| Author | Message | ||
     Njbuell |
Could be feel...I dunno, I used to road race the japanese bikes a few years ago and maybe that makes me more into the finesse riding where rolling smooth and fast through a turn feels better than horsing it through and having to downshift to pick it up. | ||
| Dana P. |
Njbuell the Primary drive ratio is 1.67(57/34) to a 1.500 57/38.What that does for the nine is help the smaller displacement wind up easier not necessarily faster then the 12. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Whatever the reason, the 9 does let you be ham fisted through the turns. It responds well to that where the 12 would probably slide a tire. Since riding the 12 I have learned to use the throttle as a rheostat rather than an 0n-off switch.  I used to tell people that I'm faster on a 9 than a 12 but now after 3 months on the 12 I'm not so sure. I seriously doubt that I'm faster on the 12 than the 9 but I might be about equal on both now. I need to demo a 9 again & find out. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Cajunrph, Homework for this weekend is to demo as many Buells as you can and let us know what you think.  | ||
| Dana P. |
Metalstorm I feel the same when I ride the two of them.You have to ride both differently but the same in some ways. | ||
| Cajunrph |
Hey Metal call my wife and let her know. I will be in Houston this weekend testing out bikes. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Ok, what's her number? I'll tell her I forced you into it.  | ||
| Yahooboy |
Here's an idea (and it worked for me): test ride the 9, if it's everything you want, don't even consider the 12 any longer. I'm completely satisfied with the 9, it's capable of going faster than I can ride it, so why pay for more (bit of a squeaker myself)? Besides, HD engines are completely re-buildable to your specs and the 9 will be more flexible if you end up going that route (rpm range). | ||
| Fl_billy |
Hey Cajun, here's my experience with my first Buell (12R) after coming off Suzuki sport twins (99 SV650, 97 TLS, 03 SV1000S). I was able to demo both the 9R and 9S with race kits while I had my 97 TLS. I felt they were very similar to my old 99 SV650 with a little more get-up-and-go, but not nearly the vicious power delivery of the fire-breathing 120hp TLS. Kind of anemic, but still fun. I was really interested in the 12, but at the time in early 04, they did not have any demos. My thought at the time was, I could live with a 9, but really wanted the added grunt of the 12. The dealer would not work me a deal on a 12 so I sold my faithful TLS and bought a new SV1000S. Long story short is, I wasn't totally happy with that bike, and found a great deal on a very slightly used 12R and bought it this past March. Kept both bikes for awhile and just recently sold my SVS. The 12R pulls like the TLS and handles like the little 99 SV650. Sounds like you and I do the same kind of riding and I think the 12 would be the bike you would be most happy with. I know I absolutely LOVE mine! Good luck and like everyone has said, test ride everything you can! Billy | ||
| Reepicheep |
Coming from a Bandit 1200, and specifically saying you want grunt, I would say definately go with the 12. | ||
| Borrowedbike |
So I was in a very similar boat until just last Sunday. I'd done my research and was convinced I wanted a CityX. The concept of a bike designed for squeezing through city streets and still boasting a lot of power for when you got out of traffic was very appealing. Then I rode one. To be honest, the 9 felt like a dog. (Disclaimer, this was a demo bike named Rachel, and I'm not sure she was freshly tuned) This was the first XB I'd ridden, but I expected it to have power like the old tubers. I does NOT. I also found the ride so upright that I was pulling my toes back on top of the pegs a leaning way forward when I hit the twisties. Only took 10 minutes to decide I was on the wrong bike. Next I took out the 12R. The 'bolt had exactly the power (Broad torque band) I have been having nocturnal emissions about since I rode my first Buell BUT the seat angle was just a bit too aggressive for my tastes, after 20 minutes the forearms were tired and my shoulder hurt. Seems like a "Three Bears" thing and I'm now saving my pennies (Quite literally, my X "wife" did leave, and trust me, it's cheaper to keep 'er) for the 12s. That said, demo ride for yourself, I leaned a LOT and would have been terribly disappointed if I had dropped my HARD earned cash on the CityX | ||
