| Author | Message | ||
     Mtburr |
I'm in the market for an XB. I'm leaning toward the XB9sx but I don't know yet. In reading the literature I see that some changes were implemented for the 2006 XB line. According to a Rider magazine road test: - Transmission redesign using "helical gears" for 2nd-5th gears improving shifting, reducing noise, extending service intervals - Reduced clutch lever effort enabled by lower rate main clutch springs and different transmission oil - Air intake no longer routed through frame, allowing slightly upsized fuel capacity - Quieter fuel pump - Different drive belt - Stiffer, lighter swingarm - Relocated oil filler cap To me some of this sounds a bit like marketing B.S., but some definitely isn't. I'm wondering whether there are other changes in the Buell XB line -- earlier or later -- that should factor into a purchase decision? I see a lot of XBs in the market and the prices aren't radically different from about 2003 through 2008. Newer is usually better but how much better? Are there any model years to actually avoid -- or at least to ask certain questions about re: parts that were recalled or had chronic problems? (Specifically I'm wondering about 2003.) Any info appreciated. Thanks! | ||
| Slaughter |
2008+ has the beefed up bottom end (a little more life when ridden hard), improved oiling and you can do your TPS re-set from the control panel on the bike. | ||
| Froggy |
Every year had little improvements here and there, some years had bigger changes than others. There really aren't any bad years, you will find that 03s have an issue that 07s don't, and 07s will have an issue that 06s don't, and 09s have an issue that 03s don't and so on. I would get the newest bike you can find, preferably an 08+, as they had many substantial changes to the XB that year. The only one I would truely avoid is the 07 XB12, there was a bad batch of crankshafts and they have had an excessively high failure rate. Here is a cliffnotes version of the changes over the years: 03: Introduction of the XB9R, XB9S, and XB9SL (low model). 04: Introduction of XB12R and 12S, new stronger belt design 05: XB9SL discontinued in favor of the XB12Scg (low model). XB9S discontinued in favor of the XB9SX. The S/SX/R got new bigger forks. The XB9 models switched to the same fuel injection system the XB12 uses. 06: New transmission, new oil pump drive gear, new stronger/lighter swingarm, rerouted air intake for the bigger fuel tank, introduction of the XB12X and XB12SS. 07: Introduction of XB12STT. Revised oil pump, new fork springs on XB12X. 08: Introduction of XB12XT, dropped XB9R. New fuel injection system, new oiling system, computer controlled idle, new beefier crank, higher redline, lighter flywheel, and many other changes. 09: Introduction of XB12XP, dropped XB12STT, XB12S. The SS switched to the suspension the STT had. Frames and forks are now black on everything but the Ulysses. All XB12 now use the same ZTL2 8 piston brake that the 1125R uses. 10: No new models, added a second O2 sensor, revised rear wheel with 3 sets of bearings. | ||
| Ducbsa |
The only one I would truely avoid is the 07 XB12 Jeez, you're making me paranoid with my '07 XB12S. So far, so good at 20k miles. | ||
| Reepicheep |
We have stats on the 07 XB12 crank failures. Definately more than they should be, so there was an issue, but also several 07 XB12's pushing 100k miles or more. So it is a little more risk, but not a clear case of "avoid at any cost". | ||
| Midknyte |
FWIW, I have an 03 Firebolt. No problems. No regrets. Would not trade for newer. Belt aside [which is a wear item and updated], only *issue* for me was the short mirror stalks, which I replaced with longer 04 mirrors. Oh, and those Dunlops - Gone! | ||
| Argentcorvid |
Froggy: The 09 Ulys still had the 6 piston calipers. |
