| Author | Message | ||
     J_smith |
Hey Guys, new to the forum. A guy from a different forum I am on recommended this site. I have been saving up for a new Buell and it seems I will have enough to puchase a somewhat new one in the spring. I really like the Firebolts, and the Lightnings. I wish they made a bike with the Firebolt rear tail and the lightning headlights/windscreen. My questions is: Ive noticed the 984's are a little cheaper to purchase and insurance is about half as much as the 1203's. If I purchase the 9 will I be disappointed in the power? I currently ride a highly tuned 750 Katana. The bike has around 100hp and is extremely quick. Im not looking for top speed. I dont care how fast a bike goes, I prefer handling and around town driving better than 150mph on the freeway. Im a little worried about going from a 6speed, to a 5spd. And also from a 4 cylinder that redlines at 12k, to a v-twin that redlines at 7k. Any input would be greatly appreciated. | ||
| J_smith |
Another thing I forgot. Ive been looking mainly at 2004 and up Lightnings, but it seems that 2003 are fairly cheap and plentiful, even with low miles. Do the 2003's have any issues, or should I be looking for a newer year. Fuell injections is a must, do all XB's have FI? | ||
| Andymnelson |
All XBs are fuel injected. The '03s have a different belt and pulley system, that is prone to some failures if the belt is mis-handled. 17,000 miles on mine so far and no issues, but some have problems. You can upgrade to the newer ones if you wish. '03 only brought the 984 motor. Many will tell you the 12 motor is the only way to go, most of us with the 9 motor love it...go ride em and see what you think for yourself. I have no desire for a 12 personally. | ||
| Dragonslayer |
Don't worry about the difference between a 12k redline and a 7k. Those inline 4 bikes have to get the RPMs up sky high to get to where the power is. Not so with the XB. When you ride one you'll see what I mean. | ||
| Thespive |
I am a 9 rider and I love it. I revs quicker and is a little smoother and more linear than a 12. Don't get me wrong, the 12 has GOBs of torque, but on the short frame it is fine, especially if you get one with the Race ECM and a muffler. Your best bet would be to find a Buell dealer and ride a new version of each one. Either has plenty of power to get yourself in to trouble. There have been some changes over the years to the belt system and oiling system. '05s or '06s got a stronger oil pump gear. '08s and newer are the most dramatic in the engine, otherwise find one you like and ride the crap out of it. They are incredibly fun to ride and are as reliable as they come. --Sean | ||
| Buelltastic |
I ride an '03 9R I think it is more friendly to ride around town than the 12 IMO. If you want to create an Firebolt/Lightning hybrid it is easily done. There are quite a few on the forum who have done that and it is just a matter of sub frame swap and body parts for the most part. All the parts needed seem to pop up pretty regularly on here in the classifieds and on ebay. I've seen a few just traded straight across both parties win. If you prefer handling, that is what the XB's do  | ||
| Thespive |
Also forgot the fork upgrade to 43mm forks was '05. --Sean | ||
| Metalstorm |
I'm a bit of a strange one. I like the 9R over the 12R but I like the 12S over the 9S. I like my racey bikes smooth & silky and my standards tough & rough  | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
Ive got an 05 XB12 lightning and am in Middletown if youd like to try out a 12. Ive ridden both the 9 and 12. I dont think you can go wrong with either. | ||
| Delta_one |
I had my choice of several buells and I chose an 03 9S I love it. for a streetfighter it feels a little more civilized. think Muhammad Ali in a streetfight the 12 is more like George Foreman in a bare knuckle both are great but they go about it in different ways. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I came from a CBR600. The first thing I noticed is that I dont shift nearly as much. When I would prepare to pass I would always drop 2 or 3 gears so it was in the power band. The Buells power band is way wider. I rarely shift down to pass. I also noticed in the corners having a less peaky power band keeps me planted better. I bought a CityX over a 12r because of the insurance. My driving record is less than spectacular. The smaller motor and the high bars on the CityX saved me almost $100 a month. That buys a lot of stuff. First thing I did was buy the Crossroads bars and the Buell select seat. That put me pretty close to the riding position of a firebolt. There is a pic in my profile. BTW I love my Buell and dont miss my CBR even a little bit. (Message edited by rpm4x4 on September 06, 2009) | ||
