Which XB for me?

Greetings: I'm in the market for an XB and I'm trying to surf shop and narrow my choices. I've been riding since 1984. I'm getting back on the street after 10 years of dirt riding. I'm 46 and have a bad shoulder, so comfort and a reasonably upright ride is a priority. I'm not real tall - 5'8" with a 30" inseam. My riding will be mixed: around town, here and there, some backroad blasting, cruising with Harley buddies, and the odd 100-500 mile low-impact sport tour. I'd like to take a passenger for shortish rides but don't need or want two-up comfort touring (obviously or I wouldn't be here). I have ~$5k to spend but I need some gear too -- helmet, gloves, boots, probably a jacket. So my bike budget is about $4k, all in. I think that rules out a Uly, which gets a premium price and also would require modifying for my inseam. (I really don't want a tall bike. I had a Concours years back and hated the seat height.) I'm leaning toward an xb9sx, which I can get for <$4k. I'd plan to mount a Corbin saddle and tall windshield for longer / higher speed riding.
Five questions I'm seeking to resolve:
- I'm wondering whether the sx ("CityX") will be more or less comfortable for me than other XBs.
- I'm wondering whether the quicker revs of the 9 outdo the longer stroke of the 12, but I gather that is perhaps a religious argument. I'm mostly interested in friendly, on demand torque delivery. No racing, no stunting, no triple-digit shenanigans.
- I'm wondering how different the sx seating position, reach, and legroom are vs the s and ss.
- I've heard an ss saddle can be mounted to an sx. I'm wondering whether that's true and also whether a Corbin Gunfighter & Lady designed for the ss can be mounted to the sx, and whether this would be practical to do.
- And I'm wondering whether the ss ("Low") is lower than the sx. I've seen stats showing they have the same seat height.
Opinions and suggestions welcome. I realize this is a noob post and the only real answer on comfort and engine performance is to go test these bikes, but it's not like sellers invite that kind of behavior from prospective buyers.
Thanks!

I love my '05 xb9sx, but the 12's have more hp and more torque with the cost of being a little more sluggish of idle. The SS model is actually a taller and longer bike. The frame is longer with more rake, and the tail section is longer as well. the "low" version is the SCG. But I think you'd be happy with any S or SX version with a LOW seat. I have my Xb9SX set up with Pro Taper S.E. low rise handlebars which put my hands further out and lower than stock, I have a "Low" seat, and I also put a set of LSL rider pegs which put the pegs 1 inch higher for a more agressive feel. It just feel right how my bike is set up. I can crunch down in a really agressive riding position or I can sit up and just cruise without any discomfort...well except for long rides my ass get a lil numb! LOL

The 12 definitely has more grunt across the powerband, and it's geared taller so overall it's a faster bike. Let's be clear though, it's still no superbike. Your money will go further with a 9, which sounds like it would meet your needs if you do mostly in-town & back roads with a cruiser crowd.
The 9 would be my suggestion...

9 or 12 there's little difference. 12 has more torque and hp but isn't geared as low so the 9 is basically just as fast as the 12. The difference is top speed. The 9 screams along at about 4k rpm at 70mph. From your post I'd say it really doesn't matter if you get a 9 or 12 for your application.