Start off tips for an 05' XB12r owner.

[superfastgherkin]

Hello all.

I'm Stuart, 27, from Australia and have made a (what I consider) a bold move to Buell. I was getting around on a Suzuki DRZ400e for the last couple of years as my learner legal street bike. I have grown up on a farm and been around dirtbikes all my life. I've only had a few goes on mates roadbikes and loved every second... apart from the screaming banshee engines.. So now I get my full licence and have purchased myself a 2nd hand 2005 Buell XB12r. Handles like a dream, loads of torque and the sound has me grinning like I'm simple. It's got around 17000kms on the clock but is in very good condition other than a large chip out of the paint on the back rim. As far as I can see the bike is standard but has had the Pro-Series XB Racing kit, muffler, ECM, and high flow air filter upgrades (any ideas on Hp difference?). I'm aware of the kickstand issues pre 07 models and the one on this is almost rooted (new one in the mail). As I won't be on the road (legally) until the end of the month, I've dropped the oil but unsure what oil and filter to put back in it. And any other little handy hints or words of wisdom will be very much appreciated.

Thanks guys. Very much looking forward to getting wrapped up in this noisy and addictive means of travel.

 

[Mark XB12r]

20w50 full synthetic in both holes. My advise as far as riding it, is to kick it over on its side then pick it up and ride the **** out of it... She will love you for it.... Good purchase... the guys on here are very knowledgeable so dont be afraid to ask. also there are many people on here from Aus... try to hook up with them. there was also a guy who started a facebook page dedicated to Aus, buell owners

 

[superfastgherkin]

Thanks Mark.... wait, both holes? I've got the female ones downpat I think, but maybe not the Buells. I thought there was only the one on the top of the swing-arm....?

 

[superfastgherkin]

Okay, Okay. Just went and did a little more research. I'm an idiot.

 

[Mark XB12r]

Nahhhh! it happens... its common to new owners...
no biggie

 

[Iamarchangel]

Practice.

Brake sooner than a dirt bike and ride through then accelerate.

Keep the revs over 3500. It likes 4500.

Tires have no wear left on them once the indicators are level.

The bike sounds set. Don't invest in anything until you've worn through at least one set of tires.

And practice.

 

[clarson_75]

a right side scoop to help keep temps down. good oil, great filter, and a lot of gas. then ride the hell out of it.

as far as hp, the last i remember reading said the full race kit bumps it up from 80ish to mid 90s, depending on the bike of course.

 

[superfastgherkin]

Thanks Iamarchangel. Yeah I went for a couple of short rides on a quiet, twisty little road just out of town here and am extremely happy with the handling! I cant't believe how nimble the bike is for a 1200 and the braking! I almost popped my eyes out of my helmet testing that big front disc! Thanks for the advise though. It is going to take some time getting used to washing off my speed before diving into a corner... After little heart flutter on my first ride into a sharpish corner I found out the big girl doesn't want to pull down like a dirt squirter. Lesson learned.
I can't wait to practice! I bloody need it! but as I won't be legally allowed on the road until the end of the month I'm spending my time pulling it apart and going over it with a fine tooth comb. Putting loc-tite on some of the bolts and setting up the helibars etc. I have a mate that knows what he is doing coming around to help me set up the suspension properly. So for now I just have to keep my key hidden and stay off the road!

 

[superfastgherkin]

Thanks clarson_75. I might have to leave the scoop until my budget allows for it. Thanks for the Hp estimate. As far as oil is concerned, the bloke that i bought it from threw in a full bottle of Motul 20w50 Mineral oil. I'm guessing that's what he had in it before too. Everyone seems to recommend the fully synthetic though. I don't want to waste the oil though, so am I going to do the bike any favours using it until the next change? And can you recommend any good filters?

 

[Mark XB12r]

In 35,000+ miles ive used every brand possible, I cant tell the difference, I don't think the bike notices either. use a quality brand that's available to you locally. If you trust the brand for your auto im sure its fine for the bike.

 

[superfastgherkin]

Thanks very much Mark. I'll sleep easier now. [up]

 

[WIGGLE2]

Hi superfast!
Welcome! I agree with Mark on the oil. I've posted quite a few comments on this subject before, and we actually joke about it sometimes, but, as an engine builder, I've seen engines run on synthetic and petroleum oils...when serviced properly, I've never really seen ANY differences in wear, etc. Just run a high quality oil thats available to you over there, and you'll be fine! Run a good quality filter too...a few extra dollars for a good filter versus a 'cheap' filter, really isn't a big deal! 20-50 in temps above 50 degrees (F-You guys may be celcius?!)and 10-30 if its colder than that.

