| Author | Message | ||
     Hulagun |
Hi, I am new to this site and glad to have found it. I'm looking to buy an XB9S SOON to replace my MZ660SM. So instead of telling you all about my XB (which I have not yet found) I'd like to ask what you Buell XB owners might tell me to look for, when looking over a used XB9S for sale. I'm a 35 yr rider and 20 yr mc racer so it's no problem if you skip generalities and just focus on Buell specifics! Meanwhile I'll look thru the archives and try to learn as much as I can. Thanks in advance! | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
welcome to the forum first. Second are you dead set on a 9 and not a 12 if so why (just curious) ? They are really dependable bikes for the most part either way. | ||
| Delta_one |
if you give us a year range we can be very specific ie looking for any year XB to current? or only the ones made in the last few years? lots of things changed and what was once a problem on some was no longer on the newer but new problems did arise as well. for example '03 belts are not as strong as any other year the newer ECM was not accessible to ECM spy (I believe it may be now) making it un-tuneable (also cured with the Erik Buell Racing ecm now available but at a price) voltage regulators across the board clutch cable boot weeping into the primary plug wires wheel bearings were sorted out for the most part in later years in '05 the forks went from 41 to 43mm on standard height models lows/cg's stayed 41mm 08 had beefier bottom end bearings the later bikes had ZTL2 standard this is just scratching the surface but its a start. let us know what years you are interested in and we can spill some more for you | ||
| Delta_one |
oh yea and some of us with older xb bikes still have a hole in the frame that feeds the air box when the newer don't have it, plus is extra fuel, minus is there is nowhere convenient to plumb your TURBO | ||
| Hulagun |
Hi Firebolt020283, I settled on the 9 for a couple reasons. One is 95% of my riding is in-town, and my 660 thumper has been ideal for that. But now want a twin, and with a little more grunt for the occasional freeway trip, or track day. I feel the 9 will be plenty for that, and think I might like it's revvier, short-stroke motor better too. | ||
| Hulagun |
LOL. No need for a turbo. Another factor is I have saved up $3k or so, so that is my buy budget. Early is fine if the mileage is low and any recalls have been done. Doesnt sound like the early XBs had any major issues that would make me avoid one? This weekend I'm going to see a nice lo miles 03 XB9SL. It has a new fuel pump and plug wires, new tires, and the factory race pipe and ECM. He wants $3700 and seems firm. Thoughts on price? oh, it has frame bumpers on it... is there any way to discern whether those things are hiding a dented frame? | ||
| Hulagun |
Delta, also thanks for the list you gave. What is ZTL2 and will it retrofit for the earlier years ? | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
they usually will not stick to well if there is a dent under it. Most of us have them on there bikes and if it does not come with them that is one of the first accessories you should invest in. There is not to many problems with the early xbs I have an 03 and love it. As for as the sl just know it is lower than the normal xb9s. like delta said the 03 belts are not as good as the 04 and later but if if you have a problem with that you can always upgrade your belt system. My bike has the old system still and it is fine for now. $3700 is not a terrible price but it is not a great price either. | ||
| Glitch |
What is ZTL2 and will it retrofit for the earlier years ?  8 piston front brake, yes it'll fit any year XB. The XB9 is underrated by most, and an excellent choice. | ||
| Delta_one |
my bike started life as an '03 XB9SL it is the early version of the Scg I can see why they changed the name XB9SLOW my S low was a slow  but it handles better than most and I could dig into corners as fast as others without effort and without hanging off the bike because of its advantage in center of gravity (CG) the ZTL2 as glitch posted is a big honking ugly thing of a front brake, but WOW does it hunker a bike down in a hurry I have been dancing with the idea of one for a while now but for street use I just cant really justify the extra expense when my ZTL works just fine (better than many 2 caliper counterparts) as far as down points of the older bikes I have yet to find anything major with my '03, I love it to death. differences will be fork diameter as stated before. mine now has the updated size and is taller only because the rough Michigan roads did not get along well with the low suspension. I changed my belt drive for the updated version, not because it broke but just for piece of mind. it had no fraying cracking missing teeth or signs of any pending issues when I removed it and I tend to ride my bike fairly hard. the older version looks better in my opinion because the rear pulley is much smaller and takes up less of the rear wheel. American Sport Bike sells a pulley that matches the wheel with the newer belt and I want one very badly the only other update from the newer bikes that I plan on doing is the oil pump gear and I hope to do that this fall fuel pumps can be an issue across the board but fill your bike up as soon as the light comes on and you will extend its life greatly. the pump is cooled by the fuel and when there is little to no fuel there is little to no cooling. (like most bikes I would assume) 9 vs 12 is the age old debate and I initially wanted a 12 until I rode a 9 and fell in love with it over the 12. I cant explain it, its purely visceral but the 9 just speaks to me on the street. if I could afford it I would have a 12R for the track too so by no means am I discounting it in any way. the only recall I can think of for the older lightnings was the kickstand needed to be replaced. older firebolts (sorry don't know the years) was headlight reflectors would chip reducing light output (I think some were a fire hazard?) look at the clutch boot, the older bikes did not have the best cable retainer and the cable boot would move out of place and rub against the hot header melting it, it becomes a problem because water will run down the cable into your primary turning it to pudding (I have foamed mine once and it didn't do damage but it wasn't pretty) many times people don't adjust the clutches properly on our bike leading to all the typical issues of an improperly adjusted clutch. the early bikes did not have the pucks on from the factory as 020283 said so if they are not there don't worry about it BUT they have become very hard to come by. they are factory installed on all the more recent buells. I'm sure froggy will jump in here some time and fill in the gaps I may have left} | ||
| Panhead_dan |
My '03 XB9S was rock solid reliable and would top out at 131 mph. I never had any trouble with the bike whatsoever. If Erik hadn't have built the Ulysses, I would still be riding it. | ||
| Drkside79 |
Love my 08 9SX Oh and I have no problem running with 12's they don't do any better in acceleration then my nine. Faster top speed but how often do i top out my nine... | ||
| Hulagun |
Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement. Just brought home a minty clean 03 XB9SL. Of course, it's yellow. I'll be searching for parts to raise it to standard height and change the color to (ideally) black. Feel free to PM me if you have parts to sell or swap. | ||
| Delta_one |
black and raised '03 XB9SL? copy cat  LOL just kidding  | ||
| Hulagun |
Great minds think alike! I've owned about 8 other bikes over the years that were black... guess I like black! Also, have never got a ticket on a black bike yet... knock wood!  | ||
| Nuerburgringer |
Ivan, welcome to the tribe. I'll be living vicariously through you for awhile. (Sold my last Buell on Saturday.) Make sure you get yourself a 2007 XB12 airbox upper for that thing. Its a cheap and sensible upgrade; boosts midrange a hair. Lotsa guys'll suggest an open airbox instead, but I think they're too danged noisy. Have fun! BTW: Watch the classifieds here for non-SL suspension pieces. |
