| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
By now I am sure most all of you have read the article in Motorcyclist. It was a nice article and very positive, but here are a few questions that came to my mind. What makes it better than a Buell? It looks like it would cost over $14,000. It weighs 551 pounds. It has a claimed 91 horsepower. It only holds 3.5 gallons of gas. The XB12Ss bests it in every category. So, other than it saying HD on it, why the big excitement? | ||
| Tripp |
my cyclone will smoke that bike! sweetest looking sporty i've ever seen though! | ||
| Trojan |
work at a harley shop. word is wait, it will be stateside around christmas time Which means we will have a whole range of 'sporting' parts and accessories available by that time so you won't have to wait  Our pewter XR1200 gets delivered tomorrow and it will immediately be stripped for action. Hopefully we will have carbon bodywork by the end of July and other performance parts before that. | ||
| Dynasport |
OK, I have changed my mind. If that Sportster makes it to these shores I will be very tempted to trade in my FXDX for it. The more I look at it the more I like it. Still, the range seems very short for my style of riding. The XB12XT may still be the best bike for me. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
I got to look over and sit on one of the XR1200 bikes TODAY - in an un-disclosable location, somewhere here in Southern California! That is one fine motorcycle! I'm not especially a Sportster fan, but if they become available here in the USA - I'm in! It had a lot of heat coming off of it, as it had just come in from some break-in miles. Damn near as hot as my RS is on the right side. I was wanting to get a photo, but with our impending move, I didn't want to involve Penny (spousal unit) with the additional burden of my funeral arrangements. AL | ||
| Budo |
Man that's always the case. Someone with money and contacts will bring over a European only model, hang dealer tags on it and have a way cool unique, only one in 'merica bike. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
This one had Wis. tag on it. Not privately owned. AL | ||
| Trojan |
If it ever gets released in the USA you have got to try one Keep an open mind and don't expect it to be a Buell, coz it ain't, but as a sporty Harley it is brilliant (although still needs some tweaks to make it just right). Front brakes are superb, with the same calipers as fitted to the Honda RC51, and handling is great for a twin shock, cradle frame bike especially considering the weight it is carrying. Ours is nearly finished now, or it will be if I can ever stop tweaking that is     | ||
| Dynasport |
Very nice looking bike! You have done a lot to that one. I really like the black cases. Reminds me of my FXDX. The carbon fiber tank/airbox is sharp too. I think the pipe is much nicer looking as well. How does it sound? | ||
| Trojan |
How does it sound? I have only started it briefly before stripping it for more work, but the initial response was LOUD! even with the removable baffle in place I should have everything built up again by Monday so will get the chance to run it in the open to see what it is like. Since these pictures were taken we have modified the airbox to remove the 'Active Intake Valve' and install a Pipercross filter, so intake volume (and noise) will also be increased. The engine cases were painted with VHT paint, but I have now had the rocker covers and swingarm powder coated black to match. The final part of the jigsaw are some blocks to raise the rear ride height by 2", which I received today and will quicken up the cruiser-like steering just a bit There is a belly pan to add and a Yamaha R1 brake master cylinder/braided hoses, but that will pretty much complete it. | ||
| Tik |
With so much talk about the XR1200, while in Germany some days before, I rented one to see how it feels. I am 6'5" and driving position for me was strange. My legs were too much in front to inspire some sporty cornering. I tried for 15 minutes to change from top gear upwards, I couldn't believe that top gear is 4000 rpm at about 70mph (110kmph). The rear seat is so minimal, one could not resist there for more than 30 minutes. Exhausts are nice looking but hanged on the rear side with a black stick like the designers of the bike had no time to deal with yet. Exhaust are stainless on the outside but the rear side is not stainless. As the back opening of the pipe is big but the smoke hole is small, rainwater stays on the lower side of the back, getting rust on the back plate, non-stainless. Overall feeling was that the designers of this bike started well, with lots of details solved nicely, but then somebody fixed a deadline to the project that did not allow for proper finish. With the price of 11000 euro in Europe you can buy an XB Buell of your choice which is twice as much value for money and with every detail solved in great style. (Message edited by Tik on September 20, 2008) (Message edited by Tik on September 20, 2008) | ||
