| Author | Message | ||
     Stretchman |
Hello all. I know there is some issues with the whole Buell & Harley thing that happened, but I am hoping that it doesn't bleed into this thread. I just picked up a 16 1200CX Roadster. I used to ride a 12S, then traded that for a 12SS that I ended up selling in 2012. The performance was very on point for the XB, but I never really took a shine to the new water cooled models. I know, way back in the days, that a lot of people used to install Buell parts onto their Sportys in order for them to go faster. Even though Buell has been away from Harleys for a long time, do you think there is even the slightest of chances he might someday start producing some performance parts for the XL again? Lot of people have begun to resurrect the old XLs and turn them into cafes, scrams, and jumpers. Lots more than the poser bikes that most people do up. If anyone in the world knows this engine, then it's gotta be Buell. What happened in the corporate world doesn't have anything to do with the people that ride these machines. I have always been a Harley guy, way before I ever got a Buell, and after as well. My parents had a old shovelhead back in the days when they were making the FXR, which Buell also had a hand in. Just keeping my fingers crossed that no one takes this the wrong way. I love the Roadie as much as I loved my XBs, but it doesn't have everything that the XB had on tap. What it does have is potential. Everyone that was a fan of both bikes is sorry for what happened. Maybe it's time to put all of that behind us, and think of future potential. | ||
| Aesquire |
I wouldn't bother looking for Buell parts, just use the available upgrades to that engine platform. Cams & head porting would pep that 1200 right up. BTW no one here is angry at Harley Riders. Many of us ride them. Mocking the management that messed up the company with what seems to me to be bad decisions on dropping the Buell line is normal. Bean counter management often ruins companies. ( See take your pick US car company ) | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
"do you think there is even the slightest of chances he might someday start producing some performance parts for the XL again? " I dont think there is a chance at all. | ||
| Airbozo |
Yes I ride both as well. My sportster is way faster in a straight line than either my S3T or XB12R. Or was until I tore it down to repaint and clean everything up. Performance parts for the Roadsters are out there and quite good. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I think the Roadster is a very nice looking bike, but ~80 HP & 549 lbs for the Sporty vs. 103 HP and 395 lbs. for a Buell XB12? It would take a LOT of extra HP to overcome a 154 lb weight penalty. | ||
| Stretchman |
OK, thanks. Was more curious than anything else, and I guess it answered the question that I had. They're starting to run the street models on the flat track now. V&H is in charge of the build, but Indian is handing them their butts out there, for certain. | ||
| Midknyte |
"I think the Roadster is a very nice looking bike..." The Roadster is a really good bike to ride if you want to look really good riding a bike. It does have a nice amount of spunk to it though. It's no Buell, but it's the best Sporty going. It's a good four inches taller than the others and I like the catbird seating that gives. It's damned odd to go around a turn and not drag any hard parts. | ||
| Ducbsa |
I test rode a Roadster and have thought a lot about building a cafe Sporty, but that I say to myself, "My XB12S already has 100 hp, is lighter, and handles better, why not just ride more?" | ||
| Glitch |
I used to have a 68 Sportster, it was my first street bike. I loved that bike, and should have never traded for that H2 Kawi. Oh well...  | ||
| Tootal |
Nice Glitch! Ye ole hay shaker! | ||
| Stretchman |
Sorry it took so long for me to get back to this thread. Things have been crazy. Even stock, it's got some pep. It doesn't turn in nearly as fast as my SS did, but it handles pretty good. Riding the Road King after riding this is like riding a pig. Of course, the Road King is more comfy, but a lot heavier in comparison. The reason I asked about Buell stuff for it, is that compared to anything else out there, the Buell upgrades made to extra power tolerable. Plenty of people upgrade their Sportys to get more out of them, and then, regret it and end up selling their bikes. The Buell not only had the gusto, but delivered it in such as way as to make it a joy to ride. For some reason, the aftermarket stuff for the Sporty seems to turn it into a bone shaker. The new XG has been making some appearances on the flat track, built out by V&H, but, they aren't even coming close to winning against the new Indian. It's not simply numbers out there, but the way that those numbers are delivered from the wick that make the difference.  | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
That is a good looking bike | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I picked a leftover up a few weeks ago. So far, I love it. It is what it is. | ||
| Pwnzor |
+1 Hybrid.... nice indeed. | ||
| Glitch |
Nice bike For some reason, the aftermarket stuff for the Sporty seems to turn it into a bone shaker. Put a Buell ZTL front end on it, if you'd like a "Buell Upgrade" | ||
| Ratbuell |
I heva yet to ride one yet (busted my ankle Monday) but studying up on the Indian product line, the Scout impresses the hell out of me. Great look...and 100hp! | ||
| Snacktoast |
The Scout and the Roadster are two different animals. I'd suggest you ride both to see which you like better. Very different engine and power delivery. The Scout engine is smooth, but it doesn't have the low end torque of the XL. With mufflers and a high flow filter you can expect about 87-90 RWHP from the Scout. I've seen those #s on a DynoJet dyno. Harley's got a Stage 4 engine kit that should see around 90 HP at the wheel if you're a power junkie, and it's warrantable as well. Electronic throttle control on the Scout - different throttle response, no matter which tuner you're using. Roadster has better suspension (much better, IMHO) and brakes. Very different seating position, especially since you can't get anything other than forward controls on the scout. (Message edited by snacktoast on June 14, 2017) | ||
| Stretchman |
