Today' dilemma ..XB9 or 12??

[chevy350]

Hi guys,

another think about the buell planet.
What is the better choice 9 or 12,I'have read about the 2 engine,same bore with a different stroke in the 12.
The engine of the 9 is a "square" engine,maybe is to linear about torque,instead of the engine on the 12 .

I don't need a bike with a top speed,in my garage is sitting my Kawasaki for the track.
I like the buell engine noise and I want to buy just for cruise.

How many owner here have switched from 9 to 12 and why?

Your opinion are appreciated.

 

[user_deleted]

differences as follows:
219cc between the 9 and the 12 models. 9 model is 984cc/12 model is 1203cc
displacement increase achieved via stroke increase as you mentioned
9 is geared "lower" than the 12. that is achieved via the primary front sprocket assembly. the 9 is a 34 tooth count and the 12 is a 38 tooth count.
all 9's and 12's have the same front pulley and rear pulley tooth counts wtih exception of very early model years.
all XB models have a 5 speed trans. in retrospect 5th gear should have been overdriven...or better yet a 6 speed transmission.
the gearing between the 9 and 12 models equates to the following speeds and rev counts in US measurements:
at 4000rpm in top gear a 12 is traveling approx. 80 miles per hour/a 9 is traveling at approx. 72mph.
the the stock 12 has the factory power valve exhaust system. the 9 does not.
i have owned every buell XB model ever produced at one time or another and in both engine sizes. still to this day my favorite "over-niter" XB is the ulysses. they are all 12 models. my favorite day-tripper is a 9 cityX.
here in most parts of america 75mph is an acceptable large highway cruising speed. a 12 motor feels very comfortable at that speed...a 9 motor is somewhat disconcerting in that it feels and sounds busy....as if it may come apart. i can assure you it will not. how do i know this? relatively low piston foot speed per mile. here's the formula: Piston Speedfpm = stroke x rpm ÷ 6

my personal preference is the 9. you really need to "pull the trigger" on a buell purchase over there before the opportunity passes you by.

 

[chevy350]

Wow ! Great explanation !
I really appreciate !

 

[Cooter]

That was awesome Lunatic. Very helpful!

The 9 and the 12 are surprisingly similar as the primary gearing makes up for the displacement difference. I would suggest a 9 for the city and a 12 for the country. So.... get both!

 

[user_deleted]

my pleasure. you should consider having one imported to sicily. nice low mileage buells are still available here on the east coast of america and prices fairly reasonable. just sold a 1-owner 2000 mile all original absolutely flawless late 2007 XB12 Scg model for $4900. that gives you a feel for US east coast pricing and fair market values.

 

[user_deleted]

That was awesome Lunatic. Very helpful!

The 9 and the 12 are surprisingly similar as the primary gearing makes up for the displacement difference. I would suggest a 9 for the city and a 12 for the country. So.... get both!

thanks for that shaughn.

 

[Silverrider]

As always, John nailed it! Bigger is better ! More power! IMHO.

 

[TPEHAK]

12 is better. Not only because of no replacement for displacement, not only because of it has better sound and more power, but also because of it looks better due to bigger pipes diameter. 9 has tiny pipes.

 

[chevy350]

my pleasure. you should consider having one imported to sicily. nice low mileage buells are still available here on the east coast of america and prices fairly reasonable. just sold a 1-owner 2000 mile all original absolutely flawless late 2007 XB12 Scg model for $4900. that gives you a feel for US east coast pricing and fair market values.

For us is not really easy ($$$) import from the States.
Your price is absolutely reasonable,but you need to add the shipping cost,the cost of the customs,and if you aren't still happy 33% of starting price :upset:.(it's not a joke)

For this reason I have bought my Corvette C3 in Germany,less expansive !!!
In Sicily we have Sigonella base,for the soldier the shipping cost is some bucks instead of a italian citizen.

The best way is buy one in place. !

 

[vicenzajay]

Le vostre tasse sono pazzesche....

 

[chevy350]

Le vostre tasse sono pazzesche....

Vergognose.
Spesso compro dagli states, da summit racing,jegs...e paghi troppe tasse.
Se trovi una macchina rara negli States puoi prenderla e spedirla altrimenti ti conviene cercarla in europa farla targare e poi la porti in italia e cambi targhe.
Per le auto se fanno il collaudo in motorizzazione ti fanno storie perche l odometro è in miglia o perche qui in europa le frecce(turn light) sono gialle e non rosse.
A nightmare !
Some one need translation?

 

[vicenzajay]

Giusto...ho ancora due macchine li' (maserati biturbo di '87 - sempre in garage) che ho ricostruito 15 anni fa'. E' proprio un casino (per quanto riguarda le leggi in questo campo - nonche' rimangono il bollo, le targhe, etc.).

Hai scelto proprio la parola guista - 'vergognose'. Sono molto impressionato da voi - non capisco ogni tanto come c'e' la fate...

I agree - if you can find a working XB there, it would be MUCH more convenient financially! Cooter, Chicken, Silverrider, Lunatic, AZMidget etc. - these folks are amazing with their advice and knowledge. The more information/photos you send, the better they'll be able to get you on the right track. They'll also be invaluable once you have it (for how to maintain it)...

 

[chevy350]

@vicenzajay: non è così difficile portarti le macchine a casa tua.la parte legale/burocratica è più semplice.
Se vuoi ti mando p.m.

 

[vicenzajay]

buona notizie....pero' siccome abbiamo intenzione di tornare in italia, forse sarebbe meglio lasciarle li'....

Come va la ricerca per una bella XB?

 

[Cooter]

I love where this thread went.

Ahhh, the Amalfi Coast in fall. Lasagne and Vino Rosso in Maiori with a lovely lady, south of Positano and away from the tourists, best summer ever:love_heart:

 

[Lusiphur]

aaa what the fawk. Since we have an Italian on here, I might as well post up the wife and my toys.
lameccanicadellaEmozioni


In answer to the question, I think a more important question is what style Buell do you like better?

While I love my current LightingBolt

the CityX to me is the best damn bike on the street.

 

[chevy350]

@vicenzajay:se hai intenzione di tornare allora fai bene a lascirliqui !

@cooter:some one love the italian coast ! Nice shoot ! I'm happy you like our country.

@lusiphur:wow 4C nice choice !!!!
About the Buell,this is my first one,I don't need a top speed bike(I already have a Kawa 636) but I love the american engine sound 2 and 4 wheel !
I'm not in hurry the best time to bike a bike is a winter,less money.I think the buell is a affordable bike for maintenance.I work on my Corvette alone every time.
I'll post a picture If is allowed from the rules.

 

[chevy350]

Many owner talk about a really hot hair coming from header,in the traffic (tyhey said) your legs burn...uhmmm

Let's talk about it !

 

[chevy350]

Street mode

 

[vicenzajay]

Strongly recommend the "comfort kit" for the XB (right side scoop, rear header heat shield). Spec Ops does a very nice 'under airbox' heat shield that works a treat as well.

I did all three, and I don't have much (if any) problem with heat from the rear cylinder at this point.