Trading down - XB12X to XB9

[njloco]

I wouldn't sell or trade my little ully for all the lead, arsenic, aluminum laden tea in China ! I'm now only 5' 8 1/2" tall and shrinking fast, I weigh 155-160# with a 29" inseam, I don't work out at all and have no problem moving it manually or maneuvering through rush hour traffic. I understand that this is not a competition, I'm just mentioning all this because I think your going to regret getting rid of it.

I got rid of my Triumph Tiger 1200 because it was now too top heavy for me to move it around but it was a fantastic motorcycle and I do miss it but it was a work out to move manually.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[c3powil]

Oh yea, the Uly low seat is one of the most comfortable motorcycle seats I've ever had the pleasure of sitting on. Its a matter of airflow, and the black seat get's HOT in the sun, and only gets hotter while riding thanks to that rear cylinder.

 

[c3powil]

I wouldn't sell or trade my little ully for all the lead, arsenic, aluminum laden tea in China ! I'm now only 5' 8 1/2" tall and shrinking fast, I weigh 155-160# with a 29" inseam, I don't work out at all and have no problem moving it manually or maneuvering through rush hour traffic. I understand that this is not a competition, I'm just mentioning all this because I think your going to regret getting rid of it.

I got rid of my Triumph Tiger 1200 because it was now too top heavy for me to move it around but it was a fantastic motorcycle and I do miss it but it was a work out to move manually.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

Thanks for the input. You're right, it's really not that big of a bike. The owner of the company I work for has a brand new Tiger 1200, a Tiger 900, and a Ducati Multistrada V4. I've ridden them all, and the Ducati was the most fun. They all offer a great riding experience. They Uly is still the lowest of the bunch, probably the lightest, and feels the most torquey. I'm not saying it's the best of the bunch, but I am certainly pleased at how well it holds up to these newer, tech heavy beasts.

I've spotted a really great looking XB9SX, and the owner is willing to trailer it halfway to me. It's a little out of my budget, but we will see if I can sell the Uly first, and maybe I'll get there. If not, sticking with the Uly until another SX happens by is my plan.

 

[Cooter]

You're in the sweet spot, kinda hard to go wrong with the choices you have in front of you:eagerness:

 

[c3powil]

You're in the sweet spot, kinda hard to go wrong with the choices you have in front of you:eagerness:

Yea, seems like it. Should probably just shut my brain off and stop overthinking it.

 

[c3powil]

New OEM "Tall" seat came in. I thought it was the same as the one I currently had, as the two look almost identical. Sure enough, though, I can barely touch the balls of my feet to the ground while sitting on it. I hope this is enough to change my seating position and keep my legs off the hot frame and air vent.

 

[murphydog]

Just bought a 2009 XB12XT. The lower-than-X seat is perfect for me at 5' 9". Haven't ridden it in really hot weather yet (give that a few weeks!) but the heat is tolerable in 80 degree weather with the "Rider Comfort Kit", the extra right side air scoop. Don't know if your bike has this, or how difficult it is to find and install if not.

 

[c3powil]

Mine does indeed have the right side scoop. Still really hot.

The tall seat was a good experience. Definitely got me higher up off the rear cylinder and made the heat less noticeable. However, it's much more difficult for me to maneuver around my wife's car in the parking lot. Almost tipped it over getting out of the garage.

Tried the bead seat and loved it! That paired with the tall seat makes the Uly heat almost unnoticeable. I almost took the add for the Uly down... But someone messaged me. So, pending sale today, I may be on the hunt for a city x.

I have my sights set on this one:

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2005-Buell-LIGHTNING+CITYX+XB9SX-5026520608

The owner is willing to meet me in GA. Seems like a really nice example of a City X in my favorite Buell trim with some sweet extras.

Thoughts?

 

[34nineteen]

I think there is also some extra shrouding to redirect the hot air away from the riders leg. It was part of the Uly comfort kit.


http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/documents/Buell Uly Rider Comfort Kit -J04927.pdf

 

[Cooter]

Part #1 is the most important IMO, and also the one I never see installed:upset:

 

[c3powil]

Yep, I believe it has all of that stuff.

 

[c3powil]

Well boys...

The Ulysses has sold. Isn't there always a pang of regret watching someone else ride away on your (their) bike? But the City X is calling me now! If anyone gets a chance to check out that link I posted, let me know what you think about it and the asking price. For $4995 he is willing to trailer it halfway to me and include all the extras listed in the add. Or, for $4500 just the bike.

