| Author | Message | ||
     4cammer |
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I did the factory tour at Homecoming last year I didn't see anything being "made". It was all assembly. The only re-tooling would be changing one box of parts for another box of parts." I may be wrong, but I think you will find the same in most any (affordable) auto or bike manufacturing plant. Think Triumph makes their own frames? The day of the Model T where the majority of the content is made on site and in house is over. Kingsford charcoal ain't from Ford wood any more. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Nobody is comparing it to the 1125R and I cannot imagine where you get that impression from. From trojan: As an aside, there was a poll on the UK Buell Enthusiasts site a while back asking which bike the readers prefered, 1125 or XR1200? The XR1200 won by a landslide, and this was a poll of Buell owners! By the way, your 984 Buell does not have more power than the XR1200 in stock form. Both are rated at 90bhp I believe, with the XR having more torque. XR1200, 90HP, 74 lbs. torque, 550 lbs XB9SX, 92HP, 70 lbs torque, 390 lbs. Come again? | ||
| Cityxslicker |
How is that thing so damn heavy as much as the current productions sporty when everything looks abbreviated.... I gotta put some saddle time on one of these, I am thinking Milwaukee is cornering me into a build of my 2003 XL883R into a "street tracker" | ||
| Trojan |
Fresno, a 2bhp difference won't make a buyer go to another bike. Let's face it, 90bhp is pretty low by today's standards anyway so power won't be the prime factor in purchasing either the XB9SX over the XR1200. What will influence buyers far more is style, brand name and advertising. I think you underestimate just how important style is to bike buyers. Lets face it, power is pretty irrelavant when even entry level bikes are capable of exceeding the speed limits by a huge amount. In these days of speed enforcement cameras and police harassment of bikers here in the UK/Europe at least, large capacity sportsbikes are becoming a little redundant in the real world. Sportsbikes are sold on image, not power, and most buyers will never use the performance that modern motorcycles offer. The Poll on UKBEG wasn't comparing power, or the benefits of the 1125 over the XR1200. It was comparing style, looks and what people would like to see in their garage and would spend their own money on. The XR1200 won by a country mile. I have only ever been into two US H-D/Buell dealers, but they were not so different to the majority of the UK dealerships. The showroom was stuffed with H-D bikes, merchandise, clothing and half a dozen keen salesmen ready to part you with your cash and sign you up to HOG heaven. Over in the corner, identified by a limp blue & white flag, is a small Buell display (if that) with no merchandise, no clothing and NO specialist salesman ready to speak the right language to sportsbike riders. I realise that there are exceptions to this, and some dealers are very Buell pro-active, but they are the minority unfortunately. It stands to reason that an undecided customer would need to be pretty committed to the Buell brand just to get past the H-D sales machine that hit hime as soon as he walked in the door. The XR1200 is a heavy bike no doubt, but a lot of that weight is carried in the Euro compliant exhaust system which most owners will remove and replace within 10 minutes of purchase. I am sure that there will be a burgeoning aftermarket for this bike just like every other H-D . The bike will have it's own race series in Italy and Spain this year, and there are already quite a lot of performance parts being developed even before the launch of the bike. Parts already developed include the parts shown here on the prototype XR1200 trophy racer from distinguished names such as Termignoni, Ohlins, Marchesini, Brembo etc.   I agree wholeheartedly with Sarodude, and there should be room for all manner of bikes and individual tastes in motorcycling. There is absolutely no reason why the XR1200 shouldn't sell alongside the XB/1125R. My initial post just questioned the motives of H-D in introducing a bike that would overlap into Buell territory in the first place, and what that would lead to in future. (Message edited by trojan on May 30, 2008) | ||
| Teddagreek |
I don't get how this bike is around 200LBs heavier than the original XR750  | ||
| Hughlysses |
I don't get how this bike is around 200LBs heavier than the original XR750 Rubber-mounted engine required a much heavier frame (IIRC that added ~50 lbs compared to pre-rubber mount Sporty), engine not cast from unobtainium/exotic aluminum alloy, heavy-arse crank compared to XR750, starter, alternator, and battery vs. magneto, etc. | ||
| Trojan |
I don't get how this bike is around 200LBs heavier than the original XR750 The original XR750 wasn't lumbered with a pile of road equipment that has to comply with ever tightening legislation. The exhausts must weigh 50lbs alone! Then there are the brakes of course. The orginal XR750 didn't have any  You'd be surprised how much weight can be taken off a modern road bike when you go racing. When we took our Ulysses racing in 2006 we removed around 70kg (155lb)of excess weight just by removeing the subframe, seat, lights and stock plastics. We could have saved more by removing most of the wiring harness, alternator, starter motor etc but were in a weight/power limited class so didn't go over the top with it. I'm pretty sure it would be possible to get the weight of theXR1200 down to around the same as a stock XB or lower with the judicious use of some lightweight parts. | ||
| Elvis |
I'm pretty sure it would be possible to get the weight of theXR1200 down to around the same as a stock XB or lower with the judicious use of some lightweight parts. . . . or you could just buy a stock XB and save yourself the trouble and money. | ||
| Jayvee |
