| Author | Message | ||
     Cadhopper |
I'm looking at buying a XB12S because this bike really speaks to me and I can't stop looking at them. There was one at the last track day I attended at VIR so I had a chance to really give it a once over and fell in love with the bike. My question is are there any real technical/functional differences that I should be aware of between the 04, 05, 06 and 07 models? From all the facts that I can find, other than the colors, there does not seem to be much difference. Thanks | ||
| Bads1 |
COLOR !!! | ||
| Whodom |
Assuming 04 as the basis, I think this covers the significant upgrades: 05- front forks increased from 41 mm to 43 mm 06- improved transmission and lighter effort clutch 07- Pirelli tires, "bold new colors" The 06 & up transmission is evidently a big improvement. The Pirellis are a big improvement but that's a pretty cheap retrofit to an 04/05/06 bike. | ||
| Bads1 |
06 Oil pump gear. 06 swingarm is different. 06 slight increase in fuel tank size. 06 different air box cover. 06 wire harness holder. 06 the header's appearance was changed. | ||
| Cadhopper |
Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm on the hunt for a used or left over 06 for a decent price. | ||
| Odinbueller |
If you can find a deal on a 2006, take it! Tires & skins are easy to change, but the new chassis & trans are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much nicer than 2003 to 2005. Also, 2006 models come with Dunlop 208 Sportmax radials, which are pretty nice in my opinion. Hope you get what you want! Chris | ||
| Bads1 |
Cadhopper all the years are pretty much all good. If you can get a good deal on a 04 jump on it same for all the years. The changes are slight really and many updateable. | ||
| Cadhopper |
Ocala HD has 06 XB12SS's for $8995. I think I would like the longer swingarm and more relaxed rake. It would be a 1600 miles round trip from Richmond Virginia but it seems like a really good deal. Two years ago I made the ride from Daytona Bike Week to Richmond in one day on my Harley so doing it in two days in a truck should not be a problem. I will call Winchester HD and East Coast HD in the morning and see what their best prices are. Unfortunately my local dealer (Colonial HD)does not have squat on the floor. After doing a search it seems like Daves at Appleton would be the guy to deal with but it would be a 2400 mile round trip for me and two vacation day that I can't afford to loose. | ||
| Bads1 |
Good luck to ya. Which ever you choose will be good. They are all great bikes. | ||
| Forerunner |
Cadhopper - I just bought a black XB12Ss from Paulie at Ocala for $8995. I got the last black one(my friend bought their last XB12Scg) but they still had 3 red and a blue XB12Ss(as of 2 weeks ago). If you're interested, give 'em a call and ask for Paulie O'Day. Paulie was awesome to deal with and really took good care of us. Oh, and we're in Houston so it was 1800 miles roundtrip. Did it in 31 hours. Nels (Message edited by forerunner on July 24, 2006) | ||
| Cadhopper |
Forerunner, Thanks for the info, I am going to start making calls today. BTW I like red and blue.  my 06 F650GS  My 05 SV650S at VIR, you gotta love those Pilot Power tires in the curves.  | ||
| Forerunner |
Cadhopper - Nice stable and great shot on the track! I'm envious, having just started riding, I wouldn't even know what to do on the track let alone with sticky Pilot Powers!  I heard once that the number of bikes you need is x+1 where x=the number of bikes currently owned... If you talk to Paulie in Ocala, tell him Nelson sent you. I don't get anything for it but I'd like him to know I passed his name on. Nels | ||
| Robino |
'05 and up is what i would suggest, 43mm forks instead of the whimpy 41mm ones the belt i believe was also upgraded in '05 and if you're 6' and under, you may want to consider an S CG, which sits lower than the regular S. And if you want to stand out from every other xbS, just buy my 05 and you're done.  | ||
| Cadhopper |
Robino, I'm only 5'6" with a 31" inseam but with the boots on the XB12SS felt pretty good when I sat on the one at East Coast HD. The back of my SV is jacked up 10mm with the Penske rear shock and I don't have a problem with it. I'll definitely consider your bike but I would like to have a XB12SS is possible. Forerunner, I've been riding mostly Harleys and dual sports for the last 27 years but the sport bike thing is new to me and I can't get enough of the curves. The picture is from when I took the Cornerspeed class at VIR a few weeks ago. I can't wait to go back. I'm still trying to talk my local dealers down but if I go to Ocala I will let Paulie know that you sent me. (Message edited by cadhopper on July 25, 2006) (Message edited by cadhopper on July 25, 2006) | ||
| Bads1 |
Robino nothing wrong with the 41mm fork at all. Its not really giving anything up in terms of performance and the belts in 05 are the same as 04's. Like I said find your best deal and snag it...they are all good. | ||
| Diablobrian |
If you aren't a top tier racer you won't ever feel the diference between the 41 amd 43mm USD forks. The increase in rigidity is fairly small in the big scheme of things. The 04+ belts however, are a big improvement over the 03. If you ever need to change it you can swap in the 06+ model. | ||
| Cadhopper |
Well it's pretty much a done deal. I will be picking up a 06 Sunset Orange XB12SS from Dave at Appleton's on the 12th of August. Dave made me a very good deal and I managed to get enough time off to make the trip and I've never been to WI. Thanks Dave  It's gonna be a looooong couple of weeks. | ||
| Bads1 |
I just sat on your new bike this past Saturday. Nice bike!!! Some friends of mine just bought a XB9S from Dave. Cool and congrats!!! | ||
| Endobrian |
I read in another thread the '07 XB9S's had another oil pump upgrade. Exactly what's wrong with the 05's and '06's oil pumps? |
