| Author | Message | ||
     Johnny5 |
Hi, Noob looking for opinions... I bought myself a bike at the end of last season after about a 15 year layoff from riding. I decided to start back small and bought myself a GS500e(after convincing the wife LOL). Rode enduros as a kid, had a Yamaha Special 600 in college. I'm digging the GS500, cool little bike... but it's getting up there in years and I knew I would be looking to upgrade after wringing it's neck for a few hundred miles and getting my "bike legs" back. Was going to concentrate on mid-weights like the SV650, Honda 599, or Duc M695 as an upgrade when I was ready... but I made the mistake(or good decision?) Of going into my local HD/Buell dealer... I fell in love with the XB12scg(I'm powerful of arm/body as a powerlifter but short of inseam LOL). Long and short of it, I love the Buells(specifically XB9 and XB12scg)... but I'm worried that these bikes may be to much for me as my 2nd bike back into riding. I have 2 young kids and don't want a bike that may get me into trouble.. LOL. Sorry for the long winded first post but I'm really thinking hard about this... Thanks! (Message edited by johnny5 on April 11, 2007) | ||
| Kpg2713 |
Well you have experience. My first bike was a z1000, got rid of that and got an xb12scg. Only rode the z for a year, however with self control I think you can handle most modern bikes. I'd say go for it. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Buell XB12X is my first street bike. Either the 9X or Scg would be fine. The CCs are not the same in actual street performance between a 1000cc GSXR and a 984cc 9X. You'll do fine. | ||
| Tommy_2stroke |
The 12Scg was my choice as well as a "returning" rider. This has turned out to be exactly the right choice. These XBs are very well-balanced machines... by which I mean the amount and character of the power delivery combined with the extremely responsive handling make a bike whose performance is, well... balanced. It really all comes together in a way that gives the rider the feedback he needs, and it really builds rider confidence quickly. I believe you are on the right track... | ||
| Johnny5 |
Thanks for the responses... it's kind of what I've been thinking... but I've never had anything over a 600 (and an old piece of crap at that), and the closest thing to a Sport bike I've ridden is a Katana 600 (and my GS if you count that). Just not sure what to expect, and I really don't need (or have any desire for)a speeding Land missile. Just a commuter and fun in the twistys. I'm going to try and give them a test drive at my local dealer which is HD of Danbury. | ||
| Xb9ser |
Hey john glad you made it over here welcome to the board. Glenn  | ||
| Nevrenuf |
a lot of people get them for the lower riding position, but they are an incredible bike as to the way they handle. the scg is a good move. the only thing you have to worry about getting into trouble with is on the twisties cause once you get on them, you find anyway you can to stay on them. it's addictive. good luck with what ever you decide. | ||
| Johnny5 |
Hey Glenn! Thanks for recommending, this is a great site! Let me know when you get that GS spinning, I'm VERY curious to hear your opinion on how different your XB9 is from it. And thanks for the responses from everyone. I'm going to try and setup some test rides as soon as I can. | ||
| 07xb12scg |
My XB12Scg was my first street bike I ever owned. It's only the second motorcycle I've ever owned - the first being my 2005 Honda CRF50 pit bike. I was raised on go carts and quads. The only time I have a problem with this bike getting away from me is when I am at fault by getting greedy with my right wrist! Riding sensibly, you will have no problem handling this bike. | ||
| Mkenn |
Neither one is a "speeding land missile" but have plenty of power... at least enough to put a smile on my face. I have an xb9sx and it is tall. I am 6ft and stand flat footed on it with the stock seat. The scg may be a better bet for you. Make sure you try them both out before you decide. | ||
| Sneth |
Just upgraded to xb12scg myself, from a gsxf600. The xb12 is not too much to handle at all. The engine is 1200, but this bike is so light you'd never know. I'm breaking it in still, and you can ride around peacefully if you please. This bike is as mean or gentle as you want it to be, just keep it over 2k rpms. The clutch is very much your friend... | ||
| Old_man |
Any of the XBS seats will fit the CityX, including the low seat. I have a 29in. inseam and have no problems with the standard, the Streetfighter, nor the Select seat. on my Standard height XB9S | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Had the shot at both the xb12scg in Valenci orange, or the CityX in blue with black cases. I did the best of both, the CityX in orange | ||
| Stang37 |
I bought the 9SX due to zero street experience and only 3 years of dirt, and I didn't dig the Blast like many do. I couldn't get into the sportbike look of I-4s and don't have the personality for a cruiser. It's true, with a little self restraint and maturity your experience will prove enough for this bike. I too have a kid and don't need to get into trouble...you can do it with this bike, but it doesn't need speed or aggression like a crotch rocket does to make you feel it's performance, and it can outperform a normal rider. I haven't ridden a 12, but can't imagine the difference is other worldly. I believe you will be happy with either choice. Good luck! | ||
| Moondust |
I can tell you - I have had both now - I picked up my new 12scg last week after trading my city X in . It is a a perfect fit for me - I love the lower position & it does have the extra grunt people talk about. The city X was still a fun ride & felt lighter slightly - I felt like I was on a dirt bike at times with the city. On the 12scg I feel more connected to the road & it handles the motorway with more ease. The 12 is just that little bit better for my riding style -thats what it comes down to in the end. Both wickedly fun bikes with different riding styles to suit. | ||
