| Author | Message | ||
     Johnnymceldoo |
Iam selling my S1 to fund an XB and cant decide on what year or what size to get. I definitely want the lightning model but not sure what model to get. Id imagine any of them will be a hell of alot more comfortable than my S1. Im on the fence about whether to get a 9 or 12. I love the power on my S1 and have test drove an XB9. While I did notice the difference in power I wouldnt say a 9 is out of the question. So what advantages beside price and gas mileage does the 9 have over the 12? Whats the magic model year where most of the kinks and upgrades were issued? Should I hold out and save longer for an 07 or 08? Last but not least, how does the TT and Uly models hold more fuel than the XBS models? | ||
| Retrittion |
'03 XB9 or XB12 with the '04+ belt upgrade -OR- any '04+ XBs will be good for reliability. The TT and Uly have different frames, slightly bigger thus more gas. Personally I love my '07 12R and I think I would shy away from '08s until the get sussed, but that's me and I notice that there are more complaints about R headlights that '08 running issues so it probably isn't a big deal. '05-'06 is probably a good bet -- and I have noticed that 9s are going for a song right now so I would get one of those, and put a 1250 kit or what not on later. If you are planning to go long distances pick up a Select seat, and if you are sub-6'ft (like me) see if you can find a 12Scg or 9SL(low). Cheers! | ||
| Xl_cheese |
The 06 gear box is MUCH smoother. I have an 04 12s and my wife has an 06 9s. There's a big difference in shifing. Her clutch is also much lighter. | ||
| Jcbikes |
04 or 05 12 would be my choice. 05 over a 04 only because of the larger 43 diameter forks vs the 41. Very solid trouble free bikes. I do not like the newer swingarms stamped and welded vs the older one piece forged. My 04 12S has almost 22,000 trouble free miles and the transmission shifts just as good or better than the new transmissions that I have ridden. I prefer the straight cut gears (stronger) than the newer angle cut gears. The more miles I put on my 04 12, the better it shifts and runs. JC | ||
| Firebolt32 |
I ride an 07' 9r. Other than self inflicted problems, I've had none. It runs like a beast. Insurance, price and gas mileage are obvious pluses as you said. I considered trading mine in last weekend on an 08' 12r or 1125r and the guy I bought my 9 from said I'd be an idiot to do so. 9r's are pretty much a thing of the past now with the 1125r coming out. Being in that last class group would be cool. Torque is greater with a 9 as well. Buell's stunt team used them for awhile. I wouldn't kick a 12r out of bed...I'd just rather have the 9. My .02 | ||
| Clarkjw |
Get the 2007 XB9R. You may even find a new one cheapo. Add a drummer, ceramic coated headers, sliders, and some comfort mods and you won't regret it. | ||
| Rah7777777 |
'03 XB9S! AND LOVE EVERY CC OF IT :-) I did the demo a bit back and the new ones are smoother. But at the end of the day the ONLY bike I wanted to jump on and haul it home on was.....my 03! (upgrade the belt system and all is good!) | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
Any significant changes after 03 besides the belt system that would make me look past the cheaper 03 models? | ||
| Glitch |
The 03&04 Lightnings have the R suspension. After that came the City Cross with more suspension travel. They tweaked the fuel system in the newer models, opened up the air box as well. I think the forks got bigger as well. Pretty much they just kept refining them. I love the 03 model, and after 65,000 miles or so, the only problems I've had were mine, not the bike's. | ||
| Glitch |
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| Clarkjw |
Some guy in upstate NY is selling his 2007 XB9R for like 6k. It's in the forum classifieds. Get on that. (Message edited by clarkjw on June 19, 2008) | ||
| Chippy |
i paid 6k for my o7 citycross. best money i ever spent. i had to look around for a good while to find what i wanted, but there are a few fools willing to part with em. | ||
| Fenderbender |
just find a 9 or 12 that fits in your budget and buy it. I've got an 03 xb9sl and I absolutely love it, no issues, just a lot of fun. Screw what anybody else thinks. | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
Iam actually considering an 05-07 speed triple now. I used to hate the way they looked but they have grown on me. Iam still reading up on them though. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
Screw what anybody else thinks. That's pretty much it. You gotta ride it. | ||
| Diablobrian |
find one that grabs you by the adrenal gland that is within your budget and live happily ever after. |
