XB9R or XB12R

[acebobby]

Hi guys,
I'm sure the questions been asked before, but here goes
I am in the market for an XB12R, but now an XB9R has come up for sale at a dealer local to me, the price is right, its just been serviced, and has new belt and tyres fitted!
Now I know by reading other posts XB9R owners seem to love their bikes, but if I buy this bike will I feel like I'm wanting more, will I regret not holding out for the XB12R?

Thanks Bobby

 

[TooFst]

I was in the same sitch. my cousin brought up a good point. No matter what bike u get your probily gonna want it faster someday!! Might aswell start off on the right foot. Got my 12 like a week later. Very glad I did cuz within about a month i was more then used to the power.

 

[80rs427]

I have owned both 9R and 12R, and I have ridden both side by side with another rider. The 12 will walk away from the 9, and it has noticeably more torque.

I think ultimately the question of whether you will be happy with a 9 is up to you. If you can own and ride a bike and be happy with the performance it provides, you will be happy with a 9.

If it bothers you to think that a 12 is going to pull away from you, then you might as well hold out for a 12 now. The price difference in the two is minimal, and one will show up.

Furthermore, if it is going to bother you to have your buddies out run you on their 600 rockets, then maybe neither a 9 or 12 is right for you.

Me, I enjoy the experience that the bike provides. I don't care if the neighbor kid can out run me. I don't care if the other neighbor's goldwing is smoother.

You have to decide what your expectations of the bike are going to be.

 

[upthemaiden]

How swappable are the motors on these bikes? Obviously the bikes look identical but I wasn't sure if the frames/mounts are the same. I'd been wondering that myself. I'd like a 12, but I wouldn't mind picking up a 9 if it was a good price, but I was wondering if I'd be able to swap the motor for a 12 someday if I came across one, or if it's really just a matter of the frames looking similar.

 

[tseldon]

if your even thinking about upgrading the motor to a 12 now, you might as well just buy the 12. there is no use on settling on something you won't want 6 months from now. i have a xb9s and i would LIKE more power but i am very happy with the way my 9 performs. why spend the extra money on a new engine later when you could just get what you want now. IF you decide to swap he motors, i am pretty sure mounting is the same. same frame for both.

 

[paulr]

+1 get the 12. If your even thinking about whether you mite want it later get the 12 def. youll be n my shoes wanting the 12, especially if you can get your hands on a scg. patience is a virtue few of us have, but this is the perfect time to have a little. my 2cents

 

[Pockets]

I like my XB9SX and having a higher RPM range, but at times I know having more grunt would be appreciated!

 

[Stevenc150]

but if I buy this bike will I feel like I'm wanting more, will I regret not holding out for the XB12R?

In short....Yes - (It's a guy thing, we can't help it). When I was Buell hunting and saw that the 9 and 12 are so close in pricing, it was an easy decision to go for the bigger engine.

 

[RT Performance]

i bought my xb9 used and i am very pleased .
if the youngins want to try and pull away i will invite them out to the twisty's
i just bought an 1125r i hadn't plan to buy one for a few more year but the low price and temporary end to buell was to inviting.
i have never ridden a 12 but the more rev friendly and lighter 9 engine i would think has an advantage in the turns.
Disclaimer I GOT THREE TICKETS ON MY XB9.
So it is defiantly fast enough to easily get your license in trouble

 

[RT Performance]

oooh frame mounts and all are the same if you wanted to upgrade to a 12 later. will need the computer.
there is also a few people making a big bore kit wich uses the 9 lower end

 

[brightbuell]

Take a test ride on the 9. If you think its enough then get it. If your not sure then go ahead and get the 12. it seams like the 12's are slightly more desireable. I too thought about getting a 9, I loved the red withj black wheels. Sooo sexy. But I went with the 12 and I love it. Would i have been happy with the 9, probley, I would always have that little thought in the back of my head. That maybe I should have waited.

 

[Thorivola]

the engines really do behave differently, the 9 is a little yippeer but the 12 has bite

they are fairly close, I did a couple test rides before I could make up my mind

I liked the heavy punch in the 12 more, BUT I also could hardly tell the difference in feel between an XB9 with the race muffler and a 12 with stock muffler

I ended up on a 12 with race muffler, and it has a little less low-end bite but you can feel the pull harder just after you break into a gear

the four set-up options when you throw the race pipe in the mix really give you 4 different feels you just have to try to figure out

 

[Alfatango1]

9 revs higher and a few of the ecm tuners like 9's better, but I suppose it boils down to the type of riding you do.