| Author | Message | ||
     Destructo |
Other then the obvious, what are the main differences between the 9 and the 12? I'm serious about buying an XB in the next few weeks and I'm torn on what to buy. Thanks for any info. Dan | ||
| Bwesky |
i like my nine for the follwing reasons... revs higher lighter better fuel economy fun as shit perfect for city comuting, or tearing up the highway amazing on track day this is just my take, i hope some people can compare their twelves to mine... | ||
| Froggy |
XB9 has a higher redline, and shorter gearing and smoother power curve. XB12 has more power, taller gearing. Fuel economy is the same, as the shorter gearing on the negates any benefit of the lower displacement. Also, they only still make 1 model with the 9, because the 12 is that much better.  | ||
| Bads1 |
}revs higher=So what lighter =they are the same better fuel economy =They are the same fun as shit = Ditto perfect for city comuting, or tearing up the highway amazing on track day = Ditto | ||
| Destructo |
I've been leaning towards the 12 simply to have the bigger bike. I've been riding a 78 Yamaha XS650 for the past 4 years and want something with more power at highway speeds. I'm just trying to get a feel for the likes and dislikes of others. | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Destructo- the best comparison I can come up with would be like choosing between an LS3 6.2L Corvette or an LS7 7.0L Z06 Corvette. They both kick a$$, but one has a little more power than the other (and costs a little more). The bottom line is whether you are the kind of person who would be happy with the LS3, but secretly wished it was an LS7. Many people are happy with the XB9R, but most end up wishing to upgrade to the 12. You will be happy with either, but a little soul-searching will provide you with the right answer. | ||
| Bads1 |
I have both a 9 and a 12. Go to your dealer.... ride both for a extended ride if possible. Only you can make the decision. They both are great bikes. One of them will fit you like a glove better. Some of us like the 12. Some like the 9. I like both. | ||
| Destructo |
Redbuell thats just the answer I was looking for. I had my mind made up for the 12 but there is a 9 for sale locally. I just didn't want to buy a 9 and secretly wish for a 12. (Message edited by destructo on October 23, 2008) | ||
| Froggy |
Dry weight on the 9's is 10lbs less, don't know why. Must be a magic piston | ||
| Shadyplace20 |
+1 Bads1---go to the dealer. I have a 12, but love and want a Cityx. So, I like both. I originally looked for a 9, but couldn't get over the color of the one I found(yellow). | ||
| Rah7777777 |
I LOVE my 9. Lots of folks love there 12's! Go test ride each one and find your favorite! Although, you will have a hard time test riding the best one out there....an 03 XB9S HAHAHAHAHA Good luck! -Robert | ||
| Hammer71 |
Also, they only still make 1 model with the 9, because the 12 is that much better. Most rediculous statement ever posted. Ride em both and then decide as your going to get tons of opinions here and we all know about that now dont we. | ||
| Etennuly |
My '05 City-X with the Buell race kit was just as quick as my stock '06 Uly. It had a higher top end, and did about three mpg better(Uly has full bags). The insurance was about $25.00 a month cheaper on the nine. I really enjoyed that City-X, I only traded up for the long distance comfort and the hard bags. If they made a 984 in the Uly I would have no problem with that either. | ||
| Kenney83 |
i wanted a 12 just to have more power. i found a 9 for a good price and couldn't be happier with it. it even has enough power when i put the wife on the back and go out. i secretly wish i had a 1125r shhh don't tell any one | ||
| Srwitt |
I've got a 12, a coworker and a aquaintance both with the 9, and honestly that 9 is hard to shake. The only place I really have an advantage is up in the top end, I just flat have more power to keep gaining speed. From a stop, the 9 will hang until well over freeway speeds. In the twistys some prefer the gearing of the 9, I just personally don't care, choosing the proper gear is fun, but when my 3rd gear will take me out of a 25-30mph corner all the way up into a 80mph corner its sweet. When we ride together, it seems like my coworker is shifting alot more than I am, I can drop into the lower rpms a little more I think. Other than that both bikes should be identical plus or minus a couple of pounds. (Message edited by SRWitt on October 24, 2008) | ||
| Moosestang |
Destructo- the best comparison I can come up with would be like choosing between an LS3 6.2L Corvette or an LS7 7.0L Z06 Corvette. They both kick a$$, but one has a little more power than the other (and costs a little more). The bottom line is whether you are the kind of person who would be happy with the LS3, but secretly wished it was an LS7. Many people are happy with the XB9R, but most end up wishing to upgrade to the 12. I think the differences between a xb9 and xb12 are much less than the differences between a c6 and z06. There's a $30,000 difference between those 2 cars and about 1 second in the 1/4 mile. | ||
| Andymnelson |
"revs higher=So what" To me it's not that it revs higher, it's that my 9 seems to rev a bit more freely than the 12s I have ridden. After spending years riding free revving jap and British sport bikes, this is an important feel to me. I like my 9, and will likely add a 12 to my stable in the next year- either a bolt or a uly... | ||
| Darthane |
I love my 9. I love my 12. Hell, I even love my 5. Both (all three?) of the motors are great. | ||
| Boltrider |
How high does the 9 rev to? The '08+ 12's rev to 7100. | ||
| Andymnelson |
My '03 9 reds at 7500, with a rev limiter that kicks in at 8000. I believe that the old 12 red lined at 7000, rev limited at 7500. | ||
| Spike |
XB9s have a rev limit of 7500rpm '04-'07 XB12s have a rev limit of 6800rpm which is reduced to 6200rpm after a few seconds. '08+ XB12s have a rev limit of 7100rpm. | ||
| Bads1 |
Froggy the reason I said the same is. In the real word 10 pounds means nothing.... I guess it depends who eat's right and who eats crispy cream's. | ||
| Darthane |
...what if you eat Krispy Kreme and are still 10lbs lighter?  | ||
| Bads1 |
Then are you a better rider then he or she ?? | ||
| B00stzx3 |
I've ridden both, and the gearing and top end is the only kickers for me. Never gonna get rid of my Xb9R or my Focus ZX3, just make them faster. I would love some of the 12's top end though...nothing a big bore kit and supercharger couldnt take care of tho | ||
| Txfatcat |
Well I have ridden both a they are very comparable. The reason I got a 9 was some insurance companys give lower rate for 1000cc and below. I would like to have a 12 but very happy with my 06 xb9sx. I dont have any problems keeping up with my friends who ride 12's. I have noticed top end power is more on a 12 and they are a little faster from 90mph+ | ||
| Sloppy |
No question about it: Xb12 if you can afford it. Xb9 if you can't. Why buy a 289 when you can afford a 351??? | ||
| Andymnelson |
Why drive a 351 when you can drive a 350? | ||
| Andymnelson |
And the real answer to that question is because most of the 289s were higher revving, more free revving and produced more usable power....making faster cars. I smell a parallel.... | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
why drive a 350 when you could have a 389? |
