| Author | Message | ||
     Hulley |
I need some input here, In the real world is an xb12 that much faster than an xb9? I rode a cityX last weekend with a race kit a thought this thing has great power! But, I dont want to buy a 9 and then wish I should have bought a 12! anybody out there that has a 9, do you wish you had upped to the 12 instead? keep in mind, I only weigh 155lbs. Do you guys that have 9s have any trouble keeping up with 12s? I'll be making my purchase next weekend!! I'd rather save a couple a grand but nothing is more expensive than regret. I plan on keeping the bike for a long time. | ||
| Maxima4xu2 |
i have a 12r and have lots of fun pulling away from my buddies 9r so as far as im concerned i love the torque of the 12 i wish it reved up another grand like the nine but hey cant have everything can we???? my budy rode my 12r and said it was a night and day difrence as far as the instant throttle response and hard pull at an speed | ||
| Reepicheep  |
My perspective was that my CityX had plenty of power for how I wanted to use it at the time. If I decided two years down the road that it lacked for what I wanted to do then (which I doubt), I would take the bike, cut a check for about $3k, and send the mess to Aaron at NRHS with a quick note indicating if I want low rpm power or high rpm power. But if you want more power with no fuss or muss, a 12 will get you there out the door. | ||
| Stealthxb  |
Hulley... I have had both a 9 and a 12. The differences between the two are extremely subtle. The 9 has heart the 12 has muscle. If you are a skilled rider you will have no trouble hanging with the 12s. I saw YOUR 9 today and she looked sad. I think she is ready to come home! | ||
| Hulley |
Im' so ready to buy it hurts! all I'm waiting on is paper work on my home refinace! the wait is killing me! I'm leaning towards the 9 because it will give the extra money for mods, and I like the black wheels! I cant wait to ride with the 3%ers! | ||
| Cyko_bob  |
Hulley As you know, this is all a matter of opinion for each of us. I have not ridden the 12, but with the same configuration, I agree with StealthXB, it would be subtle...the 12 should have the low end torque and more instant power because it is more of a stroker, but if you are up to speed - RPM (downshift to get the revs), I am guessing the revs will make up for the CCs at speed. I also agree with Reepicheep to some extent. What I would like to see is the XB9 stroke and the 3 13/16 bore, such as offered by NRHS. That way you would still have the revs. For what it is worth, my XB9 is pretty much stock right now except for the XB12 airbox. I am about to put the Techlusion on it along with an after market exhaust and K&N filter. I have no trouble pulling away from my buddies on their Harleys, even a stroked 116 inch big twin. When he hits his throttle he starts to pick up speed quicker, but when I put the hammer down I quickly catch him and pass him because my revs have kicked in...not unlike an Inline 4 from Japan. I am trying to keep the front end on the ground too! I mention all this because I think it depends also on the crowd you run with. I am quite happy with what I have...bone stock I am the fastest gunfighter in town, but if all of the Bad Weather Bikers got together I would be chasin' most of the other guys with all their mods. BTW, I am thinking about an XB9R to add to my XB9S when I return to the States. The R will be my touring Buell, while the S will be my hooligan Buell, and I will modify each with that purpose in mind. For $1800 difference between the 9 and 12 (MSRP on the Buell page) you can buy a lot of stuff for your 9 or put it all in one basket. Okay...time for the next opinion...but enjoy whatever you get Hulley. You cannot go wrong with either one. My experience has been a very happy one with my XB9. Racin' the wind and chasin' the sun...Cyko Bob  | ||
| Brad_buell  |
Go with the XB9!!!  I have an XB9S and Love it. You can always add the Race Kit. And that CityX is awesome! I really like the black wheels too!  But what Cyko_bob said, "You cannot go wrong with either one." You will enjoy either one, but go with the 9. | ||
| Buell_zen |
I bought an XB9S. If I had it to do over I would consider the 12. The 12 has extra cubes, larger bore intake manifold and a very trick muffler. If you are planning to have a louder muffler then the trick stock muffler is of no use to you. A former Harley chief engineer, Dick O'Brian once said "there is no substitute for cubes" | ||
| Brupska  |
I have had a 03 9S and I now have a 12R. The 9S was fine at the track or the street. The only reason I got the 12R was to go to the different riding style. On the track the 9S handled great! I was going to change the 9S over to the R model. You will be happy with both. I have heard with a 9 and the race kit or other exhaust that it is just as good as a stock 12 with the advantage of more revs. So you should be fine with the 9. brupska | ||
| Metalstorm  |
There's no replacement for displacement. Though I still find myself drawn toward the 9. I live near a lot of tight twisty roads (I'm up to my eyeballs in them) where you're constantly throwing the bike left then right then left etc. I like the fact that I could be hamfisted with the 9 (demo bike) coming out of turns & not worry about sliding out my rear tire. If I was going to put on a lot of long distance highway miles I'd probably go with the 12 since I'd be able to cruise at high speeds while keeping my revs low. But that CityX is looking better & better all the time. I'd like to get one & show the city folk what it can do in the country.  | ||
