| Author | Message | ||
     Trojan |
According to this week's MCN, the new Harley Sportster based XR1200 will ddefinitely go into production. MCN quote Bill Davidson as saying, "It's quite simple. We have always said if people want this bike we will build it - and they like it a lot". An official H-D online survey asking for feedback on the bike received 7173 replies, with 91.3% liking what they saw. Mark my words. This will eat into Buell sales , in UK/Europe at least, and puts H-D into direct competition with the current Buell lineup in the same showrooms. Given the way that UK H-D dealers treat Buell like a second class product anyway, I can see this getting much higher exposure to potential customers   Even more reason for Buell to introduce a more powerful sports bike as soon as possible!! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Euro market only, right? | ||
| Trojan |
Not sure yet, but according to the press blurb I beleive so. | ||
| Court |
Caveat Emptor | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Caveat emptor is Latin for "let the buyer beware". I had to do some looking  | ||
| 12r |
Caveat venditor. If Harley do this to the Sporty I hope it gives Buell the kick up the a*se they need right now. | ||
| Jscott |
IF released in the US it would probably have the same canabalizing effect. "Even more reason for Buell to introduce a more powerful sports bike as soon as possible!!" Of course that would be the logical thing to do. I will keep my fingers crossed, but I will not hold my breath. | ||
| Jscott |
It needs number plates.  | ||
| Krt9r |
I don't know exactly what "type" of riders buy Buells, but personally I will never trade my XB for something like that... I mean the Buells have much more sporty feel haven't they? Cheers, Olivier | ||
| Trojan |
I don't know exactly what "type" of riders buy Buells, but personally I will never trade my XB for something like that... I mean the Buells have much more sporty feel haven't they? There are still lots of people around who hanker after a 'new' tube frame Buell and would prefer the XR1200 to the XB, regardless of the handling differences between the two bikes. If performance was the only issue I suspect we'd never buy Buells/Harleys in the first place. Image and brand name will sell a lot of the XR's to people who haven't even ridden one. | ||
| Phantom5oh |
It's all about the lifestyle... | ||
| New12r |
I would buy one, but never trade my XB for anything. | ||
| 07xb12scg |
They're awesome IMO, and short of the V-Rod, they're the coolest Harley. I have always loved the dirt tracker looking bikes. I would buy one as a second bike, but not my only bike. I hope it's produced AND sold in the US. Why would we not get something this cool? | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'll bet that thing is heavier and slower than a 5 year old Buell tube-framer. Looks nice though. | ||
| Mutation_racer |
it could be raced in ultra light weight CCS | ||
| Mortarmanmike120 |
I'd have it as a second bike as well. Yes, it will sell Salesman: "If you want a sport bike look at this...It's a HARLEY" Buyer: "ooooh, look at all the pretty chrome!" Of course, this conversation will happen in the front of the store by the door where there are three XR1200's in various colors, facing a wall of custom chrome accessories specific to the bike. The buyer will never make it to the back of the store past the wall of XR labeled leather jackets, past the bathroom, down the hall, across from the utility closet, where the single XB is located. | ||
| Bodyshot1 |
I'd like to check one out in-person...looks pretty sharp. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Buyer: "ooooh, look at all the pretty chrome!" Yep. Buyer should say: "That swingarm looks really spindly and flexible, it probably handles like crap and feels like it has a hinge in the middle. How much for the Buell? | ||
| Hughlysses |
Maybe it's a good idea to have at least one Harley model that isn't at the opposite end of the performance spectrum from Buells. If a buyer likes the XR1200 much better than his previous Sportster, maybe he'd be more easily convinced to move up to an XB Buell. Spatten1, that swing arm looks pretty stout in the detail photos I've seen of the bike. Much better than previous Sportster units at any rate. | ||
| Xring |
That's the bike I was looking for when I bought my XB9S. As fast as a Buell? Handle as well? No way. It won't fit in with the Harley-biker crowd, either. I don't care. To each, his own. Bill | ||
| Rubberdown |
I'd hit it! | ||
| Spatten1 |
"As fast as a Buell?" Most mopeds are.... Seriously, aside from more weight won't it carry the same scary horsepower that the Buells do? | ||
| Outrider |
I'll bet that thing is heavier and slower than a 5 year old Buell tube-framer. Interesting point and I can't wait for the test reports from the press. If it is similar in performance to my old Y2K X1, I'll be a very happy camper and the first kid on the block with one in the garage! I don't expect it to be as razor sharp as a Buell, especially in the handling department. Ergo, I don't see it as taking many, if any, sales away from Buell especially since Buell has countered with the XB12STT. In essence, the XR1200 affords the market with a Street Tracker possessing Buell-like performance and will most likely never see a track of any kind. The inverse is, the XB12STT is a Large Bore Super Moto (or modern TT, whatever) with Buell's full handling and performance advantages and just might be found on the track along side the other Buell's, KTM's, Ducati's, etc. in a number of different venues. Regardless, if your into sporting bikes, I think you will agree that the XR1200 is the most Sporting Sportster Harley ever built and is the only made-for-the-street model that even comes close to honoring their success on the dirt. May both bikes contribute significantly to the sales of their respective manufacturers!!! That's what I call a win-win situation for HDI.  | ||
| Spatten1 |
If the frame/swingarm are stiffened up well, it would be a fun bike to ride. The upside down forks are a great touch. | ||
| Swordsman |
Honestly, it's grown on me. A year ago, I may have actually purchased one. I'm one of those weird people that doesn't really have a preference... I like both ends of the spectrum, sporty and classic. I was one very small step away from a Sportster, but being a newer rider I found the seating position of the Ss more familiar and comfortable... feet out front seems to make balancing more clumsy, for me anyway. I'm a very tame rider, and either bike would have worked out fine. The new H-D hits right in the middle of the two styles, which would have been a good blend for me. One thing's for certain: if I'd gotten an XR1200, I wouldn't have trouble finding any accessories! You know there will be a million of them! ~SM | ||
| Swordsman |
Some of you might like to see these pics of the XR1200 in action... http://www.fullgaz.co.il/archive/oct-06/news/fg262 96-xr1200-new-pics.php ~SM | ||
| Spatten1 |
That is inspiring! | ||
| Luckydevil |
another boat tail. like XLCH first years FX Xr1000 still i like it. though i cant figure out why. | ||
| Daves |
notice they don't show any pictures of the bike turning right? | ||
| Spatten1 |
Why Dave? is that where the radiator is hidden? |
