| Author | Message | ||
     Thumper74 |
Hey guys I'm in the market for another Buell. My last was an 05 XB12S. I really loved the bike, but I've noticed that the 9s seem to be less expensive in general. I've ridden one 12R and liked it, but it was just a quick spin around the block. Which do you have and why does it appeal to you? Are the R's comfortable for longer distances? The position didn't seem as aggressive as an R6 which is just brutal. For those of you that have owned/ridden both, does the 10 horsepower make a big difference? For an all around bike, commuting, long distance riding, maybe a track day here and there, which would be the most bang for the buck? If you were buying a used one, which would be the most cost effective? | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I have a 2008 12R and 1998 S1W. I The R is not "brutal", but not the greatest for touring and I find it more comfortable than my 98 S1W. The 98 seems to pull better then the R, but the R is still stock and the S1W has exhaust, air and carb mods. Oh yeah, for about $16 the torque grips are an EMENSE improvement over the stock grips! | ||
| Slaughter |
The "R" with sport touring windscreen. I find when I ride an unfaired bike, I really MISS being able to get out of the wind. I think that the faired bike with a more upright seating is about perfect for longer rides... and doesn't give up anything on the looks | ||
| Xl1200r |
I can't compare the 9 to the 12, but I can compare the R to the S. Personally, the S seating position is just odd. The upper half of your body doesn't the match the lower, if that makes any sense. I rode a buddy's S quite a bit and loved most things about it. When it was my money, I bought an R. The riding position is aggressive, but not brutal. The stock seat is torture. If you have long arms like me you can actualy get pretty upright. I find that with the stock windscreen and at highway speeds the wind does a good job of holding your torso up. My next move will be Helibars to make things a bit more comfortable. I've done some looooong days on the R and hadn't felt too beat up by it. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
The only XB9Rs you will be getting will be used, they discontinued the model. The S is more upright neutral riding position, better for day to day commuting. The R vs S will have to depend on your riding style. You could always put clipons on the CityX. The 10% in hp could be made up with a decent pipe and download. But the SS and TT do have a larger fuel tank, dont know if that is in your consideration or not. but all in all. Demo, Demo, Demo | ||
| Diablobrian |
I'd find a Buell friendly dealer and demo as many different bikes as they will allow you to. I prefer the "R" riding position, but people new to that style tend to rest their weight on their arms, instead of using their torso muscles for that job, and then complain about sore wrists. Keep your arms loose and it will help to solve the issue. Also, I'm sure that there are new XB9R's on the dealer floor somewhere. The trick is finding them. If you do locate one you should be able to swing a decent deal since it has been on the floor for a while, and the motor doesn't have the latest updates. | ||
| Hexangler |
XB12R | ||
| Xl1200r |
A good pipe on a 9 will come within a couple hp of a 12, but you'll still be pretty short on torque. Not necissarily a bad thing depending on what you're looking for. | ||
| Xb9er |
get a SS. The motor is much smoother than a 9, your more up-right, not that push up position, and you have the nice gel seat. All of which are great for long rides. Although i like the looks of the R better, I wouldnt trade the comfort of my S for the R. just my $0.02 | ||
| 4cammer |
Bought my '07 XB9R in March, almost have 4K on her and have loved every minute. Still amazes me every time I bring it to redline that a knife and fork V-twin can rev like that. I am not a long distance rider, but have done a few 300+ mile days with no issues. | ||
| Thumper74 |
Thanks for the input. Keep it coming. I'm not looking for a new bike for insurance reasons. I'd like a gently used 04 or 05 XB something and just pay cash. | ||
| Hishers |
get a SS. The motor is much smoother than a 9 I have an Ss (his) and a CityX (hers) in my garage and I can tell you the 9 is much smoother than the 12. But I wouldn't give up my 12 for her 9 for nothing. Love the torque monster  . Sure you could do stuff to the 9 to get it on par with the 12 but if you do the same things to the 12....Bam! Even bigger grins . That's my $.03......inflation. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
Ah, this is a fun topic. I liked launching my '05 9SX, I could dump the clutch and WOT and not worry about lifting the front tire more then a foot. I can tell the 12 has more power and is "lumpier" then the 9, but the 9 is definitely smoother. Cruising at 70mph, and down shifting to 4th to accelerate, the 12 has the edge. And R vs S, I think that is personal preference. The R for me seems to aggessive all the time, and the S is too straight up all the time, so I got lower bars for the S. Converting my S to a "LightningBolt" has crossed my mind a few times.... | ||
| Spike |
I have been riding an '04 XB12R for almost four years now, but I've put a couple hundred miles on a 9R, 9S, and 12S. I'd say it's definitely a matter of personal preference. The Firebolt may be the less comfortable position for urban riding, but the clip-ons allow a better feel of what the front end is doing and the front fairing gives a nice place to tuck in and hide during interstate runs, cold weather, or the straight at your local track. The Lightning is easier to just hop on and go, and the wide bars give a lot more leverage and make the bike feel more tossable. However, the taller bars also give less feedback from the front end and they mean more windblast when riding on the interstate. Also, the shorter tail of the Lightning leaves less room for the passenger. If I lived in a more urban environment or didn't carry a passenger as much I'd probably prefer a Lightning for most of my riding. As for the motor, it depends if you prefer a more revvy powerplant or like lugging the motor around. It's been a while since I've been on an XB9, but I remember that motor being happiest above 4k. Due to the shorter gearing and the higher redline the XB9 is probably nearly a quick as an XB12 in a straight line, so there's not much of a penalty if you prefer something that revs a little better. The XB12 motor really pours out the bottm-end power though. Although I regularly exercise the rev-limiter when I'm out playing, when I'm just riding to work and back I often find myself short shifting at 3k rpm and still leaving the rest of the traffic behind. Even when I'm carrying a passenger I sometimes find myself lugging it around at ~2500rpm, but it just doesn't care, you can just roll on the throttle and it'll still pull away. | ||
| Xb9ser |
When I bought mine 03 the 12 was not an option. My first buell ride was a firebolt and was sold,then I rode a lightning and that is what I bought, it was just more comfortble for me. Ride both and get what you like.  | ||
| Thumper74 |
Okay, a buddy of mine got a XB12R this weekand let me ride it. I got an extended run in while he was on the Sporty. Verdict? GREAT bike, the clip ons give a way better feel for the road. For me? Nah. A sign? I went to the Harley dealer to get an oil filter and was talking to my sales person, Helen, and she mentioned having a used Buell in the back. It's the same color as my old one  | ||
| Crusty |
Buy A Uly. Ride it to Seattle to get a cup of coffee. Try to get that silly grin off your face. | ||
| Thumper74 |
I had thought about a Uly, but it's too tall and out of my price range right now. | ||
| Ceejay |
have a 9r. used to have an M2(well I still do but it doesn't have a motor, and it's not really an M2 anymore, and it's in a bunch of peices) but anyway...I put helibars and peg drops on my new to me 9r. The bike just flat out rides. superfun around town, great on the interstate, and backroads are what it was made for. My first trackday is coming up, so I don't know what those are about, but I like the seat position better than the s, and I can ride it for just as long as I could the M2(all day), and while I switched back to the stock muffler, so I lost some pep, the 9 motor makes me smile-not as much as the last kawi I rode but I'm still happy with it. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
We do have a few good places for coffee out here ;) and micro brews too. Grab that Buell and get on the road. |
