| Author | Message | ||
     Dannon0831 |
I am new to the world of Buell although Finally got my butt on a City X and I am totally hooked! I loved everything about the City X: handles well, ride position, torque, suspension, BRAKES! It was very hard to complain about the fan noise while I was smiling so much! Question: Is the power jump from XB9 to XB12 over the top (freaky wheelies, etc.) or is it just more of that smooth torque? | ||
| Brumbear |
more tourque but less revs on the 12 I have a 12 but actually like the 9 the city x is a real fun machine | ||
| Dannon0831 |
Only 1 complaint about the City X...I don't have one yet...YET!!! | ||
| Andymnelson |
its not a huge difference. the 9 has lower gearing to compensate for the difference. I don't race (which would be a good argument for the 12, since it has taller gearing), and I have ridden both. personally I prefer the 9. you won't regret either. and either will do wheelies on command  | ||
| Piotr12 |
Get the 12. May not seem like a huge difference but once you have the 9 for a while you will wish you had a 12. | ||
| Zatco81 |
I have a 9 and don't wish I had a 12. | ||
| Tpoppa |
I rode an XB9S for 34,000 miles. After I sold it, I missed it and bought an XB9SX. I've ridden several 12's, I prefer the 9 but would be happy with either. | ||
| Ramm |
I have a 9 and can hang with a 12, I like my 9. | ||
| Mortarmanmike120 |
I have a 9 and never wished for a 12. I'm also lusting for an XT as a third bike but thats because of ergos and luggage. It has nothing to do with the motor. | ||
| Chippy |
< another 9 owner that never feels as if I wish I had a 12. Just smash the throttle and let it pull to the redline. It's good for the soul. | ||
| 4cammer |
Love my '07 XB9R..... | ||
| Reepicheep |
I have an 05 XB9SX... and wondered if I should have gotten a 12... Until I did a couple track days, and actually rode the 12 demo bikes in anger. Now, if somebody offered me an almost free swap of my 9 for a 12, I'd shrug. I won't mind it, but I wouldn't miss it either. Maybe if I rode a 12 with the 9 primary (and gearing) I would feel different... I think the 12 gets you a little better fuel economy, and I think (ducking now) the 9 is a bit more reliable. Both are great. The bigger question for me would be the long versus short. My XB9SX is the short one, and it fits fine. But I sat on a TT and boy did it fit like a glove. Haven't gotten to ride one at speed, so I don't know if the slower handling of the longer frame would bug me or not. | ||
| Happy1 |
just get whatever one U would prefer, your going to be riding it. i was going to get a cityx but it was a little tall for me so i went with the scg plus i liked the looks of the scg better. not much to do with displacement your going to be happy with whichever one you choose. just don't get a blast. | ||
| Court |
You will ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. | ||
| Andymnelson |
"You will ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT." Agreed. I have never longed for an XB12, love my XB9S. Thanks for the link Court- that was a good read. | ||
| Froggy |
Holy crap, there are avatars in that thread! Edit: I forgot to mention, you guys can keep your 9's. I demoed one and after I got off I had to check the headers to make sure was indeed firing on both cylinders. (Message edited by froggy on June 10, 2009) | ||
| Court |
It was a great bike. . . . Bill hit it on the head with THIS thread . . . the bike had been at my house for about 6 months and the moment the folks at Harley-Davidson read about me planning to cross country ride the "reel that babe in" call came that afternoon. An impressive motorcycle. | ||
| Dannon0831 |
OK...I know that I was inspired by the demo ride, but WOW! That is some passion. Awesome testimonies gentlemen. Thanks for throwing a tank of gas on my fire to buy. Now I will have to sell one or two of my children to speed up the buying process! | ||
| Andymnelson |
I suggest the youngest one, that way once the oldest can mow the grass you will have more riding time. | ||
| Dannon0831 |
So when a good deal slaps me in the face I shouldn't scoff at the 12 even though the XB9 is plenty of what I want?...I really love the stance of the city cross though. Thanks everybody, this forum is fun and built around the rider...no wait, that's something else?...oh yeah...BUELL! | ||
| Zanon |
Also, 9 may run a little cooler than 12. Launching on the 9 is very easy, I've heard 12s are a little trickier to get started. But, I've never ridden a 12. | ||
| Ramm |
You'll become immune to the fan noise after a few months btw | ||
| Srwitt |
I've got a 12R, a coworker has the 9SX, the power difference isn't really noticed until you are approaching triple digits, then the 12 slowly starts to walk away from the 9. Up to about 90 or so there is less than a bike length separating us, and hes a decent bit heavier than I. After that though the 12 starts putting distance on the 9. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I am also a 9 owner that wouldnt trade for a 12. If I did own a 12 Id have to switch to a 9 primary. I cant stand the first gear of a 12. Its a PITA in traffic. The 9 will also give less heat off to the right leg. | ||
| Zatco81 |
I never hear my fan until I stop and kill the engine. Even then, only when it's hot. | ||
| Ramm |
I only hear it when I stop, but I still have stock exhaust. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I never hear my fan until I stop and kill the engine. Even then, only when it's hot. X2. Weeks go by that my fan never even turns on. | ||
| Ustorque |
Get the 12. May not seem like a huge difference but once you have the 9 for a while you will wish you had a 12. i could not disagree more with this! i have owned my '06 city for damn near 3 years now and have test ridden a few 12's, not once have i even question my choice in the 9. it's a great bike and great motor period.  | ||
| Circusninja |
Hey, I'm a black belt, and I love my XB9Sx. | ||
| Williamscottrobertson |
Don't knock the blast! I had a blast for two years. Great commuter, 80+ MPGs, very low cost, excellent ride below 70mph. Went to the XB9SX for the adjustable shock and two up riding power. Other than the tall seat height, the 9SX has been awesome, besides the purchase experience (explained below if you care to read): I had to pry the dealer's XB12 fangs from my neck when I bought mine a few months ago. They were hung up on how much more satisfied I would be with a 12 (I think their commission would be). They went so far as to claim they couldn't get me a 9. None on the floor, not available in the southeast region. After arguing about mark-up, which I got down to 800 over MSRP, they managed to find a 9SX. In red, when i wanted Blue. "No sale blue" they say. "We would give you a higher trade in on a red one", "red sells better". Damn, I hate dealerships. My Harley/Buell dealer even tried to sell me a used GSXR600 when I argued about the 9SX markup! "This GSXR may be more of what you are looking for at that price!!!!" I was worn out just trying to buy my 9 at a fair price. I swear, pushy door to door vacuum salesmen are less of a hassle than my Buell dealer was. This was followed by endless paperwork, taxes, setup/delivery fees that they wouldn't come off of, a high interest rate (with 20% down and a high credit score), and an hour of turning down extended warranties and service plans. Just shoot me, Im ready to ride! If it weren't for my need to finance, (and I wanted the 08+ improved engine  ), I would buy used. Three months later, they have 2 new blue 9SXs on the floor at 400 below MSRP for 3 days. PISSED at my dealer!! |
