over 50k. My Uly is at 26k, and has had a K&N in it since before I bought it, still no rebuild on that one either. On top of that most people over oil them and the oil will stick to the wires in the Mass air flow meter and throw the calibration off. Yes that is very true, but Buells dont have mass air meters. In the end it is your choice, I have made 0 power improvements on my bike. The filter was for a life long filter, the pipe is because I love the sound of the race can, I would love the stock pipe performance but hate the sound. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I ride off road with the K&N rechargeable. I just reoil it. I know I am getting more dirt on it than 98% of y'all (not counting the guys in big bad and dirty) It performs fine. Acc's Better Lighting Comfier seat GpS Right side scoop Air horn LRB brake pads Tires and ride time. | ||
| Ourdee |
Just ride the tires off of it. Oh, maybe get some stickers to make it go faster. But mainly ride it a lot.  | ||
| Froggy |
The NOS sticker I am putting on the carbon canister will give 5HP  | ||
| Dtmb |
Should I be fabbing a bracket so I can install a rear wing? A wing would increase my top speed, handling, and give me another 35hp easy. Right? Should I buy a turbinator so I can increase my MPG as well? I really want to ride my bike, but the weather isnt playing nice. I probably wont have it on the road until late march.  | ||
| Froggy |
I don't think it broke freezing today, its going to be snowing tomorrow. Screw my car  (Jlnance's bike) |
