| Author | Message | ||
     Silveradotx |
Hello all, I'm thinking about getting one of the XB's for my second bike. Currently I ride a Blast, and I figured, aside from liking the design of the Buell bikes (specifically the XB's) that staying with a Buell would make for a relatively easy-ish transition. I'm curious as to which XB would be good to step up to next. Thoughts and comments... and thanks for your time. | ||
| Delta_one |
IMHO the 9 and 12 are about equal when it comes to power vs tradeoffs ride both and fall in love with one same goes for what style you want either the bolt or the lightning (I am guessing you are not leaning to a uly because you would probably be in the big bad dirty section and not asking if that's what you had your heart set on. but correct me if I'm wrong.) I rode both and liked the 9 better, I could have purchased either bike used for about the same money but I went with the 9 (partly because the bike was immaculate and modded how I planed to anyway) it vibrates less at stops and wraps up a little faster but the 12 has more low end grunt and without really being any heavier and also has more overall power. I felt faster on the 9 because it fits my riding style and I am comfortable on it, the 12 was a little too punchy out of the corners if I got overly antsy with my clutch engagement. YMMV (Message edited by delta_one on December 04, 2010) | ||
| Delta_one |
Ill also add that before I rode them I had my heart set on a 12, more torque more power same weight. why not right? but I was charmed by the 9 so here I am and I think the lightning is the sexy one so that part was easy for me, but that's just a personal style issue the real difference is the position, I like the position of the bolt MUCH more than the lighting but now I have CR clubman bars and am a very happy rider now living the best of both worlds | ||
| Ducbsa |
Make sure it is in the fastest color, which is black, of course! An XBS will be closest to your Blast in ergos. An XB12S was for me. | ||
| Slaughter |
Something to consider - insurance! Depending on how many years you have riding, many insurance companies have a break in rates for bikes with less than 1000cc (XB9) If you can, find a few different ones to try the seating position. I'm "guessing" that the "Lightning"-type seating will appeal more to you than the "firebolt" seating position. | ||
| Sifo |
Insurance may or may not matter. Depending on your company they may go by engine CCs or may go with actual cost experience data. A call to your agent can get you some real numbers on insurance cost if that's an issue though. If you want more of a sport bike, go Firebolt. If you like the seating position of the Blast, go Lightning. I love my XB12Ss because I find it to have one of the most comfortable stock seats and just a bit more stretch for my legs. 400 mile rides on back roads are common for me, so I appreciate the comfort. I've never ridden a XB9, but lots of folks say they prefer them over the XB12. I love my 12, but wont tell the 9 lovers they are wrong. I think either will make a normal person grin silly. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I've had both (three actually), M2 (1200, carb), 9sx (FI 989), and a Uly (FI 1200). I liked 'em all. I like the gruuuunt of the uly... the kind of loft the front wheel when you wick the throttle feel. But I liked the "wired to the road" feel of the 9sx a LOT also. The power seemed perfectly balanced with the bike, like the edge of power was always the edge of traction and the angry and aggressive yet smooth power coming from the higher revs and lighter pistons. The 12 is the right motor for the Uly for sure. For an S, either motor makes a great bike, it's a personal preference thing (as others have said). The other thing to keep in mind, which was my fallback plan when I got the 9sx, is that a 9 motor (shorter stroke) punched out to 1150 with quality aftermarket bits is a faster motor then a stock 12, because it is shorter stroke and can rev higher. I figured I'd put 30k to 50k on the 9sx stock, then blow it out to an 1150 on a rebuild (which I suspect is under $3k for high end stuff). I had kids that wanted to ride with me, and found myself carrying more and more stuff, so at 30k I sold the 9sx (not a hint of problems with the thing even then, running better then ever) and got a Uly instead. I love the Uly, but miss that scalpel carving, dime splitting, precision and balance of the 9sx. | ||
| Delta_one |
my insurance must use actual cost data because it would be cheaper for me to insure a Hayabusa than my XB9 in a perfect world I would have both my XB9S and an XB12R I know it doesn't help any but that's just how good all the XB's are it would be very difficult to make a bad choice with an XB model (Message edited by delta_one on December 04, 2010) | ||
| Fast1075 |
I moved up from a Blast! to a Lightning mine is an XB12s, Racing Red of course (the fastest color)....it was not a difficult transition, the Lightning's seat height is a bit higher than the Blast!. I put on a "low" seat and after a few miles, it feels normal. You will really love the difference in the seat's comfort. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