| M1combat  |
Are you a car guy? The 9 is a small block, the 12 is a big block. The thing is... For real speed where these bikes like to live it's all about the rider. I've run straight line against nines and I certainly was faster (I weigh a bit more than most people too) but they say the 9 is a bit easier to ride in the corners because it has less torque. I'm sure that can be cured on the 12 with good throttle control  . I think it's mostly a wash myself. I think both bikes are about the same in the hands of us mere mortals. I'm pretty sure that the 12 would be faster in the hands of a rider that's really capable of getting to the limits of the bike. I've never had any trouble with the throttle control... But I've also never ridden a nine so maybe I just don't know. One benefit to the 12 is that it can be built into a larger engine than the 9. I hear the 88" engines are the best for the street and I think it costs the same to bring either bike to 3-13/16" bore. I'll most likely get a nine for a track bike and keep the twelve for the street bike. I may just go with a twelve for the track too if I can run a nine ECM. | ||
| Ben_jamminvfcc  |
I prefer a precise and controlled scalpel...to a sword. | ||
| Metalstorm |
M1 makes a very good point about throttle controll. I suspose after you get used to it you can learn to regulate the go wrist better. It was like that when I went from an 883 Sporty to a modded 1200. The throttle was a bit more robust and I had to learn better controll. So perhaps I should explain my liking of the 9 a bit better. I'm a good rider. Some times when I'm in the zone I'm a very good rider but I don't consider myself an excellent rider. I don't have the luxery of going to track days to hone my skill so all I have is the street. I felt extremely confident on the 9. I would have to really try to mess up on it. The power is (to me) very predictable which helps me be precise with my cornering. I can power out of a turn sooner without worrying about sliding my rear tire which allows me to put more attention on the road ahead where it should be & actually be faster in the twisties as a side effect. The stock 9 doesn't pull my arms out of their sockets like my sporty does but I swear it's quicker & faster. You just don't feel it. Not from my own experience but from what I hear, the 9 is as fast as the 12 in the tight twisties. You just have to work your left hand & foot a little more. Anouther thing to consider is that in some states, insurance is quite a bit cheaper on the 9 than the 12. (Message edited by metalstorm on January 16, 2005) (Message edited by metalstorm on January 16, 2005) | ||
| Midknyte |
Check out your insurance costs - that may be the deciding factor anyway. I've got a de-restricted 9 & luv it. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I tried both, unfortunately a couple of months apart. From what I could recollect, and was hopefully correct about, the 9 seemed to rev much more freely than the 12. It seemed to have less flywheel effect which I really like, so I bought it. It is, however, pretty low on power in stock form. My modified X1 ripped the front end up much, much better. I'll soon be hooked up with an Odie pipe, filter, and race ECM and am really excited to see the improvement. If I can get decent power with the free reving engine I'll be stoked. | ||
| Court |
>>>I prefer a precise and controlled scalpel...to a sword. Hold that thought....you'll see it in an article I am writing. I am just now getting to know the CityX and it is phenomenal. If...and we are off in the realm of the hypothetical what if bar talk here, I wanted the perfect bike...Erik would build it, Aaron would finish it. Court | ||
| Hulley |
For those that know motocross bikes well, I recently had a Yam yz250F, I much prefferred it over the 450F because of the better handling, both are torque monsters and really equally fast around a track, would this be a fair comparison. Like I said, I enjoyed the smaller bike because of handling and feel. I could keep up with the big boyz and never wished for the bigger motor. the 250f was very capable. I'm betting the 9 is a very capable machine with the right mods. | ||
| Black_sunshine  |
Hulley...I ridden the 12 and the 9. My 9S has K&N, Drummer, snorkle removed and 12 air box. It is a real improvement from stock. I like the high revs and being able to minimize shifting in the mountains. As Stealth stated that it is subtle and you will LOVE both. Honestly at first I was drawn to the 9 because of the Silver wheels. I didn't want a black S with Amber wheels. I am more than pleased with my choice of the 9. That 9 at SMHD/BUELL needs a good home. I've seen it and those headlight sure look sad, without an owner and all. Just go ahead a GET IT already. 3%er represent | ||
| Ben_jamminvfcc |
Court, There's a $15 charge for any quotes/ideas[intellectual property] of mine that you use.  Thanks for your cooperation.  -Ben. (Message edited by ben_jamminvfcc on January 16, 2005) | ||
