| Author | Message | ||
     Brandontenn |
Hello Y'alls: I have a XB12SCG which I love but I've been thinking of adding to the family. I love the Firebolt looks. I wonder if there is a big difference in driving the XB9R vs the XB12R?? 900 is still a big engine!! And I only weigh 149. The XB9R's usually sell for a bit less but honestly...I'm looking at the loud colors and I seem the yellows & blues are more frequently 900's. Is this just me?? Is the XB9R plenty powerful? Thanks! Brandon | ||
| Froggy |
The XB9 is 984cc, it has a very different feel than the XB12 motor. The XB9 is smoother, and has shorter gearing to help make up for the slightly lower horsepower figure. As for colors, I believe yellow was offered more years on the 9R than 12R. There are also two shades of blue, Battle Blue was only available on 2003 XB9R, then Thrust Blue was available on various models after that. | ||
| Brandontenn |
HHmmmm!! That is very interesting that there is a gearing difference. I'd love to try that out. I know my SCG will let you know if shift and give it too much gas!! haha and the same with down shifting without enough revving. I kinda like the idea of a smaller motor with closer gearing. I'm not a 100MPH type of guy so I don't need a gargantuan motor!! Thanks for the info!  | ||
| Terrys1980 |
Some people say the 9 is more fun to ride than the 12. This isn't 100% accurate but close. The 9s 03-04 blue or white 05-06 yellow 07 red - last year for XB9Rs The 12s 05 black or red 06 black blue or red 07 black or yellow 08-09 black or white | ||
| Bike_pilot |
Also note that they both have the same bore and valve sizes which are the main components of making power. With its shorter stroke the 9 revs higher. Stock for stock the 12 is quicker, but once you start modifying them they make about the same power at moderate modification levels. Fully pimped out the 9 will actually be a better starting point than the 12 because the 12 just can't rev high enough. I have a 12 in the Uly and for an adv/touring sorta thing the big, lazy, torquy 12 is perfect. If I were to get a firebolt I think I'd want the short stroke motor, it just suits that sort of chassis better. | ||
| Davegess |
i like how the 9 rev's. The 12 has a bit more power and certainly pulls harder down low but I like being able to wind the engine out a bit more. I like revs. | ||
| Luxor |
I have one of each in Lightning form. Both have their place. For around town blasts I ride the 9, the power is smoother and more comfortable in traffic. When my buddies and I go on a road trip it is the 12 for sure, power and gearing are great on the highway. So, if you already have a 12 adding a 9 would be my choice. | ||
| Damnut |
Revs?? What's the difference for the redline between the two, 400 RPM? | ||
| Solobuell |
Yes... the 9 goes aprox 500rpm up than the 12 | ||
| Terrys1980 |
The 9 revs up faster because of the shorter stroke and redlines at 7200 rpm. The 12 redlines at 6800. | ||
| Bike_pilot |
Newer models rev higher, my 12 goes to 7,100, dunno what the new 9 does, but it is probably similarly higher. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
The 9 and 12 gained about 300 rpm in '08. We are talking Firebolts though, the last XB9R was made in '07. | ||
| Bike_pilot |
Ah good point, I forgot the 9R didn't continue past '07. | ||
| Froggy |
Only the 12.  | ||
| Bike_pilot |
Now I'm more confused, the specs I've seen for '08+ 9s (not 'bolts of course) show peak power at 7,500rpm - that'd be hard if the limiter spoiled the fun at 7,200rpm. e.g., http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2010models/2 010-Buell-LightningCityX-XB9SX.htm | ||
| Terrys1980 |
I was going off of the fact that the peak hp is at 7500rpm but now I see all the 9's are like that. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
There is no rev limiter. Soft skip spark starts at 7350 and all sparks are skipped at 7550. | ||
| Blake |
All Buells since the S2 at least have had rev limiters. The XB9 models have always revved to 7,500 rpm, All 1200cc Buell models introduced since 1996 revved to 6,800 rpm, then in 2008 the limit was increased to 7,100 rpm. The S2 revved to 6,200. | ||
| Deanh8 |
I started with an '03 XB9 Micron, Open Air, Dyno Tune, It made 88hp @ 6900rpm and a PEAK of 70ftlbs of torque, but around 60 throughout the RPM range. Redlined at 7600 but really was a dog at higher RPM anyways. I swapped in an XB12 motor, same mods and made 96hp, and 85ftlbs of torque throughout the whole RPM range but peak power was at 6400rpm, and redline at 6600rpm. I added XB9 pistons in the XB12 and made 108hp and 100ftlbs of torque at 6200 rpm. The torque gain alone going from 9 to 12 makes up for lack of RPM's. Only time I notice the lack of RPM is when im on the freeway. The 9 motor COULD be revved higher, but when all of your power is at lower RPM's and you peak at 6900, you are putting your self out of your RPM range shifting it past 7,500rpm. Honestly I dont buy the "fun to ride" BS. You can tell your self its more "fun to ride" but you either have the power and torque or you dont. Although since I had an XB9, I kept the XB9 gearing. So I never noticed the lazy or long geared feelings people are describing. XB12 with XB9 Pistons and Gearing and you have a beast. Although I do miss the top speed on my XB9, I used to be able to go 140+, im down to about 130 now. (Message edited by deanh8 on November 29, 2011) (Message edited by deanh8 on November 29, 2011) | ||
| M1combat |
What are the differences that allowed 7100RPM on the 12? Just the updated main journal on the crank and the updated rods? I'm curious because I've put an '08 crank in my '04. | ||
| Blake |
Those would be the most obvious; not sure how much the new oiling system contributed to the higher rev-ability. I've run the old hot-rod Cyclone to 7,000 rpm many times. It keeps on going. | ||
| Slaughter |
Higher rev is due to MUCH bigger bottom end bearings. I've done this mod on two engines (Dark Horse Crank Works did the mods) so I can have short stroke/big-bore motors on the race bike(s) and an 8,000 rev limit. | ||
| M1combat |
So one would need to machine the cases and put in different bearings? Are you saying this is what the 08 bikes have stock or are you saying that's one of the things one does to make race cases? Are you talking about installing Temkin bearings? The '08s don't come with Temkins stock do they? | ||
| Slaughter |
M1 I had the cases machined to take the larger bearings. I still use cams for ignition timing so the flywheels can be really lightened (I use light CP pistons and so the whole flywheel set is lightened and balanced). The 2008 motor already has the bigger bottom end. IF you have flywheels lightened, I THINK DarkHorse has a program they can use to cut the wheels to lighten and still retain the magnet for timing. | ||
| 2kx1 |
Slaughter I have a 2000 X1 and would like to install an 08 crank. Is this possible? | ||
| Slaughter |
AT the risk of pushing a non-sponsor (though they DID all of Paul James' work and still do) - you should email John Dahmer at Dark Horse Crankworks. I don't know how much machining would be required to clearance the X1 cases for the larger bearings. There may be better solutions (such as Timken bearing mods) http://darkhorsecrankworks.com/ john@DarkHorseCrankWorks.com | ||
| 2kx1 |
Thanks for the info!!!!!! |
