| Author | Message | ||
     Ekass13 |
I have an 05 and I think 04-05 was the best. Real swing-arm, good teeth that get better w age, belt, and good colors. Now everyone prove me wrong. There really is no point to me saying this but it is something I haven't seen debated on here.... | ||
| Metalstorm |
I gotta agree with you. I like the air through the top of the airbox and the slotted inner box on the 06-07 models but I don't like the swing arm and I hate the belt guards. They're not as bad as the 03 ones in my most humble opinion but pretty they ain't. The 04-05 guards look good enough to keep on and the swing arm has a prettier curve/shape to it. I really like the changes they made to the 08 models. I think as soon as all the kinks are worked out of the new F.I. it's going to be the best of them all despite the less attractive swing arm. Of course if I were truly a wise man I would say the best year model is the one that's sitting in your garage  | ||
| Jcbikes |
I agree. I think the 04-05 years, have seen the least amount of problems. Better quality swing arm for sure (cast one piece). Stronger transmission with straight cut gears that with more miles shift just as good as the new helical cut ones, in my opinion. It seems like the latest new belt that is supposed to be "life-time" are breaking all the time. Every year I wait for something better than my 04 lighting but nothing yet that I would replace it with. The only problem that I have had with my bike was high beam bulb had to be replaced. I love my 04! | ||
| Svo1023 |
04 is the best....and the fastest...how do i know? had one since new....it's been a great motorcycle | ||
| Jcbikes |
Also the exhaust headers is of a higher quality stainless steel on the 04-05's, that shine up really nice. Magnets do not stick to the 04-05's but do on the 06 and later which means iron in them. | ||
| Whitexc |
I still like my '03.....cause that's what I have!!! | ||
| Spike |
Tough call, but I'd have to say a late '05 due to the larger forks (43mm) and the quieter fuel pump. The '06 transmission is nice if you find the right one, but my ~30k mile '04 shifted better than my '07. The new swingarm is lighter and stiffer, but it doesn't look as good and the belt guards aren't as clean looking. I liked the air inlet on the '06+ airbox enough to graft one onto my '04. The other thing I would like to have from an '06+ bike is the larger fuel capacity. It's not much, but since I'm always trying to stretch the mileage from a tank every little bit helps. | ||
| Jaimec |
06-07. Better belt, better transmission, more fuel capacity. The '08 on paper looks better, but apparently the new FI system is having teething problems. That, and the XB12Ss didn't exist prior to the '06 model year. | ||
| Ducxl |
I guess i'm one of the lucky '05 owners.Except for the headlights. Good strong transmission with DOGS.First with bigger forks(as stated) and the higher quality Brembo swingarm instead of the 'El cheapo Chinese swingarm/wheels,and improved belt drive.Cool bikes. | ||
| Snkkpr01 |
I really like my 08 12R. Why? because I am making the payments on it...LOL I have not been on any others, so mine is the best. IMHO Darin | ||
| Retrittion |
I have to say I am partial to the lines of my '07 12R but I am still unsure which swingarm I like best -- personally I think the 1125 has the prettiest of them all, same with the frame -- really nice lines. But all and all I like my '07 -- lots of refinements but without the issues (I am sure they will solve soon enough) with the '08s. Though, the year they make the XB5R/S, a CG option for an the R bikes and/or the smaller displacement S fronted Rotax-engined bikes I will revise my opinions. I want a gawd darn @#$%ing XB5 Erik!!!  (ahhh, he heard me!!!! oh nooooooooos!!!) (Message edited by retrittion on July 04, 2008) | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I don't think it really matters, but... I have to put my vote on the 06-07. One benefit I didn't know about was how easy it is to add oil to an 06. I was over at the Professors house performing an oil change. He mentioned what a pain it is to add oil to his (former) 03. The rear pegs get right in the way of the dipstick hole. On mine you could conveniently put a funnel between the rear peg mounts, and pour away. | ||
| Beachbuell |
2004! No Question! | ||
| Brumbear |
whatever year I happen to have when the question is asked of course  | ||
| Teddagreek |
Love my 05, Its a solid bike... I do like the 06+ trannys better as far as smoothness.. I haven't heard any issues as far as longevity.. | ||
| Dynamicpress |
Spike> What do you mean by this ? Is there different versions ? "The '06 transmission is nice if you find the right one" | ||
| Marko138 |
I've had exactly zero problems with my 05. I love it. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
2009. | ||
| Jsimpkins |
All, I'm contemplating getting an XB, but from what I'm hearing here, there are lots of differences between the new ones and the older ones. What should I be looking for? I really need a reliable ride, I have an X1 and its nothing but trouble. Thanks, J | ||
| Spike |
I don't think there are different versions, I just think some are better than others. I've ridden a fair number of '03-'05 bikes, they all felt the same to me. The '03-'05 transmission is clunky, but it works well. On the '06-'07 bikes I've ridden the shift quality seems to vary from one bike to the next. Some have felt really slick, but some seem to require just as much effort as an '03-'05 tranny. My '07 shifted worse than my '04. | ||
| Ducxl |
There ARE different versions. If you're familiar with the inner workings,here goes. Up until '05 our transmissions had gears with interlocking "dogs" which were engaged with each other by shifting "forks". in '06 the dogs moved TO the forks,so to speak | ||
| Jaimec |
More than just that. All but first gear also became helical cut instead of straight cut. First gear remained straight cut for the necessary strength, but the helical cut gears allow the gears to engage more smoothly and accurately. Combine that with a clutch that no longer requires "Gorilla Grip" and it makes a HUGE improvement over the original design. | ||
| Spike |
I was speaking of the '06+ transmissions only. I'm aware that they're different than the '03-'05 transmissions, but in my experience not all '06+ transmissions are created equal. Some shift noticeably better than the '03-'05 transmissions, some do not. As far as I know the design of the '06+ dog ring tranny hasn't had any changes, so I don't know why some are better than others. | ||
| Dynamicpress |
I agree with Spike I have ridden both an 06 and my 07 TT, The 07 TT is clunky and from first to second sometimes it feels like the teeth are grinding. I took it in and they adjusted the clutch for $52.00 that made very little difference. I am concerned that the gearbox will take a sh.t before the warranty runs out. The 06 ss shifts almost as nice a Jap bike. | ||
| Dmp0001 |
I have noticed that what type of trans. fluid you use makes a big difference | ||
| Zoedogg1 |
Sorry guys but the best XB ever built....IS MINE...ALL MINE...04 XB12R Super Deluxe Mega Beast StreetDemon Firebolt....lol | ||
| Ebuella_virus |
'05... No problems at all at 25k. | ||
| M1combat |
I have a 2004... I think it's the best year BUT... I will most certainly swap to the '08 engine cases as soon as mine are toast. The upgraded forks (Or just the whole 1125R setup for the front end) but mostly only because I weigh 200 lbs and I'm pretty sure they flex a bit under heavy brakes going up hill. I'd run the swingarm I have or maybe the '06 swingarm if it felt right (I'd have to swap back and forth). The frame is great the way it is. I'm sure I'll have an 1125 long before I wear out the cases on the Firebolt though . | ||
| Ssscrudddy |
2002 easily the best... the rest are just wannabes | ||
| Naiguy |
08 cause its the 25th year and i got a special Buell signed triple clamp lol (Message edited by NaiGuy on July 07, 2008) |
