Need buying advice, 2 choices, Buell XB12R Firebolt's

[deleted_7345]

Hi All,

I have been looking solely at Buells for the past 3 months and researched a great deal. I finally narrowed it down to two XB12R bikes I am trying to decide between.

Both are roughly the same condition, both at 14k miles and both are the same price.

From my research, the 08 onward XB's had some really great factory improvements, just wanting your input in-case there is anything I am not aware of?!

2003 XB12R Firebolt Chrome:
https://ventura.craigslist.org/mcy/d/buell-1200-xb12r/6682052237.html

2009 XB12R Firebolt Black:
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2009-buel-firebolt-xb12r/6678951607.html


Thank you in advance! I am looking at making the decision by 9th Sept, I welcome all input prior.

 

[Outlaw]

Go with the 09.

 

[deleted_7345]

Go with the 09.

Thanks Outlaw, any specific reason as to why go with the 09?

 

[user_deleted]

am i missing something here or is this more handiwork from our beloved Chicago????
that so-called chrome thing is pure garbage.
an XB12(1203cc displacement) which first appeared in model year 2004.....NOT 2003...and yet it's a 2000 model?????
it's a 2003-year only model. how do i know? curved s/a bridge...narrow drive belt....small upper belt guard.
he's advertising it as a year 2000 model with "rare chrome and paint". in the immortal words of Jesus Quintana............................

 

[Silverrider]

2009 buell firebolt xb12r, Brakes ,oil system,ECM etc...... No brainier

 

[rjames75]

Hands down the 09.

 

[Cooter]

ab-so-freaking-lutley the '09.

and it's a good deal so get it quick, before I do:angel:


Hey Lunatic! Do I need to bring you a White Russian?? :applause:

 

[Chicknstripn]

The 09’ looks like it’s been taken care of by somebody that was actually passionate about the bike. That other “thing” looks like it’s being sold by someone that didn’t give a crap about the bike or the maintenance necessary to keep that bike in good working order. The add alone, as Lunatic mentioned, throws a bunch a red flags that the seller doesn’t know what the hell he(or she) is talking about and is just trying to get rid of the bike.

Go with the 09
If I had to do it all over again I’d pick on 08 or 09 model over my 07.
That’s my 2cents

 

[Silverrider]

^^^^ Yes , The 08 ,09 has better oil system , 200 hundred higher Red line, Smarter ECM. Better looking , IMO.

 

[deleted_7345]

Thank you everyone for your input. It looks like you have all made my decision very easy!

I am going to arrange for pickup on Saturday of the '09 so you will be seeing me around on these forums a bit. I am going to be working long and hard to covert it to what I call a 'cafe fighter'.

I will probably create a new thread here and walk everyone through the build steps if that would be of interest to anyone?

 

[Chicknstripn]

What exactly are your plans for the bike?

If your ultimate goal is to totally transform the bike, buy something less original. Something that has been well maintained yet has suffered some sort of crash damage. No reason to desecrate a perfect example of an xb when you can find cheaper ones out there for your purpose. But then again I’m not really sure what your intentions are or how hardcore you plan to go with the transformation.

But hell, your money, your bike, do what makes you happy.
Just keep in mind it’s A LOT of work to change the front headlight set up on an XBR.

 

[deleted_7345]

What exactly are your plans for the bike?

But hell, your money, your bike, do what makes you happy.
Just keep in mind it’s A LOT of work to change the front headlight set up on an XBR.

Thanks mate,

I was ideally looking for an XB12Ss however there are none for sale within my vicinity being based @ Torrance, CA. (Any forum goers nearby?) The closest is an 8 hour drive away, it has over 18k miles (4k more than the others) and is $4,000: https://stockton.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2009-buell-xb12ss/6680856082.html

That headlight set-up is my concern also, haven't played with an XBR before, however, I do plan to minimize the front end. I will have to play with the wiring harness a lot to move everything behind the air filter/under seat. But I can probably cram some in the back of the headlight can itself.

My question, on BuellMods.com there is a 2008 XBR Electrical Diagnostics Manual. Would this be the same for my 2009 XBR?

 

[Silverrider]

http://www.ukbeg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12414

 

[deleted_7345]

http://www.ukbeg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12414

Thank you for this.

That still only has an XB 2008MY Electrical Service Manual. Can someone clarify if this is good for the 2009? I am assuming so, however, I don't want to jump to assumptions, that's got me in trouble in the past!

 

[Chicknstripn]

08 and 09 should be the same. However, R and S model wire harnesses are very different.

Your headlight can/bucket will have to be pretty big! Both fuse boxes, the flasher relay, the horn, the ecm and A LOT of large connectors are located under the front fairing set up of the XBR.
I changed my headlight set up on my XBR and used an XBS wire harness to accomplish the task. Changing out the harness required an engine rotation and A LOT of work. The XBS harness is designed to have everything that the XBR has in the front fairing reside in the tail section.
Plan out your mods before performing them.

I also made my own tail section so my build/desecration was a little different.

 

[deleted_7345]

08 and 09 should be the same. However, R and S model wire harnesses are very different.

Your headlight can/bucket will have to be pretty big! Both fuse boxes, the flasher relay, the horn, the ecm and A LOT of large connectors are located under the front fairing set up of the XBR.
I changed my headlight set up on my XBR and used an XBS wire harness to accomplish the task. Changing out the harness required an engine rotation and A LOT of work. The XBS harness is designed to have everything that the XBR has in the front fairing reside in the tail section.
Plan out your mods before performing them.

I also made my own tail section so my build/desecration was a little different.

Okay good to know I can switch to an XBS wire harness.

Do you have a thread of your build and progress pics? Would be great to see, there aren't too many that I can find.

 

[Chicknstripn]

I didn’t really do a thread.
I posted a few pics but nothing substantial.
The best cafe racer build thread I’ve seen is by Nicholas900.
Look it up and you’ll see how much work he put into modifying his XBR harness!

 

[deleted_7345]

I didn’t really do a thread.
I posted a few pics but nothing substantial.
The best cafe racer build thread I’ve seen is by Nicholas900.
Look it up and you’ll see how much work he put into modifying his XBR harness!

I have gone through his build about a month or two ago, was very informative and a beautiful result.

 

[08herobolt]

It's your bike and you can do what you want. However, it hurts to see another well maintained bike get dismantled. Ugh... Lost another one.

 

[deleted_7345]

It's your bike and you can do what you want. However, it hurts to see another well maintained bike get dismantled. Ugh... Lost another one.

If you are the proud owner of one. Theoretically this is just boosting the value of yours. Besides there are 136k Buells.