| Author | Message | ||
     Syscrush |
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. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
>1. Buy a 2008 XB12XT. Yes. >2. Preemptively upgrade the rear wheel bearings if they aren't the newer black seal units. just get the 2010 wheel assembly from American Sport Bike >3. Do some aesthetic mods (carbon fender & chin spoiler from American Sportbike, XB12S bars, Cherry Bomb flyscreen and airbox cover). I'm more partial to "hero blue" myself. >4. Install comfort kit. As long as I am wearing my aerostitch, the heat doesn't bug me. >5. Open Airbox lid from American Sportbike. 2007 and up already have an improved inner airbox. I installed a K&N filter no noticable improvement in power but more intake HONK. >6. Aftermarket stainless muffler (suggestions for something not loud?). Agreed. My rusty stocker works ok but is rusty. >7. ECM tune/reflash to work with intake, exhaust, servo delete, and comfort kit. I want this as well. I hear good things about the EBR race ECU. >8. Voltmeter install & swap to MOSFET R/R (I do this on all bikes before I ride them). I agree with the voltmeter but the 2008 charging system is pretty good. I run one of those stick-on kuryakin jobs. >9. Order a spare belt and carry it everywhere. Agreed but don't forget the tools you need to swap it out. >10. Mount GPS and install heated vest pigtail. Getting lost is FUN. >11. Ride it and be happy. Also correct One thing to add: the clutch cable on the 2008 bikes is routed weird and the only thing keeping it from the front header is the little springy thing. Mine broke at 720 miles! There is an upgraded part available that looks like a box stamped out of sheet metal. My shop also rerouted the cable so it isn't so tight. | ||
| Tootal |
9. Order a spare belt and put it on in the comfort of your garage and put the used one in your bike for a spare. It will be pre-stretched and much easier to put on, on the side of the road, at night, in the rain... | ||
| Crusty |
1. Buy a 2008 XB12XT. 2. Ride the piss out of it. 3. Don't sweat the other stuff. | ||
| Fung |
Yes, what crusty said! | ||
| Syscrush |
Thanks very much for the advice, folks. I actually double-posted this thread, and thought I had deleted the extra one, but I guess it was too strong to be killed. The rest of the discussion is happening in the other thread (Message edited by Syscrush on September 26, 2012) | ||
| Uly_man |
"but I expect that I'll prefer how it feels 8 hours into a 12 hour ride, but I don't care. I've done plenty of 13 hour days on my Duke 690" Super cool? A 12.5 hour run at constant 70 mph with a 30 min rest every 2 hours is 700 miles. |
