| Author | Message | ||
     Kenney83 |
Ok so i don't have a buell YET.  But i want a 12r, but due to price and insurance I might be looking into a 9r instead. My question is how much of a difference is the handling and performance between the two. Any help would appreciated. Thanks Kenney  | ||
| Tpoppa |
Basically, the handling is identical. The only difference in the slight additional weight on the 12. Personally I prefer the 9 motor. Do yourself a favor and test ride both. | ||
| Olinxb12r |
Like Tpoppa said they are almost identical except that the 12 has more power. However, the 9 is a higher reving engine, so some people do prefer the 9. If you buy a 9 and decide you need more power you can always put the 1203cc kit in the 9 and have the higher revs along with the better power. I believe the 1203cc kit is pretty much a bolt on kit and it doesn't require remachining any of the internal engine parts. Find yourself a "cheap" XB9R ride it for a while and if you need more power you can put the kit in for less than it would have cost for the 12 originally. If your looking at an 03 9 check that the kick stand has been replaced and it has the updated belt on it. If it doesn't the kick stand should get replaced under the recall and the belt isn't that much to upgrade to the better 03 belt. If you can find an 04 9 it will already have the better kick stand and it will have a completely redesigned belt and pulley system that is superior to the 03 system. Oh yeah, if you factor in the insurance savings a 9 puched to a 1203cc will cost you way less in the long run. Happy Hunting/Buelling! | ||
| Olinxb12r |
BTW, if you get a pretty much stock 9 and you think you need more power through a pipe, K&N, open airbox and the race ECM or Directlink mapping system from Al at American Sport Bike in it and it will probably surprise you. | ||
| Ralf |
I have a 12, never rode a 9, but I would add that the 9 has different gearing to match a higher redline so performance will be closer than you would otherwise think. Magazine summary I have says the 9 is 3 tenths and 3 mph slower in the quarter mile. Top speed is lower, 127 vs 135, again directly related to the gearing. Note that as I understand it the cams are the same, so the smaller 9 is going to act like it has a bigger cam and want to rev higher and have a little less grunt at low rpm. If you don't mind it or appreciate riding at higher rpm there should be no appreciable difference, and a lot of guys, like Tpoppa said, actually prefer the 9. | ||
| Jcbikes |
I own a 12s and have ridden the 9s before deciding on the 12. Main difference to me was were the usable power started. the 9 starts around 3,000 and the 12 starts around 1,800. Like others have said, ride both before you buy. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I've ridden both. The 12 is more fun. | ||
| Blackxb9 |
I've ridden both. Liked the 12, but chose the 9. More bang for your buck. Didn't notice a big drop in power and with a few mods it pulled more then the stock 12 IMO. The money I saved on insurance and price tag I put into safety gear and mods. A no brainer for me but definitely test them both and go with what works for you. | ||
| Stou |
I did test rides last summer and found a stock 12 less powerful than a 9 with the race kit. Is someone else notice that? | ||
| Tpoppa |
Stou, How many miles were on the demo bikes? I have found that as motor breaks it makes more power (and the fan runs alot less). My xb9s didn't make max power until about 4000 miles (might have been sooner if I didn't use synthetic oil). Last summer I test rode a 9R with about 400 miles on the odo, it had SIGNIFICANTLY less power than my stock 9S (15,000+ miles). Any one else notice this? | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
as the above says..test ride them and then decide on the one you really enjoy the most. for the price difference i went w/ the xb12r. but i got a steal on it. had to go to N.J. to get it but well worth the day of driving to me. if you are worried about price and insurence go w/ a used buell. they are just as fun, or you could always buy a blast.  cheap on everything..gas/insurance/price tag | ||
| Kenney83 |
thanks guys, it has been helpfull. i was thinking about the big bore kit. i think i might get the 9 and save some money. hopefully i will have the bike shortly after coming home from the desert. i will keep you all posted kenney | ||
| Kootenay |
Like many others, I rode both then bought a 9--couldn't justify the extra $$$ for the 12, both for purchase and insurance (here in BC, liability insurance is pricey and solely based on displacement). | ||
| Vaneo1 |
hmm, I thought for the extra $1,500 more the 12R is a better deal. Its kinda like going to the movies and the snack bar clerk asks, "for .25 more you can get the super-extra large thrist quencher size" So, I did just that I got the biggest one I could find. Plus the 12R comes in black... Wouldnt mind test riding a 9R though. | ||
| Hattori_hanzo |
And those black plastics can be put on a 9. I bought my XB9S before the 12 was introduced and don't miss the extra cc's. I figure if I ever thought I needed more hp, I'd send my XB off for motorwork or even *gasp* buy a different bike. I'm just happy with the way it is (with the usual mods...exhaust, K&N filter, etc...okay, I couldn't leave it EXACTLY the way it was, but you get the picture!!) | ||
| Metalstorm |
Ahh, the ol' 9 vs 12 question. It's a really hard choice to make. On one hand you have a smoother higher revving 9 & on the other you have a 12 with lower revs but greater grunt down low. If a stock 12 is plenty powerful enough for you, I'd say go with the 9 & spend what you save on the lower price tag on a K&N filter, race ecm & a Drummer. Personally, I like the 12S over the 9S but with the R I can't decide which I like best. I'd bet I could ride the 9R better in the twisties than the 12R but I'm not too smitten with the silver frame. The grey frame of the 12R (with the blue plastics) has me in serious lust. Mmm mmm good.  On edit: when I say the 9 is smoother, I mean at low rpms it's noticably smoother. The 12 is just as smooth once it reaches 3K on the tach. (Message edited by metalstorm on February 23, 2006) | ||
