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Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 02:36 pm: | 
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>>>but over here it is a done deal.
My PERSONAL OPINION is that is will never be built. I remain eager to eat crow.
The website has been sitting there "taking orders" for 6 months. Wonder how they'd done? Dealers quoting delivery dates yet?
Enquiring minds want to know.
Have you ordered one?
Sure shouldn't take more than a couple weeks to get this in production . . . I mean it's basically a few cosmetic mods to a Sportster. . . .
Good on the UK for making this happen and I'll be thrilled to be proven wrong the moment the first one is delivered. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 03:10 pm: |
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I like the bike, though I wouldn't trade my 9sx for it, even even up.
If the currency exchange rate is honest (which it isn't for the 1125R, so this is probably unfair), I am struggling to figure out how many people would actually pay $15k USD for one. Thats a pretty danged expensive Sportster.
I have no idea about the taste of Europeans... some things they like make great sense to me, some leaves me baffled. Why this sporty would be a runaway success when you could get a Ducati Hypermotard or a nice Bonneville for 50% less would fall in the "baffling" category. |
Jos51700
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 03:55 pm: |
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"I mean it's basically a few cosmetic mods to a Sportster. . . . "
I see it as a little more than that, but I do agree with you, how much teasing are they going to do with this thing? I saw that clutch cable tag over a year ago, and Harley is tight-lipped about future product the day before a dealer show, when it's usually seen in showrooms in a month or two. This is kind of crazy. Like seeing the Vrod release, and and then getting them in stores in 2005.
It would be (IMO) major egg on their face if they go back and say, "Oh no, we changed our minds."
I personally think this XR is more than a cosmetics package based on the press I've read, but I can't guarantee the accuracy of that info.
Obviously the wheels, forks, gauges, cam cover, induction (and therefore, the mapping and tuning), fuel tank, exhaust, seat/cowl, and swingarm are different. I dunno about heads, transmission, frame, reciprocating assy, etc. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 02:40 am: |
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Egg on the face with oh no we changed our minds?..... Do NOT get me started on what happened to the Buell Muell Dirt Squirter. THAT was my next bike.  So if Harley builds that XR1200, I have the room in the garage and the money in the budget. They have until Feb of 2009 to do it, otherwise I Stortz-ify my 2003 Xl883R |
Trojan
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 04:18 am: |
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The website has been sitting there "taking orders" for 6 months. Wonder how they'd done? Dealers quoting delivery dates yet?
Unfortunately Court, the same situation is true over here for the 1125R. Still no delivery dates, dealers don't know when they are coming, and Buell UK don't seem to be too bothered about pushing the issue or reassuring people that laid down deposits last July. No phone calls, leters or e-mails to customers after 6 months is a bit weak.
The XR1200 WILL be made and WILL be on the market here in Europe, simply because it has the full backing, support and involvement of Willie G and H-D Europe (a market that H-D really needs to expand to include a younger rider profile). There is far more support from the European mothership than there is for any of the Buell models, which is a sad state of affairs but almost inevitable given Buells minority position under the H-D umbrella.
Take a look at the H-D web site for any European country and you'll see that the XR1200 takes up the majority of the home page. The prototype has been dragged around the major European bike shows for nearly two years now, and every H-D employee you speak to expects to see the bike in Spring 08. I don't think that would happen unless the model was definite and imminent, otherwise they face a massive climb down and loss of face.
I haven't ordered one and probably wouldn't buy one anyway as it isn't my kind of bike, but I can see the potential for stealing sales from Buell and some other brands over here. |
Jens
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 04:34 am: |
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Unfortunately is Matt to 100% right. The bike will come as the first bike in HD history ever to Europe first.
. . . I mean it's basically a few cosmetic mods to a Sportster. . . .
Yes plus an XB 12 style "top sucker" engine with nearly 100 HP....
Jens |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 06:39 am: |
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>>>how much teasing are they going to do with this thing?
It's much more than teasing.
Let me know when they arrive, eager to eat crow.
Interesting to hear this while Buell execs are in Europe recognizing dealers with the Euroquivalent of the Pegasus awards. The 37% rise in Buell sales played into that.
Other than the hideous exhaust (which obviously would leave first thing) I think it's neat looking bike.
100HP? . . . this is great news. I'll have to learn more. |
Trojan
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 09:59 am: |
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Interesting to hear this while Buell execs are in Europe recognizing dealers with the Euroquivalent of the Pegasus awards. The 37% rise in Buell sales played into that.
Maybe they can reassure a few customers and let them know their delivery dates while they are here, as well as slapping themselves on the back and handing out 'in-house' prizes. Maybe they could prune back some dead wood whilst here too ;) |
Dtx
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 10:09 am: |
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Trojan,
You and the rest of Europe are not the only people still waiting for an 1125R. I am in the USA and still waiting for mine. |
Buellerthanyou
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 03:59 pm: |
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If any of you attended the H-D Winter Dealer Show in San Antonio, look in your January 2008 New Products catalog and you will see a section of accessories for the XR1200. "Available in select markets only"...
HellBuelly J
"Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a sorry-assed Sportster into a badass Buell."
--Pablo "P3" Picasso |
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