| Author | Message | ||
     Mudshuvel319 |
Hey everybody. I’m new to the forums and looking to buy a Buell in the next few months. I just have a few questions about some of the current models so I can narrow down my search. I know the XB12S and XB12R are mostly identical mechanically, with the exception of different pegs and handlebars and the fairing. I really do prefer the looks of the Lightning over the Firebolt, but is there a big difference in the handling and behavior when riding? Also, is there a big discrepancy in the power of the XB12S and the XB9SX? Obviously there’s a pretty nice jump in power and torque with the 1203, but does it greatly affect the acceleration? My experience riding has been solely with 550-600 imports and I get tired of the lack of torque and shifting required to ride them. Lastly, I’ve heard that the XB9 has better handling than the XB12, but I don’t know if this is really true. If anyone could provide me with some info on these models, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks! | ||
| Toona |
Welcome Mud, you couldn't have found a better place to research your next purchase than here on the BadWeB. I own an XB12S and have ridden an XB9S and test rode an XB12R. The S is more of an upright riding position so it isn't as conducive to hard cornering on the street. It can be done on an S, but just not as easy as an R. Power wise, the 12 has more torque and doesn't have to be kept in the higher rpm range like a 9. You'll shift more with a 9 going through curves, when on a 12 you can twist the throttle and accelerate away. Handling wise they are pretty equal. With your coming from the 550-600 imports you will be very happy with either the 9 or the 12. The choice you have to make comes down to riding position and which style you are most comfortable with. If you plan on doing more all day/longer rides I'd suggest going with the S, if your style is more aggressive and you plan on doing a lot of track days, consider the R. | ||
| Mudshuvel319 |
Thanks a lot. I prefer the more upright seating position so thats another plus in favor of the Lightning. I suppose I'll have to be on the lookout for a 2004-07 XB12S. All the used ones in my area (Philadelphia) are mighty overpriced. -Dan | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Welcome Mud! The main thing to understand is that the 9 is a shorter stroke engine than the 12. This means that the 9 will run smoother than the 12 and will also rev higher. The down side of this is that it doesn't have as much torque down low compared to the 12. The peak torque and HP aren't that different. Torque for 12--84 at 6,000RPM Torque for 9--70 at 5,000RPM HP for 12--103 at 6,800RPM HP for 9--92 at 7,500RPM The 9 will answer some of your torque issues, but will not give you the wider torque band of the 12. Coming from an IL4, the 12 will be much lumpier initially but will quickly smooth out. Some people don't like the 12 because of it's cadence. I'd say try them both and see which one speaks to you. I would also try both the S and R for riding position. After riding more upright and comfortable, I know that I don't ever want to ride a sportbike position for anything but short sprints. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
if your lady likes a ride now and then go with the r. more passenger room. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
All above numbers voided if exhaust kit added ;) The full Exhaust ECM airbreather kit will get you very similar results in power to the 12. The 9 has the black engine cases.... They fend off the MUD better. I hope that helps. (previous years you hear that the 9 has a different gear ratio, that doesnt seem to hold true for the 08 models though.) Happy hunting. The only bad choice is not getting one in time for riding season. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
come on cityxslicker, post a pic of your bike covered in MUD for him. you know you want to... | ||
| Rah7777777 |
I came off of a 600 I4 as well, and bought an 03 XB9S. Love the Bike!! My last bike was a sport/tourer (yamaha FZ6) so I liked the upright seating better. But still want some good power. I think the 9 does a pretty good job. But mine already had the Buell race E.C.M and exhaust when I bought it so not too sure what it feels like with out it. I do miss that 6th gear though!! And I will admit, sometimes I do miss that extra uumph of power. but not enough to consider getting rid of her! go ride one and you will understand! I had a guy at walmart (as I was walking around with my jacket and helmet) go hey man, what do you ride? i said a Buell Lightning and he said, oh that sucks. I said you must have never ridden one before. he said nope. I just mumbled well, I guess I'll forgive the ignorant :-) | ||