The transition from a blast to a lightning was oh so natural. +1 on factoring the price of insurance when making your choice. There may be a huge difference between a 12 and a 9. We were endorsed for a year and a half with clean MVRs when we got the XB9sx and full coverage insurance ran us about $900/year, and we are old coots, not a couple of kids. Compared to the $54 we paid for the same coverage on the 883 sporty, it was astonishing. Now when I jump on the City x after riding the Uly, it feels oh so nimble! | ||
| Silveradotx |
Thank you all for your input. I figured the jump to one of the XB's wouldn't be too difficult, thank you for confirming it. Also appreciate the reminder about checking insurance. As far as choosing between which one to go with, well, price will be more of a factor in that. And I'd like to test ride, or at least sit on one, but since HD cut Buell I can't really do that; don't know anyone who has one either. I plan to put plenty of miles on whatever I get, so it's good to know that everyone is comfortable on what they have or have had. | ||
| Ducbsa |
Maybe someone here could help you? http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/37/ 80418.html?1289310032 | ||
| Irideabuell |
My insurance (full coverage) and highest coverages for a 2004 xB12s is $107 every six months (State Farm). I just turned 46 and my premium was reduced from $127. | ||
| Ronbob43 |
I think Delta and Reep both spot on about the XB9. Mine is an '09 SX, which fits an old buzzard like me better than the sportier version. | ||
| Sweetfish89 |
I have a Uly and it is so much fun. You can keep up with the other XBs and can travel long distances if you please. You can also take it off road which is a lot of fun even if you take it slow because you think you are going to dump it every 10 seconds. To make the Uly even better put XB9 gear in it and you have a nice little set up. | ||
| Silveradotx |
I've thought about going after a Uly, but since the majority (almost 100%, for the time being) of my riding will be pavement, highway and city, an XB9 or 12 would more than fit the bill. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
Speaking of the Big Bad and Dirty. I did see someone post last week that a dealer had 3 XB12STT still in stock New! Or with under 50 miles on them under $5000!! That would be a nice cross-over bike as well. There are deals out there to still be had on XB bikes in showrooms. Not sure of your age Thomas, but I loved the heck out of my 12s, but love my 12xt even more. Similar performance, but perfect riding position for me. I think any one of them can be made comfortable in the aftermarket too. Pick the general look you want, then farkle from there. The search and test drives are half the fun. | ||
| Boliver |
Buy a 9 and you'll always wonder. Buy a 12 and the guessing is done. | ||
| Sweetfish89 |
Buy a 12 and add 9 gearing and have a lot of fun! | ||
| Andymnelson |
I bought a 9 and love it, then i bought a 12 (because the Uly only comes with the 12), and you're right- the guessing is done: the 9 is a better motor! The 9 vs 12 question comes up quite often, and since I own both I like to share my opinions. Here is what I usually say: 1) smoother motor 2) free-er revving motor 3) smoother power band 4) low RPM performance is much more manageable 5) in stock form, acceleration is basically identical since the 9 has 11% lower gearing in the primary (i installed the 9 gearing in my 12, which gives me greater acceleration and lower top speed, and puts a band-aid on some of the other issues. I still prefer the 9) Man, if they had made the Uly with the 9... The "loft the wheel" thing Uly owners talk about has much more to do with seating position and weight distribution than it does with the 12 having more power. My XB9S lifts the wheel with ease as well! | ||
| Andymnelson |
Lol, I just remembered a little dealer story: Back in about 2005 I went into St. Paul HD to look at Buells with a buddy. when discussing the various models and motors with the salesman, he proclaimed "the street rider who doesn't know any better buys the 12, the racer buys the 9 because of the light weight". Welll....they basically weigh the same, and a "racer" would actually want the gearing of a 12 for most tracks! Hah, oh those dealers... | ||
| Panhead_dan |
My first (and second) Buell was an XB9S with the factory race kit. Currently I ride an XB12X. The song that the 9 sings at high speed is deeply embedded in my soul. I miss that music. It's interesting to me that you are not considering one of the water cooled Buells. | ||
| Ksfirebolt |
Wow, this is neat info! I never heard any of this before. You guys are making me second guess my XB12R(even though I really love it). Now I need to find someone with a 9 that I can try........ | ||
| Luxor |
I have one of each and wouldn't part with either. Both are S models, a 2003 9, and a 2004 12. Both have race ECMs and Buell race exhaust. They do their respective things. The 9 is quicker on the rev and better in town. The 12 has long legs and better for touring. And both eat twisties. I can't imagine what I'd do if I had to choose just one. Again, ride one of each and decide for your self. | ||
| 12x9sl |
Both motors are great motors-Andy has all the points right. My wife and I are both on 12s now ('09 12Scg and '10 12X). When we had our old bikes ('03 9SL with race kit, '06 12X with race kit) she could smoke me. Now I realize, she was 80 pounds lighter than me and the bike was lighter as well, but after second gear it wasn't even close. What would have been cool is if they could have retained the 9 stroke length and used a bigger bore. But, I do realize Erik did have his hands tied. |