| Pogue_mahone |
j the 984 kicks butt! i just got in from a 4 hour sortie on the xb9-- the hp difference is barely 10....and the final drive ratios are different between the two. you will be fine either way | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Went out for a ride on my 9R this evening. There were so many cops out. Maybe it was the Labour Day weekend thing. Maybe it was the couple of bad bike accidents over the past few weeks. In any case, even knowing the cops were out in force, I had trouble keeping my 9 inside the speed limit. Came out off one of my favourite esses to see a cop pulling over a 'busa. Saw him look at me and I was wondering. He stayed with the 'busa. So, Suzuki rider, thanks for taking the hit. Yes, I like the '03 9r a lot. | ||
| Xb9er |
I have a 12. Go for the 9. They are great. You'll be hating the katana after riding the xb | ||
| Brumbear |
I have a 12 but I will say the nine isas fun if not more than the 12 as it revs a lttle higher | ||
| Bitbear |
I've got a XB9S and I love it. I haven't ridden an XB12 but it often is said that it's got a bit more torque but doesn't rev as high and not a smooth. My XB9, fitted with a factory race kit, has PLENTY of torque/grunt (sometimes plain scary) and it's a smooth as a baby's bottom. Great for city and short touring. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Another 'busa in the weeds waiting for a tow truck in the more technical part of my twisties run. Not a good weekend for Suzukis in this part of the woods. 9r behaved herself very well. | ||
| Delta_one |
WAY TO GO 9er!!! oh how mine loves to lean.  you can call me a traitor but my next bike will be a hypersport, (Kawasaki ZX-14) I want it for a two up tour bike. lots o' stuff and a girl. but I wont get rid of my 9 until one of us cant do it anymore. its just too perfect of a bike. (for solo rides) | ||
| Fahren |
delta one, why not a uly? | ||
| Delta_one |
I would if they had a uly with an 1125 power plant.... I want to have 300lbs plus my 195 on the bike and still be able to drop the hammer and scat. At least as fast as my 9 will go with only me on it. Too many times I have had to drop a gear and go on the highway here in Michigan drivers don't know how to look for motorcycles. | ||
| Froggy |
Brakes work better than the throttle 95% of the time in an emergency situation. I do just fine commuting on a Blast. Oh, and the 1125XT might not be coming from Buell anytime soon, but I might have something up my sleeve | ||
| Iamarchangel |
I want to have 300lbs plus my 195 on the bike and still be able to drop the hammer and scat." At that weight, she isn't going to like the R seats. Heck, the poor bike's only rated to carry 379 lbs. | ||
| Delta_one |
lol shes 120 but gear and other stuff strapped to it... granted Ill probably never have 180lbs of stuff on a bike (I just picked a random number at the time granted it was a bit high) but just in case I do load it to the limit.. and I would be more than happy to use the brakes instead if I wasn't tailgated all over, that and climbing on the brakes while doing 70-80 on the freeway is not what I would call an intelligent evasive maneuver. or my favorite having a car merge straight at my pegs! I actually stuck a foot out once (reflex based on fear) and touched the darn car! Drivers here suck! best place for em is behind me. Edit: load to the limit link http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=32777&post=1571699#POST1571699 (Message edited by delta_one on September 09, 2009) | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Yep. Know that feeling. Got caught in a severe rainstorm at night in MoN. Speed limit was 60, I was doing 90. Figured I'd rather come up on the cars, than have them come up on me. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Of all the Buells... the Nine is the only one with SeX in the name  | ||
| Circusninja |
I am a 220 lb black belt, I ride a XB9Sx... love it. Mods can be easier because you don't have the 12's exhaust valve... but then again, I am a relatively new Buelligan. | ||
| Froggy |
Only thing the valve does is takes an extra 20 seconds to remove the muffler, then 2 minutes to disable in ECMspy. Not really more complicated, but the extra power makes up for it |
