XB12S Riders

[LeFox]

the 10hp difference is because of the different headers & catalyst...easily solved

 

[taildraggin]

LeFox: If I were in europe, there would be no question: S/SX. Balance tips toward tighter handling.

In my area of New York, the roads are like your country roads without any tight urban riding.

The new Ss/old STT has 'less intense' handling, which is good and bad. Good, in that I may be more comfortable; bad, that I'm starting to feel creaky - that 'comfort' plays in my decision. 46 and 182cm/6' and 84kg/185lbs/13 stone (I see an X in my future, around 55 years...)

It's curious that the STT morphed into the later Ss, though. Several reviews seemed to prefer the STT's handling and it would be odd that Buell would make the change to the Ss if they didn't feel that way as well.

- Charlie

 

[jsg]

I wanted a S but since 09 didn't have it I got a Scg and I'm very happy

 

[Marauder]

Hey jsg , did you mention in a previous post something about your forks bottoming out ? wonder how hard it is to turn a scg into an S. I know the front forks between the scg and S are different diameters, but there must be someway of doing it.

Lefox i've read that you help people in North America with right side air scoops.

Maybe you could ship one across the big pond with a 2010 XB12SX attached to it for me.

[up]

 

[LeFox]

Lefox i've read that you help people in North America with right side air scoops.

Maybe you could ship one across the big pond with a 2010 XB12SX attached to it for me. [up]

would if i could...but think it will be a bit overpriced seeing that it's already alot more expensive over here...

 

[jsg]

Hey jsg , did you mention in a previous post something about your forks bottoming out ? wonder how hard it is to turn a scg into an S. I know the front forks between the scg and S are different diameters, but there must be someway of doing it.

Well yes I have that little problem but you have to realize I'm at least 215 lbs without gear so it explain my problem pretty well it only happen with bad bumps or bad wheelie landing.

 

[buelladdicted]

the forks of an s are larger at the working end but at the top slide into the same triple clamps.im considering the same solution for my 08scg.

 

[Marauder]

So essentially you could just buy some forks for an 09 or 2010 xb9 to stick on your scg to convert it to an S and keep the blacked out look ?

 

[buelladdicted]

not sure about 09 or 10. but 08 tripple clamp numbers for s and scg are the same.

 

[taildraggin]

I've been trying to define the somewhat obscure Buell product segments. They may be obvious to you, but I'm not too smart and I'm into S&M (sales and marketing), liking to figure out what engineers are trying to target. This site and a couple of rides have helped a lot.

There are 2 vids on youtube that show the differences between S and Ss as well as can be done without riding them. (As much as any bike out there, I find Buells need to be test ridden.)

S/SX Review - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MILtFY9Zngk&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Jakkel's short Ss Long - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_lIY5gRl0o

What I get from the XB9SX review (XB12S/SX and XB9SX same chassis) is how compact the S/SX is. They mention how 'toy-like' its size is and the guy looks pretty big on it. It also shows how sensitively the bike handles (e.g. nice scale to the turns and the downshift wag @ 2:39). If you want a "streetbike designed by a racer", this is it. It is more demanding as well as being more rewarding for those that work it. It's pure Erik Buell.

As a counter, member Jakkel cuts up perfect "S" roads with his Ss without effort (followed by a Triumph - which emits awful sounds compared to the Buell!). I found a German interview of Buell claiming that he wanted the Ss to be a bit more 'relaxed', but I doubt an S could lose Jakkel...LeFox?

I don't have Belgium's roads here - they're more open and less intense and I'm not a weekend sport rider. Day-to-day riding needs may explain the Ss's greater popularity in the US.

That said, I'm swinging wildly between S, Ss, or TT. The merits of all are compelling and I'm probably going to grab the first one that swims by of any type.

- Charlie

 

[Pasadena]

I've read this and other posts about the differences between the SS and the Scg. Other than "fit" for shorter people, I'm not understanding the point of the cg model.

I'm obviously missing something as why would Buell make multiple models of the same bike (which doesn't really sell in large numbers anyway) unless there was something really different about the models?

Are there any performance differences between the SS and cg? If I had to guess, I would think they might handle differently. What else am I missing? There has to me more to the debate than what's in this thread . . .

 

[dave_xb12r]

The S is the original, the Ss(long) is longer and taller than the S, and the Scg(lower "Center of Gravity") is shorter than the S. Now there is no S model for 2009 and 2010, just the long version and the short version. The original(S) has the same geometry as the R models, which is perfect. There is only one lightning left that has that optimum geometry, it is the XB9SX(unless you live in Europe, where you can get a XB12SX)

 

[taildraggin]

It's pretty simple - the Ss is the primary XB12 Buell model in the US.

If you are short or like the compact looks of the bike, the cg is the option.

What is confusing, the (pre-'09) S was the primary model and the Long (Ss) and Short (cg) were secondary options. I guess they found that Ss and cg outsold the S, so they dropped it in the US. Erik Buell says that they created the Ss to be more comfortable and relaxed, which may suit the US better. They all handle beautifully, so truly it's academic.

The only difference between the 2 are the swingarm (2" longer on the Ss), fork trail/rake and travel.

It's tough to look at the lineup here though and see that they took the sportier/edgier model out. I bet they thought that the crowd that would want the S could be pushed to the 1125. Marketing...

I'm keying on a S now. I'd even go for a 9SX.

- Charlie

 

[Pasadena]

Thanks Charlie. Sounds like for the most part the differences come down to only two criteria:

1. Shorter riders have the cg option; and

2. Looks preference.

I'm thinking about picking one up to use mostly as a commuter machine with the occasional canyon run. I'll never ride two up, and I think the looks of the cg are a bit better, BUT the larger fuel tank on the SS seems like a good thing. In fact, I'd say that is one of the bigger differences between the bikes is the size of the fuel tank.

 

[taildraggin]

Dunno. Gas tank size is immaterial to me. The bikes are different enough to make your call on a test ride. I'd try'em first. The attraction of different Buells kind of defies explanation.

I do believe they dropped the S for 09 to make room for the the 1125CR.

- Charlie