Trojan, now we're talking, I would buy that XR over an XB Buell. I guess I just prefer longer wheelbase V-twins. Are you going to start carrying any of those cool parts by the way? I'm anxious for them to come out here now. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I wonder how a new XR1200 would compare to a 6 year old tube frame Buell? I have a feeling it would be a Buell butt-whoopin' in everything but resale value. I would rather have an XR1200 than an XB, though. Buell needs to do what Harley won't (or can't) and develop a viable tube-frame streettracker... they'd sell like hotcakes. I'd rather have one of those than an XR. | ||
| Guell |
i would rock that over a xb anyday. | ||
| Teddagreek |
XR750's are amazing bikes.. I know they are honoring old with the new but its not much of a compliment IMO.. I think you'd be hard pressed to shave a 100LBS let alone 200LBS.. These bikes are still raced very heavily... Some of this guys have their bikes down under 320LBS... Stock XR750 had the same HP as the XR1200 I think its kinda funny that a 28 to 38 Year old bike is lighter and faster than a bike built in 2008.. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
they dont have the battery either, the flat tracker xR750 had a slim line aluminum tank, none of the D.O.T. electrical lighting requirements, was at least 2 inches shorter. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I wouldn't mind seeing HD create a Evil Knievel version of the bike. Then they could give one to Robbie to crash the hell out of it. Talk about marketing  | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Must be retro engineering, too. HD is form over function - Buell is not. | ||
| Pushrodpete |
Why are we wasting so much bandwidth on a bike that we've been assured will never ever ever ever ever be built?  | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
You must be joking, Pushrod, cuz it is already being manufactured. | ||
| Trojan |
Trojan, now we're talking, I would buy that XR over an XB Buell. I guess I just prefer longer wheelbase V-twins Are you going to start carrying any of those cool parts by the way? . We are already planning a range of parts, in addition to the ones in the pictures, and have created space on our www.adrenalinmoto.co.uk web site for the goodies I'm anxious for them to come out here now Apparently H-D have no plans to release this model in the US, which is pretty bizarre if you ask me, seeing as it is the home of the XR750 and far more riders can relate to it over there! I'm sure if demand is there we'll see it in the US showrooms in 2009. Why are we wasting so much bandwidth on a bike that we've been assured will never ever ever ever ever be built? Oh yes it will. Unless I was hallucinating there were two of them at my local dealer Friday for 'staff training'. They even got to ride them. | ||
| Madduck |
There is no question that the dealers want to sell this bike in the US. Rumours of big changes for the existing sportster lineup for 2009 may delay it till a spring release. Harley listens to dealers and they have been selling styling for 100 years. The current customer base is me, old retiring and collecting motorcycles that move me. We will not be trifled with!! | ||
| Sarodude |
Every time Harley releases a Sport version of one if its bikes (upgraded suspension, brakes, improved cornering clearance) sales slump and the model gets discontinued. Seriously, check out how many FXDXs or XL883Rs get lowered and have highway pegs and barndoor windshields mounted. The bulk of the Harley crowd doesn't get it. BTW, I ride a Davidson. -Saro | ||
| Cityxslicker |
not mine, I need all the ground clearance and lean angle  | ||
| Sarodude |
Nice scooter, Brian! -Saro | ||
| Pushrodpete |
My "never ever ever ever ever" quip was in reference to a certain esteemed board member's repeated dismissals of the XR coming to market. I guess my dry wit (and rugged good looks) don't always translate to the written page... | ||
| Rick_a |
I agree with many that there simply isn't any comparison. | ||
| Madduck |
Retro styling doesn't get much more retro the the XR750 look. It's worked for harley,Ducati and Triumph lately. No reason at all for it not to work again. Thruxton Triumphs seem to be selling well as are the scramblers. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
Seriously, check out how many FXDXs or XL883Rs get lowered and have highway pegs and barndoor windshields mounted. The bulk of the Harley crowd doesn't get it. ...because the Harley crowd is old. Sorry but it's the truth for the most part. The average Harley rider wants to go down the road in relative comfort at a leisurely pace and look "good" doing so. There is a percentage of Harley riders who want the illusion of power and speed for those bee-line shots to the nearest watering hole where they can meet up with their chopper buddies but it's not HD's core demographic. The dilemma for HD is how to attract the next generation of customers while still maintaining their identity. | ||
| Teddagreek |
What would you pick? Ducati Sport Classic 1000s Triumph Thruxton HD XR1200 XR750 is one of my all time favorite bikes, I just feel they didn't do it justice by shortcuts on the XR1200 *Ducati's sport 1000's are 400 lbs, Stock at 92HP & 92NM of Torque, 6 speed modern adjustable suspension, good brakes,etc *All the new Triumph classics are 450 lbs still 100 lbs lighter than the XR1200    | ||
| Rubberdown |
Only problem with the Duc is it's RACK unless you get the GT1000. | ||
| Barker |
Thruxton wins the race for me. Best combo of price/form/function | ||
| Rick_a |
I'm pretty sure Buells of a 10-12 year vintage would be able to put an ass-whoopin' on this new Harley.  The race version looks cool as hell, but being based on an XL frame really puts it behind the 8-ball. I hate that its inspiration is supposed to be the XR750 yet it shares virtually none of its progenitor's traits. I'd most suredly take the Duc out of those three. |