| Dutchboy |
I just got the XB9SX, but I'm getting the low seat for it (29" inseam). The stock seat has me using my tippy toes at stops, but it's not the first bike I've had to do that with. The bike is light and well-balanced enough that the seat height isn't really that much of an issue. I'm getting the low seat because I thought it was really comfortable - YMMV. As far as the power difference, that's all up to you. I'm perfectly happy with the 9's power - it's plenty for the street and my riding style. I test rode the XB9SX, XB12S and XB12scg back to back to back and the 9 has plenty of power, but the 12 even more. My riding style wouldn't use that extra grunt, but if yours does, its only a few K more and maybe a bit higher insurance. If you can test ride both, do that. Either way, both bikes are way too much fun - it's hard to go wrong | ||
| Johnny5 |
Hey Dutchboy, I have the same problem. I'm a powerlifter, so I'm wide, but my inseam is maybe 28"... if I'm lucky LOL. The scg fits me pretty well(on the balls of my feet), but I'd rather get the 9 for the pricing difference, plus even the 9 is double the power of my current bike(I'd definitely at least have to use the scg seat on the 9 - if not lower it with the scg shock etc). I'm not worried about being overwhelmed by the power of either necessarily, although that is a consideration... I'm more worried about speed. As it is on my GS I'm always over the speed limit... I don't ride crazy, I just ride. Look down at the speedo and ooph... especially on a twisty road. I just think the more power I have, the more I'll use without even thinking about it. Also it will be weird to have a bike you have to worry about wheelying if you pop the clutch LOL. That's why I was considering just the upgrade to say the SV650 etc... it's up in power but only by about 25% as opposed to double... Thanks for all the responses, MUCH appreciated. I'm definitely going to test drive them both if possible and feel it out. | ||
| Nickcaro |
I'm in that same boat with you considering those models and I'm also visiting Danbury HD!! I'm actually going there this Saturday, weather permitting to do some Demo rides. I wonder if we can band together for a better deal... | ||
| Etennuly |
I also took several years off from riding when we were having children. When I started back I bought a used XL250R, and as I warmed back in I bought a new '05 City-X and was very happy with that machine. It was less expense to start with and the insurance cost about $250 a year less. After nearly two years on the City-X I bought the Uly and never looked back. That 9 engine was great, as is the 12. The City-X was faster on top end and about as quick as the Uly taking off, and all of these bikes can handle really well. I love the dirt bike feel of the Uly and its long distance touring ability and spaciousness. If they made a Uly with a 9 engine and it went to the lower price and made insurance less expensive, I would have probably been on it. I rode two up on the City-X several times with the only problem being a lack of room. It had plenty of torque for toting 450+ lbs of people. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
The City X, definitely the City X Heres mine running off the beaten path. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG76ftSFOcg | ||
| Teeps |
Johnny, I found myself in a similar situation, 25 years after my son was born. My thoughts & advice: Only you can control the bike, regardless of it's size or configuration... you have no control over anything else. 2 young children? Make sure you have plenty of life insurance, just in case. Either of the Buell models you are considering will be fun to ride. As a bonus they are economical & easy to maintain | ||
| Moondust |
think of them as pretty much the same bike but the 12 going more at top end . For me it feels stable & comfortable at higher speeds.. im not sure why that is - as the frames are very similar & both models don't have a steering damper as far as I know. When im on the motorway - I just cruise at higher speeds & feel very connected to the road. The 9sx felt slightly un-nerving at top end & although alot of fun , it was a bit jittery like a boat with storms ahead. The 12scg feels like a battleship !at the top end. I'll say it again - the lower position inspires more confidence for the shorter rider (im 5ft 7") also. This is from a rider - who's just traded his city X for a 12scg. No regrets. (Message edited by moondust on April 17, 2007) | ||
| Johnny5 |
Cool... I'm just going to have to test drive them and see what happens. Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated... | ||
| Pso |
Moondust-My finace' is now looking at Buells, she has test ridden a city9 and I think perhaps she should try a 12Scg. She is about 5'5" and is coming off a f650GS BMW thumper(which I installed a lowering kit). She talked about the experience with the 9 as like going from an old VW to a Farrari when she compares the two bikes. Her concern is how tall she believes the 9 is and also she wants a few amenities like windshield (not to look thorugh). I read all the posts and also prior posts comparing the 9 and the 12 and it seems like one of the major differences is that the 9 is smoother and you point out that the 12 feels more stable at high speeds. there are lots of folks that like the 9 alot and lots of folks that like the 12. I have a Uly and was thinking that perhaps I should test drive a 9 and check out the diffenence but that would not be the same as comparing the 9 to the 12Scg. Do you have anything else you can contribute? |