 

[Litos]

I'm Stuart, 27, from Australia

how's those Olympics going for ya !?!?

HAHA !!! i'm joking.

had to be the pompous a-hole American to bring that up.

we still love ya'll down under.

oh, and WTF is up with all the damn shark attacks !?!?

i'm watching Shark Week last night and it seems like Australians taste delicious when it comes to white sharks.....

p.s.
i'm jealous because i've heard Austrailia is fantastic [up]

 

[superfastgherkin]

Thanks Wiggle. Well that's a relief. I've always wondered what the difference is with the two and which suits what engine more. Well it's nearing the end of winter over here so really it's only under 50F (had to Google what the was in Celsius) of a night. So I think I'll be right with the 20w50. I've already ordered and couple of the recommended H-D filters that was stock with the bike. Are they okay? As the weather warms up and with it my confidence and skill, what is your personal opinion when it comes to filters?

Hey Litos.
The Olympics can SMB. Plus, discounting swimming, you got your most golds in gymnastics too. That's pretty gay. And when are you guys going to harden up and play football in jerseys, not space suits...?

Ha! Also joking.

If I had a real problem with you 'Seppos' I wouldn't be getting an awesome american cycle!
As for the sharks, It is a well known fact amongst the wider carnivorous society they we do actually taste delicious. This is why I live four hours drive away from the coast. If a shark makes it that far inland he deserves to eat me. PLUS the road to the beach from here is long and winding, which is not only a great song but heaven for a new inductee to Buell such as myself!

 

[Litos]

Hey Litos.
The Olympics can SMB. Plus, discounting swimming, you got your most golds in gymnastics too. That's pretty gay. And when are you guys going to harden up and play football in jerseys, not space suits...?

Ha! Also joking.

LOVE THIS GUY !!!!

you should post more [up]

BUT, our women's track team took home a TON of golds.

if we were to justify "athletes" based on what they do in track and field, the Jamaican men and the American women would pretty much trash the entire field HAHA !!!!

Futbol is not very big hear in the states, so we let a bunch of the craziest athletes in the world run around at full speed and hit eachother in armor.

and our basketball team could literally play if they were held at a concentration camp for 5 days without food and water - they would STILL win by 30 points a game LOL !!!!

American Football is the front runner here in the States - it's the AMERICAN WAY !!!

like HOTDOGS, ****S AND BUELLS !!!!

 

[Mark XB12r]

the H-D filters will be fine

 

[WIGGLE2]

^^[up]
I personally run WIX filters here in the U.S. I'm not sure they're available down there or not?! At any rate...it's a personal prefference...your H-D you have ARE just fine!! Fram, K&N, WIX, NAPA(Which ARE WIX!)...they're all decent filters. Change them out every 2500-3000 miles, and you'll be fine!

 

[jaimz]

Thanks clarson_75. I might have to leave the scoop until my budget allows for it.

I just put one on my xb12s... All I can say is that my balls are much happier now.

It seems like the bike went from 300 degrees to 150 degrees. I used to ride about 5 or 6 miles and the fan would kick on. Now I ride about 20 miles before it kicks on. Hell sometimes I'll go for a quick ride and the fan doesn't come on at all.

I'd suggest you save up and get it as soon as you can. Performance is only one piece of the puzzle. Not to mention when it feels like your ass is being grilled on a napalm filled BBQ, there's nothing HP can do to help!

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the right side air scoop is the best thing I ever did to my bike.

I know you're in Australia, and probably can't order it, but americansportbike.com has OEM right side scoops for like $40 USD.

My other thoughts would be the same as everyone else's thoughts. Good oil, good filter, good time.

I'm also a firm believer that your suspension can always be tweaked, so keep up on that (and that's free to do)

Also disconnect your interactive exhaust valve thing, if you've got that.

 

[jaimz]

And when are you guys going to harden up and play football in jerseys, not space suits...?

Those are jerseys. We're all just really really fat.

 

[freak2180]

The olympics were this year? [confused]