| Author | Message | ||
     Mtkawboy |
Ive been dealing on a 1650 mile 09 XB9Sx for a while. The best I can get him down to is $4500. On the + side I like the lower seat height on the 09 as opposed to the inch higher of the other years. The bike is like new but Im wondering if Im going to be disappointed in the power of the 9. Ive seen dyno sheets of stockers showing only 6 hp difference between the 984 motor & the 1200. Id like your opinions on what I should do here on buying it or not. The guy cant sell it because it is a 9 and not a 12. | ||
| Froggy |
You will have to ride it and see, the 9 motor has a different feel than the 12. Power difference isn't really measureable in the real world, as the 9 has shorter gearing to make up for the couple less HP and torque. Under 100mph you won't be able to tell the difference between the two from an observers point of view. The 9 revs faster and smoother, and has a higher redline, while the 12 makes up for it with more raw power. Unfortunately you have to ride it to see. I personally think the 9 motor is a bit lame, and the 12 is the must have. Then again I hate both motors now, I fell in love with the 1125 and my air heads rot these days.  | ||
| Mtkawboy |
Thats not going to happen and I dont blame him, I wouldnt let a stranger take off on one of my bike either, thats why Im asking for opinions. I didnt know about the gearing, but Im not really interested in an 1125 as I have a big bore GS1100 Suzuki now that I know how to fix and can get parts for. I dont like water in my engines even though I know they are better | ||
| Dmp0001 |
I love my Xb9sl and my XB12scg. Neither disappoint for power but the 12 has more. for 4500 I would buy it... really, where is it | ||
| Reepicheep |
I had a 9 and now have a 12. Top end they don't feel a ton different. The charm of the 12 is grunt anywhere, the charm of the 9 is that incredible howl at a 7800 redline. I think the 9 motors just last better as well. At Mid Ohio on track days, I followed 12's up the back straight coming out of the keyhole. WFO, the 12's would "walk" away from the 9's. Literally, they would gain on my at basically a slow walking pace. So definitely a faster bike, but it shouldn't be a deal breaker. And here is the other way to look at it... a 12 is faster than a 9. But a 9 with a bolt on 1150 kit is faster than a 12 (higher revs). What you really get from the 12 is grunt at 3000 RPM (which makes for a neat ride). You can get about the same grunt from the 9, you just need to be 1000 to 1500 rpm higher (which makes some neat noises). | ||
| Andymnelson |
IMO, there is so much more to it that "which one is faster". The character of the motor means much more to me on the street than the minuscule difference in "speed". I have a 9 and a 12. I'd take the 9 motor ANY day over the 12- smoother, more free revving, higher rev limiter. Just plain and simple a better motor for how I ride. The Uly was not made with the 9 motor, or I would have bought it in place of the 12. I installed the 9 primary gearing on the Uly, and that helped some of the issues....but basically by putting a band aid on the problems since it really just gets you out of the troublesome low RPMs quicker. $4500 for an '09 with 1650 miles? What do you want, for him to PAY you to take it? That's a steal for a GREAT bike. It's not that he can't sell it because it's a 9, he can't sell it because it's a Buell. That doesn't mean it's not a fantastic bike. | ||
| Mtkawboy |
Its here in Billings Mt. I offered $4250 but he turned it down and wants $4500. I guess with 1650 miles its worth it. I know Ill never find an 09 12 for under $6000 out here and I could probably make it a 1050 for less then $1500 but I have fast bikes, thats not why I want one. I want a bike that will handle in the mountains and race rockets dont fit me any more, this does. I know its stupid arguing over $250, but Im a hard head | ||
| Syonyk |
I have a 9 and a 12. I'd take the 9 motor ANY day over the 12- smoother, more free revving, higher rev limiter. Just plain and simple a better motor for how I ride. I have an XB9SX and I, too, love the '9 motor. The 12s I've ridden are OK, but they shake at all RPMs, and run out of RPMs *very* quickly IMO - it feels like you hit the beginning of the power band, then *rev limiter.* The 9 is a great motor - smoother, not really down much in power, and loves being wound out. It's down to personal preference, but I definitely prefer the 9 to the 12. ... and I have an 1125 for going fast.  | ||
| Mtkawboy |
No, he cant sell it because its a 9. Several people looked at it including me because he had it listed as a 2009 Buell Lightning. I assumed as they did that it was an XB-12 and he wanted $5000 for it. When they saw it was a 9 they left. He's moving to Washington and has too many toys. Im running out of summer here so I have to $hit or get off the pot soon | ||
| Ronbob43 |
$hit. I have 20k on my '09 XB9SX, all fun. The smooth, easy to control power of the 9 suited me more than the brute force of the 12. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
+1 on what Andymnelson said. I would have probably taken a XB9X too for smoother long rides. | ||
| Natural |
Great price... these model have the improved oil pump and improved flywheels. Plus DDFI-3. I own a 2006 XB9, 20k miles so far, only minor issues. Go for it. It is a great deal. | ||
| Chessm |
ive got an XB9, an XB12, and a CR i used to love that 9 but lately its been feeling more and more gutless. its really fun for around town work or tight goaty roads. actually, i would say its quicker for that kind of work than the other 2 bikes BUT the other 2 are much more versatile. if i need to chase other bikes going 80+mph as we pass 5 cars in a row over the double yellow, i pray im not on the 9 at the time. also i used to get better gas mileage out of the 9 but ever since ive been spending more time around red line, that is no longer the case. it still gets better mileage than the CR though. but ya, unless you have some awesome tight technical twities in your backyard or you will doing a lot of urban riding, then you will probably do better holding out for a 12. also you could always get one of the lower seats to get the seat height that you want. |