| Trojan |
I rented one to see how it feels. I am 6'5" and driving position for me was strange. My legs were too much in front to inspire some sporty cornering. I agree that the stock bar/footpeg/seat triangle is badly designed,especially since they alledgedly had so much input from racers such as Scott Parker and Adrian Morrillas. Thi sis caused by the stock bars being far too high and pulled back for 'sporty' riding, which makes you lean backwards in the seat and makes your feet feel too far forward (not helped if you are 6'5" of course!). The seat and whole rear end of the bike is typically 'Sportster' low and needs to be raised by at least 2" to make it feel sportier and give a much more forward weight bias. We have fitted much lower 'Superbike bend' handlebars and fitted 2.5" blocks to raise the rear ride height, and this has made the footpeg position much more acceptable for sporty riding withouth moving them at all. They could do with moving back maybe 1" but it would be an expensive way to go. I tried for 15 minutes to change from top gear upwards, I couldn't believe that top gear is 4000 rpm at about 70mph (110kmph). Gearing is actually the same as the XB12, but it does take some getting used to for a Harley. It would be possible to lower the gearing, but then it would lose the urgency and character that it has. Exhausts are nice looking but hanged on the rear side with a black stick like the designers of the bike had no time to deal with yet. Exhaust are stainless on the outside but the rear side is not stainless. As the back opening of the pipe is big but the smoke hole is small, rainwater stays on the lower side of the back, getting rust on the back plate, non-stainless. As with 99% of Harleys (and Buells), the exhausts will be the first thing that owners will get rid of, so I don't think H-D puts an awful lot of thought into the o be honest. The stock pipes weigh a ton and are particularly ugly, from the poor qualilty plating to the industrial design brackets. However, remove the thin chromed heat shields and there is a nice quality stainless steel header set lurking underneath and just waiting for a good polish We used the stock header pipes and cut them off where they meet the incredibly restrictive catalytic convertor. With a reasonable aftermarket pipe and some simple airbox mods (filter and remove the intake valve) the performance is immediately improved (as is the sounds). With the price of 11000 euro in Europe you can buy an XB Buell of your choice which is twice as much value for money and with every detail solved in great style. Build quality is certainly a match for the current Buell lineup, and it actually has some neat touches too. The fuel filler cap and surround has come in for a lot of criticism, yet is nicely cast. They have chosen to cast it in a rough finish rather than the usual H-D chrome though, and that has been badly received by the H-D press for some reason. However, it is a Harley and most people won't keep them stock for long. At the end of the day it is not as light as an XB and won't handle as well without a lot of work. But that would be missing the point of this bike. After all, if you want to go faster maybe you should be looking at other brands anyway | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Looks for a US launch very very soon! I've been seeing all kinds of these running around the Milwaukee area! Really is a nice looking bike. | ||
| Jammin_joules |
"What makes it better than a Buell? It looks like it would cost over $14,000. It weighs 551 pounds. It has a claimed 91 horsepower. It only holds 3.5 gallons of gas. The XB12Ss bests it in every category. So, other than it saying HD on it, why the big excitement?" ......................o~'o $10,799 for black, and its heritage with the venerable XR750;s in a traditional look with a modern chassis and drive train (for air cooled) plus it doesn't have one head light that is never on. We've pre-sold four already. ~jammer | ||
| Court |
I think it does a disservice to both the Buell and the XR1200 to compare them. There is a LOT of Buell in the bike (except for the transmission ) but the two are completely different. | ||
| Jammin_joules |
Why not see it and make your own mind up. First pre-sold has arrived at High Country H-D/Buell. Snow tonight means likely not delivered to owner for a few days unless we can talk him into letting us display it for a while.  | ||
| Jammin_joules |
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| Jammin_joules |
XR1200 number 2 is here! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Sat on it at the IMS show, there are somethings that look way better in person. Other things that would drive me buggy in an OCD fit. Those wheels gotta go. That digital speedo, the exhaust, the passenger pegs and seat. and at 550 lbs she is still porky, thinking I am ahead of the game with getting what I want with the 2003 XL883R that is in the garage, ... parts have been ordered. | ||
