| Author | Message | ||
     Lynrd |
I'm new to the XB world but have several tubers...I am looking at picking up a XB9 model and have found several to choose from. Are there any years that are either particularly desirable or undesirable from a basic "Known points of failure" standpoint? Is there a "Best year"? If so, why? | ||
| Froggy |
There are no bad years of XB9, but I do recommend getting the newest one you can find. Almost every year had changes, some minor, some major. 2008 models had the biggest changes including a beefier crank, lighter flywheel, better oiling and smoother fuel injection. | ||
| Lynrd |
Fireman Jim at JT&S had mentioned a while back something about not being able to tune the 2009 and up models - I have been assuming something changes with the ECM there - or am I assuming too much? | ||
| Froggy |
That was likely years ago when the new fuel injection came out, we didn't have any tuning options. These days there are multiple programs that will tune every injected Buell. | ||
| Reepicheep |
For the 12's, I think there are substantial benefits to going with an 08 or later. Not to say don't buy an earlier one, just pay less for it.  For the 9's, those things have been pretty much bullet proof from day one. You really can't buy a bad one. Were the earliest XB9R's still using the old style pinion gear for the oil pump? I think by the time the 9s came out they were all the good new one, but I can't remember. Even then, thats a $50 part and a few hours work to replace it... not a huge deal. | ||
| Cataract2 |
The XB's didn't get the upgraded oil drive gear until 06. So it's it's an 03-05 it would need upgrading. Generally though with the XB's there wasn't a problem with it for the 03-05, but it's just a good thing to check/change. I did mine about 5 years ago after having 50K on the bike. The gear itself showed minimal wear. (Message edited by cataract2 on March 07, 2014) | ||
| Reepicheep |
You are correct... I remember swapping it out on my 05 XB9SX now. The old style gears wear slower and less frequently on the XB's, but they can still wear. On a tuber, I'd say replace it now regardless. On a pre 06 XB, I'd say check it every 15k miles and see if it is wearing and decide if you need to replace it. And just replace it if you ever have the rocker boxes off anyway. It is much easier to check then replace, as you can just drop the oil pump and peek up there. To replace it the cam cover has to come off, which means at least one (maybe two) rocker boxes have to come apart. (Message edited by reepicheep on March 07, 2014) | ||
| Lynrd |
OK, got it, thanks. is the cylinder length and deck height of the heads the same between a XB9 and a XB 12? I am basically looking to confirm that the motor mount positions and geometry are the same | ||
| Callawegian |
I had a 2003 XB9SL that I put in 14K+ miles on in 5 years. All it required was regular oil changes and tires. I sold it with the original battery still holding a good charge. The motor was butter smooth. if it was as comfortable to ride as a ULY I would still have it. | ||
| Froggy |
The 9 and 12 have the same heads, cylinders and cases. The displacement difference is due to the 12 having a longer stroke, so it has different pistons, rods, and crank. Just about everything else is the same. Also because I know someone is going to chime in, the XB9 and 12 have different primary chain gearing, with the XB9 gearing being about 11% shorter. Transmissions and belt drives are the same for both 9 and 12 of each given year. | ||
| Lynrd |
Absolutely perfect Froggy. I don't care what they say about you, you're ok in my book  . So, if the 12s are really "Stroker 9s" then I would anticipate that the pistons would wear a bit faster on the 12s, and, yes, the 9s would be smoother due to less reciprocating mass. Since these were mass production machines aimed at the general public I don't expect that piston wear is something to lose sleep about either way - it's just interesting. None of that matters for this one...but good tip on the gearing...that could matter a lot. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The crank is the bigger deal. The crank is near bullet proof on the XB9. On the 12 it can have issues on some rare but not rare enough cases. They were always fine for the 9's. But they updated the crank anyway on the last of the Harley Buells to get the 12 enough margin to really be safe. | ||
| Dmp0001 |
The gearing is 100% interchangeable between the 9 and the 12, I wouldn't worry about that too much. It is just that way to keep the 9 at higher rpms. You could slow down a 9 or speed up a 12 with just a few hours work. (Message edited by dmp0001 on March 07, 2014) | ||
| Greg_e |
Throttle body diameter and injectors were different up until around 2006 or 07, 03 injectors were definitely different with a two part TB. | ||
| Westpat |
I am looking at a 2005xb cityx. I see your comment about fuel injector changeover. I have also read that the pre 07 xb9's are better on mileage. Do the older ones have pretty much the same powerband with better mileage, or are the late runs stronger across the rpms. Thanks David | ||
| Losthighway |
I'm eyeballin' an 06 Firebolt XBR12. Super low miles...dealer wasn't open today to test. 1. Is it worth trading the XR1200X I have? 2. Is it as easy to do my own mileage service? 3.Can I with low cost hit 100,000 miles? 4.Can I put a new air filter on without the tune? 5.Is this a good year for this brand? (Afraid I'll be moving backwards or regret the purchase.) Thanks to anyone who can ease my concerns. The idea of having a lighter bike delights me since I wrestle a porker every day almost with the XR1200X. | ||
| Froggy |
This is a preference thing, so it is hard for me to answer for you. It will "feel" like your Sportster, but sportier more aggressive ergonomics, lighter, better handling, adjustable suspension, great brakes, and so on. A Lightning model might be more up your alley as it has standard bars and lower pegs, along with a look closer to the XR than the Firebolt does.
Very easy. If you have done your own maintenance on your XR, you will see that it is basically the same deal, except the spark plugs are harder to reach.
Not many XBs have made it to the 100k, mark, not because of reliability, but just they don't get ridden enough. I have two XBs over 40k, both I can't see why they wouldn't hit 100k if I was given enough time.
