| Author | Message | ||
     Aeholton |
I would buy one (if I could afford it) for the the same reason I would buy one of the new Nortons or Triumph Bonnevilles. It's a cool looking retro bike. Performance is not really a factor. I have an 1125r to feed my performance needs. It's not lifestyle, but the style of the bike that appeals to me. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
the reason I came to Buell.... I could spend 5k modifying the Sportster I have.... or I could get a bike that is better out of the door than a converted HD would ever be.... 3 days on the track at Vegas... and I was DONE. BUELL. No contest. | ||
| Reg_kittrelle |
The XR1200X was introduced to the press at Road American last Thursday; there were 16 (I believe) of us from various pubs. I liked the XR from my very first ride last June. It is not a sportbike per se, but it is a very sporting bike. I even did a bit of touring on it; Santa Cruz to Denver, 1,300 miles. I really enjoyed that trip, but had to always keep in mind where the next gas station was located. By the time I arrived in Denver the rear shocks were soggy, leaking "toast," however. This last fact made the XR1200X a welcome addition with its serious suspension upgrades. This was a very fun, forgiving track bike .... I'll let the several magazine articles that will be appearing give you all the details. Yes, it was ground-clearance challenged, but this didn't halt the fun. Power is just OK, but more than enough to make it enjoyable. Brakes were very good. My track visits have become very rare, so it took me a while to get back up to speed, but the bike easily forgave some of my ham-fisted moves at the beginning of the day. The footpegs and the sidestand drag very easily,so the fact that I managed to leave my knee pucks home didn't hamper the fun. I didn't realize I'd left them off my leathers until I made a real effort to get a knee down. Fortunately, I just skimmed the track before feeling that something wasn't right ... coulda hurt myself there. I understand the passion driving many of your comments, but some of them are a little off-base. Not to pick on anyone, but to say "It is essentially the same overweight sportster frame they have been using since 1984," is incorrect. To the uninformed "essentially" every motorcycle is the same. No it is not a Buell, but then the reverse is also true. I watched some of the best riding talent that our magazines have to offer push this bike quite hard. It might surprise you how good it is. Note: The black bike pix were taken on the RA track, I was on the supermotard/go-kart track with the white one.      | ||
| Radioelasais |
Any stock XB looks waaaaay better that this "new" HD. I mean ... it is not that bad (with a proper muffler it would be even better) ... it is ... well, you know, it's just another HD. I would buy a Triumph or a Ducati any day if I was looking for a new naked muscle bike with a vintage-ish look. boring. bored. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Given the same money: Thruxton or Sport 1000 any day. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I test rode a new XB1200 today and it was ok, kinda like my old M2 Cyclone. I liked the handlebars, it handled very nicely, suspension was good, I loved the self-cancelling turn signals, I didn't care for the seat and the mufflers looked terrible, BUT I was at a Harley Demo fleet today and it was the only Harley that I wanted to ride! They didn't have a Road King or a Dyna that I was hoping to test ride so I just roed the 2010 XR1200 Sportster and called it a day. I have to admit, I'm kinda wanting to see the new XB1220X in person and test ride it. While it's not a Buell, it just might turn out to be the next best motorcycle. I'll keep an open mind on it until I see and ride one. | ||
| 4cammer |
I see the XR1200 as todays "Screaming Chicken" Firebird and T/A's of the '80's. Pretty cool looking for what they are, fast enough for some people, but not even close to what they are trying to pretend to be. Sad. | ||
| Reg_kittrelle |
4cammer, What is Harley "trying to pretend" it to be? | ||
| Bads1 |
Reg, For the money. Theres other standards I'd personally rather have but thats just me. I just can't exactly put my finger on why I don't like the bikes appearance but I don't. | ||
| Reg_kittrelle |
Bad... Understand and agree. From a purely aesthetic standpoint the XR can't come close to the S1. The slavish adherence to the design points of the XR750 have produced a somewhat disjointed looking XR1200. In particular, the tank needs some serious design help. Another fault of the tank design is that it dictates a very poor, constrictive airbox design. This design issue highlights a basic problem with Harley in general, but one with the most impact on this motorcycle. Willie G. holds absolute sway over the designs. They absolutely MUST carry forth certain design cues. This is all well and good re the rest of the models, but the restriction on this one produced a "close, but no cigar" motorcycle, styling-wise. What seems to be overlooked by many at Harley is that the legendary XR750 often elicits a "Huh?" from their target customer. Steve Storz does a much better looking version of this motorcycle. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I still think my old 1983 Honda Ascot VT500FT captures more of the spirit (as far as appearance) of the XR750.  Sure wish Honda would come out with an updated version of this bike. Meanwhile, I'll keep enjoying my original. BTW- Honda had a pretty ingenious solution to the airbox problem on these bikes: the (large) airbox is under the seat; clean air is ducted to the dual carburetors under the gas tank. (Message edited by hughlysses on June 05, 2010) | ||