| Tork |
I've owned both. I started with an '03 9R. I loved it. Great handling and with a couple of mods (air filter and Latus exhaust), I was perfectly content. Unfortunately I wrecked it and upgraded to a '04 12R with the insurance money. The 12 feels a little less refined, more of a beast especially in the low end. Both are great bikes and you'll be happy with either, I'm sure. If $$ is a serious concern, I'd go with the 9R. | ||
| Bueller999 |
I ride a 12R on the street and race a 9R. I prefer the 12 and the only reason I bought the 9 was to qualify in Lightweight Grand Prix (1000cc air cooled). Now with new rule changes I can run unlimited so I will be either building up the 9 or switching to a 12. The 1200 big bore kit does require boring the cases, the 1050cc is a bolt on kit. | ||
| Truk |
I test rode both. I have the XB9R. I liked the way the 9 revs. I liked how the 9 handles the "twist of the wrist" just cracking on throttle in stop and go and especially twisties. It seemed to me to be easier and smoother. I like mountain riding...I like leaning ....smooth is faster Many have been excited about performance gain on their 9 simply from race exhaust (e.g. - Drummer), ecm, and filter. Mine is stock What type of riding do you plan on doing? These things are made for the tight stuff. Test ride both My 2 cents | ||
| Kenney83 |
well for riding i love the twisties nothin better. i live in arkansas right know. i originaly wanted the 12 because i was think bigger is better. but from what i have been reading the 9 is just as good and with some mods would be an awsome sleeper  . i guess we will see. kenney | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
Hey Kenny when do you get back from the desert? You will have to let us know here in KC and we'll come down and ride with you. Check out the KCLW and post up AR is only a few hrs ride away. I don't know which is better just get the Buell!! | ||
| Dragonbuell12r |
I have a 12R and ride with a friend that has a 9R. I weigh about 30lbs more than he does. My bike stomps his in a straight line. He has the open airbox set-up and I have something similar. As far as handling the bikes appear to be the same. We constantly pick up on each others line while following each other thru turns. | ||
| Keys |
I am (cautiously) skeptical that the 12 has a higher top speed than the 9. I have never heard that claim made before. When I first test road a 9 & 12 I didn't notice any difference. But I'd like to ride a 12 again now that I know the differences to look for. | ||
| Vaneo1 |
If I had to guess, I would say both the 12 and 9 are pretty close in top speed but I think the diff. might be in accelaration as opposed to top end speed. | ||
| Kenney83 |
Hey thanses i get back at the end of march. but i have a few things i need to do before i get a bike.(bye house, and sell two cars. anyone want a 79 scout and 99 corolla?") i just want a bike so bad that i will settle with whatever i can find. all i want is something to spank my buddies bikes in the turns. they all have 600's or 750's. i know they will get me top end. but all the fun is in the turns. the other thing is my wife will be on the bike alot, so i need something that could handle two people easily. thanks for all the help. kenney | ||
| Stou |
Stou, How many miles were on the demo bikes? I didn't paid attention to that Tpoppa. I really don't know. But before that demo ride I was thinking of changing my 9 for a 12. After the demo ride when I got back on my 9, I changed my mind. I need to try a 12 with a race kit! Why Buell don't do that. Ok I have a new suggestion for Erik. On the demo rides, bring some stock bikes and some bikes with the race kit. This way people will see the real potential of the bikes. I'm sure it will open Buell to more riders. I'm the first on the list. I want to demo ride a 12 with a race kit!!! | ||
| Nsbuell |
I totally agree Stou The bike's a whole different beast once it's opened up. | ||
| Kootenay |
Actually, the first Buell demo ride I attended back in 2003, they did bring one Firebolt race kitted. But it's hard to really feel much difference in the tightly controlled environment of a test ride (of course, the sound difference was obvious). Kenney, I will make the comment that if you want to carry your wife on pillion, the Firebolt may not be the best choice of bike--I know my wife isn't very fond of the rear seat on mine! | ||
| Diablobrian |
if 2 up is a major part of the decision the Uly is probably a better choice. It has gotten raves on passenger seating. ss lightning long gets an adequate Firebolt gets a grudging almost adequate lightning gets a: passenger seat? what passenger seat? (Message edited by diablobrian on February 24, 2006) (Message edited by diablobrian on February 24, 2006) | ||
| M2nc |
Diablobrian - I have to agree. The 12 motor is very well suited for the Uly. The heavier bike, plus the low rev grunt for off-roading makes the 12 the obvious choice. Now on a Firebolt, give me the 9. I actually was test riding and looking to buy when the Uly came out and I had to have it. I tested both the 9 & 12, and to me the 9 was better. The 9 felt strong up high, though you could tell it did not have the grunt of 12 down low, for corner carving, the 9 had smoother power delivery to help the bike just fly out of corners. Now throw in the price difference, and to me there is no Question the 9 motor is for me. In a Lightning, standard or long, I would go with the 12. A wheelie monster if there ever was one. Though I have to admit, I love the CityX. It is just a beautiful package. |
