| Author | Message | ||
     Bobboli |
I'm riding a P3 Blast and next season plan to do some track days. Because I also like to carry stuff, I thought the XB9R would be a good next step. On the Blast, I realize I'd like a little more power for passing on country roads, and higher footpegs since I'm dragging them too often. I'm a woman rider, so I was thinking the 12R is far more than I'd ever need, yet I have read reviews that the 9R is 'underpowered' and has reliability problems. But compared to what? Most of my local friends ride rice and pasta, but I love Buells and would prefer to find myself the best model for my experience & riding plans -- trackdays and long day or overnight trips. I am a fairly new rider, have 7,000 miles under my belt now, and ride in rain as well as dry weather. Your suggestions would help a lot! Cheers!! | ||
| Jaimec |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/319491.html?1195668978 | ||
| Birdy |
I think the XB9r is gone. BUT the City-X is still there. The size of the Xb12r looks to be the same as the 9r was so unless you feel the motor is to big I'd say look at it. The 984 and the 1203 share cases and bore it's the stroke where the displacement comes from what I can tell. Birdy | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I think that for a fairly new rider, the transition from the Blast to a Nine is a good idea. You can always trade in for a twelve if and when you feel the need for more speed. Lots of members prefer the smoother running, higher revving nines to the twelves. The nine is a bit handier in town and in the twisties it really doesn't make much difference. As far as reliability is concerned, I think the nines are probably more reliable, as they have less output with what is virtually the same motor, and the are much less liable to ping. Even though the XB9R is out of production, there are lots of used ones out there, and some of them are a real bargain. Personally, when I got back into riding after many years, I picked a Blast to get started. Then I bought an XB9S, and I put thirteen thousand miles on it. Now I have sold that, and ridden my XB12SR for another twelve thousand miles. After over 25,000 miles on three Buells, I guess you could say that I am glad I progressed one step at a time. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
If you're looking for something close in size, but more performance than your Blast, I'd go for a CityX, has the 9 power plant and by adding the Buell Select seat, it'll give you an inch lower seat height. or if you're going with a 12, the Scg would be a great fit. As far as carrying stuff, Buell offers an excellent selection of lightweight tank and saddle bags. I have both for my XB and love em. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I was chasing the 12's at Mid Ohio on my 9sx... and even on the straits they were just slowly walking away. It wasn't a huge difference. The 1125's were the ones that just vanished in the distance... Both have different character, both are great "grown up" bikes. The 12s actually seem to get a little better fuel economy, FWIW. | ||
| Xb9 |
My "9" was easily walking away from the 12's on the straights @ mid-Ohio - I don't know what you guys are talkin about  | ||
| Bobboli |
I just visited my dealer, who has a 2007 XB9S in stock, plus a 2008 XB12S. I can buzz around their parking next week on both. Helpful thoughts from all of you on each one, so thanks! The price tag on the 9R is attractive, but jeez, I sure love that Arctic White on the 12. Ah well, I won't be riding the color, so I guess the test ride will be a good next step... Thanks!! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I really like the feel of the 9 compared to the 12. I know the 12 has more grunt, but the 9 feels so much smoother. Could just be me. Others fell that there isn't much difference between the two, but I don't know about that. I need the 12 for my big butt (and the Uly isn't available in the 9), but I would really like to add a 9R to the stable. I don't think you can go wrong with the 9. Pull the trigger! | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I ride a 9 and have only a very limited experience on a 12--I preferred the smoother and higher revs of my 9. They 12 didn't feel much faster-especially at speed. My personal opinion is that the 9 is a motor best suited for XBs. | ||
| Deadduck |
go with the one that speaks to you, as someone as said on a different post. I've got a 12r and just absolutely love it. Doing a side by side comparison on the Buell site for the 07 models, the only real difference in the chassis is 10 pounds dry weight and a pretty good sum of money. So if you can get the arctic white at descent price, it'll be easy to fall in love with the motor. The one thing I've said about my 12r since I bought it is , this bike will make a bad rider look good and a descent rider look like a pro. Either way, you can't go wrong with a 9 or a 12, but have fun test riding. | ||
| Etennuly |
You can change the colors by just changing some body panels. The frame on the 9's are silver and the 12's are charcoal. I had a City-X and went to a Uly. The only reasons that I changed up was for better seating ergonomics for one and two up, and the big hard bags. I had the race kit on my 9, and found them to be so close to the same for power that I would say there was no real difference. I do run the Uly with more load though, the bags are always on and nearly full of stuff I can't leave home without. | ||
| Bobboli |
Does this 9R looks like a good deal? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/483105956.html Also, when kicking tires at the dealer, the sales rep showed me a 2007 and 2008 XB12R -- he said the 08 model had a better suspension & if I picked the 12, the 08 was better. True? Salesman's commission dream? | ||
| 07xb12scg |
The 08 has a bunch of good improvements, that's for sure. I don't remember if the suspension was updated, but if it was it really didn't need to be. The suspension is great for probably 99% of XB riders. The important upgrades are in the motor and electronics. | ||
| Brupska |
My first buell was a blast. Then I went to a 9S and now a 12R. I like the 12R for the riding position and power. The power is there if you want to use it. So you don't have to be afraid of more power. ride a s and r model to see which riding position you like better. As for the 12 or the 9. I would go ahead and get a 12 unless you can find a great deal on a 9. The 9 was realy fun to ride also. Good luck Brad | ||
| Deltablue |
I have had an R since they were first released, and thoroughly love it! My wife found herself in the same situation as you, and tried my R, but didn't like the ride position. The local dealer happened to have a used S, so I picked it up. The grin on her face when she rode it home was worth every penny. She was very confident on the blast, but can't stop commenting on how intuitive the S is. Either way you wont be disappointed. BTW I haven't had any reliability problems and I now have 2 '03's. The only problem I have is keeping tires on them. |
