So I'm looking for an XB12S, advice appreciated!

[keithd]

So I'm looking for an XB12S (S, SS, cg), and I've found a 2004 XB12S somewhat close to home here: Red 2004 XB12S Looks to be 100% stock.
I also found another 2009 XB12SS here: Black 2009 XB12SS but this one is much farther away. Minor mods, tail chop is the biggest mod.

I could drive to the first one and ride or haul it back in >2 hours, the second one I'd have to fly and ride it home 6+ hours. I used to own a 2004 XB12S before, and I can't remember how the clutch was in traffic but in the mountains it seemed fine. I also like the red color over the "murdered out" look. Given these two, which seems better? Any other advice is likewise welcome.

If I could find a Cherry Bomb Red or Translucent Blue 2009 XB12S that would be my dream bike. I did find one, but the fellow wants $8000 for it here: Blue 2009 XB12SS 2300 miles, but $8k seems high and I won't ride enough to justify that kind of coin.

As an aside, I thought all 2009 XB bikes had ZTL2 calipers?

 

[RidetheLightning]

So I'm looking for an XB12S (S, SS, cg), and I've found a 2004 XB12S somewhat close to home here: Red 2004 XB12S Looks to be 100% stock.
I also found another 2009 XB12SS here: Black 2009 XB12SS but this one is much farther away. Minor mods, tail chop is the biggest mod.

I could drive to the first one and ride or haul it back in >2 hours, the second one I'd have to fly and ride it home 6+ hours. I used to own a 2004 XB12S before, and I can't remember how the clutch was in traffic but in the mountains it seemed fine. I also like the red color over the "murdered out" look. Given these two, which seems better? Any other advice is likewise welcome.

If I could find a Cherry Bomb Red or Translucent Blue 2009 XB12S that would be my dream bike. I did find one, but the fellow wants $8000 for it here: Blue 2009 XB12SS 2300 miles, but $8k seems high and I won't ride enough to justify that kind of coin.

As an aside, I thought all 2009 XB bikes had ZTL2 calipers?

Just bought my first, and found the thread below extremely helpful. I bought a bike with some mods, so it also helped to do some research beforehand to know what was done and read review of the equipment (i.e. exhaust). That red bike looks extremely clean and low miles.

https://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?23933-Buell-XB-Buyers-Guide

 

[user_deleted]

I thought all 2009 XB bikes had ZTL2 calipers?
NO. only the 12's....not the 9's. see my stock late 2009 cityX and observe the caliper.

 

[BuellyBagger]

i totally agree with john on the 3 bikes you picked. That red one in Sioux City looks pretty legit. I swear there was one identical to that one for sale in the KC area not long ago, maybe the same bike back up for sale? Not sure where you're located exactly, but there are tons of cheap buells in good shape out there. Example that needs a little love, but might be had for really near $2k(https://lincoln.craigslist.org/mcy/d/lincoln-2005-buell-xb9sx/6840918564.html) They are all going to have some faults. Feel free to post up ones you're looking at and we'll all try and point you in the right direction, but in the end you;ve just gotta pull the trigger and hope you made a good pick!

Heck i might even sell you mine and look for an 1125, but it is by no means a a low miles garage queen lol

 

[slee]

Great question, as I am in a similar consideration. Which bike would require more maintenance, incl. finding parts.... The extremely clean and low mileage 2004 XB or a higher mileage 2009 XB.

 

[keithd]

I'm near Omaha, so that's why the Sioux City one was decent as far as distance. I think I'll contact that person if it's still for sale close to the weekend.

Lunatic, that would explain the 2009 XBs that I saw - it seems they all were XB9 bikes.

Is the improved clutch all that much better from the 04-05 XB12S to the 06+ ones?

 

[njloco]

I would at least talk to the guy with the 09, you never know. After your conversation with him, don't mention price to him just tell him that you will consider his bike if it's still available, along with the price when making your final decision. See his reaction and then adjust from there, he might not have to sell it but, you also don't have to buy it !

 

[Silverrider]

That blue one is great ! its worth 6K , offer him its not a low ball offer , what can he say NO , oh well.

 

[BuellyBagger]

I'm near Omaha, so that's why the Sioux City one was decent as far as distance. I think I'll contact that person if it's still for sale close to the weekend.

Lunatic, that would explain the 2009 XBs that I saw - it seems they all were XB9 bikes.

Is the improved clutch all that much better from the 04-05 XB12S to the 06+ ones?

I'm not sure, but I don't think there were any clutch changes over the years? John will know for certain. All the xb's similarly easy to maintain. The 08+ models have the improved bottom end in the engine which has been outlined in detail in a bunch of threads. I like the pre 08 models because the FI system is a little bit simpler and I find it easier to diagnose any issues. Price aside I would shoot for an 08 or 9. For a bargain, the early bikes are perfectly good machines.
Feel free to give me a yell if you want a second opinion on a bike in the area I'd be happy to check it out.