| Ftd  |
"For $1800 difference between the 9 and 12 (MSRP on the Buell page) you can buy a lot of stuff for your 9 or put it all in one basket." What if the prices were closer? A dealership in FL sells 9SX's for $7995 and 12's for $8500 or $9100/$9700 out the door respectively. That is a pretty good (what 15 HP?) increase in power for $500. Just something to consider Frank | ||
| Trolldaddi  |
Hulley, I have a 9R and I think it's a great bike. I have never rode a 12, but I have a feeling you won't be disappointed with a 9. Steve | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Where did the 3%er come from? I have seen it on the board several times now. I know what a 1%er is, but I have not heard a 3%er before...I assume it has something to do with the sport bikes...the percent of Buell riders out there??? Thanks for filling in this old-timer...Cyko Bob | ||
| Cyko_bob |
FTD...your point is well taken and a valid point. I used the MSRP just as a base, but I realize dealers usually sell Buells at less than MSRP to get 'em off the floor (got my XB9S out the door for $7995). If I found a $500 difference, personally I would get the 12. That does't mean I don't like the 9 as well as the 12, but I like a good deal. There are certain characteristics I like about the 9 (rev happy - thank goodness it has a rev limiter), but the lower torque of the 12, thereby making it feel stronger, feels good too. By the way, my 1200 Sportster Sport (has the usual mods for a Sportster (K&N, rejetting, and a Thunderheader) feels stronger and faster, but the XB9 will run circles around it. So the seat of the pants difference is just that...a feel...but a nice feel. Get the one that turns your crank! | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Gee, wish I had thought of all this at once instead of three posts... Hulley, DaveS had some good deals on new, older models...posted them on the web the other day. They may be gone now, but you might check him out at Appleton H-D/Buell...one of our sponsors. Too, there would be some shipping or travel costs, but seems like the 9s were only about $6500, could be wrong...don't remember the prices, but good buys. You may be working on some dealer loyalty in your area too...all part of the consideration I guess, but our sponsors are pretty good folks. As I said earlier, you will be happy no matter whether you get a 9 or a 12! | ||
| Maxima4xu2 |
i agree with everyone you will be very happy with a buell period i just prefer the 12r over the 9r i guess to haul my 250 lb butt around and besides the complete ground pounding torque through and out of the corner is why i bought the 12r over the honda 1000rr i just dont like having to rev the •••• outta the motor to make good usable power but lie i said you will love either it is a buell after all | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Maxima4xu2...I understand what you are saying, but with the XB Buells we are talking noticeable, but subtle differences. In contrast, I have ZRX1200...and like most I4s, the redline on it is mucho high..10,500 RPM, and most of the Japanese sport bikes make more than mine. That is a contrasting difference from the 12 and 9 redlines...more than a subtle difference or seat of the pants feel. I think we are all in agreement here. Hulley, get the scooter and let us know what you got! The suspense is killing us! | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Hulley, this is what DaveS posted the other day: I have just bought 3 Buells from another dealer. I have 2 03 XB9S models. One black,one yellow Dave's "blow them out the door" price 6500.00 no frt or setup fees. I have one 04 XB12S, red Price 8500.00 no frt or setup fees. All of these are NEW bikes with full one(03) or two(04) year warranty. Dave daves@h-dappleton.com 1-866-757-1651 ask for Dave in the sales dept. | ||
| Metalstorm |
You know what's cool about this thread? Not one person did the ol' "do a search, it's been discussed before" post. I don't know if y'all know just how really cool that is. A: trying to do a search on 9 vs 12 usally brings up every freak'n thread ever made which is frustrating. B: The choice between a 9 & a 12 has got to be one of the hardest choices to make. C: Badweb has a lot of really cool guys willing to address this question everytime it comes up. Kudos to all of you. I came to badweb for the info & I stayed for the good company.  | ||
| Cyko_bob |
I gotta agree with you Metalstorm. I have only been on the board a couple of weeks. I have found out a lot of info...got a lot of good advice...feel that I know my bike better and what is available for it. The support has been great, and there are a lot of neat folks on Buells from all around the globe. I love checking the bios just to see who I am communicating with or who is posting the thread. We all seem to agree, get a Buell, no matter what flavor you want or what mods you make. Make it yours and enjoy it! I may not be here every day, but I think I will stay...Cyko Bob | ||
| Black_sunshine |
Cyko_bob.....It is our Brag Chapter here in Atlanta out of Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson/BUELL. www.3%BRAGgingRightsClub.com Sorry its: http://www.braggingrightsclub.org/ (Message edited by black_sunshine on January 16, 2005) (Message edited by black_sunshine on January 16, 2005) |
