| Author | Message | ||
     Smorgasrider |
Hi you guys. I have a question for those of you with a XB 12. I have a few bikes and I only recently ran into a group of Buell riders at a local bike night in Minneapolis. They were highly enthusiastic about their bikes and recommended I take a test ride. I had never considered a Buell before as I had heard the earlier ones had some reliability issues. I have a sport touring bike, a BMW and although I like it, I miss the days of light, fast quick handling bikes. I can't do the Firebolt riding position anymore but the Lightning is really comfortable. I went and took a test spin on both the 9 and the 12. I found the 9 much easier to ride because the throttle response was much smoother whereas the 12 had a very abrupt on/off throttle response. I really like the amber wheels and dark grey frame on the 12 as well as the added power but the 9 was so much easier to ride due to the way the bike behaved when slowing and then accelerating out of turns that unless there is some mod I don't know about that would address this, I will probably go for an XB 9. What do you guys think? Any insight would be most valuable to me. I have to also tell you that now I understand the enthusiasm of those Buell owners I met. I figured on getting a Japanese bike with standard tube bars like an SV or a Honda 919 but I am glad I rode the Buell. It was a real eye opener for me. It was realistically as fast as I need with great handling and surprising comfort. The smoothness, once you get rolling was amazing. Anyway, I would appreciate your input as I know there is a wealth of knowledge here on this site and the XB is now on a very short list of bikes being considered for some serious fun. Thanks, Tim. | ||
| M1combat |
Hmmm, I never had a problem with an abrupt throttle response. I can certainly say that the bike has a lot of torque, but I think that after a while you would have it under control. Maybe the throttle cables weren't quite adjusted correctly? I suppose though, I do find myself not being as smooth as I should be sometimes and it does produce a result that I could certainly call an on/off throttle response, but I would rather call it an on/off throttle input. As far as the riding position... Maybe go take an R for a ride anyway. They are actually very comfortable. How tall are you? I only ask for reference as there are at least a few 6'4" Badwebbers around here that ride the "R" model and like it a lot. | ||
| Glitch |
If I had my druthers I'd have both. I've got a 9S and am very happy with it. The 12S owners are very happy with their's as well. There are some people that have had both and will chime in shortly I'm sure. One other thing to be considered. Where do you do most of your riding? That would be a way to tell which one might be right for you. Also, I've ridden a 12S and didn't notice the throttle response you did. Maybe a few more test rides will help in your decision. Cool huh? Test rides I mean. You get to ride before you buy, how cool is that!? Oh, and welcome to Buelldom! | ||
| Darthane |
At the moment, my dream garage would hold my Blast (nasty weather/putting around bike), my XB9R (when I want to ge 'fast'), and a XB12S (around the city). I think the 9s have plenty of power - it's very smooth and usable, and there are several very cheap (under $50) mods you can do to it that will bump the power noticeably, or at least move it around where you want it. While I enjoyed riding the 12S, it wasn't enough of a difference to make me consider trading in my Firebolt. Maybe if they'd both been out when I was shopping for a new bike I'd have gotten a 12. Who knows? I think M1 may be on to something with the throttle cables. One of the first thing I did to both of my bikes was take the slack out of them - instant improvement. | ||
| Black9 |
I went from a 9s to a 12r, and despite appearances, the 12r was more comfortable, for me than my "s" was, especially longer rides. I'm 6'1, 185, 46 yrs. old, I will say the 12 was harder to ride smoother away from stop lights,etc. but i've gotten used to it,and boy do I looove those torque wheelies! BTW (IT NEEDS a higher redline) | ||
| Black_sunshine |
Smorgasrider...I have a 9S and love it. I rode both the 9/12S and could tell a slight power difference. I know with the 9 you hardly need to shift when in the mountain twisties. I was never really interested in the R simply because of the farings. Darthane is correct in saying that with a few cheap mods you can have close to the same performance. I went with the 9s for several reasons: $, silver wheels and the streetfighter look. I am 5'9" and 160lbs. so it was the perfect bike for me. Oh...and the XBs will eat the 919 for lunch in the twisties.  | ||
| 984_cc |
I've seen reports where the 9 isn't much slower than the 12 in the 1/4, and actually quicker 0 to 60. With the 9 (actually a 1000) you will have a smoother engine that revs up more. Look at it like this- the 9 is a Corvette Sting Ray with the 360 HP 327. The 12 is the Sting Ray with the 375 HP 396 big block. It depends on your taste- small or big block- an engine that likes to rev more or an engine with more low-down grunt. (Message edited by 984 cc on August 17, 2004) | ||
| Ravensmith22 |
Hey! Glad you took my advice and took a test ride. I do like to spread the addiction. I loved my 9r, and will be replacing it with another. Personally, I don't like the amber wheels, and like others have said, there are mods you can make for power while keeping the higher rev limit. Let me know what you get, and come riding with us. If you have any more questions that I can help with, you're more than welcome to contact me. I'm still not back to work, yet, but I'm always willing to help out however I can. | ||
| Joojoo |
I have a 12......Heres the deal. If you like to live in the higher RPM land, and wind out the motor when you ride, run a 9. For sure. IF you like insane low end torque and shift looking froward to the next surge of torque then 12 all the way. Both are great bikes, and from a reliability perspective, shorter stroke (XB9) should be more tolerant to beatings than a longer stroke 12.....time will tell. Jack (Message edited by joojoo on August 17, 2004) | ||
| Darthane |
-=shrugs=- There are plenty of people on this board well over 20000 miles on 9s. Not sure what the highest mileage 12 is right now. The days of Buell reliability problems are a thing of the past. | ||