| 45_degrees |
1/4 mile; XB9R Firebolt ('02) 10/02 11.84 @ 112.5 XB12R Firebolt ('03) 12/03 11.43 @ 117.5 The above times are from Sportrider. I also saw somewhere, but I can’t remember where to find it, different performance tests done with similar 1/4 times, but the 9 was quicker to 60 mph than the 12 (I think it was ~4.0 sec. for the 9 and ~4.4 for the 12). If you look at the power output of both, the 12 is more lazy... HP/liter- XB9 = 93.5 XB12 = 85.62 ft. lbs. torque/liter- XB9 = 71.14 XB12 = 69.83 I’m very sure the 12 pops wheelies on demand a lot easier than the 9. I prefer the 9 over the 12 because of the smoother power delivery. I like the sound of it too as it gets up there to 7,500 RPM. I would like to own a 12 though too (maybe the 12Ss or 12X). I want to take a journey down to the coast and experience the power I’ve been missing here at 4,600 ft. Njbuell might be onto something here... might be the reason the factory chose the 9 as the City X instead of the 12... grabbing a handful of throttle to punch through traffic and not having to worry about losing control of the power. Borrowedbike- maybe the City X you rode wasn't making the power it normally would (abused demo bike). Another thing to consider I think is the engine cases... I like the 9's rough black engine cases better than the 12's magnesium tone cases. I think they give the bike a meaner look. When you go to test ride them, take notice of this and decide what looks better to you. My cousin wants to get an XB9SX. He is coming from a Bandit 1200 (‘02) also. He prefers the 9 over the 12 for pretty much the same reason I do. We’ve raced a few times (starts and roll-ons) and his Bandit isn’t too much faster. It doesn’t make my XB9S look slow at all, especially considering the displacement advantage. Edit- My XB is stock. (Message edited by 45_degrees on August 04, 2005) | ||
| Elff |
I did a demo day a while back and found that I like a race kitted 9 better than the 12. It's just my riding style, but I am more comfortable with the delivery of power on the 9 than the balls to the wall slam of the 12. | ||
| Reepicheep |
It may depend on the tuber. My 9sx feels faster across the board then my M2 did. But again, if you are leaving a bandit 1200 for lack of low end torque, you are NOT looking for an XB9. | ||
| Cajunrph |
But surely it will have more torque than the bandito down low, should it not? My Bandit is rated at 75 torque at 6300 per motorcycle online. | ||
| M1combat |
I'd go with the 12. However... Seems how you aren't me  , I'd recommend that you try them both before you buy. | ||
| 45_degrees |
XB9 - 70 lb. ft. @ 5500 RPM XB12 - 84 lb. ft. @ 6000 RPM My cousin feels my XB9 makes more low-end power (particularly torque) than his 1200 Bandit. I'm not sure what the HP is on the Bandit 1200... I've seen 98 HP, 101 HP and 111 HP ratings. Maybe the 98 and 101 was at the wheel? Do you know Cajun? | ||
| Dana P. |
The 12 is more Lazy?? Thats a good one.Doesn't feel lazy to me.But then again I can go ride my 12 and 9 again to double check for ya.John like I said go ride the whole XB line up then choose.You won't be disappointed in either. | ||
| 45_degrees |
Lazy in that it's not working as hard to produce it's power. Not necessarily a bad thing. Not bad at all actually. This shouldn't be so trivial to understand. I didn't say the 9 was more powerful overall... but more powerful given it's displacement!! | ||
| Cajunrph |
According to Motorcycles online in a 2000 Bandit 1200 makes 110.5 HP @ 8800 RPM 75.8 ft/Lbs @ 6300 RPM. I will test ride some in the future. Dose anyone know which Houston Dealers allow test drives. I have a buell dealer close to home buy they only have a 12 bolt in stock. It looks as if it has been out on test rides. IE no nipples on tires and dirt on the frame. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Considering torque independent of gearing is a futile effort. The full horsepower versus RPM curve is what you want, and the appearance of this curve at low RPM's is the question you are really asking. | ||
