| Author |
Message |
    
Nikoff90
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - 06:36 pm: | 
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I have wondered about the XB9sx bikes and have been tempted to grab a cheap one up off CL more than once. |
Maggotbar
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - 06:42 am: |
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I actually found my XB12R had better fuel economy commuting then my Xb9SX did. The extra torque on the 12 seemed to let it amble around easier I guess. |
Syonyk
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - 10:57 am: |
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The '12s are geared taller than the '9s, which would explain some of the fuel economy difference.
I've got an 1125R, an XB9SX, and a somewhat-tweaked Blast, and the XB9 is the one bike I'd keep if I had to pick one. The Blast is a great city bike but iffy for me on the highway (my wife has no problems, but she weighs half what I do). The XB9 will do absolutely anything you ask it to, and do a halfway decent job of everything. And the 1125R is a great touring rocket, but as other people have noted, a bit iffy in traffic.
You should be able to pick an XB9SX up for very little. Another major advantage of the XBs for commuting is no valve adjustment interval - hydraulic lash adjusters! Get the handguards and heated grips, modify the lights so both are on when you have the high beams on, put an XBLight LED with flasher in the rear, and swap 1125R LED rear turn signals on, and you have a great, highly visible commuter. |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - 03:03 pm: |
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quote:modify the lights so both are on when you have the high beams on
I seem to remember on my XB, if I balanced the HI/LO toggle switch in the middle both light would stay lit.... |
Syonyk
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - 04:23 pm: |
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There's a fairly easy wiring mod on the Lightnings - you just swap two wires. Going to the front, you've got ground/high/low/aux. Aux is always on. Swap the low beam light from low to aux, and it's always on, even with high beams on. Works great, and takes about 15 minutes if you have no idea what you're doing.  |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 - 05:04 pm: |
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\quoteThere's a fairly easy wiring mod on the Lightnings - you just swap two wires. Going to the front, you've got ground/high/low/aux. Aux is always on. Swap the low beam light from low to aux, and it's always on, even with high beams on. Works great, and takes about 15 minutes if you have no idea what you're doing.}
My favorite kind of mod! Had I known it was this simple, I would have done it for sure. |
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