| Americanrice |
I just don't like the amber accents on the 12's or the lower redline! 7500RPM's is plenty low enough for me. | ||
| M1combat |
JooJoo - The 9 has a higher rev limit and the SAME valve train. Everything in the engine (that's there for making power as opposed to transferring power to the rear wheel) takes more abuse on the 9. Everything that transfers power will take more abuse on the 12. Everything that transfers power is made by Harley (read - MAde for a heavy bike) and is near bulletproof (primary, clutch, transmission). As far as the longer stroke... The rev limit is lower so the piston speeds should be about the same and the cylinder wall wear on a 12 will be spread out over a greater area. I think the con-rods are the same length, so the 12 will see slightly higher side loading but I think both are low enough ratios that it's not an issue (well below the magic 1.7 ratio anyway). Also, keep in mind that broken belts are far more common on the 9 (although there have been a few people who have had more than one belt snap on a twelve). I seem to remember that one of those people was able to trace it to improper handling of the belt and the other lives in Alaska. I grew up in Alaska and I know first hand that the roads are not maintained very well, and 75% of them are dirt. I say go for a 12. | ||
| M1combat |
American Rice - The redline is irrelevant for anything but torque multiplication. Check the area under the torque and power curves. It's excellent. That being said though... I'd like a few more too  . | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Smorgasrider : Hey, good to hear you took a test ride! I was the other enthusiastic guy with Raven. I got my 9R mainly due to price, I would have loved a 12R after the initial test ride but an extra $2-3k didn't justify the difference. The 12 felt a lot more responsive on the low end, but that was compared to a stock 9. The race kit perked up the 9 enough. Now that I'm used to it, I'm glad I have the wider powerband, higher revving 9 than the 12. It's got plenty of go power for me, especially after a long ride on twisty highways up on the north shore last weekend. Raven: I used the soft saddle bags on my trip up north because the hard bags aren't mounted yet. They fit the 9R pretty well, let me know if you want them. | ||
| Stonecoldbuellin |
9 with a 1200 kit   | ||
| M1combat |
That's not a bad idea either, but yeah... spendy. | ||
| 984_cc |
The 9 pumps-out more HP and torque/liter than the 12. | ||
| Stonecoldbuellin |
If EVERYTHING goes ABSOLUTELY right for the rest of this season by next season ill have 1200kit and stage 3 heads. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE | ||
| Daves |
Welcome to Badweb Smorgasrider! Ride both bikes and then decide. I rode a modded 9 last year and this year am riding a 12. Like them both but there are differences. Pick your dealer wisely. Ride to the edge! Dave 1-866-757-1651 Ask for Dave in the SALES dept | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
Man, looks like the 9 guys are out in force! I have yet to ride one, would like to. As for the 12, I'm 6-1, 200 lbs, and ride a 12R. It is very comfortable, I ride around town, back roads, highway and hill country. The bike has a great powerband, and mine seems to have smoothed out at lower rpms/ speeds (around town ) since I drilled a few holes in the airbox cover. Good luck, I am sure whichever you choose, you'll be happy! | ||
| M1combat |
"Good luck, I am sure whichever you choose, you'll be happy!" And therein lies your answer . | ||
| Bluey |
Just get the 12 and you wont have any regrets!! It's a friggin' monster compared to the 9!!  | ||
| Sshbsn |
I have a 12R approaching 6000 miles in four months of riding. No problems whatsoever caused by the bike at this point. I never seriously considered the 9, but knew in advance that many of my miles would be at high speeds on open roads and I wanted the extra push and lower cruising rpms of the 12. The big block/small block comparison is dead on! | ||
| Xb9sx |
Just picked up my citycross this past Friday and love it so far. | ||
| Gearhead |
I'm a 12R guy, 47 and just under 6'0". Since I'd owned an M2 I wanted the upgraded equivalent in a lighter, sportier package and have not been disappointed!! It's a great track day bike, too... | ||
| Starter |
Had a high rev sports bike before so the 12 felt way too tractor like for me. I rode the 12 then 9 back to back. Went with the 9 cause I felt it revved a little more freely and didn't feel as alien as the 12. Also the rev limiter on the 12 kicked in far too soon as the bike felt ripped off in the revs department. I also liked the thought of a race kitted 9 for the same money as a stock 12. | ||
| Smorgasrider |
Thanks to all of you for your posts. I think Glitch is right, I need to do a few more test rides! The 12 S I rode was very new and maybe the throttle cable needed adjustment which may have accounted for the more abrupt throttle feel. I see on the factory Buell page that the XB9S is missing and the only 9 is the CityX. No more regular XB9S ? Maybe I can find a '04 left at a dealer. I think the big block/small block comparison is very accurate. I would be using the bike mostly in the cities and for back road twisties. I'll keep the BMW for the long trips as it's excellent for that. So I'll probably end up with the 9 because for the money I think it's the better buy. As I surf the dealers looking for the best deal I'll keep an open mind and if I could get a 12S at a real good price, I could be swayed. You can't ever have too much HP anyway, right? I'll let you all know which I end up with and thanks again. Raven and Coldwthrrider, I will get in touch to go riding when I get this all sorted out. | ||
| Stonecoldbuellin |
A 9 with a 1200 kit ends up with ALOT more hp than a stock 12 (or even a race kitted 12) I THINK. | ||
| BadS1 |
Went over that and it would be about the same and you'd have more money in it then if you bought a 12 to what I remember. | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
Check with DaveS in Appleton, about a month ago he had some good deals on a used 12S and a used 9S. If you get one, lookup Lou or Nils at SPHD about the recently revived BRAG group. Eric |
