BUELL XB9SX CITY X test

Intro: ALL BUELL

Code name : XB9SX... or "City X" if you are looking to buy one... here is the latest Buell creation. If the silhouette appears worrisome, the basics of the City X are already well known. It is in fact a skinned down version of the Firebolt and is equipped more in the sense of an all terrain machine. The frame is still a lightened aluminium structure, which also acts as the petrol tank, and the famous 984cc twin-cylinder remains loyal to the cause.

Esthetique: MUTANT

The main changes are thus aesthetic, and there, we could say that there was some work to be done ! Firstly, the fork head from the Firebolt has been replaced by a simple translucent plastic airbox cover and fly screen, which gives an undeniably gives this machine its very own special look. A lot of attention was also paid to the rear mudguard. It is very c ute but the hemstitched plaque left with a few doubt concerning its effectiveness... Finally, the headlight grill, large handlebars, black wheels and the hand protectors complete its transformation into a sort of Supermoto, but not exactly, we must admit it is difficult to pigeon hole this machine. This impression is reinforced when one climbs aboard the City-X. The raised seat and wider handlebars offer a true sensation of being at the controls of a hybrid motorbike.

Motorization: LIKE THE FIREBOLT

The 984ccs thus conger up 83 horsepower and a torque of 8.8mkg, for a dry weight of 175 kg. And of course, one immediately thinks towards the 1200cc motor that is found in the XB12S... but hold on, that’s not going to happen and one must settle for the 83 ponies in this version. To be perfectly honest, it isn’t the power that constitutes the worry, when simply regarding such a motorbike, one has the right to want a motor just as powerful as the look that the machine suggests, but that simply is not the case.

On the road: QUALITY A PLENTY

The first metres aboard are handled without any major problem... And since the City-X prefers the confines of city life that is where we decided to begin our test ride... The ultra-compact dimensions of the Buell offer it a very welcome liveliness. A tendency enhanced by the over sized handlebars. Without being as easy as a Z 750 for example, the City-X is very much at home in town... The only negative... the turning circumference ! Inherited from the Firebolt, it forces one to think carefully before making any such move. One could expect this from a sport bike but not one with such urban intentions. This last false note forced us to find a small road to see if the Buell could overcome this offence... And this American bundle of nerves didn’t need long to show its stuff...
Not at all, one does discover the qualities first seen on the Firebolt : precision cornering and an instinctive and top-drawer road handling, it has it all... To such an extent that it could easily handle a few extra horsepower with no worries whatsoever. Just like on the Firebolt, the brakes are one of the strong points of this machine. Powerful and measurable, they offer, without a fault, plenty of feedback. We won’t spend a lot of time on the concept of protection because roadsters always make it a dead end issue in this area. But let us come back to the issue of the rear mudguard... clearly attractive but hardly useful. At the time this footage was taken, it wasn’t raining but the road surface was damp, the rear wheel protection quickly drenched the back of our rider forcing him to quickly sit up, which is clearly not very pleasing. Beyond that, the true negatives of the City-X are its controls... It is difficult to exactly from which era they have come back from... In any case they are not the reason for rushing out purchasing the XB9SX. But hold on, if you have gotten the idea that all is wrong with the City-X, it is because it has taken the enormous qualities of the Firebolt that we already dissected upon its entry on to the market place. To wrap up our thoughts, we spoke about the fact that the Buell City-X is one of the rare motorbikes that offers enormous pleasure when one is behind the handlebars. The more you torment the roads the more your pleasure will be and in town, you will never ride unnoticed... and that is what riding a Buell is all about. When one says Buell, one speaks of a very particular character and in the end; the negatives that we have mentioned are responsible for its famous personality. In any case, if you like to sit up and be noticed, the City-X will not leave you feeling indifferent.