 

[keithd]

I was wondering because I read an article on the Rider magazine website about the 2006 XB12SS, the article said the 2006+ clutch lever is supposed to require 20% less effort for the XB12 models.

But the more I think about it, the more I like that red 2004. Now if I could just find a Cherry Bomb intake cover...

 

[Cooter]

IDK if there were changes but XB clutches aren't that big a deal. Try an 1190!:eek-new:

A new cable and a decent lever on an XB will net you about an 8lb pull on a luggage scale. A pound and a half (20%) different either way of clutch pull is no reason to buy a whole different bike. IMO.

 

[keithd]

IDK if there were changes but XB clutches aren't that big a deal. Try an 1190!:eek-new:

A new cable and a decent lever on an XB will net you about an 8lb pull on a luggage scale. A pound and a half (20%) different either way of clutch pull is no reason to buy a whole different bike. IMO.

Agreed, the way the article posed it was as if it was the best thing ever. But I rode a 04 XB12S before, and clutch pull wasn't really a complaint of mine back then.

 

[Chicknstripn]

One thing to consider with the 04, it has a different belt than the 05 and newer bikes. I think the 03-04 xbs had a thinner belt and this was upgraded at some time.

Some please clear this up. I know there’s a different belt on an 04 just not sure what the “upgrade” entails.

Belts and pulleys aren’t cheap if the bike you’re looking at doesn’t have the “upgrade”

Or I might be 100% wrong on this????

 

[rb70383]

IIRC only the 03 had the odd belt. Hard part to find is the transmission spocket. Everything else appears to be available. I'm trying to locate parts so when my belt does go I have all the upgraded parts for the newer belt

 

[BuellyBagger]

IIRC only the 03 had the odd belt. Hard part to find is the transmission spocket. Everything else appears to be available. I'm trying to locate parts so when my belt does go I have all the upgraded parts for the newer belt

/\ correct my 04 has the big belt (the good one)

 

[keithd]

Man it's hard to find an XB12S for sale that I could actually buy.

The one in Minnesota on the forum apparently sold as the Craigslist ad was taken down, for the red one in Sioux City the guy quit replying but the ad is still up. The white XB12S for sale on the forum is up in Maine. I'd take that one, but it's way too far for me to fly and ride.

This one HERE is another red 2004 XB12S, but I'd have to drive 3.5 hrs each way.

There's this one, a black 2004 XB12S, but it's got a salvage title and I don't really want to deal with the salvage headaches for insurance and selling it if I ever had to.

It would be cool if we could meet up BB, I'm just up the road in Bellevue.

 

[Cooter]

A 7 hour round trip shouldn't sway you for a bike that's right for you , and right for the price. You'll have it for a long time!!

Check it out completely before you waste your time tough. The owner makes all the difference in a long distance commitment. If they wont video or FaceTime, and is responding by text only with 'UR good 2 go'...

This one is a killer deal for a nice bike and well worth the cost of shipping to your door.
https://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?55249-2005-Buell-Lightning-XB12SCG-MAINE
I'd ride it back though:angel:

 

[keithd]

HERE is a 2007 XB12Scg, but it looks to have non-stock parts on it.

I really wonder how much shipping would be from Maine to Omaha. I'd ride it, but I don't have the time and I'm not 100% sure my back would agree! :black_eyed:

 

[Cooter]

Non-stock? The muffler? I wouldn't worry to much about that. Great color combo and the price looks right. Tasteful mods, mirrors, tail chop, are really common and easily un-done.

Which Buell do you want? Your thread says "S" but you're posting S's, SS's, and Scg's? They are all very different. Your inseam and height will dictate the best one for you. Getting the wrong one for the right price, is still the wrong one...

Of course theres exceptions and personal preference but, short humans should get the Scg, average humans get the S, and tall humans get the SS/STT for best body fittment.

 

[keithd]

I mean, I want an "S" because that's what I rode before, but Buells aren't all that common nowadays (compared to say, a Ducati Monster) so I was trying to cast a wider net by looking at Scg and SS bikes, too. If I had my perfect bike, it would be a cherry bomb or translucent blue 2009 XB12S, but those are really uncommon if they even made a "S" variant in 09. I'm very much in the "average" category, my old 04 S fit me well.

I thought that particular 2007 Scg was more non-stock since the cherry bomb red intake cover should mean cherry bomb red wheels, or so I thought.

edit - the person selling the all-black 2009 XB12SS sent me pics, man that bike looks nice in better pictures. Only (minor) issues I saw are the swingarm has a small scuff on the right side at the axle, one plastic bar end is missing, and it currently has no mirrors.
Here's a couple pics: