BIKES4US

The first thing about the Buell CityX XB9SX that strikes us is that… it has too many Xs in its name! The Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird settled for two, but the Buell goes one further with three. Someone at Buell is obsessed with X…

Anyway, the Buell Lightning CityX XB9SX is now available in a new, all-black paintjob, with blue and cherry-red being the other colour available for 2009. The engine is the same air-cooled, fuel-injected 948cc v-twin as before, that makes 80 horsepower at 7,500rpm and 79Nm of torque at 4,500 revs.

The usual Buell bits are all there – Intuitive Response Chassis (IRC) that’s made of aluminium, Zero Torsional Load (ZTL) braking system that comprises a single 375mm rotor mounted to the front wheel’s perimeter, with six-piston callipers, fully adjustable 43mm Showa USD fork and fully adjustable monoshock, underslung exhaust for mass centralisation, six-spoke 17-inch cast aluminium wheels shod with Pirelli Scorpion Sync tyres, and belt drive which, according to Buell, never needs replacing, maintenance or adjustments of any kind.

The CityX XB9SX weighs 177kg dry and with its upright seating position and wide, flat handlebars, the bike is ideal for street riding. At around US$8,900 this bike probably isn’t for those whose idea of ‘performance’ is a CBR600RR or a GSX-R750, but Buell fans should love it...