| Author | Message | ||
     Xbimmer |
New Cycle World has a test on the Euro-only Sporty. Nice bike, very nice IMO. Anybody catch it yet? Right there on page 56, the pic with the rider heeled over knee dragging, under his right foot... Erik's drive belt idler pulley! Since it seems that HD is looking to Buell R&D to help them produce a true performance bike (other BMC ideas in there also), I would think that their dealers' lackluster enthusiasm for the Buell line might require some adjustment... | ||
| Khelton |
This model will steal some sales from the Uly.......light..better handling...simpler than most Harleys.. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Na, the uly guys locally like to rail the off roads, I dont see doing that with the new XR. I wouldnt even do it, and I am pretty nutso with inappropriate equipment in out of the way applications. | ||
| Harleywern |
I test rode it in April this year. Engine is fantastic. Powerful but running smoother than the Buell ones. Brakes work very well too. One guy in front of me dropped the bike due to over braking. Suspension is not to my likings. To hard. Nice bike but not an alternative to the Buell. The German Motorcycle magazines are all excited about the bike. Ride safe Werner | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
http://www.xrdna.com/ I really like the looks of this bike and expect it will be on sale in the US within a year or so. As soon as Europe sales of this bike peak, it will then start selling here IMHO. They are being made in Kansas City Harley Factory. Harley is on the right track with this bike and will see how eager US riders are for a Harley that has speed, handling, looks, and heritage. Heck, I might buy one if Buell doesn't get on the stick and provide that water cooled ULY pretty darn quick. 115 to 120 rwhp, matching tq, 60 mpg, with aluminum luggage. | ||
| Xbimmer |
I would think it would possibly affect Lightning sales only, here or in Europe. With only 3.5" rear travel and no suspension adjustments other than rear preload, the tiny gas tank and tinier rear pillion seat, I don't think it's in the same category as the mighty Uly. I still think it's a beautiful and probably excellent bike, but it ain't a Buell. They should sell it here too. | ||
| Cdale136 |
"Harley is on the right track with this bike and will see how eager US riders are for a Harley that has speed, handling, looks, and heritage. " Harley came out with the Street Rod in 05 (06 model) Excellent power (125 hp), good handling (40 degree lean angle), some of the aluminum was a work of art. The magazines loved the bike with some going as far as saying that it is the best Harley they have ever rode. Sales were horrible and the bike was canned after the 07 model. You can probably still find some new 06s in dealership. It seams that when ever HD tries something different or performance oriented, the US market isn't interested. They need to somehow break into a younger riders segment. Their customer's average age keeps rising. | ||
| California |
I would own one of those in an instant! I've had three of the rubber mounted Sportsters and enjoy the heck out of them! This is what the 1200 Roadster is supposed to be! My guess, the 2009 HD lineup will include it, the dealer meeting is the 24th, wait and see! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Comparing the XR1200 to the V-Rod sales failure in the US market is apples to oranges. Once they make the XR available it will sell quite well because it is so darned cool looking. The V-rod in my opinion failed because it was engineered to appeal to the Harley faithful who weren't even asking for it. My wife rode demo'd one at Sturgis and loved it. I loved the engine but the rest of the bike was not well thought out. I mean, to adjust the valves you have to drop the engine out of the frame, WTF is that all about. I'm sure valve adjustment is very infrequent but take it to the shop and it will set you back 700 to 800 bucks. Then the Street Rod became available and I test rode that and didn't like that at all, felt like I was riding on top of a log. The original V-Rod had a small fuel tank and that didn't help it in the least and Harley thankfully increased it to 5 gallons. I have to admit that the current crop of V-Rods are all beautiful bikes and have heard that they sell quite successfully overseas. | ||
| Treadmarks |
550 lbs. dry weight..... Compared to the Uly's 425 lbs. dry weight.... For me that would be like riding with a passenger all the time. Looks good sitting still with that Buell oil cooler flyin in the breeze, but I'll pass. | ||
| Hooper |
Kind of looks small and stubby to me (a description that does not apply to my riding stature, which is why I love my Uly). I think I like the new V-Max a little more. | ||
| Cdale136 |
The street rod was just the most recent example. I'm a little bias since I have one sitting next to my Uly in the garage. It truly is a great sport tourer with an awesome engine. I've done many multi 1000 mile trips on it. I don't think Harley really marketed the bike to the right people. Harley tried the sportster sport before the V-rod. Better suspension, duel front disk, sportier riding position. Didn't sell very well. My guess is this is why that are releasing this bike only in EU. Again, I hope that they can soon market a bike like this to younger riders. They need something that appeals to the younger generations or there sales will be in trouble as their core customer base ages. Harley seems to be one of those companies that you either love or hate. | ||
| Cccpull |
Not making them available in the States makes no sense to me at all. For God's sake, the bike is here already.  They thrive on their "American" image and won't sell their new stuff here?  | ||
| Longdog_cymru |
You may like to read a write up a friend of mine, (and fellow Uly owner), did on the XR1200 recently. http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1505 95&highlight=XR1200 |
