| Author | Message | ||
     Rsm688 |
Okay guys, I'm a tuber owner but never had an XB before. I'm looking to pick one up to drive while I finish up my custom build on my 99 M2. Anyways, I found one pretty close to me and wanted to see what you guys thought this bike would be worth. His decription: 2003 XB9S This bike has been adult ridden, garage kept, meticulously cleaned, detailed and polished. It's riding on almost new Michelins. New front and rear wheel bearings, steering head bearings, clutch cable and drive belt. Serviced and maintained regularly. The modified exhaust gives it a really nice, deep rumble. All heads turn when you start this bike up, surprised by the non-traditional sound that isn't expected coming out of a "sport bike". Included with the bike are rare/hard to find items including a "Select" touring seat, the original seat, Deluxe Buell expandable tank bag that has a waterproof bag/cover to completely protect it in bad weather. Hand guards, passenger footpegs/mounting brackets. The bike has 31,xxx+, leisurely accumulated miles. Subject to change because it is still ridden almost weekly. It has never been pushed to its limits and great care has been taken to keep it in excellent condition. The price is set accordingly and judging from the quantity of other Buells on here, very competitive. This bike needs to find a new home, ASAP. Bring your best offer and CASH ONLY, to the table.      Now he told me his bottom dollar was $2250 cash, it was listed at $2700. Any thoughts on what this one would be worth? Thanks, Spencer | ||
| Rsm688 |
Also, for this year/model, what are things that commonly go wrong/need replaced around 30k miles? Anything in particular I need to pay close attention to when inspecting it? What's the general lifespan of an XB9 motor/tranny assuming it's been well taken care of. I know the tuber sportster motors can do 100k plus but not sure about the XB9s. Also, are there any factory warranty upgrades on the XBs? (I know there were tons for the tubers from muffler mounts to gaskets). | ||
| Teeps |
I was thinking about 3k before seeing the price. So, 2250 would be a steal(?) I have zero knowledge about the '03 XB9 engine or bike. But '06 XB's received an improved oil pump gears. | ||
| Doz |
I'd consider that to be a fair deal, a couple more miles than I'd like but not a steal. The 03's are decent bikes, I've got four myself, two for the track, two for the street. | ||
| Rsm688 |
Thanks Teeps, I was thinking it was a fair deal. Anyone know of any weak links or things to inspect on the 03 XB9s? Or where 30k miles falls on the chart of mechanical life with the XBs? Thanks, Spencer (Message edited by rsm688 on September 24, 2013) (Message edited by rsm688 on September 24, 2013) | ||
| Rsm688 |
Thanks Doz, any problems you have seen with the 03's or anything that typically needs replacing around the 30k mile mark other than whats already been done (wheel bearings, steering head bearings, belt, tires)? Thanks, Spencer | ||
| Reepicheep |
Check the oil pump pinion drive gear ASAP, I think that is still an old style one. No harm till they fail, so just catch it before then. Of all the Buells ever built, I think the 9s bikes are the most durable. | ||
| Rsm688 |
Reepicheep, thanks for the advice. How much of a pain is it to swap the oil pump pinion drive gear? | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
dude what's $2200 ? get that thing fast..it looks very well cared for.. Here's another good deal ( I think) 08 ULY for $2900. north of Mpls. I'm not connected to seller. http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/mcy/40876843 67.html | ||
| Reepicheep |
You have to pull one rocker box (meaning you have to rotate the engine down) and take off the cam cover. Lots of little fiddly steps, and you have to figure out how to lock the crank, but nothing that is rocket science. | ||
| Rsm688 |
Its definitely been well cared for, the owner is actually a member on this forum i just found out. He said its now got 33,435 miles on it as he took it on a ride to Missouri since he listed it. My main concern is the mileage with it, at close to 34k miles how much longer can I expect her to go without major work needed? When do the isolators need to be replaced on the XBs | ||
| Froggy |
It can go 5 more feet, or 5 million miles. There is no way to know for sure as there are too many factors. The XB motor is more reliable than the tuber sportster motor, 100k miles is very easily obtained.
