First Buell purchase question

[camcdaniel1]

I'm looking to purchase my first Buell.I plan on building a 100hp+ engine. which used bike to buy?
1203 or 984?
Is there any reason to spend the extra money on a 1203 just to replace the jugs with a big bore kit?
Is there any differance in the lower end?
Any help will be greatly appreciated!!

 

[06xb9r]

The 984 has a shorter stroke.

 

[His_and_Her_Buells]

1203 already is 100+ hp....barely. Having both in my garage right now I can honestly say that I miss the power of the 12 when I ride my wifes 9.

Is there any reason to spend the extra money on a 1203 just to replace the jugs with a big bore kit?

that would depend on how much cheaper you can get a 9 for and how much you would spend on the parts to get it on par with the 12.

 

[Das Bolt]

If you took a xb9 and put a big bore kit on it, you would have a 1203cc engine same displacement as an xb12 but larger piston/shorter stroke. I think the piston is the same on the xb9/12 just longer stroke on the 12 to get the extra cc's. An xb9 revs slighty higher and builds revs faster due to the shorter stroke, so your 12 should be on par with a stock xb12, but with a higher red line and quicker power delivery,I think,dont take my word for it. I do know the xb9 has a smaller primary drive gear, so if horsepower and torque are equal the xb9 will out accelerate the 12, but that takes away from your top speed slighty.Also not shure if xb9/12 use same size throttle bodies.