| Author | Message | ||
     Babybuell |
Can someone help me out....I am tired of looking on the Internet for answers. And you all are the real people of Buell and not some person writing an article about a bike in a magazine. Here is where I am at: I am a Buell Gal, 5'4", that currently rides a Blast. I am a new rider. I am wanting to upgrade this Spring of 2010. * I want to know what the difference is between an XB9S and an XB9SX? Like in length and ergos. * Does the XB12S compare at all to the 9's? Meaning in size...and ergos... I have ridden the XB12SS and not as comfortable with it as a 9, which I have test rode as well. Soooo to make a long question longer: XB9S XB9SX XB12S.....how do they compare to each other? Is anyone of them easier to ride/handle then the other? Seat hight is not a concern...I can change that out to fit my needs. I do ride in the city and on highways. I love Buells and love riding. Anyone have and wisdom/advise/suggestions for me? Thank you!!  | ||
| Froggy |
The seat. Thats it. Everything else is cosmetics like the headlight grill and hand guards. Also, they stopped making the S in what, 04? So the SX surely would be newer and would have upgrades over the S depending on the year.
Yep, they are the exact same. Only difference between the two bikes (assuming same year) are the internals of the motor.
What year SS? The 09+ models are taller as they use the suspension from the STT. That can make it less comfortable to someone thats height challenged. But the egro's are the same as all other Lightning models.
Again, assuming same year for all bikes (not possible), they all will be the exact same  | ||
| Babybuell |
Froggy....thanks so much!!! The 12ss is an 06, which would be lower like you said. And I have actually sat on an STT, which is way too tall for me. Your information has helped me out greatly! I am not looking for "race track speed" and taking the curves at lightning speed (which I couldn't anyhow)....I just want to be comfortable, cruise, and have lots of fun. And I think with the info you gave me that will make it a lot easier when I am ready to buy after all the snow melts. I will for sure pick one of those 3 models. Again, thank you!!! | ||
| Dancing_dogs |
I would recommend that you checkout the XB12Scg. It sits lower like the XB9SX and has the better motor. I just bought one and I love it. Mine is an '09. I'm 5'7" but I friend of mine just rode it (1st time on a sportbike ever) and she's only 5'2". She said it was the easiest bike to ride and liked it so much better than the Blast. Her confidence grew by leaps and bounds on the little Scg. She was all grins when we finished our ride. I named my bike Cupcake because it's so easy to ride. | ||
| Pogue_mahone |
what froggy said :P | ||
| Rah7777777 |
"and has the better motor." Can't say I agree that the 12 is a better motor over the 9. More of a preference in my book. | ||
| Froggy |
You don't see people posting in the KV about their bike falling flat on its face with the 12  | ||
| Midknyte |
nor the 9 | ||
| Nillaice |
the 9's got lower gearing to make up for it's lacking displacement. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Oh dear, you started the 9 vs 12 thing again, oh well. One note: maybe you should try and buy now. The prices are good, not likely to get better, and there are still some available. That may change, seeing as no more are being made. Sounds like new ones are going for almost the price of used. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I prefer the 9. Yes I have ridden both. I dont see how the 12 is a better motor. It has a different motor. | ||
| Phild1203 |
Didn't the City X have the higher handlebars with the crossbar? | ||
| Nik |
Didn't the City X have the higher handlebars with the crossbar? They're the same except for the crossbar. | ||
| Phild1203 |
Oh ok, for some reason I was thinking they were just a little bit taller. | ||
| Slaughter |
CHECK your insurance first! Many insurance companies have a dividing line at 1000cc - the bigger motors MIGHT cost you more in insurance. | ||
| Vasiliy_ru |
My recommendation is to buy Buell with 9 motor. My girlfriend likes it but she does not reach legs to earth when she is sitting on. I am ridding on 9SX and like it. | ||
| Brumbear |
have you looked into an SCG it is 2' LOWER THAN AN SS | ||
| Buellatp |
Thanks all for the suggestions and comments...I have learned a lot and getting great ideas. I have not sat on an SCG yet. Where we live there are only 2 Buell shops and they do not have any SCG's left. I have great respect and appreciation to you all for posting and giving me your 2 cents worth....and your knowledge on the XB's.....  | ||
| Babybuell |
bump | ||
| Drkside79 |
i ride an O8 XB9SX and love it. It's plenty fast and a lot of fun! | ||
| Rah7777777 |
"FROGGY: You don't see people posting in the KV about their bike falling flat on its face with the 12" Hey man, back off! I screwed her up, not the poor little 9's fault! My fault for upgrading a bunch of crap that wasnt needed!!  | ||
| Babybuell |
My husband and I took a small road trip yesterday to a Buell dealership here in Iowa. They DID have an SCG....got to sit on it....and I am thinking it would be too low for my preference. They also had 1 1125CR and 2 1125R and 4 XB9SX.....the 9sx is going to be the route I take when I am ready to upgrade and buy this spring. The bikes were only 5995....my husband rides the 12ss....he currently flies for the airlines and getting laid off this winter....not really a good time to go into debt....so no new bike for me at this current time. At that price for a new one, you can't go wrong. It hurt really bad driving away and not able to purchase at that price....but we did pick up on some Buell apparel. Hopefully there will be a good newer (used) xb9sx's out there at the end of winter for me to buy..... | ||
| Etennuly |
In '05 the XB9SX had the higher bars, lower gear ratio, and taller seat. There was a model at that time XB9SL that was the for runner of the XB12SCG. That bike also had a shorter suspension travel to lower it another 3/4 of an inch or so. Physically these bikes all have the same frame and wheel base dimensions. The later ones, after '05, carry a bit more fuel due to changing where the air intake had a passage through the left side of the tank. The '06 and newer ones have the little air intake grille above the fuel cap. As far as power, the most difference you will feel is from your insurance company. Going from a 9 to a 12 cost me about 30% more. | ||
| Court |
The SB9SX would be a stellar bike and I'm betting you'll be able to find one when the time is right . . . . you guys are smart holding the cards next to the vest at this time. Thanks for the report! | ||
| Rah7777777 |
Used prices are pretty crazy too! When your time is right, I think you will be able to find a GREAT deal! They had an XB9SL in 2003 and 2004, its a regular XB9S with slightly lower forks and rear shock and also came with a slightly thinner seat. Just over 1 inch lower compared to a normal 03-04 XB9S. Then later came the SCG, which has always been a 12 motor with pretty much same suspension and lowered seat (but the SCG seat is a different texture, which I have on my XB9S) |