| Dana P. |
All dealers test ride them.They are suppose to anyways. | ||
| Phantom5oh |
Just remember; Ain't no replacement for displacement. Sure a race kitted 9 is almost as fast as a stock 12, but if you want to talk apples to apples, add that same kit to the 12, then see what happens... Frame and suspension wise the bikes are identical, they even weigh within 10lbs of each-other. Except for the tires and seat differences, the bikes handle the same too. The taller seat on the CityX raises the rider/bike center of gravity compared to the 12S. Is it enough to notice? Yes, does it really matter? No. The tires on the other hand do matter, the Dunlops are pretty crappy. The only way to know is to try 'em out, I went with the 12Scg, 'cause I didn't feel like the 9 had enough grunt for me. As far as being too fast/torquey give me a break, the bike is only as fast/torquey as you want. Be easy on the throttle if you don't want to go as fast, or can't handle it. | ||
| Scitz |
Dana P. "All dealers test ride them.They are suppose to anyways." The only dealership I've ever had let me test drive a bike was the a scooter shop I bought my '05 Stella from. As a licensed dealer are they supposed to? I have on 03' XB9R and would like to test a 12R or the new 12X to feel the difference without having to go out of state for a Buell Demo event. I live in the Oklahoma City, OK area and there are a couple of Buell dealerships list in OKC but none of them have Buells in stock, or parts. There is one an hour or so away I've seen list new Buells in CycleTrader that I need to try and visit. I had to find my bike on eBay and drive to Arkansas to pick it up, well worth the drive. I'm very happy with my XB9R. You could always start with the XB9 and use the $1600 saved and buy a 1200cc kit later (boring the case) and have a nice stroker motor. | ||
| Dana P. |
I really have never heard of a dealer that didn't demo there Buells. | ||
| Cajunrph |
What about stroking or boring the motor? Is it possible to do? Is it done often? Dose anyone know what the cost would be? | ||
| Borrowedbike |
45, I suspect one of the problems was that I was on a demo bike that needed some TLC, But our valiant mouse friend has hit the nail on the head. Torque through the entire curve is the single largest selling point of the Buell (IMHO.) I intentionally loaded up the CityX (Third gear at 2200 RPM, slight up-hill ~25 MPH) and whacked the throttle, bike did nothing for half a second then slowly caught some revs. Same test on the 12, immediate launch. That ladies and gentlemen, was it for me. Cajunrph, there is an outfit that used to sponsor this page that will get you a bigbore piston kit and an extremely nice set of heads for about the same price as the cost difference between the 12 and the 9. Bonus, you pay less for insurance as well. However, that just gets your power up to the starting point for the 12 with no more room to grow. Also , this only nets you the bore, not the longer stroke of the 12 so displacement is only about 1000cc, but I haven't checked my exact figures on that... | ||
| Dana P. |
Borrowedbike you might want to hold that thought.Shazam...a member here on the board has a nine that if I remember right is at 117hp and 109 lbs,TQ.But that my friend was not a cheap ordeal. | ||
| 45_degrees |
The 9 and the 12 have the same bore already... and the 9 is a 984 cc... so basically it's already a 1000. But I agree about the wheelie poppin' action of the 12. My 9 does pop wheelies... but I want a 12 too so I can pop wheelies more easily and more often. | ||
| Jstav |
Cajun, Mancuso H/D is going to be the only Buell dealership in the Houston area, although this must be starting with 2006 models, since a couple others have 2005 models available. They have two locations one closer to the city and one further to the north. I was at the north location today, and they seem open to demo rides if you get the manager's consent. Let us know how it goes. |