| Mudshuvel319 |
Thanks for the replies. I drive a Mustang GT and I love the torque (320 ft-lbs) and drivability at low RPMs, so I'll be happy with that style of power delivery on a bike. I was at a Harley dealer yesterday looking at Buells and their stock was pathetically low (New 1125, XB12STT, Ulysses, and XB12R, and used Ulysses and X1 Lightning with hideous custom paint). I'm hoping to find more selection as the summer approaches. | ||
| Xbcrazy |
I would recommend taking a ride up to Rahway, NJ and checking out Liberty HD/Buell. It is only about an hour from Philly. They have a wide selection of Buells and are very, very Buell friendly. Both their Sales Manager and Lead Salesman own Buells and they ride them competitively. They know their stuff and carry a large inventory usually. Buells are not the red-headed stepchild to Harleys there. Plus they are a long time sponsor of this board. Pete | ||
| Reepicheep |
In an interview Erik Buell had a nice summary that I didn't think of, but that made perfect sense to me... He said that if he wanted to go fast on a road (or track) he already knew, he liked the R bike. If he wanted to go fast on a road he was unfamiliar with, he liked the S bikes. I think my 9sx is perfect for the road, and even minimalist touring, And it has been fully adequate for the kind of track days I do (once or twice a year in a novice class). Its a personal preference thing, ride both an R and an S, and a 9 and a 12 (and an 1125). I thought I bought the cheaper and sufficient bike when I bought my nine. A year later, I took a test ride on a 12, and was amazed to learn I liked my 9 better. If somebody offered to swap me even for a 12 today, I wouldn't. But I wouldn't blame somebody else who would. The 12's are faster. On the long back straight at Mid Ohio, me with my stock 9sx WFO, and stock 12's WFO, they would walk away from me (literally... they would gain distance at about a human walking pace). Its not day and night, but the 12's are faster. | ||
| Reepicheep |
(oh, and on that same straight, the 1125's would blow by *both* bikes like we were standing still!) | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I am holding off posting a pic of the muddy beast.... I have my own corner of the board coming very shortly, I will post all of my attention wh@ring pics there. There is one on my profile though, that should tide you all through until I can get a good HEAVY THICK Coat of MUD. | ||
| 1324 |
I'm not sure exactly where you are from around Philly, but go check out Brian's HD in Langhorne when you want to ride. I stopped by there when I was looking on my way home from NJ. They easily had the most Buells I've ever seen at a dealer. Most of the dealer's I've been to only have 2 or 3. If you don't mind driving up 476, check out Crossroads outside of Allentown, as well. Very friendly guys. When I was trying to decide, I test rode an XB12SCG first. Compared to my SV, the vibes and lackluster throttle response were an eye opener. I ultimately decided the SCG was a bit too cramped for my not too tall 5'10" 180 lb frame. I then went to Crossroads and rode an XB12S and 12R back to back on the same course. Differences were very easy to spot. I definitely preferred these more to the scg...I then went to another dealer that had a CityX and I knew I found my match. You'll need to find your own preference, but the 9's engine was all I needed. In fact, like other's have said, I preferred it. Yes, the difference is noticeable, but not detrimental IMO. The 9's throttle response, lower vibrations, reduced engine/exhaust heat, and gearing made it a better fit for me. I personally don't really like riding faired bikes, but that may change. The bars on the 12R are more aggressive, but that is good IMO. They aren't Ducati'esqe so you won't get too sore. In my opinion, the s' bars are too high and back for comfort. Ultimately, I found the Crossroads clip-on style bars to be the best of both worlds. YMMV. Either way, you're making a good choice! | ||
| Cbushek |
oh mudshovel get the 12s. I am everywhere! | ||
| Brumbear |
I love my SS a little less squirley and stable | ||
| M1combat |
