| Author | Message | ||
     Indybuell |
Hello, I am a current Buell Blast owner, and thinking about making the move up to an XB. I do quite a bit of commuting on the Blast, so it may stay, while an XB becomes the weekend ride. Or I may trade/sell the Blast, not sure yet. I have about 50 mile roundtrip commute daily. I enjoy riding the twisties, but I also like group riding, and riding 2 up. I am a Buell fan down to the core, and a huge fan of the XB series. Due to just riding for about a year, I think I should probably stick with one of the XB9 models as I make the move up. My question is, what are the main differences between an XB9R and any of the XB9S variations? | ||
| Firebolt32 |
I have a 9r. If I don't have to be in Downtown Tampa I ride everywhere. I'm use to the "crotch rocket" style riding so it doesn't bother me much. It's a bit more uncomfortable with my girl on the back because of the extra weight pushing down on me. Two up riding for about 100 miles I have to stop about half way due to my arms getting tired with her weight pushing down on me. By myself...I'm fine for that 100 miles. The stock windscreen on the 9r is garbage on the interstate. If you sit up, the wind kills you. If you tuck, your tucked so low it becomes uncomfortable. I threw a double bubble smoke windscreen on and it made a world of difference. Sitting up on the interstate, the wind passes right over my head. If I decide to tuck, I don't have to tuck as low because the screen is higher. As for the 9s... I've test rode a few. With being in the H/D family, I've been able to test the new 09 on the city roads as well as the interstate. City streets were a blast. The interstate wasn't as fun due to basically not having a windscreen to defuse the wind. With the 9s you sit upright more compared to the 9r. With my 9r I'm not flat footed at idle. The 9s I am. Hope my 2 cents helps... | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
get some wind protection, get the R | ||
| Gunut75 |
Also, the (s)lightning has higher handle bars. The only difference between the two is cosmetic (look at the front and seats) and egronomics. The frames, forks, and power plants are the same. The lightning is more long ride friendly because of egronomics (riding position). | ||
| Indybuell |
Thanks for the info. Now, just to find an XB9R in good shape, that hasn't had been ridden hard and hung up wet.  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Always a sucker for the XB9SX  2 years 26k miles. Plenty of long trips, a good dose of freeway, commuting, twisties and dirt. It is the Swiss Army knife in the family. Go demo both, it will tell you which is the most comfortable for your style. | ||
| Xbmacon |
I initially wanted the S but after sitting on one then riding a R, I like having something infront of me. It didnt hurt I found a good deal on an R. Im glad I went this way, It was meant to be. They are both great though. Do yourself a favor and try both on for size. One will feel right. (Message edited by xbmacon on November 25, 2008) | ||
| Indybuell |
Will do. The only problem is that around here, it seems that no one with an 9R wants to give them up! | ||
| Mrd |
"Always a sucker for the XB9SX" +1 2 years and 25k. 90 mile round trip daily commute. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Another vote for the S. The R seating position annoys me on the street (expected), but didn't even seem that much better on the track (which suprised me). Neither bike offers much wind protection, which IMHO is a good thing. Get the 9sx wind deflectors for your hands and get good riding gear. Every other bike I have ridden that tried to offer wind protection through some sort of fairing just moved the air blast from a place it didn't bother me (stomach) to a place where it did bother me (buffeting helmet). But maybe I am just too tall... Its definitely a personal preference thing though, both the R and the S are great bikes. Go ride both... | ||
| Fenderbender |
If you are using the bike to commute alot, I say go with the S. Find what is comfortable. Whichever way you go, there are lots of ways to customize to fit your needs. Just stay with a Buell and you'll happy!  | ||
| Wardamneagle |
I ride a 12S and have about an 80-90 mile round trip commute everyday. It is great for it | ||
| Skinstains |
How about one of each ? Financing baby. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Pity that the thinning of the herd took two of our best sellers. The XB9R & XB12Stt. We always sold out of both on short order. Gonna get some hate mail for this but if you were looking to thin and get ride of brand redundancy; I would have axed the XB12R and the XB12SS... and ADDED the 450 SM/DS. But what the hell do I know?  | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'd love to see a 250 DS as well... Something barely street legal and crazy light. |
