First bike: XB9 or XB12???? Help me decide :)

[matty]

I'm going to be getting my first bike very soon and I'm having a hard time deciding between the XB9s and the XB12S...can anyone help me make up my mind? Is the XB12 quite a bit more powerful the the XB9 and is the 12 much louder? Any other differences between the 2 that I should consider?

 

[onelogue]

If you have riding experience than get the 12. If you are completely new get the 9 considering that it still has a lot of power and capable of higher power input since it revs higher than the 12.
As far as noise, both are the same.

 

[Sirius815]

They are both very very similar and about equally fast. The XB12 will have the advantage in torque and horsepower (not a large margin mind you) as the 9 can spin up a decent bit higher, helping it make up for the smaller amount of torque. The 12 also weighs slightly more (if I recall correctly).

I personally got a 12 as my first bike, but that's because I got a deal I couldn't refuse. Otherwise I'd have been perfectly content with a 9. Sorry I can't be more help, but I haven't ridden a 9.

 

[2004xb12s]

Have you ever ridden before? Street? Woods? Dirtbikes? Etc? If not the 12 isn't even a question unless you are like 250lbs.....if this is your first riding experience I would go with the 9. The 12 is considerably more jumpy and is definitely a quick bike because of the mass amount of torque...give us some background on your riding and ability

 

[Sirius815]

bah - oneloque got me!

EDIT - I'm only 124lbs, but I don't wail on the throttle. I know better [up]

 

[onelogue]

bah - oneloque got me!

[smirk]

 

[upthemaiden]

I have an xb9, and it's a great bike and it's what I'd recommend if you don't have much riding history. I'm looking to trade up to an xb12 though, so if you've ridden other bikes, even japanese 600s, I'd get the xb12. a 1203cc XB isn't the same thing as any of the japanese 1200cc I4s, so you can't compare displacement for displacement.

 

[Alfatango1]

Get what you can afford. They are both fun bikes and the difference in torque is not so extreme that a 12 will feel like a totally different bike.

 

[matty]

Thanks for the advise, it looks like I'll be going with the XB9, mostly because I found a nice one for a good price that's very close to me...I was planning to buy one down in the Seattle area and import it into canada but I just went and looked at one that's only 15 mins from my house and made an offer on it...it's a 2004 XB9s with about 6200 km on it, hoping to get it for $5500

Also, the only riding experience I have is on the honda rancher 400 4x4 that I used to have and I'm about 180 lbs.

 

[Ranger3987]

An 04 for 5500 sounds expensive I got a 04 xb12 for 4000 I think you might be able to do better price wise

 

[matty]

For a canadian bike with low mileage that's pretty reasonable...I was planning to buy an 07 XB12scg for $6000 US but it would have cost $7000 with tax, gas to pick it up, others costs, etc. so for about $1500 less I'll get this 04 XB9 and have some $$$ to mod it

Any exhaust suggestions? I want something other than Jardine but it's the only one on e bay

 

[onelogue]

Any exhaust suggestions? I want something other than Jardine but it's the only one on e bay

Check these guys out, they make one of the best aftermarkets out there. Great reviews!
Drummer by KD Fabrication

 

[matty]

That's a bit more than I want to spend, might just go with the jardine or gut the stock muffler myself...

 

[93fee]

I'd rather say get the one with longer wheelbase. difference between xb9 & xb12 in power/torque is not such a critical moment, but short wheel base model is a very specific bike in hadling aspect. for many of us it's a true buell but to be honest not a best choice for first ever bike for the reason of specific steering, handling & braking (especially braking hard). You may not follow this advise & after riding a short base bike for a year or two all the others will seem to you dull & not interresting, but it's better to go step by step.