 

[34nineteen]

Well boys...

The Ulysses has sold. Isn't there always a pang of regret watching someone else ride away on your (their) bike? But the City X is calling me now! If anyone gets a chance to check out that link I posted, let me know what you think about it and the asking price. For $4995 he is willing to trailer it halfway to me and include all the extras listed in the add. Or, for $4500 just the bike.

Nice looking bike, but IMO the price is on the high side. But it does appear to be a clean, well cared for bike.

That header is Jet Hot coated? It looks pretty rough to me?

One of my favorite Buells was my XB9S. I like that it has a Race exhaust. I've always thought those were the best sounding mufflers from all the other options.

 

[c3powil]

Thanks for the input, 3419. Yes, I agree the price is on the high side, but it seems well cared for, he's willing to trailer it 3 hours away, and has my preferred color scheme and mods I like. The jet coated header is an extra that isn't installed, but will come with the bike at asking price:

 

[34nineteen]

Thanks for the input, 3419. Yes, I agree the price is on the high side, but it seems well cared for, he's willing to trailer it 3 hours away, and has my preferred color scheme and mods I like. The jet coated header is an extra that isn't installed, but will come with the bike at asking price:

View attachment 16952

Remember the XB9 header is different than an XB12 header. The fit is the same, but the XB9 header has smaller tubes. Its hard to tell by itself, but if you hold an XB9 and 12 header next to each other, its a pretty obvious difference. Hopefully that Jet Hot coated one is from an XB12? Looks good. I also like the coated pulley wheel.


BTW, that shroud kit I mentioned earlier will not fit the Lightning models. It only fits the Ulysses.

The price may be on the high side, but if you're happy, then that's all that really matters. :eagerness:

 

[c3powil]

What do you mean about the header? Would an XB12 header be beneficial on an Xb9?

 

[Cooter]

He's saying a XB9 or 12 header is interchangeable and will bolt on either way. Uly exhaust is different. The primary tubes on the XB12 header are slightly bigger diameter. I don't know why they bothered to make different ones, but no it's not for 'more torque from adding back pressure', LOL.

Looks like a clean one and that makes it worth every penny! Unless you're really cheap and like to keep your property values down by having a bunch of junk Buells that need work in your driveway:anonymous:

 

[c3powil]

That, I did not know. Weird.

Thanks for you input, Cooter. Glad to hear it looks like a good one.

 

[Cooter]

It does! I'd buy it if I wasn't so cheap
But some curiosities:
375 miles per YEAR ain't but barely 3 tanks of gas for every 12 MONTHS of sitting in a garage, concerns me. Whats the date code on the tires?

Speaking of tires, the rear has no chicken strips. Not a bad thing, a good thing! Means he used it like a motorcycle and not a scooter They like that. But the front is not at all? Hmmm. Have they owned it long? Could be a case of previous owner, because of the lack of miles, it's hard to tell.

The mods are tasteful and honestly the cost of them tells a lot about the owner. Rizoma mirrors and such means they have disposable income and didn't cheap the service (usually). E-bay farkles not-so-much. But ultimately the less mods the better for a used bike. You'll have to figure out the broken turn signal and the lack of a plate mount on this one but no biggie there either.

If you can find a gem with reflectors and warning stickers still on it, thats a find worth a premium! Looking at YOU Barrett:angel:

It's a good ride, I'd buy it, and she will probably respond well to being actually used. Do the usual new-to-you bike stuff like oil, primary, BRAKE FLUID FLUSH, fork oil swap, and I bet she's a runner and will appreciate the sunshine more than a dark garage.

Umm do I need to say post pics?

 

[c3powil]

He bought it in 2019 at 3377 miles, so he has put just under 1000 miles a year on it over the past 4 years. Sounds reasonable. I never would have caught that about the tires. I'm still working on learning to get rid of those, myself. I'll ask him what the date codes are.

I've been in contact with him, and he seems like a very reasonable and responsible guy. He's done tasteful mods and has kept all the original parts, so I like that a lot. A spare set of headers and the original muffler? Easily worth the extra $500, I think. That rear turn signal is the only thing I can see that will even be a slight issue, but of course who knows what gremlins might be hiding inside.