XB12X vs XT

[Yan]

NOT a 'which one is better' kind of thread

I've had my '08 Ulysses XB12X for almost 2 years and we just bought an '09 XT for my wife yesterday. My bike never ever had the fan running in traffic, only when I turn the ignition off is when the fan starts on and stays on for a few minutes. Now we got my wife's bike yesterday and I rode it back for around 150 miles in 90 degrees weather and the fan was on for at least most of the time when not at high speeds (the bike actually broke down on the freeway some 20 miles from home while sitting in traffic jam, I had it towed the rest of the way - turned out a blown fuel pump fuse - sounds like it's been a fairly common problem). So today I had it plated and my wife and I went for a ride, I am on my X and she is on her XT, the temperature is again around 90, and I could hear her fan every time we'd stop at an intersection. Mine wasn't on until I pulled into garage and turned the bike off. Can it be that an XT has poorer air flow because it's lower and the front fender cuts off air compare to the X or one of the bikes has a problem?

Just to clarify - none of the bikes has the 'rider comfort kit' installed. My X has a K&N filter, not sure about my wife's XT. Both bikes were purchased used, to the PO's could've done some modifications to the ECM or whatever the bike's main computer is called.

Thanks!

 

[Miami78]

The XT probably just has the most recent flash on the ECM...the fan logic is very different with it, always comes on at low speed and does not come on after the bike is shutdown.

 

[Yan]

thanks Miami! I hope that's what it is. My wife says her XT doesn't have the fan on once the ignition is off.

I am not very 'techy' - could you please tell me if it's possible (and worth while) putting this most recent flash on the ECM on my '08 X? Is it something I have to take my bike to the dealer to (and take a second mortgage on the house in order to pay for) or can I just get some cable off eBay and some software on my laptop and do it myself?

Thanks again!

 

[Miami78]

As far as I know the new flash has to be done by the dealer. I believe I've heard some dealers have done it for free when a bike was in for something else...but I'm sure that'll depend on the situation, and the dealer.

 

[Yan]

Thanks, I'll try my luck with the local dealer. Do you think it's worth it though?

 

[Miami78]

I've ridden with both flashes (I had an EBR race ecm for a little while that had the new flash on it) and either seemed fine, I guess it depends on your preference and whether you want to have to deal with HD. The biggest difference is the fan coming on after you shut down, which the new flash eliminates. My exhaust was loud enough that I really couldn't hear the fan while riding.

 

[Yan]

So you don't think there is any difference in terms putting extra strain on the engine. You are right, I'd rather not deal with the dealership unless I absolutely have to

Speaking of the ecm - I am thinking of getting a cable (to be able to read the codes and such) - are they all the same? Some cables for Buell on eBay say they are only for years up to 2008 - were there any changes? Apart from the cable and ecmspy software (and a PC) there is nothing more that I need to make changes and read error codes, correct?

Thanks!

 

[Miami78]

Actually to read error codes you don't need anything, just follow this procedure:

With everything off open your diagnostic port (lightning's will be under the seat/bolts in the front fairing). Look into the port and you will see 4 wire ends. Turn it so the little lock part is at your 12 o'clock position, then use something to jump the two wires on the right (screwdriver usually works best, but anything metal should be fine). With the wires jumped turn on your key and kill switch (but do not start the bike). Your CEL should come on, then flash rapidly about 8 times, pause, then flash slowly for the first digit of the code (the number of flashes is the first number of the code), pause 2 seconds, then slowly for the second digit of the code (again, number of flashes is the second number of the code). If there is a second code it will pause again, then do the same for the second code...when it gets to the last code it will just keep repeating them till you turn the bike back off.

Here's the list of trouble codes...

CEL codes:
11-TPS
13- O2 sensor
14-ET (engine temp)
15-air intake temp
16-battery voltage
21-exhaust actuator
23-front injector
24-front coil
25-rear coil
32-rear injector
33-fuel pump
35-tach
36-fan
44-bank angle sensor
52, 53, 54, 55- ECM failure
56-cam sync. Failure

 

[Yan]

cool, thanks!