| Oddball |
Well, pre-order time is over now. Wonder how many they sold? | ||
| Aeholton |
I mentioned that to my wife last night (with a pouty face). She says "Oh well". Heartless, I tell ya! I want one!!!!! | ||
| Oddball |
You need that post followed by another.... So I was sitting at home when the phone rang. It was Joe Blow HD/Buell calling to tell me my XR1200 was in. I asked if they had the right number cause my wife wouldn't let me have one. Upon which I heard my wife say "Son of ____ I told them not to call"  | ||
| Jammin_joules |
First delivered XR1200 rider feedback. Remember, this guy just bought a Ducati 749s this past spring and owns a BMW GS1100. He hangs with all the sport bike rider types who usually poke fun at leather clad Harley riders. I had taken a few photos of him at delivery and sent them to him asking for feedback. He was dressed in modern sport riding gear; boots, pants, full helmet, et al.  I don't look [dressed] much like a Harley rider in that photo, do I? Don't worry, I'll get that fixed by spring. I was only able to put about 100 miles on the bike on Saturday. I took it up into the hills; there was some ice and snow on the roads, so I wasn't able to push it very much up there. And I had to stop riding much earlier than I wanted, so that I could wash off the snow spray and road deicer, put some fuel stabilizer in the tank, and clear a place in the shed next to my other bikes. So, based on that short amount of time: The bike is great! It is really a blast to ride. Obviously, when it breaks in, everything is going to improve: the brakes will be bedded in, the tires will have more grip, the engine will be smoother. Even so, the bike already works very well. The engine makes OK power (respecting the break-in rev limits), the brakes are already pretty good, and the suspension is fine. I will say that it handles and goes like no other Harley I have ever ridden. It also has strong Harley genes: at idle, the engine vibrations will rearrange your digestive tract, and from idle to about 2000 rpm, the engine sounds like, and vibrates like, the world's sickest lawnmower. Above 3000 revs, though, it really smooths out and makes good power. Also, the thing pumps out torque like a locomotive. I think you could just dump the clutch at idle and it would chug away. It is probably stall-proof. The way it churns out torque reminds me very much of my long line of beloved Ducatis. One of the great things about a big V-twin is the way you can roll on the throttle out of a turn and get hurled down the road. The Harley feels just like that. It really is a terrific thing. The shifting is great, too. I was expecting a chunky gearbox, but it shifts easily and very positively. The clutch is progressive and smooth, and even though the lever is non-adjustable, the reach and fit is excellent. (Same for the front brake lever, obviously.) Coming from a sportbike background, there are some things about the Harley that seem crude to me. That big steering head bolt, for example; it looks like they picked it up at a hardware store until they could find something better. Except that's the way they all look. I am sure some enterprising XR1200 owner is going to develop a cover that will give it a more finished look. Or the hose clamps that hold the exhaust pipe covers. You wouldn't see anything like that on a Ducati, or even a BMW (which are cruder than you might think, especially for the money) -- much less a Japanese bike. But you know what? I don't care. I bought the bike because I wanted something different. I have ridden the Ducati Hypermotard -- the "S" model, no less, with the lighter forged wheels and upgraded suspension -- and the Ducati Monsters, and the new Triumph Bonneville and two generations of the Triumph Speed Triple. I know how refined they are -- especially the Ducatis, which have incredible engines, brakes and handling, along with a high level of finish. But I have a Ducati, and I have a big long-distance rig in the BMW GS. I wanted a bike that was raw and elemental, with character, that would be the bike I can ride almost anywhere. The XR1200 is also a heavy beast. But it is really, really cool. As I think I mentioned, all of my riding buddies are intrigued by this bike. None of them own Harleys yet. But once they ride this bike, I think they will become customers. I couldn't be happier -- except for the weather, of course. I want to ride my bike! Anyway, if you ever have a sportbike guy in the shop who is on the fence and wants to talk to brethren about the XR1200, I'll be happy to set 'em straight. Just tell them to give me a call. While I've got you on the e-mail line, I want to say what a great staff you have. The Harley dealer experience is amazing. I have worked in the bicycle business for many years, and I can tell you that if you ever got treated like that in a bike store, you'd have a heart attack. All the small touches -- the pigtail for the Battery Tender already installed, the free buddy rental, the poker run to meet the staff -- they all add up to an amazing couple of hours. I think you have a new customer for life. | ||
