Race Buell Improvement Thread

And the answer is: I need to find new excuses, 'cause the bike isn't one.

90.3 to 93.8hp at the wheel depending on the pull and gear. The torque curve has a slight dip from 4.5k to 5.3k RPM, down about 5 to 7ft/lbs in that region, otherwise is basically a table top after 3.5k. HP is just one nice linear climb up to the limiter.

Thats actually pretty impressive:up: and now you know where to apply your efforts to be faster:angel:

Do you have a good lap timer/tracker? Something like Speed Addict that will track the entire lap, compare laps, and calculate coasting times etc? That app on a burner phone with a race box mini is a very accurate and powerful tool.

I don't, never got one 'cause I'm too much of a damn gauge watcher. Will put that on the "todo" list. I've been helping a friend start to interpret data from a SOLO 2 setup, crazy amount of detail those can provide. If I'm going to have to learn the software anyways... maybe I should get one?

Cooter said:

Thats actually pretty impressive:up: and now you know where to apply your efforts to be faster:angel:

Do you have a good lap timer/tracker? Something like Speed Addict that will track the entire lap, compare laps, and calculate coasting times etc? That app on a burner phone with a race box mini is a very accurate and powerful tool.

Click to expand...

Speed Addict or Track Addict?

...can't get my head out of my ass to go faster damnit...

Failed to qualify, dropped a second per lap but didn't make the cut.

Anyone know the stock spring rates in a 2008 XB12XT? Feels like I possibly need to bump the rear one notch... also curious if either end is progressive wound instead of straight rate?

Kurlon said:

Anyone know the stock spring rates in a 2008 XB12XT? Feels like I possibly need to bump the rear one notch... also curious if either end is progressive wound instead of straight rate?

Click to expand...

Ulysses build date 7/05 thru 8/06 front fork springs straight wound
Ulysses build date late 8/06 thru end of production front fork springs progressively wound

Factory never published any suspension spring rates I'm aware of.

Good to know, so I've got progressive front springs, wonder if the shock is progressive wound as well? I'm using about 3in of the 4.9in front travel available, and that's without really using the front brake properly. Really debating now about swapping to an R6 16mm radial master... Racetech's DB says the front springs are .68 kg/mm but doesn't note they're progressive, and is suggesting .65 straight rate for me, ehhh... Loudon prefers stiffer in general. No data on the rear end. Looking at pics of the shock online, boy that looks like a progressive wound spring in back too.

Looking at tire wear, I need to lower the front end or stiffen the rear as I'm rear biased a bit. Not seeing any signs of blatantly bad damping but my pace may not be high enough for that to show itself yet. No tearing, so pressures are in the ballpark. I do get a little 'pumping' action in the rear out of T12 onto the front straight, side of the tire rolling it on, not sure if that should be tackled with more compression or rebound damping? Traction is a little variable through there as well, crossing some paint stripes so that's not helping.

I'll be curious to see what the engine and primary oil look like after four events and just over 300 track miles. This last round at Loudon was the first time the bike seemed like it was HOT, temps were mid 70s but the humidity was 80%+ all freaking weekend, and the bike saw shorter cool down intervals between sessions. Loudon is also a lower speed track compared to well, anywhere so lots more time at full grunt at lower MPH so less overall airflow. Might be time to pack a fan to help her relax while on stands?

Fronts so stiff you are leaving 1.5" on the table. Seems wrong.

outthere said:

Fronts so stiff you are leaving 1.5" on the table. Seems wrong.

Click to expand...

I'm attributing that more to pace and not using all the front brake available right now. I know there is much more front brake there 'cause I panic squeezed more a couple times in traffic and the bike said 'Sure' without a flinch.

Got it. Don't panic squeeze leaned over. It stands the bike up in an instant.

So, discovered today at some point I've become afraid of moderate braking on a bike. Figured it out riding my Pan America to Bike Week to abuse some test rides. It all clicks now, dunno WHY I'm tensing up and refusing to use more than a little brake, but it's clearly happening and I caught myself doing it on a demo bike too.

Fine for the street. Track is not so good. The reason is that if you're not aggressive on the brakes you are braking early. Might get assed packed. I like to brake hard enough that the rear wanders just a tad, always straight up. Off the brake , crack the throttle to unload the suspension. That's just me. The bike has plenty of stopping power.

Looks like the last air-cooled twins holdouts in Super Hooligans are the two riders on BMW R Nine Ts, out of the crate they're about on par with the Buell at the brochure, 95ish HP at the wheel, 72ft/lbs of torque, but a bit of a weight problem. Looks like they can be punched up to 1300cc and drop 135hp to the wheel though, which would explain how they're hanging in there with the liquid crew. No idea how far you can strip them down weight wise.

400mi of race abuse later, so far it's looking happy in the garage. Front pulley nut shows no signs of moving since repaired, no leaks, belt is happy. Going to drop the engine and primary oil later for a change and look-see.

Kurlon said:

Looks like the last air-cooled twins holdouts in Super Hooligans are the two riders on BMW R Nine Ts, out of the crate they're about on par with the Buell at the brochure, 95ish HP at the wheel, 72ft/lbs of torque, but a bit of a weight problem. Looks like they can be punched up to 1300cc and drop 135hp to the wheel though, which would explain how they're hanging in there with the liquid crew. No idea how far you can strip them down weight wise.

Click to expand...

But they can't turn. According to a fastback rider grad-buddy that ran one for a season in Fontana. Their limit is those cylinder heads. Work on corner speed and you should be competitive!

The King said, go in slow come out fast.

Ricky Bobby said "If you ain't first... you're last"
:applause:

The desire to be dumb and go into debt one more time is creeping up on me. Mid Ohio's entry deadline is next Thur... for only approx $4k thrown on the credit card I could make one more try... there is a track day Monday so I could get actual instruction on the track from locals before hand, and an extra test day Thursday before the event for more practice time... of all the tracks I can reach, Mid Ohio feels like the least HP dominating one on the docket?