Quote:
Originally Posted by ebbs15
blah I've always been told the 9's are not worth buy'n when the 12's aren't much more 
thought it was one of you guys actually |
Not true. They are VERY different motorcycles with characteristics that are unique to each.
Both have the same bore with different strokes. The short stroke of the 9 makes it spin up more like a 600. The torque curve is more like a 600. It's also smoother because of the shorter stroke.
I have ridden both and really like both. I had to get used to riding one after coming off the 12. XB12 riders ride the torque curve rather than the HP curve like an IL4. The torque on the 12 comes on at idle and stays pretty consistent through out the RPM range. If you try to ride a 9 like that, it'll be more like a 600.
One of the best mods for the 9 is to get larger bore cylinders with the shorter stroke. You get more peak HP and keep the nice characteristics of the 9.