| Author | Message | ||
     Svmotoman |
Can any of you guys fill me in on the subtle unpublished technical differences between the '03, '04, and '05 XB9S? I've read: 1) larger throttle bodies (whats that for?) 2) stiffer front suspension on 05 I know there is lots more. Trying to decide between buying new and used. Thanks much. | ||
| Xb9er  |
The Buell website is a good source of information on the 2005 XB9S bike. The XB9S-low and XB9S are not available in 2005. If you want a 984 cc motor in a 2005 Lightning, your only choice is the 2005 XB9SX (Lightning CityX). Mike. | ||
| Chainsaw  |
These come to mind directly... The 03's have a belt/idler pulley change interval of 15,000 miles. Short mirror stalks. The 04's interval is 25,000 (thicker belt, different pitch). Longer mirror stalks. | ||
| Spike  |
'04 models received the updated belt/pulley system along with lower passenger pegs. '05 models receive larger front forks (41mm to 43mm), one-piece throttle body (not larger, still 45mm), XB12 airbox lid, different ECM (not sure how), updated steering head bearings, replaceable indicator light bulbs, and better tires. As XB9er said, the XB9S is only available in XB9SX trim for '05. The Buell website will have all the details on that model. Hope this helps. Mike L. '04 XB12R '99 Z50R '05 XL1200C (rental) | ||
| Aztec12r |
Hmmmm.... so if the ecm was changed for the '05 model I would assume that it changed for the better or to address some issues. Would it be safe to assume then that 05 ecm would work better in the 04 or 03 bikes? Just curious. | ||
| Reepicheep  |
I had an 03 race ecm accidentally installed on my 05 9sx, and it ran halfway decent, though not nearly as well as it did with the right 05 race ECM, or even as well as it did with the stock 05 ecm. So yes, I bet a pre 05 with the 05 airbox lid and 05 ecm would run better then a stock 03. That being said, the stock older ECM with a Techlusion box with the 12 (05) airbox would likely be far better then either, for about the same price. I would spend the money on a techlusion box before I would buy a race ECM if I were to do it all again. | ||
| Svmotoman |
I'm focusing on the 984cc version. The belt/pulley system change sounds significant enough that I'd probably count out the '03s (too bad, local dealer has brand new one with 12 mo warranty for 6400). Haven't seen many used '04s around. The lowered pegs I could probably just buy. Any changes to the gearbox/shifting that you know of? I noticed on the one I rented, I had a hard time finding neutral (to the point where I gave up and just shut the bike off in 1st). I've heard thats kindof a Buell thang. | ||
| Darthane  |
The trannys get much, MUCH better with use, and I highly recommend a switch to a good synthetic gear lube as well - pretty much everyone notices an improvement in shifting and finding neutral with that as well. If you rule out '03s, then you don't need to worry about the lower passenger pegs. If you get an '04, get a 12 airbox lid to go with it and you've helped close the gap in the intake tract considerably between them and the '05s. I don't know if the new forks are necessarily any better. -=shrugs=- | ||
| Reepicheep |
I think DaveS put together a "belt upgrade kit" that had all necessary parts. I seem to recall it being under $500 (including a new belt), so waiting for the original belt to break then just doing the total upgrade does not cost an arm and a leg. My 05 9sx tranny was better then any of the older demo 9's I test rode, but that could just be luck of the draw. Full synthetic, proper primary chain tension and clutch adjustment, and properly adjusted shift arm positions, would clean up most of the shifting issues even on the tubers. Can't imagine that would also not make any XB as good as you could want. I bought new 05 instead of used 03 because: 1) I wanted to trade in a Cyclone, did not want to sell by private owner. 2) I plan on putting 50k+ miles on my XB. 3) CityX styling cues totally pushed my buttons. 4) I wanted the financing deal they were offering. The "upgrades" for the 9 for 05 were nice perks, but nothing noticable that could not be done easily after the fact, especially if you are starting with a bike $4000 cheaper. So if none of those above reasons apply to you, look hard at used. | ||
| Darthane |
The trannys get much, MUCH better with use, and I highly recommend a switch to a good synthetic gear lube as well - pretty much everyone notices an improvement in shifting and finding neutral with that as well. If you rule out '03s, then you don't need to worry about the lower passenger pegs. If you get an '04, get a 12 airbox lid to go with it and you've helped close the gap in the intake tract considerably between them and the '05s. I don't know if the new forks are necessarily any better. -=shrugs=- | ||
| Phx_firebolt |
Svmotoman, Every now and then I have a hard time finding neutral. I find that just rolling the bike forward a couple of inches and shifting into neutral during the roll helps it slip right in. | ||
| Ted  |
Other than just getting used to the feel of the tranny, I dont have problems finding neutral on my 04 9S. I understand that a mal-adjusted timing chain will cause clunky shifting. | ||
| Tatsu |
I have no problems finding neutral. Sometimes I find it more than I want to. LOL! Get way better when your get ride of that Sports Train fluid and put some Mobil 1 in there. | ||
| Xb9er |
Replacing SportTrans with a full synthetic will improve shifting. Problems finding Neutral IS NOT a Buell (XB) "thing" and NOT a (XB) break-in thing. It is commonly caused by overfilling the primary/trans case with fluid. They shift perfectly (for a H-D product) when brand new. Mike. >>Edit: primary chain tension may also contribute to the problem. No I'm not a trained H-D/Buell mechanic so YMMV. (Message edited by xb9er on November 24, 2004) | ||
| Dj_rider  |
damn look at the rear on that one  xb9er  |
