| Author | Message | ||
     Jackelfox |
Decided maybe this deserved a new thread. I have been looking to get another buell to replace my Honda 919 i've had. I was in no hurry as the 919 had to sell first, and that didnt seem like i was gonna happen anytime soon. Yesterday about noon i saw someone ride off on my bike... Assuming insurance pays up i am in the immediate market for that buell. This is where the question comes in. I figure no one would be better to ask than you guys. I owned a '03 XB9S. Power was satisfying but nothing near what i've gotten used to with the Honda. i really love the look of the CityX but like most assume i will enjoy the 12 engine more. I can afford a new cityx with its new airbox and tranny design. I am not sure im willing to spring for a new 12. Is the tranny and airbox worth the extra couple thousand to buy new over used? ... would i be happy with the cityx?? obviously you cant make the decision for me, but any advice? | ||
| Etennuly |
Hey....check out the new TT. | ||
| Cixyx_pilot |
I love my 06 City X after moving up from a Ninja 600R. Here in Canada the insurance on the the 12 is pretty harsh compared to the 9. Plus the lower sticker price is nice. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Advice? Don't park the new one where you parked the last one!  (Message edited by ft_bstrd on November 22, 2006) | ||
| Mesa_cityx |
City X's rule! I chose mine due to short inseam syndrome. The higher redline, inherently smoother engine helped, too. Plus I like the X on the airbox. | ||
| Jackelfox |
.. tt wont be out soon enough, thanks, fat bstrd.. (have a hard time saying that without sounding sarcastic) i've contemplated that myself... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
That's ok. I have a hard time saying ANYTHING without sounding sarcastic! The City X is pretty damn hard to beat. I would recommend it for sure. I don't think I have heard a SINGLE thing bad about one from any owner. The Trans on the 06/07 City X is a good one, much better than the 03. The airbox mod (particularly if you are going with aftermarket exhaust and race ecm) is a $37 mod. | ||
| Wsplrll |
CityX | ||
| Bake |
I owned a '03 XB9S. Power was satisfying but nothing near what i've gotten used to with the Honda. ... would i be happy with the cityx?? Unfortunatly I doubt it, if you are looking for Honda like power buy a Honda. Definately 2 different beasts. | ||
| Diablobrian |
you could get an xb12s and just add the hand guards and headlight grill. then later down the line look for someone to swap the standard suspension for the longer city-x suspension or tt suspension. there will be someone looking for a swap eventually. I went the other direction. I'm swapping my standard suspension for the low suspension. | ||
| Bads1 |
City X ???? | ||
| Buelltroll |
I agree with Bake. | ||
| Jackelfox |
i did not know the cityx had increased suspension travel, thats good to know. Bake, i ride in a very urban area, i test rode a 12 and the power seemed sufficent for what i normally experience, stoplight to stoplight, but those occasional blast up on-ramps is a real thrill | ||
| Mesa_cityx |
Get the City X!!! JOIN US!!! | ||
| Jackelfox |
 Been wanting to "join you" for somtime now. I've owned an 03 xbs before. I bought my wife a blast, she likes to rub it in that she gets to ride a buell. Even still i put a buell horsey patch on my jacket | ||
| Diablobrian |
Then if you know what you need, all you have to do is narrow down what you want. That's a very personal decision. We can help with ideas, but only you (and to some extent your wife) know what really grabs you. Test ride a 12 again (preferably and s) and really try to see if it works for you, or if you want it a little taller. That will tell you where to look. | ||
| Nutsosane |
The City X has longer suspension travel???? Taller seat height yes, but more travel Brian? I thought it was the same as the regular Lightning models. NUTS | ||
| Tleighbell |
My XB9S was stolen too. It had the race kit which I thought made it much more interesting to ride than stock. I was glad to have it rather than a 12 because it was smooth and sweet running. Before buying a 12 S to replace it I test rode a City X and a 12Ss on a demo day. Very limiting conditions, but I really liked the City X. It seemed to turn even quicker than my 9S, maybe due to the Pirelli tires. And I liked the seat and the transmission seemed very smooth. The 12 had a lot more torque. I would have had a hard time deciding between them. Ended up with an 04 12S, partly because it was available and partly because I wanted to try something new. When I test drove it I was doubtful because of the vibration and heat. This seemed a big price to pay for the extra grunt because the 12 is still not a fast bike in the sense of keeping up with the I4's in a straight line. Got the 12S home and I love it. I enjoy the extra torque but find it just as manageable as the 9. The only place it falls short is in the city where it is less smooth and sweet than the 9. Take a look at the XB tests at Motorcycle online(you have to subscribe). I think they sum up the differences well and are very positive. One reviewer calls the City X Buell's best road bike by a long shot and I can see what he means. | ||
| Bads1 |
No the suspension is not long travel on the City X. The seat though is taller. | ||
| Diablobrian |
oops I had a brain fart. sorry guys. Thanks for catching it. | ||
| Jackelfox |
Tleighbell's comments are part of what makes me so intrigued about the differences here... are the tires really making that big of a difference? "best road bike by a long shot" ? | ||
| Prof_stack |
My test ride on a CityX made it clear that the Pirelli brand of tire made a difference, an improved sense of handling compared to the Dunlop 208. | ||
| Cixyx_pilot |
The Pirelli's on my City X the the best tire I have had on any bike I have owned. I would recommend them to anyone for any bike. | ||
| Beachbuell |
I rode my friends (now girlfriend) CityX 9 and was amazed at the handling, steering and how much more confident I felt on those Pirelli Scorpion Syncs.. I ordered a set for my 12R the next day. I put them on at my 5K service and have loved my 12R even more since then! I'll never go back to Dunlops. Pirellis for me from now on. | ||
| Aussie_buell |
any tires are an improvement from the dunlops that come with the bikes. Other dunlops may be ok but not the profile Buell uses. | ||
| Diablobrian |
If you like the scorpions you need to try the diablos | ||
| Tleighbell |
I had the stock 207's (or were they 208's?) on my XB9S. I really had no complaints about the tires. Most of my riding was on the local throughway and ramps with little or no other traffic. The ramps were well surfaced and generally smooth except for a few minor frost heaves. I had a circuit I could keep going around and around etc. kind of like a track. My chicken strips were gone on the back and down to about 1/4 to 1/8 inch or so on the front. I would occasionally touch down a foot peg while hanging off. Corner speed (indicated) would be around 60 mph or so. I did not brake aggressively or trail brake to any extent. My XB12S came with Sport Sync's on it. Not having ridden for about 6 weeks between bikes, and not going quite as fast due to cold weather, little seat time, etc. I can't say that I really noticed any difference between the tires. Normally I can feel if there is a loss of 2-3 psi in the tires so I am not completely out of tune with the bike. My earlier comments regarding the City X may have been due more to comparison with the 12 S Long. I imagine the wheelbase has a larger effect on the handling sensations than the tires. Others have suggested that the heavier crank of the 12 may be a factor too. |