| 4cammer |
Reg - they pretend this to actually be inspired by the XR racers. That is like saying the Cobra II Mustangs were inspired by Carrol Shelby. Hmmmm....HD might want to see Steve Storz or Richard Pollock of Mule to see what XR styling can be. The XR1200 is exactly the bike I feared HD would put out once they finally got around to making an XR-750 "replica". It is a nice enough bike, way too heavy in places, but IMO (and that is worth squat) they would have been better served and closer to the point and truth by naming it the new XLCR. By the way, I was recently thumbing through my copies of Battle2win (I assume you are the same fella...), wish we had magazines like that still on the newsstand! | ||
| Just_ziptab |
What problem did the up sweep pipes solve......when they could have had something nice like this?  | ||
| Reg_kittrelle |
'cammer, still haven't found common ground with you. I believe the term "inspired" is accurate. HD does not claim similar performance, has never mentioned anything that I know of re dirt track racing this bike, but the styling cues are in place. I think the resulting design is awkward, but "inspired" is accurate. I believe those " " around replica are yours; Harley has never said this to be a replica. I think you have an interesting point re the "XLCR" moniker. It might have been a better name, except that bike was a short-lived utter failure, whereas the inspiring XR750 is a legendary machine. Yeah, Battle2win was mine. Very proud of that effort, tho it lost me tens of thousands of dollars. Zip... even tho the XR has some clearance issues on the track, those pictured pipes of yours would not last ten miles on a mountain road with the cornering ability of the XR. (Message edited by reg_kittrelle on June 05, 2010) | ||
| Reg_kittrelle |
For those interested in this mc, there's a similar thread going on over at Advenure Rider: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58 6152 | ||
| Americanmadexb |
This whole thread has got my laughing.. I got a buddy with a 1993 883 that has more power (93 HP to rear) and cost WAY less then this damn xr1200.. WHAT a joke Hardley D has become.  | ||
| Reg_kittrelle |
Americanmade... I might laugh along with you had your buddy's bike come with the Supertrapp, rearsets, Corbin saddle and engine mods. As it sat on the showroom floor it was a bit of a pig. Add those upgrade costs to the purchase price, convert to 2010 dollars, and I doubt there's all that much difference Put similar mods into the XR and 110 hp should be an easy goal. Also, the swingarm on that 883 has a tendency to twist, plus the suspension can't hold a candle to the newest XR. Plus, the brakes on the 883 leave something to be desired ... a lot to be desired. I'm not trying to insult your bud's bike, but facts can't be ignored. | ||
| Americanmadexb |
well i understand.. but is a 883 with EVERYTHING the 1200 has and needs... Just saying.. Oh, it's also 17 years old! | ||
| Aeholton |
but is a 883 with EVERYTHING the 1200 has and needs... Except fuel injection. | ||
| Americanmadexb |
And if your talking cost... this was a stock 883 2 years ago.. It cost about $1,500 to get to this point! So, you got maybe 6 grand in this.. i say WIN! | ||
| Americanmadexb |
Except fuel injection. I would love to see an S1 bitch about 93hp to the rear! (Message edited by americanmadexb on June 05, 2010) | ||
| Doug_s |
for $11.5k retail, give me a 2010 ducati sportclassic gt1000 - 92hp, 407lbs. take that to a track back-to-back w/the "best h-d ever made", and get back to me. take both on 1300 mile trips and get back to me... http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/ducati/2010-ducati-sportclassic-gt1000-ar65130.html  doug s. | ||
| Just_ziptab |
That 93 has a nice looking exhaust on it that wouldn't get canyon rash..........  This doesn't look all that much rash proof in the pipes.........  The other pics look like it already has rash....... (Message edited by just_ziptab on June 05, 2010) | ||
| Reg_kittrelle |
Yep, ground clearance is the major problem with this bike. The pix is of what began as a 1.5-inch "curb feeler" on the end of the pegs.  | ||
| Slaughter |
I can't believe people still keep those damnable lawyer-mandated ground feelers on their pegs. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
here is where they should have gone....  | ||
| Ezblast |
So that's the new Blast Platform? | ||
| Reg_kittrelle |
Yeah, 'Slicker, I fell in serious lust when I saw this Sand's bike,but if you're thinking of it as a racer it carries over the same problem as the stocker: insufficient airbox capacity | ||
| Kenm123t |
Hmm 3 nice M2s would be a even better deal at that price. | ||
| Whatever |
I wouldn't mind one of these...  |
