| Author | Message | ||
     Bigblockbruce |
Hey guys. I'm in the process of looking for another XB12S but I've seen a couple 9s for sale for decent prices and was wondering how the 9 differs from the 12. I know it will be down on power and torque compared to the 12 but how noticeable is it really on the street? Is the 9 better at anything than the 12? Thanks! Bruce | ||
| Froggy |
The 9 is quite a bit smoother than the 12, it feels more like an inline, especially with the higher redline of the 9. Power is not vastly different on the street at legal speeds. 12 has more top end power, that combined with its taller gearing gives it a higher top speed. Personally I don't like the feel of the 9s overall, but they are solid choice. | ||
| Bigblockbruce |
Thanks Froggy. What is it about the feel that bothers you? | ||
| Froggy |
Nothing tangible, I just feel it doesn't have the same soul. It feels more refined than the 12. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The 12 grunts off idle, pulls hard. It is stronger at high RPM, but both bikes are so strong and busy at redline that I never noticed much difference top end. It was the "off idle" response that really felt different with the 12. The 9 was better close to Redline. There is nothing like a 7200 rpm howl of an air cooled twin through an opened up airbox. Lovely for me, and not too obnoxious to those around me. And the 9 at redline felt eager. The 12 (fair or not) always feels like I am taking hours off it's life for every second I spend at high RPM. The 9 reliability is pretty amazing, even before the oil system update. The 12 gets better fuel economy (say 47 versus 43 mpg). I like the feel of the 12 motor better, but if I had my choice, I might go with a 9 in the Uly just for reliability. | ||
| Bigblockbruce |
Froggy- Ah, I see. I do know what you're saying. Reepicheep- Thanks. I totally agree with you about taking hours off the 12s life.  I feel the same--it just doesn't seem right spinning that long stroke son of a gun up there. | ||
| Xb9er |
I've had both a 9 and 12 and to be honest, I can't really tell a difference in power. The 12 lugged better (obviously), but how often does one really "lug" the throttle... The 9 does rev higher which I think in lower speeds makes it snappier when you hit the juice. Both are equally fun. When it comes down to it, you need to ask yourself what color frame you prefer. | ||
| Bigblockbruce |
I actually like the colors of the 12, honestly. I especially dig the gold wheel color combo. But that's not a deal breaker by any means. Really appreciate you guys chiming in. Thanks a bunch. | ||
| Sifo |
Never ridden a 9, but love my 12 on the street. I seldom feel the need to run it anywhere near the red line. Short shifting works out just fine, even for fairly spirited riding. I love the fuel economy too. Mid to high 40's is typical. I've had as high as 57 in pretty ideal conditions. It's just a fun bike pulling away from stop lights. I love engines where ignition of the fuel/air mixture is an event. Then again, it's not like people complain about riding their 9s. Both produce reasonable power for stay out of jail speeds. | ||
| Greg_e |
I average right at about 50mpg on my 9 bored to 1050cc. It certainly scoots, and hops up and down at idle when stopped at a light. Possibly the best of both versions??? | ||
| Slaughter |
I'd TEND to think of a 9 as more reliable - especially a 2008+ bike with the bigger bottom end. If you have more money than sense and are willing to put almost $4K or more into the motor - go punch out to 3 13/16 bore and bigger jugs/pistons = 1169cc. Spins quick. Makes a cool race motor without abusing the snot out of the bottom end. | ||
| Hogs |
Hey Slaughter, Any ideal on the numbers for that...Rwhp / torque.. Thanks | ||
| Bigblockbruce |
You 9 guys are making a compelling argument. | ||
| Reepicheep |
At Mid Ohio, I was on my XB9 chasing CeeJay on his XB12. We would come off the keyhole at about the same speed (maybe, what, 25-35mph? No idea, I had my speedo taped over) and we would just go WOT up the back straight probably up past 100 mph. He would start a few feet in front of me, and would outdistance me at about a normal walking pace. The 12 had more power, the 9 could shift later because it had a higher redline. So the 12 literally "walks away" from the 9. But just walks, not runs. If my mystery rattle in the Uly turns into a death rattle, I will be SORELY tempted to retrofit a 9 motor into it, even an 03 motor. And Greg, I think you may be right. I have never ridden a 1050, but the shorter stroke combined with the larger displacement may be the best of both worlds. And they are unobtanium now, but do I correctly recall that a 9 with a Micron exhaust and custom maps was making pretty much the same peak HP as a 12 in Al's exhaust shootout? | ||
| Slaughter |
Hogs - both my racebikes are built with that motor. The one that I plan to convert back to street is putting out 103 HP to the rear wheel (well, when the motor was FRESH it was). Torque was 76 ft.lb if I remember. Stage 3 heads, FORGOT the cams (been a decade since the build) The flywheels were re-worked by DarkHorse and are almost 2 1/2 pounds lighter. Spins QUICK. Throttle response for one of these tractor motors is sweeet! The flywheels are 08, put into the 03 cases. This gives the beefy bottom end. Work also done by Dahmer at DarkHorse. (edit: 585V2 cams - RedShift) (Message edited by slaughter on November 07, 2014) | ||
| 04colly |
I've driven both. The 9 gets off the line faster but the 12 catches it in no time. | ||
| 04colly |
but in all honesty you won't really notice the difference unless you drive both. Both are just plan fun. My buddy has a 08 XB9SX and my little brother has a 08 XB12S. | ||
| Dwilson357 |
I love my 12scg...I Rode a 9s that as Froggy says doesnt have nearly the same feel...I can best describe it as being too smooth and a slight lack in torque...that being said I only rode that 9s for 30 miles max. And both are very respectable bikes as what they are. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'll also add that my XB9 felt like it had more peak power than my M2 (which would probably be backed up by a dyno). | ||
| Greg_e |
The 1050 kit is nice because it bolts on, put a proper exhaust and tune on it and you should have no trouble keeping up with a stock 12. The price the guy gave you is so high you could buy a 9s or 9r and build the motor, and still have money left for fuel! | ||
| Hogs |
Thanks for that Info Slaughter.... | ||
| Bigblockbruce |
Well gentleman, I think I may be the new owner of a 2006 XB12SS next weekend. A friend's going to pick it up for me as it's up in Oregon. I'll post pics if/when I receive it. |
