| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
I asked this over on xlforum.net as well, but I wanted to post the question here too. I may be crazy for comparing these two bikes, but has anyone ridden both of them and if they have could you give me a comparison. I have had a chance to ride an XB12Ss a few times, but not the XR1200 yet. I know the XB12Ss is lighter and puts out just a bit more power, but I have been intrigued by a statement in one of the motorcycle rags that said the XR1200 was easier to ride than the XB12STT. It was something about the power delivery being smoother. I got the impression they even liked the handling better, but I am not sure. Anyway, anyone here able to make a comparison based on experience and not just specs and write-ups like I have to. Thanks Dan | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I have and I have to say that there was a small hiccup just after idle, but it ran alot better than my 9, but pretty close to the 08 Ss I rode. No stumbling, nothing like the "marbles in a blender" like the XB. Smoother is a good word. At 4000 rpm's on an XB in 4th gear, you get alot of GGGRGGRGRGRGGRGRGRGRGRGGRGRG....not so with the XR. The XR1200 is heavier by about 100+ lbs, but after you throw a leg over, and get moving, that extra weight is balanced pretty well. Ss will handle more like a sportbike than the XR. Your lean angle is greater, the rake is less and wheelbase is shorter. I didn't care for the small instrument cluster on the XR, but for me, the reach was perfect. I loved the XR1200, but I gotta say, I like the styling and performance of the Ss. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I will get some saddle time next week. I will let you know then. There will be a full Street Tracker showdown. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Done 800km on the XR this week. I really like the bike. Really nice. It doesn't handle as well as a Buell, it isn't as powerful and doesn't have the same zip. It is great looking, surprisingly comfortable and a lovely road bike nonetheless. very cool. I actually liked the instruments better than the buell. I had to ride 20 miles of dirt today to get to a job so I took the XR back and used my Uly - but I did the same sealed sports bike roads roads on subsequent days. XR & XB If I had to decide between a Lightning and a XR it would take less than a second. Buell easily. quite easily. PS slick - It's as much a flat tracker as a Triumph Thruxton is a track bike. A styling exercise. Lose the battery, starter motor, big oil tank, stand and all the other pudding maybe - but to do that to start with they wouldn't sell any. It's a spiffy looking, well performed, common sense road bike. (Message edited by danger_dave on January 10, 2009) | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
Paleeeese! An OLD tuber(lighter, more motor, better suspenders, better brakes) would run circles around that XR thingy, never mind a XB. Paleeeese a 10 yr OLD tuber is still a better Sportster than a NEW XR Sporster. | ||
| Ducxl |
^^^^^^Well said! | ||
| Dynasport |
So Danny, you have ridden the new XR? | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I'll add one more thing. If you're height challenged, you'll be tippy-toed on the XR and you better have a wide inseam because the seat is very wide in the crotch. One more, one more. You'll be feeling alot of heat because the heads extend outside the frame rails, unlike the SS where the entire motor sits inside the frame. Oh, don't dump it on its left side, you'll wipe out the huge oil cooler. There's alot on this bike that is shared with my VR Street rod, the forks are 43mm, the rear shocks are the same and the riding position, height and reach are identical. (Message edited by buellinachinashop on January 10, 2009) | ||
| Oddball |
Just need to turn the cooler 90 degrees and add the scoop from the xb. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
the XR's is twice as large as what Buell uses. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
That oil cooler looks like ass. What HD engineer/designer got away with that piece of crap? | ||
| Oddball |
Well then have to make a scoop. It's at the head of my list of potential buys. XR1200, XB12SS, 1125, leftover streetrod and finally nightster. At least keeping the list completely moco and derivatives. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I loved the LOOKS of the Nightster. Then I sat on one. Unless it's fitted with forward controls, I can't ride it. My knees were inside my arms. That bike has like 6" between the seat and the pegs. | ||
| Oddball |
For you it was the gyno-ster. I think I would as well. Sat on one once last year and felt the knees were a bit high. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I want one of these:  | ||
| Oddball |
wild "rocker"  | ||
| Oddball |
New from HD. For the post riding generation. So you can rock even when you can't roll.  | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"What HD engineer/designer got away with that piece of crap?" Willie G. is responsible for every design that leaves the PDC. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Buell guys complaining about stuff hanging off the engine is slightly ironic. It's just an oil cooler. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
At least there won't be a RSS debate about this bike. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
C'mon Dave, You'd have to admit that compared to the functional elegance of Buell that even THAT cooler wouldn't have been allowed to leave the factory. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Seriously, didn't bother me. Just an oil cooler - they have to go somewhere - so hang it out in the breeze. It's in keeping with the minimalist style of the bike. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Buell let those pods out of the factory. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Don't know that I would consider 580lbs "minimalist". At that point, the additional 8oz to fit a Buell type oil cooler would have done the trick. | ||
| Danger_dave |
True - but the styling and aesthetic is sans gingerbread. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Next you'll want a fan! | ||
| M2nc |
Hey China, how does the XR1200 compare to the Street Rod? I have ridden a Street Rod at Suches so I would have a good reference. There is a left over '06 Street Rod at a local dealer here. I also wonder what cams are they using on the XR1200. The M2 cams give the bike a smooth linear power band with a whole lot more low end grunt than the Uly, but it does not have the top end sizzle either. It took some rejetting, but the M2 now has the smoothest throttle response of any Buell I have ridden. I also wonder if the insurance company looks at it as a Sportster? If so you can get a hell of an insurance break on it. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Next you'll want a fan! Let's not get crazy now. (Message edited by ft_bstrd on January 10, 2009) | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
FT, I just asked my buddy, who runs a dyno at the PDC, why they used such a big cooler. "we chose a larger cooler for two reasons, 1) we decided that having a scoop over it would defeat the "old school" retro we were looking for....2) it keeps the oil 15-25% cooler than the Buell does. That leads to more horsepower and engine longevity." I asked if they tried the Buell cooler and he said yes. Have you seen the way they ran the oil cooling lines on the right side of the motor? Pretty cool looking actually. Like the 1125 R and Cr, I think you'll like this bike better in person. It would definately fit a larger guy better than any XB would. Dave did your demo model have a locking fuel cap? | ||
| Danger_dave |
Street Rod remains the best performed H-D I have ridden. XR is a cool unit too, but not in the same performance league. The restricted exhausts make the XR wheeze a bit above 5,000rpm. |
