07' Xb9r/12r Good weekend commute Bikes in Vegas heat?

Buellxb Forum

Help Support Buellxb Forum:

I

iShruGs

Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2016
Messages
11
Hello again everyone, today im asking if any of you may live in a very hot place like myself (Vegas) heat around here can hit upwards of 110, and im looking for a weekend work commute bike to take me about 25-30 miles to work during the weekend, may hit some traffic every now and then but not normally.

I have always had the "Buell itch" since owning a R1 a few years back, got rid of it becuase it was just to big for me. 5 9' 160lbs

So once again im trying to figure out if the Xb-R is a solid choice for myself.

Basically looking for an abundance of overheating problems or anything like that, saw a recent youtube video of a guy pulling off the road becuase he was stuck in traffic on his 12R and it was overheating. Kind of scared me a little bit.
 
XB's have a fan under the seating area at the back of the motor. If the fan is working correctly the bike shouldn't over heat. Some people install the right side scoop and that help cool the motor. In some cases if in traffic TO LONG they will get hot and you can feel it in your ass and right leg. They are a air cooled motor and need air moving to help cool them. Hope this helps you out.
 
Last edited:
^^^^^ what ricky said. you'll possibly receive responses "ride mine in 100 degree heat everyday of the week with no complaints whatsoever" to "if it's above 85 degrees the buell stays in the garage and i ride something else". i subscribe to the latter camp. having owned every conceivable brand of street-bike imaginable and loving buells as much or more than anyone else on this board...i consider the XB's to have absolutely horrible heat management issues. though the XB is both air/fan/oil cooled it is still sportster architecture and excessive heat will eventually destroy the motor. it must be managed well or longevity out of the question. the header and rear cylinder heat being dumped into the frame and onto your inner right leg causes problems. in essence buy the firebolt if it moves you. but be prepared to contend with the above if you subject it to these temps ALONG WITH slow-to-no moving traffic conditions. there are a few v-twin choices that work much better within the scenario you present such as the V-strom 650 or 1000 with the 1000 being one of the finest motorcycles on the market.
 
Last edited:
I have found that a GOOD pair of riding specific jeans makes all the difference for cooking the huevos or not. The cheap jeans have no Kevlar in that area.

IMO temps over 100 are fine as long as you have airflow (speed above 30mph). They don't like traffic and will let you know by pinging (bad).

Caution! Opinions below!
Tips to help with the heat:
synthetic, V-twin specific, STRAIGHT 50w oil. No need for multi weight 20-50 if temps don't drop below 70.

Right side scoop will add obvious air flow to the rear cylinder head and shield the huevos a little too.

Proper tuning (even with a stock pipe). Stock they are programmed to run a little lean (hot). The proper program will add some fueling and you'll like the power.

Add and ounce or so of 2-stroke oil to the tank just before you fill it up (to mix it). It's a subject of strong opinions around here but my testing here in Florida showed a 15*(!!!) difference in coolant temp to ambient temp on a water cooled CR. I no longer have the 1125 fuel boiling issues either. Commuting to track days, those are my findings and the plugs look beautiful!

Good premium fuel. Heat will make it ping, knock, detonate (pre ignition). Premium fuel is meant to burn slower and resist exactly that.
 
I have an 09 XB12r, an 09 1125r and also happen to live in Vegas where traffic and heat are an everyday occurrence. From my experience I have had no issues with the XB in traffic after a RS air scoop, a properly tuned ECM, premium gas, and 60w oil. I actually prefer commuting in traffic on my 12r over my 1125. Cooter summed it up pretty well although I have never actually attempted the oil in the tank thing.
 
Good fuel and proper tune are super important. Before I got an ebr ecm tuned for my exhaust my bike deceleration popped pinged (more often) and the fan ran much more. So it was likely a bit lean making it run extra hot. It's still no air conditioner but much better with correct fueling.
I will say though the most comfortable american bike I've ridden concerning heat was my vrod.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top