| Author | Message | ||
     Bradshaw106 |
I'm looking to buy my first buell have wanted one for some time. Currently I'm cruising the forums trying to decide which direction to go. I have ridden a 1125r and a firebolt but I'm more of a upright rider. So I'm going with either a xb12s or a tuber.. My question is their are two bikes for sale locally one is a 2004 xb12s with 6k miles and they want 4599$ the other is a 2007 xb12ss with 15k and they are asking 5000$. Assuming they are both in the same condition is one a better deal then the other? I know one is a long but other then that is their any other differences between the two models? Any known problems concerning those two model years? Thanks for the help. I'm not going to jump into buying anything want to make sure it's the bike I want | ||
| Tleighbell |
See my post on the tuber board for comments on my XB9/12S experience. I have only driven the Ss on a short test drive but compared to the S, the handling was lacking the lightning quick reflexes of the S, and this is consistent with the road tests I have read. One thing I noticed with the S (both the 9 and the 12) was that when you hit a bump while leaned over the bike would go through a 3 stage oscillation (i.e. weave right left right). I think this is what led me to crash when a footpeg went down hard and I thought I had saved it. I went down about 50 yards up the road from where the footpeg actually went down and the rear wheel slid out. Maybe this is why steering dampers are a popular add on for the S. Would be interested to hear if anyone else noticed the same issue. | ||
| Glitch |
Would be interested to hear if anyone else noticed the same issue. First I've heard of it. Too fast going in a turn, peg hits road, rider bites dust. I've seen it happen too many times. Steering dampers aren't needed with a properly set up bike. Mine's rock solid. | ||
| Hughlysses |
The most important thing about riding any XB is setting the suspension up properly and the owner's manual tells you how to do it. These bikes are very sensitive to proper suspension adjustment. | ||
| Tleighbell |
Too fast going in a turn, peg hits road, rider bites dust. I've seen it happen too many times. True, but it was the way it happened. Peg hit, rear wheel slid out to the right, belly pan leaves paint on tarmac but then recovered, bike goes left, then right then seems to recover but then goes way to left again with bars on opposite lock and flips. Both my S's did the same thing to a lesser extent after hitting mid turn bumps. Otherwise stable up to indicated 120 mph Suspension set up as per manual. Wouldn't stop me buying another one! | ||
| Glitch |
If your peg is hitting, there's no adjustment to your suspension that'll cure that ill. Best you can do is set up for the turn and do all your braking before you turn in. By set up, I mean shifting your weight, by at least shifting your butt off the seat. You need to keep the bike more upright through the turn, that way your peg won't touch. If that's not the case, a set of R pegs will give you another inch before the hard parts start scuffing the pavement. Wouldn't stop me buying another one! I hear ya! I've over 70,000 miles on mine, I've not put that many miles on any other bike I've owned. I've been riding now for over 40 years, over 30 on the street. | ||
| Slaughter |
Unscrew the dummass spikes on the bottom of the pegs. If you're not used to dragging them on the ground, I GUARANTEE that when they DO touch down, it's going to startle you big time. Don't know WHY the $^#* things are even there in the first place.  | ||
| Bradshaw106 |
Back to the original post... How do you guys feel about the two prices? | ||
| Glitch |
Sorry for the high jack. I got carried away a little. I love to ride, and if I can help in the least little bit to help someone else ride smoother, and enjoy their ride, well I can't resist  If they are in excellent condition, the price is ok. Most of the XBs I've seen for sale have been in the 4 to 5 thousand dollar range, closer to the 4. Either bike will do you well. Not sure which I'd choose, probably go with the newer of the two. | ||
| Glitch |
Unscrew the dummass spikes on the bottom of the pegs. I forget about those, they come off first, at the same time I'm taking off the reflectors, mickey mouse ear mirrors, and safety stickers... | ||
| Fast1075 |
I ride a 2004 "S" and it is the best handling stock street bike I have ever owned. I had that odd "headshake while leaned over hitting a bump" thing going on until I learned how to set up the suspension. Of all things, it was from insufficient rear rebound damping. And I replaced the pegs with "R" pegs to gain some more clearance. | ||
| Slaughter |
I have ridden a friends "long." I really can see how on longer rides, it'd be less tiring even on mild twisty bits of road. I think if I were going to be looking for a streetbike, I'd lean toward the Ss. Even on the race bike, I've moved the geometry much closer to the longer chassis. | ||
| Doz |
I'd go for the 04 bike, not that many improvements between the two AND i'm sure you can talk the owner down in price for a better deal. Enjoy your first buell |
