| Author | Message | ||
     Ridesinnm |
Really tough decision. I like the upright position, so the XB12SS, or the 1125CR with the high bar kit. I like the performance of the 1125, but kind of like the looks and simplicity of the XB. Would the XB be better for around town and general riding? What about carrying a passenger? Is there a lot more maintenence on the 1125, and would it be harder to do myself? Thanks for any input. Brad. | ||
| Xl1200r |
The XB has the high bars already, will be better around town, and be better for a passenger. The CR will blow it off the road. Gotta figure out your priorities. | ||
| Bartimus |
I traded my Harley for an XB12SS and haven't looked back. It's a great bike, I'm thinking of putting city-X bars on it, they are a little higher than the stock bars. Picking up a CR this Saturday, you can NEVER have too many Buells, just ask Frank Skinner. I will probably put higher bars on it also, along with the touring seat. | ||
| F_skinner |
I recently bought the following bikes (2007 to 2009), XB12R, 1125R, XB12Scg (for my girl) and a XB12X. All in all the one I prefer is the one I did not buy for myself. The XB12Scg (similar to the XB12SS) is the most fun. Bart, the 1125CR with the higher bars and lower pegs feels very much like a S2T as far as Ergos go. It ends there, it is a screaming fast bike. | ||
| Froggy |
Get both. Two totally different bikes XB better around town, but the CR isn't bad either. I recently started a thread about the maintenance, there is less maintenance on the 1125 over 20k miles vs the XB. No primary fluid changes, no clutch adjustments, no primary chain adjustments, and a few other things like less frequent plug changes. Ultimately, you need to ride both to decide. I was bit by the watercooled bug, and didn't look back. I own two 1125's now, and don't even plan on fixing my wrecked XB as it is inferior in every way. | ||
| Xb9er |
your passenger will thank you for the XB12SS | ||
| Nik |
I'm thinking of putting city-X bars on it, they are a little higher than the stock bars. They're exactly the same, except the CityX bars have the 'motoX inspired' crossbar. Uly bars are most definitely taller though. I like the XB because its powerful enough while being dirt simple. I've ridden 1125s and considered buying one, but for all its refinement and power it lacks the elegant simplicity of the air cooled line. That, and almost every manufacture, has, and has had for some time, a watercooled hi performance v twin. If I wanted one when I got my XB I would've gotten one of them instead. They're both fine machines. Ride them both and decide for yourself. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I've got one of each.  Be happy to hook you up with either one. | ||
| Paw |
If you do not care about the cost of ownership (valve adjustment think about that when the dealers no longer work on buells) and comfort get the 1125. But if cost and comfort is important get the XB. | ||
| Vampress |
xb hands down for me. I just like the aesthetics better. Not a fan of the pods. | ||
| Froggy |
I am going to print out this post and frame it on the wall, we shall look back and laugh when your tune changes in the next few weeks 
Cost is about the same as the XB. The valve adjustment is a afternoon project, but maintenance is less frequent and less involved overall on the 1125, so you will spend less time in the shop and more on the road. The only real time consuming part of the valve job is the raising and lowering of the motor, but the Buell engineers made it easier to do than the XB motor. Also, the spark plug interval is the same as the valve job, so it is killing two birds with one stone. Another thing is the fork oil, the interval is almost twice as long as it is on the XB. I won't really comment on comfort, other than to say its subjective, and my 1125CR was more comfortable on my 2700 mile Buelltoberfest trip than my Uly and SS. | ||
| Tankhead |
I had a city-x for 2 years (I put 25000 miles on it before I sold it.) and everytime I would sit on a Ss and remember that the bars are the "same" without the x-bar, I always scream bullshit. The Ss bars are not as wide, and have a sharper downturn at the bend. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME. tanks | ||
| Treefrog |
If you want the upright riding position and will be carrying a passenger much, take a closer look at the XT. I have an XT and a CR. The XT has a nice big cushy seat, hand holds and a back rest for the passenger while the CR has a pancake for the passenger to sit on while they are riding. Just my observations. You will enjoy either. | ||
| Froggy |
Tankhead, I had both bars and put them one on top of the other while off the bike. They are both the exact same, difference being the paint and crossbar. | ||
| Drkside79 |
XB any day of the week and twice on Sun | ||
| Prowler |