Yeah if you ride 2up get the R for sure unless your passenger is VERY small. The Lightning in my opinion is just a tad too eager mid turn. It's GREAT transitioning from one to the next but in a situation where you're leaned over for a while it's just a little too eager. Over responsive I guess would be the way to put it. After the addition of a steering damper on the lowest setting it was perfect. On the SL you can get away with running MEZ6's and still be able to drag the pegs. That's a nice perk because they're cheaper and last longer. I wouldn't try that on a Firebolt. The firebolt is rock solid stable through the turns once you find the right tire pressures (I run 28F/29.5R). It seems more comfortable to me but the S I have ridden (for about 3500 miles) had the low seat so I was a little cramped (I'm 5'9"). The lightning is a bitch at 140. We added the extended fly screen from American Sport Bike and it helped but it just needs more fairing for high speeds. If I was buying one now... If I was in a big city and didn't get out of the city much I'd buy a lightning. I live about three miles from a fabulously twisty mountain road though... so I'd buy another firebolt. I'd put a Drummer exhaust on either one. | ||
| Mudshuvel319 |
I actually was at Brian's and they only had the 6 Buells. They said they should get more as the season progresses. Hopefully they will get a larger selection so I can get the chance to ride as many as possible before I make a final decision. | ||
| Dmp0001 |
drive em all and get what you like, they all work well for any purpose | ||
| Kurosawa |
Let me speak up unequivocally for the 12. I love torque, that's the stuff that gets you out of trouble when you're suckin' vinyl and whackin' the throttle WFO. The more torque the better. Trouble comes up on you fast out of nowhere, especially in traffic, and you can't always count on having time to downshift. All seating positions feel pretty good in the showroom, and some of the worse ones may even seem better then the good ones sitting still. Seating position begins to matter more when you go faster and farther. As to the choice between R and non-R, that depends on body fit. I'm short so I had to add a Heli top triple clamp to eliminate burning between the shoulder blades, and now at speed I have a perfect slight crouch. I also had to play with seats a bit (ended up keeping a Corbin) to keep my butt off the seat pan (which always produces pain) and spread my weight out best. Now as I ride, it's like a little wedge of air is shoved between the tank and my chest and I just float in position effortlessly, no weight on the hands, no strain on the back, no death grip on the grips to hang on. I have had bikes with more standard seating in the past, but when I sit more upright, the wind hits me in the chest and this kinda makes my back bow out and makes me feel like I'm hanging onto the bike by the bars. This curvature of the back causes a burning sensation in the lower back and tail bone. Of course some people will never ride more than 50 miles away from home. For them, pretty much anything can work out OK. But I love those 1000 to 1500 mile days, and there every little thing either adds to your stamina or trashes it. (Message edited by kurosawa on March 14, 2008) | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
I like that the seat on my Lightning. I want to get a "no fat chics" sticker to put back there. I know... I'm horrible.  | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
If for some reason you delay in your purchase there will be an Inside Pass Day @ New Jersey Motorsports Park later in the year. But that's a long time to wait. Best bet is to look around until you find a dealer willing to let you test drive. | ||
| Svo1023 |
We have about 20 in stock....just take a little trip to Fl. ride home. | ||
| Mudshuvel319 |
I'd love to take a trip to Florida to find a nice bike, particularly if that gave me the opportunity to give them a test ride. Unfortunately that would require more time and money than I currently possess. Like you said Kurosawa it just takes time to find a bike I'll feel really comfortable on. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
may I suggest going to a dealer that is having a demo day event and test ride them all! That is what I did and I ended up buying a 2006 XB12X Ulysses. I liked the feel of the up right riding as compared to the other styles. as for the motors, they both have all the power you'll need. For just street riding, I like the City X with the 9 motor. | ||
| Dmp0001 |
if you show up with cash or a bank pre-approval most shops will let you ride to compare if you say you are going home with the winner. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
And yes the Nine looks good covered in MUD. Sorry I could resist any longer.  | ||
| Badlionsfan |
that's what i'm talking about! a street bike covered in Muuuudddd! now show us what it could look like with some stylish luggage. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
You mean the samsonite things for carrying weapons? I would post but they keep ending up on Volvo Street rods. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
lol, no not that. i mean those big black things stuck to the side of your bike. |