Changing the air filter won't do anything meaningful on these bikes, they breath pretty well with the stock filter. All a K&N will do is shorten your engine life by filtering less. That said, even in stock trim a tune is recommended, it is not as critical on an 06 but it does make it run better. 08+ bikes have stricter EPA requirements and newer FI system that greatly benefits from a Race ECM.
Yep it is a good year, 07's are the only ones I'd avoid if I was looking for a touring bike, there have been numerous crankshaft failures on high mile 07 XB12 motors. | ||
| Losthighway |
Thanks for responding. I do know in my heart bikes are often more of a subjective thing, but I had to ask. Things I wish the XR1200X had. *Lighter *A fairing *10-20 more ponies *A tad bit more fuel *"flickable"...more so I mean. I have learned to do the basic service maintenance myself, so it's exciting it will be territory I'm already familiar with. Is the belt as reliable as on a Sporty? Thanks for the tip about the air filter. My hopes for the XB are the same I use the XR for...daily commuter (50 miles round trip), backroad romping, late night flights...etc. (Message edited by losthighway on May 18, 2014) | ||
| Froggy |
No, the XB belts don't last as long, but they are very easy to change (no need to remove the swingarm), and are zero maintenance once installed. No tension adjustments, no fiddling with the axle, no lube, just set it and forget it. Personally I recommend changing it out every 20-30k miles, your mileage may vary but they are just on borrowed time after that. Swap it and keep the old belt as a hot spare rolled up under the seat. I know guys who have 50k+ on the original belt, not everyone is that lucky. Road conditions, rider abuse, weather, etc all are huge factors in its life, but it is better to play it safe and swap it before you are forced too in my book. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Stuff will break by the time you get to 100k, but can generally be fixed. Some motors need substantial rebuild before then, some hit 100k easily. I suspect the 08 and up bikes with the new oiling system and larger crank journals will make it to 100k pretty consistently. As for repairs, I try and take into account the lack of normal maintenance relative to other bikes that have reputations for great reliability. The average valve adjustment and valve belt/chain tweaks and drive chain replacements on other bikes is a guaranteed maintenance issue at X miles for Y hours and Z dollars. With the XB's, you just feed the bike a steady diet of oil changes, and new plugs every 20k miles or so. Check the primary chain tension every 10k miles or so, but it probably doesn't need anything and it's two screws and 10 minutes. Do a TPS reset every spring. When you do need to fix a cracked wire in the steering head, or maybe replace a stator, its generally less work than a valve adjustment other bikes need, and happens less often. | ||
| Losthighway |
People tell me that in the future when the bike breaks, they'll be no parts for it. Are they peddling fear? (Dealer was closed again today, no test ride yet.) | ||
| Starter |
Dunno but a drop off the stand earlier last week cost less for 6 parts than a footpeg for my husky. | ||
| Andersonhdj |
The same could be said for any modern bike , so , yes , i would say they are. There are a fair number of aftermarket suppliers who live and breathe Buell so i don't think it's a problem. Just about anything that man made can be made by man when necessity dictates it. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'm not worried about parts... There are a lot of XB's out there and a lot of parts out there, and these are bikes worth fixing (meaning people will make the parts needed). I've restored some seriously clapped out old Japanese bikes, and it's amazing how few parts I have needed from a dealer. The only hard one to get parts for was a 1978 Kawasaki Bison F8 two stroke enduro. And even that, the problem parts were due to the goofy side carb setup, lots of very unusual boots and cables for that. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Buy points for an old jap bike too! All gaskets for an engine = $30 Spark plug = $3 Headlight bulb = $7 Points = $900000 backordered for 17 years The pricing and availability for old asian stuff is totally random. I think they roll D&D dice in the back room for setting prices. Roll for initiative......CRITICAL FAIL. Part is backordered and counter guy just broke your "good" example by bending it the wrong way. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Funny you mention that... I was going to convert that particular bike over to an electronic ignition. | ||
| Froggy |
Parts situation is basically the same as it was when I first started riding Buells in 2006. Most parts are easily available from a Buell dealer, most dealers don't stock much but can order what you want and usually get it to you within a week. Some parts do have backorders, but that mostly is body work, and they had backorders back when the bikes were in production. American Sport Bike is good at keeping the most commonly needed parts in stock, so if your bike does decide to crap its wheel bearings out, they can get them overnighted to you if you can't source some locally. People think Buell went out of business, which is not true, the bikes were simply discontinued, just like numerous Harleys and other brands models that come and go each year. The parent company is still there conducting business as usual. My understanding is the XR1200 is discontinued now, so effectively you would be trading one "dead" bike for another Cost of parts is a crapshoot. We joke about the "Harley Tax", as Harley likes to charge $20 for a nut, $7 for a screw, but then some other random parts are dirt cheap and often cheaper than similar parts on other bikes. Is the bike you are looking at posted online somewhere? If you don't mind sharing a link, we can give our opinions on it. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Problem is we only have ~3 more years now. | ||
| Meggadeath |
Doom and gloom was predicted for the likes of Indian and Vincent also. There are now more parts made for the older Indians then when they were originally produced. You can build an entire Vincent from newly minted spares. An original Black Shadow or Lightning is worth in excess of $150K (if you can find one). Buells became a modern "collector" bike the instant that Hardly Dufuson shut them down. Be patient, and you WILL be rewarded! | ||
| 46champ |
Be patient, and you WILL be rewarded! In all reality I think for a lot of us that statement should be: Be patient and your sons and daughters will be rewarded. (Message edited by 46champ on May 20, 2014) |
