| Author | Message | ||
     Escham |
Are there any significant differences in the two years? A local dealer has a new 2004 XB12s for 1500.00 off retail. I think it is still too high and I plan to negotiate a better deal. I am just curious to know if there is anything I should consider between the two, other than price and year. | ||
| Typeone |
the new tranny is one big difference to consider. most other updates are pretty minor i think like fork size, air intake method, fuel capacity, new swingarm design, different coating on header, etc. if it was me, that newer tranny design alone would be worth the extra cash. all i hear is how smooth it is, but i have no first-hand experience. | ||
| Jak |
I would expect a larger discount than that. With the full Buell race kit installed brand new off the showroom floor I was able to purchase a 2005 XB12R Black, in Dec. of 2005 for $9900.00. So if you subtract the kit and assume I paid retail for it and the install then I basically paid about $9100 for a $10,500 or so sticker. There is a reason the bike is still sitting there 2 years later and I would think you could get as much as $3500 off of MSRP from the stories I've heard on this board and what I have looked at on Ebay. Kilgore | ||
| Jcbikes |
Go for the 2004. I have a 2004xb12s and have ridden the 2006 models a good bit and the transmission in my opinion is really not much better and not worth the xtra money. 7 to 8 grand range would be a good deal. | ||
| Metalstorm |
In addition to the new tranny & lager forks (04= 41mm, 06= 43mm) I think (as in pretty sure but not 100% sure) that the 06' models have a quieter fuel pump & they have the stronger oil pump gear. I've stated before that on the 12S in particular, I prefer the older tranny. It's just my personal taste. I think it suits the 12S better. I think most people like the newer one better though. (Message edited by metalstorm on June 03, 2006) | ||
| Typeone |
huh, i'll have to demo an '06 i guess. all i kept reading was that the shifting improved greatly. much smoother.  | ||
| Metalstorm |
Most of the comments I've heard about the new tranny had the words "shifts as smooth as the japanese" or "shifts almost as good as the japanese". I don't want my 12S to be silky smooth anywhere. If I wanted silk & finesse I would have gotten an 06 Firebolt instead of my 05 12Scg. I like my hooligan bikes mean & rough around the edges  | ||
| Jaimec |
Less missed shifts on the new tranny. No teeth gnashing CRUNCH when you shift. Slightly increased fuel capacity, easier access oil filler and the new lifetime drive belt. DEFINITELY the '06, unless you get a SCREAMING deal on a leftover. | ||
| Spike |
Would have to be a sizable discount on the '04 to make it worthwhile. My reasoning is that some of the upgrades on the '06 are very nice and can't be retrofitted to the '04. '06 upgrades include the larger forks, lighter/stiffer swingarm, increased fuel capacity, smoother tranny, better front engine isolator, better fuel pump, stronger oil pump drive gear, servicable idiot lights, improved steering head bearings, better OEM tires, and the stronger belt. | ||
| Edmbueller |
I own an '04 XB12S and have started an insurance claim due to a lowside which resulted in frame damage. I pretty much assume write-off... Just want some feedback from some '06 owners and some of the great folks on here about the '06 changes (I know all the changes made) just wanna know "real world" opinions. | ||
| Nasty73z |
$1500 off retail is a HORRIBLE deal.. do not buy from that dealer! I bought my '04 XB12s last June from a local dealer for $6995 out the door. It had 3 miles on it. You can find much better deals if you look. | ||
| Brucen |
I once talked to a car salesperson at my credit union's car buying service about buying a left over model. Her advice was not to do it unless you are going to drive the car into the ground and are getting a BIG discount off of new price. The reasoning was that the moment you drive off the lot you are in an older model car. The resale will be that of an older model, even if it is brand new. If there is an accident or it is stolen the insurance company will pay off like it is an older model. When you go to sell it, the resale value is that of an old model. The same should hold true for a brand new two year old Buell. | ||
| Justinxb12s |
great point Brucen! never thought about that before. | ||
| Nasty73z |
Have you see the resale on Buell XB models? It sucks d*ck. These bikes have terrible resale, you can get a used 03-04 for like $4-6K, which considering most who paid retail (10K+) for those are losing a lot.  The tuber's have better resale than XB's. If you can buy an new left over for a good deal then BUY IT. I love mine and don't care about the new tranny considering how much I got my bike for. I love this thing.  (Message edited by Nasty73z on June 04, 2006) | ||
| Bugman |
2004 XB12's occasionally can crack the primary cover around the clutch release mechanism. I know because it happened to me last week. | ||
| Earwig |
I bought a 2004 12S leftover in late february of this year... $2000 off MSRP... I hear I could have gotten a better deal... Now that it is even later in this year I would think you could get at least $2500 off. I also agree that the resale stinks... so I would say buy the older model and save a few bucks... of course unless you have money to blow. | ||
| Barker |
I will add to list of changes, Lower effort on clutch lever for 06's. I have to use my gorilla grip on my 03 9r compared to the hydro clutch levers im use to. Something like 20% less than previous XB's That new swingarm is lighter more rigid and easier to check oil level. To me the 06 tranny is not quite Japanese feeling, more like Italian. I wish I had it on my 03. | ||
| Aldaytona |
That new swingarm is lighter more rigid and easier to check oil level. Maybe so, but it's square and ugly compared to the sweet original swing arm, and what's up with that dome shaped oil cap? I guess that's what happens when you change sources from Italy to China  Take the 04 at a better price, more Buell, less Wal Mart. |
