| Author | Message | ||
     Syscrush |
Trying again, it looks like the last time I posted this it didn't show up for some reason... 1. Buy a 2008 XB12XT. 2. Preemptively upgrade the rear wheel bearings if they aren't the newer black seal units. 3. Do some aesthetic mods (carbon fender & chin spoiler from American Sportbike, XB12S bars, Cherry Bomb flyscreen and airbox cover). 4. Install comfort kit. 5. Open Airbox lid from American Sportbike. 6. Aftermarket stainless muffler (suggestions for something not loud?). 7. ECM tune/reflash to work with intake, exhaust, servo delete, and comfort kit. 8. Voltmeter install & swap to MOSFET R/R (I do this on all bikes before I ride them). 9. Order a spare belt and carry it everywhere. 10. Mount GPS and install heated vest pigtail. 11. Ride it and be happy. Does that sound like a formula for success? I love the looks of the XB12S and the functionality of the XB12XT. I think that it's cheaper/easier to start with the XT and do some appearance mods than to start with the S and try to have a custom luggage rack made, and swap to a shock with remote preload adjustment. I still hate the looks of the bigger XT seat, but I expect that I'll prefer how it feels 8 hours into a 12 hour ride, and as long as I get to look at the sexy translucid S cover and flyscreen, I can probably cope with it.  I understand that the (comparatively) massive fairing & windscreen on the XT offer a lot more wind/weather protection than the stuff on the S, but I don't care. I've done plenty of 13 hour days on my Duke 690 and my naked-with-clipons SV650 before that. Being in the wind helps keep me out of trouble. Thanks for any info, insight, or advice! Phil. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Hi Phil, That sounds like a pretty good plan for a new Uly owner. My suggestions on your list: -I would seriously consider going to the 2010 rear wheel just to bury the bearing problem once and for all. -I don't think you need an open airbox mod as the 2007-up XB's basically have an open airbox (ask Al; he'll be glad to tell you if you need the part or not). -The only stainless muffler I'm aware of is the one made by Drummer, and it's not quiet (it's not crazy loud; it's just not quiet). You can get a quiet insert from Kevin which may make it acceptable. Good luck! Hugh | ||
| Syscrush |
Thanks Hugh. I thought about a rear wheel upgrade, but I wrestle with the cost/benefit compared to getting the new bearings and keeping an eye on it. Open airbox mod is for looks more than anything else - I just think it looks so great under the translucid cover. Is there some kind of exhaust round-up somewhere that will help me choose something that best fits my needs? | ||
| Hughlysses |
Phil, You'll probably be fine with the stock wheel as long as you keep an eye on it, install replacement bearings correctly (see Al's post under rear wheel bearings in the "new owners" section), and always install the rear wheel correctly after you have it off the bike. Here's everything you ever needed to know about XB exhausts: http://www.americansportbike.com/Exhaust_Shootout. html | ||
| Gringo |
my two cents, ive screwed around with exhaust a bunch and never really gotten the harley sound i wanted. always suffered performance and i have decided only loud makes better performance. my stock catalytic with EBR ecm sounds pretty good and works the best of all ive tried. | ||
| Hughlysses |
BTW- there's been at least one new muffler introduced since Al's exhaust shootout. They're also a Badweb sponsor: http://www.deanadamsdesigns.com/ | ||
| Erwin8r |
Your plan sounds great. I'd second the 2010 wheel, if you;re going there anyway--not too much more investment-wise, and total peace of mind. With respect to exhaust, because you're touring, I'd opt for a mildly modified stock unit (think Hawk), with ceramic coating. It will cost less than a true after-market system, and will be durable. | ||
| Syscrush |
Does the 2008 XT have a catalytic? If so, I'll be keeping the exhaust stock. I'd only swap it if doing so would not remove a cat. Thanks very much for the pointer to that American Sport Bike shootout - what an amazing wealth of information! | ||
| Gringo |
cant say for US bikes, mines a HDI and its 08 with catalytic. in any case you should make your first mod the EBR "race" ECM for stock pipes, bet that will do all you want, it forgets the exhaust valve and also gets rid of most of the annoying fan complaints. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Catalytic converter is on only on export model XBs. | ||
| Syscrush |
I'm in Canada, don't know if they get lumped in with the Euro bikes or the US ones... | ||
| Reepicheep |
I stuck with my 2007 wheel, but ordered a new set of bearings and spacers, which I keep on the bike any time I'm going more than a couple hours from home. I inspect the bearings carefully with every tire change, and visually inspect them before most rides. Been like that from 10k (bought) to 24k (current) without a problem. On an 08 you already have an open airbox. The stock exhaust is functionally very effective and wonderfully quiet. And easy enough to repaint. Mosfet RR means nothing, save your money. Series versus shunt regulator would mean something, but on a Uly that is a solution to a problem you don't have. IMHO. | ||
| Treefrog |
Take that brand new shiny spare belt you order and install it on your bike. Take all of the tools you just needed to install the belt and pack them in your tools on the bike. You now know how to install the belt, you will have the proper tools with you when you need them, and you have a slightly stretched belt as a spare. Makes things go a lot faster when you have to install it on the side of the road. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Great recommendation Treefrog. Plus carrying a spare belt leverages parallel universe quantum karma mechanics (otherwise known as murphys law) to make sure you never need it. If you didn't have the spare belt, your main belt would have broken. But since you have a spare, you will never need it. It's just how it works. | ||
| Syscrush |
That's very solid reasoning, thank you! | ||
| Syscrush |
Mosfet RR means nothing, save your money. Series versus shunt regulator would mean something, but on a Uly that is a solution to a problem you don't have. Having dealt with failed and failure-prone RR's on my SV650 and my wife's Monster 620, I've become paranoid about motorcycle charging systems. Even though it's still a shunt type instead of series/switched, upgrading to a MOSFET regulator (from a Honda CBR600RR) wired straight to the battery with 10ga wire (and a fuse) made a world of difference on my SV and my wife's Monster - the RR itself was much cooler, and I had a stable 14.4V. If the Uly has an SCR RR, it's coming off immediately as a preventive measure - I won't ride a bike with one. What (if anything) else should be done to the charging system over the winter to ensure that I never have to think about it again other than seeing a nice little green light on my voltmeter? |
