| Author | Message | ||
     Kowpow225 |
I went to the my dealer a couple of days ago and set up a demo ride on a 12R. After pulling up next to it on my 9S, I immediately started STARING at it with anticipation. What a treat it was. I've got some mods on my 9 including a full race kit, 12 airbox and *cough cough* SVVS stack, but it still doesn't have that grunt and muscle of a stock 12. Truth be told, I was expecting a little more in terms of power and speed because they're probably very close on the track and strip (from what I could tell on the road, duh). It was so weird to be on a quiet bike again. The seating position was.....UNIQUE. The 20 minute ride definitely made me appreciate the bars and pegs of the S, although the R would be my weapon of choice on the track. Anyone else had the chance to do this sort of thing? What did you think? | ||
| Johnk3 |
wheelies compared to the 9? I may have to get a 12. | ||
| Silverbullet2005 |
a buddy and I went to the local dealer when they had an open house last week and demo rode a xb9s lightning and I was impressed with the power but not the bikes seat position and handlebars etc. we went back up to the same dealer this morning and rode both the xb9r and xb12r, I rode the 9r first and have to say that in reality it probably has enough power for me and to add a race kit would make it more fun because of the remapping of the race ecm. after I got off the 9r I got on the 12r and took it out for a ride, I stopped at a red light and when it turned green I slowly turned left at the light and stabbed the gas and to be honest it freaked me out because the front wheel came off the ground probably about 3-4 inches. I quickly pulled in the clutch and shifted to 2nd. overall I would say they were both pretty even at cruising speeds but the 12r definitely has more low end and mid range power. I thought I could just stay with a 9r but after riding the 12r I want one even more now. the only problem is that the insurance is almost $1400 a year for the 05' xb12r. I think I would still have to buy the race kit to improve the v-twin sound and the stumble when gas is fed to it at idle. | ||
| M1combat |
As long as you don't force feed the gas it doesn't stumble (as long as it's set up right). HD engines have never really been known for their off idle response... Just open the throttle a little slower. You won't lose ANY performance and it will work properly. You need to adjust to the motorcycle, not the other way around. | ||
| Kaese |
I went to the dealer, was asking about an appointment to do the Demo. It happened to be raining and said they didn't even have one set up. Their sister dealer said they didn't even have one on the floor! (Brother dealer said they kept stealing them). Got my bag and I was happy, avoided the XB12 experience once again. I am afraid that if I ever ride the 12, I will be smitten like I was with the 9. | ||
| Brupska |
I traded in my 9S on my 12R. I think the R is more comfortable to ride for me. I am 5'8" tall but I have a 32" inseam and a 33" reach if that helps. As for the 12R vs the 9S on the track. It took a little while to get used to the extra torque coming out of the turns. I tried riding the R like my old S and I was doing some rear wheel slides at first. I don't lean on my wrists when I ride the R model. I either sit up and use my legs to hold me up or lay down behind the ZG ST screen I have on it. The 9 was easier to ride at first. I think it is one of those things that everyone is different and all. | ||
| Norcalbuell |
Kaese, All you have to do is ask  ....You can demo my 12r next time we (i mean "me" ) can both arrange our schedules to go for some california bay area back roads ride... seriously your more than welcome to check out my 12r....and I do want to go to the AMA race at sears point on the 5/13 sunday for sure...Are there tickets left? I was thinking about doing a track day sometime soon most likely up at thunder hill, I heard they just re worked the track and is much better than it used to be. I just missed a spot for sears point track day they are having in May just before the ama race... would you be interested in doing a track day some time soon? Talk to you soon... Chuck | ||
| Kaese |
Chuck, I am only curious about the 12. Haven't rode one, maybe subconsciously. I may want one real bad. That is how I ended up with a 9. When I got mine, the 12's had been out for about 4 months and they were fetching the premium sticker price. At the time, I couldn't justify the extra $4K. (Wanted a blue one and the orange wheels had not grown one me) My 9 will be turning over 30K miles in the next few days. Sure I'd like to take a spin on yours. I heard yours, but never have heard mine on the road. I am also curious about your opinion of 9vs12 after you ride mine. I sent you an email at your NORCAL account about Sears Point/track days. | ||
| Mrvvrroomm |
My Buell 12 vs. 9 experience is a little different. I test drove many, perhaps a dozen 12's, both R & S versions. I demo'd a 9S and bought it. I prefer the quicker, higher revving 9. It's all about personal preference. The deal was too sweet to pass up on a new '03 XB9S about a month ago. | ||
| Gowindward |
I road a few 9's a couple of weeks back at a local dealer's demo day. They are very smooth, and a great running bike, but at the end of the day I would have to say there is no replacement for displacement. One thing I noticed was at 50 or 60 mph when you open the throttle on the 9 in 5th gear that it doesn't take off like my 12 does. With the 9 it felt like I was in need of a down shift, where with the 12 the power is just there. At this time I have no interest in trading in the 12R for a 9 even if they handed me $2000 cash with the new set of keys. | ||
| Kevinfromwebb |
SilverBullet, I've got the 12R and after I put the TFI unit on it really smoothed out the power... Bottom, mid, and top... Oh, by the way, when I test rode the 9's and 12's a couple of years ago I really liked the 12's better. I really liked the extra bottom end punch. It seemed that on the 9 you had to have more rpm for the same amount of go, especially at lower revs... Kevin | ||
| Outrider |
I test rode the 12R and was extremely impressed, just a little cramped in the ergo's for me. I can't wait to try the 12s or whatever other equivalents Buell comes up with at the July Dealer Meeting. Perhaps I should try a 9, but my riding style keeps me in the low and mid range where I just love the torque of a 12. |