| Aeholton |
Jammin - Looks like you take good care of your customers. Nice to read rider impressions. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
excellent report! really decent of your customer to take the time, and cool that you shared it with us. and also very cool that you treat your customers the way ALL customers at ALL dealerships should be treated, regardless of what they ride in on, regardless of what they ride out on. thank you. FB | ||
| Jammin_joules |
I'd like to say it is easy to treat people the way they want to be treated but it isn't always. Too many folks come in with a chip on their shoulder, or others are willing to go down the street for $100 difference on a deal you worked on with them for 6 weeks and spent maybe 4 or 5 hours, another couple with the finance guy, helping them draft the perfect deal and finance package to some fast talker who has nothing to loose taking what you have pulled together and low balling an offer, often even hiding certain fees until the buyer is in the sales office at closing. It's not that I blame someone for saving $100, but how about coming back to me after you have that better offer and see if we can't meet it? So I see dealerships loosing more and more seasoned sales staff, service too, for younger, lower paid and less experienced car-sales-style folks hurting the customer purchase experience. Why, because, like in most life, you often get what you pay for. It's not that this is a huge part of our business experience mind you, but if one in ten turn out this way, it is too many for a person working in slow selling season. So they are tempted to be more aloof, less focused and attentive. I thoroughly believe in building a pipeline of people you've helped regardless of having a sale or not, because eventually most come around and do buy from you. Other dealers experiences reveal to many of them that dark side behavior and the observant customer will shy away from them. In the long run no one regrets taking the high road. But in the short run, people feel the burn of lost sales when a customer is not straight up or honest with them. Of course, this is not anyone on BWB. Treat others as you wish to be treated works for both parties in a sales situation. ~jammer | ||
| Jaab4 |
I just got off the new XL1200R and it seems to be all it should be. Nice brakes, a little better motor than a standard XL and great seating position. 25 degrees F and icy so couldnt really feel a lot though. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Jammer, thx for the thoughtful insights into your world. i've never been in a "sales" position, but i can sure understand your frustration at losing a deal in the way you describe. my buddy Dave Stueve seemed to have the same mindset as you: treat people like your family, fairly and with respect. i'm sure he lost some sales here and there to a salesman with no scruples, but what goes around comes around, and i think people like him - and, from what i read in your words, people like you - will always come out on top. i, too, wholeheartedly agree that the customer should treat YOU with respect, as well. as i've gotten older it's gotten easier for me to understand life from a salesperson's perspective, and i imagine there are some really tough days you have to slog thru, especially when times are a little tough out on the street. anyway, i hope you pass on to your customer that we appreciate his report and for taking the time to write it. and thank you again for taking the time to share it. Happy Holidays, Ferris | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I have to say it, Jammer is spot on. I never count a sale until it is tagged, and ridden/delivered home. The only thing worse than having them go across town for a deal for $100 bucks, is to have them come into your shop on your day off and do the deal, and you find out about it later.  | ||
| Oddball |
I had one salesman jump in right after another had started a pitch. Maybe the first was a manager or something but it seemed like cutting into someone else's dance. I went back to the quiet buell/vrod muscle corner. Why the xr wasn't grouped with them I'll never know. Every time I go in there I want to seize control of the sales floor. Maybe my view of the way things should be done would never wash but I know what sells to me. I don't think they have any sport oriented salesmen. It's sad really. The pitch for the xr consisted of "Do you want it? I can have it ready for you in two hours. Four hours if you need insurance/financing." |
