Which one?

[Saftie]

Hi,
I just sold my bike and am ready for a new one. I never payed attention to Buell before but must say they are beautiful bikes.

Two bikes I am looking at are a 2003 xb9r and a 2007 xb9sx. Test rides to follow soon
I do love the look of the sx and the fit (sat on it but not yet on xb9r), but the r has a rebuilt engine (recently done) and is a little cheaper too.

Any of you who maybe upgraded from one to the other and can tell me likes/dislikes?

Thanks

 

[williegoat]

It depends on what you will do with the bike. If you will use it mostly to go out and ride the twisties, the R has higher pegs and lower bars. If it will be your daily transportation, or you like really long rides, the SX will be much more comfortable.

The '07 does have a few improvements over the '03 such as a larger fuel capacity and improved drive belt.

I own an XB9r and an S3, and though I really like the Firebolt, I spend much more time on my Tuber because it is so much more comfortable. I am 6'1" tall and the Firebolt is a little cramped for this old man.

 

[iman501]

I have an 03 9R, and i love it, i've ridden a lightning, and i'll be honest, it was a bit more comfortable than the R version. However it seems most people put lower style bars on the lightnings eventually so i'm really cant have a valid argument on that.

Obviously we all here love our buells, I love the tourque, and the rarity of buell. I love the sound, and the looks, and its pretty easy to work on.

i'm not crazy about the 5sd. tranny on it, or the fact that it is air cooled. I've become a poor man since buying my bike simply because i keep changing the look, and adding mods to it. Its so addicting to mod these bikes, and make them you'r own. But as far as reliability i bought my bike with 17k on it, and it now has close to 37k. I've only replaced the voltage regulator, and oil lines out of necessity. everything else i have done to it has been for personal preferance or for cosmetics.

 

[Saftie]

Thanks for the replies.
Sounds like I do need to take both for a spin and decide afterwards.
Btw, I did come across reports of engine rebuilds a few times. Were these just exceptions or is/ was there an issue on older bikes?

And yes, I hear you iman501. Making a bike your own will get expensive. Sounds familiar but you just can't stop...

 

[Saftie]

Hi,
Didn't want the thread end like this:
I am now the proud owner of a 2007 xb9sx and so far love every minute of it.

 

[d_adams]

Pics or it didn't happen...

 

[Radiati0n]

Congrats! welcome to the family

 

[clarson_75]

congrats. like iman said, either would have worked. you will love the fact that all these bikes are based on the same parts so you can make it ride/look however you want. sit back and enjoy.

 

[MustangGuy]

Congrats and welcome to the addiction!

 

[iman501]

nice man! you need to post up some pictures of your new baby!

 

[Saftie]

sorry for the wait. here she is.
trying not to go too crazy with customizations yet
and sorry about the huge pic size

 

[crxtasy169]

Sick bike good choice!

 

[Saftie]

Thanks. Bought it from one of the members on this forum. So far in changed the tail section a little, put the decals on and worked on the headlight. Pic in my profile.
Already have header wrap, hope to install it soon.

If you have black heel guards you no longer need let me know. Or I'll just get them powder coated.

 

[P3_techman]

That thing is GORGEOUS. You have one hell of a sick ride there. You'll love that 9SX, they are great bikes. The 9 is perfect in every way, not to mention you can flick it from one side of the road to the other.

For your next tires check out the Michelin Power Pure 2CT. I feel like they were made for that bike.

This makes me wish that still had my 9SX, the 1125R is a sick machine but not practical or near as fun as the SX.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Saftie]

Thanks for the tire recommendation.

Yes, I like the look of the bike now, amazing what difference a few stickers make.
Can't wait to put the header wrap on. It's titanium color as suggested by someone in a different post. should look nice.
Still deciding whether to put the chin on or not. Got a used one and need to sand and paint it first though

 

[2004xb12s]

I really dig that seat

 

[Saftie]

One million dollars and it's yours
( sorry, I'm trying)

 

[wolfo68]

the shift shaft is bigger 05+, from what I've seen the 03's and 04's tend to bend shift forks after a while.

 

[Saftie]

The bike was the "star" today.
Had to stop somewhere on the way home and three different people were asking about it and if it was a custom built or the latest model of some manufacturer . They wouldn't believe when I told them it was "stock" and a 2007.
Made daddy proud

 

[P3_techman]

Yeah I used to get a bunch of comments everywhere I went on my 9SX. They look weird enough and good enough to peak anyone's interest.