I'd go with the XB unless you really need the extra HP of the CR. The XB is simpler to work on and less complex all around. I think it will be less expensive for parts and service in the long run as there are many more on the road and parts availability will be much better. Engine internals are the same or very similar to Sportster components so anyone familiar with H-D's will be more than able to work on it. I just bought an 1125R and am looking at it as a disposable bike vs. the 12X which I'm thinkin' will be around my garage for a long time. I'd be lookin' for a 12STT as they weren't ever in big demand and are virtually the same bike as the 12SS for probably a bit less money. My kid got a great deal on an STT when the dealer wouldn't deal much with an SS. | ||
| Blasterd |
Brad, I had the same decision to make as you. I really loved both bikes equally so I bought an XB12XP! I couldn't pass up the deal and I knew my kids would like riding the Uly more than the other. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Getting parts for an HD motor may be easier, down the road, than getting them for a Rotax. | ||
| Dancing_dogs |
I don't like the lobster claws.....I mean "pods" either! Spill it Frogman.....what aren't you telling us!!  (Message edited by dancing_dogs on November 12, 2009) | ||
| Froggy |
I am not hiding anything, the 1125 is the superior machine, and anyone that denies it is just jealous they don't have two in their garage. | ||
| Xb12xmike |
my 1125CR was more comfortable on my 2700 mile Buelltoberfest trip than my Uly and SS. Yea... because u probably got there faster! hehe | ||
| 86129squids |
Both are great bikes. I've got a buddy who just got an 09 SS, LOVES it, this bike replaces an XB12S that got totalled. Go with the SS, for all the above reasons- plus you can mutate it into a shorter Ulysses with little trouble. Love the power of the CR, but would fear for my mortality much more than on the SS. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I've owned 4 XB bikes, and just bought my CR a week ago.... The 1125Rs *ONLY* downfall is MPG. I get 43-49MPG on my 20 mile commute to work with the 'ulybolt'. On the CR... It's 28MPG. I also need to add some bar end weights. My hands buzz a bit after a 60+ mile ride. Otherwise, I agree with Froggy, the 1125 is superior in almost EVERY aspect. | ||
| Froggy |
The buzz goes away after about a thousand miles, and just like the XB's the fuel economy will go up. I got 53mpg on my CR coming home from Buelltoberfest, while 40mpg is my normal average. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"On the CR... It's 28MPG." Welcome to my V Rod World | ||
| Technomad |
I picked the XB12Ss over the 1125CR. The Lightning just spoke to me more, despite the CRs virtues. I think a Lightning Long with an 1125 motor scaled down to about 900 cc would be about perfect. | ||
| Vampress |
I am going to print out this post and frame it on the wall, we shall look back and laugh when your tune changes in the next few weeks Hhhmmm, well we have a new Buell sitting neatly under cover in our backyard and I'm still whistling the same tune so far?! I get to ride X home and that puts a smile on my face though | ||
| Ratbuell |
My MPG was way off from the cluster, when figured by hand at my (first) fillup. Cluster said 28; calculator said 39. Cluster average probably had to do with the 132 hp baseline dyno run I'm sure those runs took a big ol' SLURP of fuel, and with only 160 miles on the bike...it's a big overall chunk. I reset the avg MPG display at fillup, we'll see how close it is this tank. | ||
| Sifo |
I own the XB12Ss and have had a nice test ride on the 1125CR with the upright bars. Both are great bikes. The 1125 has a big nod on the power. The XB has all the power I need though. For me the 1125 is just too tempting to do stupid things on. I drive for a living so I NEED to keep my license. The XB is a better bike for me! The 1125 is great for going from zero to stupid in under 3 seconds though. | ||
| Paw |
Quote>>> "The only real time consuming part of the valve job is the raising and lowering of the motor, but the Buell engineers made it easier to do than the XB motor." You don't have to lower the XB motor no valve adjustments needed!!! I have just shy of 10,000 miles and only had to do five oil changes and three tranny changes so far...Did them myself and cost me a total of $190.00 for oil, filters and gaskets. Would have been cheaper, but I change my oils more frequent than Buells intervals. All you need to do on the XB is change the oils (engine, tranny and fork) Other than that if you know your way around a garage so to speak you can do all the other adjustment youself. As for the clutch, primary chain I've checked them twice and they have not needed adjusted yet so that is only $190 in 10,000 miles less tires of course. To do 1125 valve adjustment it takes someone who knows what they are doing...The majority of people who own a motorcycle do not have all the equipment to do a valve job. So the cost for the average rider will be more on the 1125. Just curious what does a dealer or a shop who can do the valves on the 1125 charge? Is is upwards of $400 to $500? That is for my future reference if Brunswick ever drops the prices real low I might pick one up. (Message edited by paw on November 14, 2009) |
