| Author | Message | ||
     Whiskeytango |
Kevin talked me through the install last night on my 04 XB12S and I am floored. The sound is like thunder peeling. It is louder by an order of magnitude than the race pipe and the power delivery is RIGHT NOW! The noise level did not offend me or my wife but it might offend the sucka on my left when I nail it at a stoplight. Just blipping the throttle in 1st pogos the front end up in a comical manner. I am still taking it real easy as it is very obviously a totally different bike, but the difference is obvious--more power everywhere. Did I mention that the sound FU**ING ROCKS!!! The pipe is a hand-made masterpiece that is an unbelievable bargain for what Kevin is asking. If you have an XB12 with the factory race kit, you must ditch the factory exhaust and bolt on a drummer. According to Kevin and Steve a chin-mount fairing solution is now available! You will be amazed! I'm going riding! Thanks for looking, WT  | ||
| Whiskeytango |
More pics!  | ||
| Whiskeytango |
1 more for now!  | ||
| Whiskeytango |
ok, 1 more!  | ||
| Drift |
That is hot!!! Anything that Kevin does is top Notch. Now you got me thinking......Too bad I have a 9.. | ||
| Jasonxb12s |
Looks damn nice...You got me thinking too. | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Is that particular can only good for XB12 owners exclusively? | ||
| Jerseyguy |
There's one for the 9s also. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
WT - Man your bike looks good in that first pic. There's just something about the short wheelbase, chopped fender, stepped seat, no frills, naked Buell look that is just bad •••. It looks like its saying "Are you talking to ME???" lol. | ||
| Spatten1 |
That looks great! | ||
| Whiskeytango |
I can't stop!  | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I think it can still look wonderful with the Chin Fairing, especially on bikes with the seat cowl. What do you think Steve?  | ||
| Nutsosane |
WT, I recently painted the "magnesium" portion of my chin fairing with a bumper coat black. I've got to say it makes all the difference. I dig the "butch" look but hate all the wiring running along the right side. If there were a simple piece to cover that area alone, Kevin would have to hire a full-time staff just for SS's. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
GJ, You know I respect your opinion and I do like your look, but It is a bit more "refined" looking and I think WT's is a bit more mechanically aggressive looking. I like seeing the "mechanicalness" of the machine as Indian Larry used to say. Of course there is no answer to which is best - It's all a matter of personal taste. When I look at your bike I see the color and when I look at WT's bike all I see is engine. (Message edited by jerseyguy on November 11, 2005) | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Nuts - My hillbilly buddy is working weekends just to keep up as it is! | ||
| Kds1 |
I've got the cure for the mounts on the way... stay tuned.... WT, man your bike is sick looking!!!! I wish it was mine!!!!! Nuts, I'm already looking for help now..... Mike, A special thanks to you for the great machine work and awesome engraving... jerseyguy, all I can say is you are one drawing sob... thanks for all your help everyday... Kevin www.kdfab.com (Message edited by kds1 on November 11, 2005) | ||
| Buelltroll |
Keeps the chin fairing you say.... VERY interesting... Now if you could just do the dual exits... Keep us posted on the mounts plz. | ||
| Whiskeytango |
Thanks for the compliments! I already feel unreasonably proud of this fine muffler. Just to let you all know, the installation was very straight forward and if you can't already tell from the pics, the front-mount design is the embodiment of elegant simplicity. I've ridden the bike three times since I got the exhaust on and each ride, my grin gets bigger. I really just can't believe the difference. On the highway, rolling on the throttle in 5th produces one of the most pleasant noises I have ever heard as I accelerate to pass. At idle the sound seems lower, deeper and more percussive than the race can did and the Drummer pops less on deceleration than the race can. The Drummer's low-end power delivery was demonstrated yesterday when I broke the rear tire loose accelerating out of a corner. It only slipped about 4 inches and I was mostly upright before I got on the throttle--not even full throttle! It really rides like a totally different AND BETTER bike. Be careful when you first get one! Did I mention that I weight 215 LBS? Kevin Drum is the man! If you want to run faster, ask Kevin to build you a set of mufflers for your feet! WT | ||