They don't have a replacement interval, if they ever wear out you replace them like anything else that breaks over time. Given the bike is over 10 years old it might not be a bad idea to do them over the winter regardless, but they are not something problematic and tend to fail like on the tubers. | ||
| Rsm688 |
Thanks Froggy, I didn't know if the isolators on the XB's gave out after a certain mileage similar to the tuber ones. So in your opinion if this bike has been well maintained by a knowledgeable Buell owner, and assuming everything seems good on a test drive/visual inspection it should hold up well? What are other things that typically need replacing or fail around the 30-35k mile range? Oil pump drive gear (old style), stator, possibly the isolator, anything else? And any specific XB9 problems to look for when inspecting it? Thanks for all the help guys, Spencer | ||
| Froggy |
Honestly at $2250 the bike could electrocute me and I'd still take it. Nothing on these bikes have a real mileage range, things seem to go when they want too. After getting it, check out the charging system, and install some kind of voltage monitor. The "77" connector on 03-07 bikes is an issue, it connects the voltage regulator to the battery. The stock connector can fail, if it does the VR will no longer keep the battery charged. (search on here for 77 connector) If the belt has never been replaced, I recommend doing that and keeping the old belt as an emergency spare. Other than that, just ride it and enjoy it, and if something breaks, fix it  | ||
| Rsm688 |
Thanks Froggy, he has recently replaced the belt and idler, front and rear wheel bearings, steering bearings, serviced the front forks, and the tires are fairly new too. It's been well maintained I believe. Only reason he is selling it is he has an XB12 now | ||
| Reepicheep |
Best quote I've seen today. The question of what the bike brings to the table is even more important than what liabilities may come with it. This bike brings a LOT to the table. And (having owned an M2, XB9, and an XB12) I still hold that an XB9 is the most reliable bike to ever roll out with a Buell sticker on it, even the early ones. I think the latest ones (with new oiling system but still the smaller oversquare 9 motor) will be freakishly, epically, reliable. | ||
| Rsm688 |
Reepicheap, other than the oil pump drive gear, belt difference, and kickstand difference. Are there any other variations between the new and older XB9s? As in if I swapped the oil pump drive gear for the new ones in would they be the same otherwise? Thanks, Spencer | ||
| Reepicheep |
No, the 08 and up bikes had a stronger crank and much better oiling system. And I think in 06 they went to helical cut transmission gears (which shift a lot smoother, but add a little play in the drivetrain). The ECM / fueling changed several times as well, I think the biggest changes were 08 and up. The 08's also got the "self TPS" capability also (don't need ECM spy). And the 10's got 3 bearing rear wheels I think (if you can find one). 06 got an opener airbox setup also. It sounds like a lot, but an 03 XB9S is a nice little bike. (Message edited by reepicheep on September 25, 2013) | ||
| Froggy |
There were quite a few changes to the XBs over the years, in fact I'd wager that less than 5% of the bike didn't get any changes between when the XB9S rolled off the line in 2002 and when the final 2010 CityX was made in October four years ago. (Not counting color changes, I'd say that number is closer to 15%) Frame, swingarm, suspension, most of the motor, entire fuel injection system, transmission, and nearly every other major component had quite a few changes. It was pretty cool seeing what the Elves did each year, progressively making an already good bike even better. New belts, different cosmetics, better lighting, better cooling, better running. The 03 is not a bad bike (especially at that price), and many of the changes over the years can be retrofitted without effort if desired. (Message edited by Froggy on September 25, 2013) | ||
| Rsm688 |
Thanks for all the advice guys, I'm on my way to hopefully pick it go right now. Im sure most everything will be a big upgrade compared to my stock 99 M2 (will be a different story once I finish the M2 custom build up). I think the main thing I'm going I want to do is swap that oil pump drive gear sometime soon although that seems like a pretty big job if I have to drop the motor and pull the crank cover and remove a rocker box and all Thanks, Spencer | ||
| Rsm688 |
Well I picked her up for $2100, she is clean as can be and runs like new. The previous owner was a Harley mechanic and the owner I bought it from has been riding/building buells since the 90s so it has been well taken care of. Practically everything on it from brake pads to belt to tires are all new. Thanks for the help guys, Spencer | ||
| Doz |
bout friggin time you bought it, any more questions and I was gonna grab it for myself. Enjoy the bike, get a shop manuel cause things will break, anything mechanical breaks. And when it does, come here and ask for help. | ||
| Onespeedpaul |
Glad you picked it up RSM! Funny coincidence, i'm a tuber guy too and recently picked up an '03 xb9s (7000miles, but it was a basketcase)...it was even the same color as yours! (not now) | ||
| Onespeedpaul |
forgot to add, in my oh-so-brief experience with XB's I would say in addition to the service manual, get the ECMspy cable (less that $40 usually) and software (free) to do your own EFi diagnostics and analyzation! So far I really really enjoy the ride of mine....I'm just having trouble getting it to idle properly. Once that's sorted, I think my old S1 may not get as much ride time in the future~ | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
free software? I couldn't get that .. it was $75. just for the test version.. please point me to the free site. | ||
| Onespeedpaul |
http://www.ecmspy.com/ http://www.tunerstudio.com/index.php/megalogviewer http://www.tunerpro.net/downloadApp.htm | ||
| Froggy |
The base model TunerPro is free, TunerPro RT adds more features but is $39, I highly recommend using them as they are compatible with all years and models of fuel injected Buells. |