+ Johnnylunchbox - Cool. WHat color did you get? They had some bargains on leftovers, and just under 9K. Just added a sissy bar and put on a cheapo charging port so I can charge my phone while riding. Have a Sena smh10r in the helmet. Was riding a 2013 Triumph Thunderbird. Bike had a lot of torque, but weighed like 800 lbs. I also test rode the Triumph Bonneville T-120. Nice bike, like it a lot, but still think the Roadster, especially with the discount on a leftover, is a better deal. All things considered, the numbers are pretty similar, according to Cycle World, who Dyno'd both. +-1 unit apart, but the Bonnie has a 6 speed instead of a 5 speed. Non issue for me, as I rarely get into 5th gear on the Roadster, except on the highway. Handling is pretty good. Not Buell quick, but pretty good. Still in break in phase, so I'll have to see what it can do once it loosens up a bit, and I can get a stage one kit on it. They have clip ons, a cafe tail, and rear sets for it as well. IDK if I am going to go that direction with it though. I am thinking more along the lines of just getting a Mustang Super Tripper, and maybe leaving everything else as is. We'll see what develops, as time goes on. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Stretchman, mine looks just like yours. I got the stripped down version with no alarm or abs. So far Ive added a national cycle flyscreen, some old fieldsheer soft bags, and an english horse saddle sheepskin cover on the seat.. The bike is certainly not Buell quick in any direction, but I just wanted a decent standard bike that didn't scrape hard parts around every turn.   | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
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| Greg_e |
Is that a 7 inch headlight? Noticing that they used a "regular" headlight and wondering why, it certainly wouldn't add more than about $60 to the cost of the bike and they would mark it up by $500 for an LED. A proper Cafe with clip-ons and rearsets would look nice | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
The only mods I want are 15" shocks and rear sets. I'm too old for clipons. I'm still debating on the rearsets though. I'd have to find someone who has them and test it out. The mid pegs are OK, not perfect though. | ||
| Midknyte |
The headlight is 6 1/2 inches. Factory clip ons and rears sets are available. Clip ons will also need a different gauge cluster mount though, as the stock one is integrated into the bar mount. I, uh, bought one too and planned on switching out to rear sets as well, but one of my internal justifications for multiple bikes is that each is set up as a different riding style, and the Firebolt has clip ons and rear sets if I'm desiring that in a ride, so I'm keeping it stock crouch. The only thing I've felt compelled to do so far is switch out the filter cover to fix the color line. It's a real nice bike overall and fixes the shortcomings of the Iron, but I have no regrets there because it serves its' purpose.  | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Midknyte, exactly how I feel. I'm leaning towards stock everything with the exception of longer rear shocks to squeeze out a few more degrees of lean angle, but right now the whole bike serves its purpose very well. On the footpeg front, I've found that using the passenger pegs on long highway runs is a nice way of switching positions. This is the direction Harley should keep heading. | ||
| Midknyte |
>This is the direction Harley should keep heading. It is. I really like how they've treated out the Sportsters. | ||
| Greg_e |
Should have built it with an XG engine. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I actually prefer the Scout (now that I've had some seat time). With DOHC and a 9k redline, you have to ride it differently - like the difference between XB and 1125. Low torque is more than adequate, and the whole animal comes to life as the revs climb. And climb. But what gets me the most is the chassis. It really IS low - not just a hogged-out, lowered seat in a narrow/topheavy frame. The rake and trail make it stupid-stable at any speed and low speed maneuvers are dirt simple regardless of experience level. Scout has an aluminum chassis to help reduce weight and lower the center of gravity. The seat is low, controls are easy to reach, brakes are nicely balanced with optional ABS...as a package, I just prefer it to the XL. | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ I was following a threads about Scouts over on ADVrider, and a guy pointed out that Roland Sands recently came out with mid-mount controls for the Scout: http://www.rolandsands.com/product/594/rsd-scout-m id-controls/contrast-cut At $675 they're a little pricey (and they're out of stock right now), but something like that with a somewhat taller, flatter seat would make the Scout a lot more attractive to me. | ||
| Stretchman |
@Johnnylunchbox - Like what you did with the bike, especially the grips. What brand are they, if I might ask? I am looking at the Mustang Super Tripper seat. I rolled the bars forward on mine, mounted my x-grip and a charging port that runs off of the battery tender lead. I'll try to get pix tomorrow. Also added a sissy bar, so I have some place to strap down cargo. Don't want to add saddlebags, but the Euro tail looks kind of neat. WHat would be even better is something in a tail tidy, since a lot of people were actually doing that to the buell back in the day. A short tail with a rear tail light would be ideal. Might have to fab something up for it. | ||
| Rkc00 |
Any differences from 16 to 17. Thinking of selling the 09 Uly and getting one of these. My dealer has a 16. What should I be paying for it? | ||
| Stretchman |
I am guessing that a lot of the 16's went out the door for around 9K + tax, tag, etc. | ||
| Midknyte |
I'm not aware of any differences. I think it was a late 2016 introduction to begin with. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
STretchman, stock grips but I modified some of my HVMP bar end weights to fit the 1" bars. Mike, as mentioned 2016 should be going for about 9k. No differences for 17 as far as I know. Not as good as the Buell by any metric, but good enough. Noise vibration and harshness are worse that any of my buells ever were. (Uniplanar mounting anyone?). Seat is not great. I kind of like the Ryca tail section  | ||
| Rkc00 |
Thanks Steve |