| Cmm213 |
Hey whiskey the drummer looks great, but I have a off subject question. What mirrors are you running? I have never seen those, they are great at first I didnt even think you had mirrors on it from the pic they hide very well. I'm tossing my ugly stock mirrors and I really dont like bar ends, could you tell me what those are. thanks | ||
| Whiskeytango |
I bought my mirror (left side only) from R&R customizing in Germany. I shortened it a little and painted it with matte black Gunkote. I think it was under $100 US including shipping. WT | ||
| Xring |
WT, That is a great looking bike. Good job. Bill | ||
| Jerseyguy |
No dual exits on the SS - Kevin assures me that they won't work. Try Odie - I think he makes a muffler version with dual exits. | ||
| Buellishxx |
WT; I'm wondering what bars you have on there. I want to change mine to something lower, kinda like the one's you're running. | ||
| Whiskeytango |
O'Neal Azonic CR low bars painted frame grey. Comfy and cheap at about 35 bucks. WT | ||
| Kbxb12s |
What brand of seat is that? | ||
| Buellshyter |
If they will give me a money-back guarantee, I'll ditch my pipe and buy the Drummer. | ||
| Opto |
Rick, I just checked your profile (race kit on '05 XB12S), I don't think you'll need a money-back guarantee, maybe just a new pair of undies  | ||
| Whiskeytango |
American Sport Bike style Corbin seat. My wife says it isn't comfortable for her as a passenger for more than 20 minutes at a time, so she wants her own bike instead! WT | ||
| Kds1 |
Rick, Does Buell offer a money back guarantee on the race can?? Why would you need a money back guarantee for something that makes better power delivery unless you are concerned about noise?? I personally think you are happy with your bike, go out and enjoy it..... Kevin www.kdfab.com | ||
| Bindy |
Hi Kevin, Well good news and bad news!! Bad news first, unfortunately I am not worthy to hold the #1 plate.  Have asked Opto to put the Fatlet on my bike, and take the SS off. Good news,  for those that like the full on lurch out of the starting gate feel get yourself a SS. Was very humbling to have to admit too much grunt for this little lady  . Sorry Kevin, but I just do not have the experience on the Buell yet to handle it, and it would be foolish to pretend I could. Maybe when I get a few more miles up and get the already snappy throttle control (which I love) down pat, I will want the extra and put the SS back on. But as I said would be really foolish at this stage could do myself a damage, and thats not what it's about. Besides I am allowed to be a skirt!!!!! Felt like she had become possessed! My Bindy Buell Lightning had turned into a Roaring Thor! I just hope you understand, if you want the look and you walk the walk you need to be able to talk the talk!! Take Care, Be Safe and Stay Upright, Jannelle | ||
| Kds1 |
Bindy, As far as I'm concerned, you're still #1 !!!! You'll grow into it, maybe by then I'll have applied a few more tricks...  Kevin www.kdfab.com | ||
| Tcskeptic |
How loud exactly is the SS? Is it •••• off your neighbors loud? Or just good n' loud. Also, is it necessary to use the race ECM? | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
Warren, where have you been? The least wanted thought that you might have gotten lost in AR. | ||
| Whiskeytango |
I survived Arkansas, but just barely! I hope there are a few riding days where we can all get together before the snow sets in! Talk to you soon, WT | ||
| Whiskeytango |
Tcsceptic, It's just good n' loud! I like the Drummer tone/volume because it is the sound of a part doing it's job correctly. As far as the race ECM is concerned, "necessary" is relative according to Kevin, but the difference is obvious to me every time I twist the throttle! Race ECM+ Filter+ Drummer SS=much more fun than stock! I wish I could afford an extra to carry around like a baby or build a non-denominational shrine of speed with! I bet it would work! WT | ||
| Tcskeptic |
By necessary in this case I mean, "Can do in phases (Drummer, then Air and ECM) and have everything still operate as intended." Which from your comment sounds as though the answer is yes. Thanks for the info. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Tes - I installed my Drummer SS with only the stock filter and stock ECM at first. I had ordered the race ECM from the dealer and a K&N online and had to wait. I probably drove the bike a couple of hundred miles before I had all 3 components on the bike. It ran fine without the K&N and Race ECM, but there was a marked improvement when they were added. |
