the XR1200X

[GI Jack]

too bad we don't get this in America yet. I don't get it. If they give us the XR1200, why not the X

http://bikerholic.com/2009/07/30/the...pean-elegance/

Holy ****, its a dark custom version of the XR1200. All you need is clubman bars, a coffin tank, some clip ons, and some 2-1 straight pipes and you've got a really sick, really sinister cafe racer.

[chuckyj95]

That thing is amazing it is on the UK site http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/C.../model/xr1200x

Why is it not in the US

[badinfluence63]

Hopefully in its second year of production they will have worked out some of the disapointments owners have had with the first years production. Never never get the first year or 2's production. Rarely is the product right.

That seat sure looks like it leaves alot to be desired,eh. Great looking bike.

[Dodsfall]

These sell for $15,000 retail in Europe. Way too much I think. I wonder what the US price will be.

[GI Jack]

Originally Posted by Dodsfall

These sell for $15,000 retail in Europe. Way too much I think. I wonder what the US price will be.

from what I heard from an Irishman, the guy who sold me my harley, harleys are typically twice the price at least in europe. There are few vendors, and people willingly would murder for them.

edit: I don't see it being more than a $1000 about the base XR1200

[Dodsfall]

I would think it's a bit cheaper than the standard XR1200, as there are fewer chromed parts. The blacked-out bikes are generally less at retail because of that.

[GI Jack]

Originally Posted by Dodsfall

I would think it's a bit cheaper than the standard XR1200, as there are fewer chromed parts. The blacked-out bikes are generally less at retail because of that.

unless your harley. its a dark custom. my iron 883 cost more than a base model sporty, but not by too much.

edit: the X also has upgraded suspension and brakes.

[Buzz Kanter]

As I understand it the main difference between the US and Euro X model (other than the paint) is the suspension. And I believe Americans can order the X suspension for our own XR1200.

[67fire]

When I test rode the XR1200R, I asked the salesman if I could get it with the black engine, swing-arm and pipes. He said not to hold my breath!
V & H makes a set of pipes for it but, it would look MUCH BETTER with everything blacked out
except for the red tank and fender.

With the high pipes of the old XR750, it would be KILLER!

Eric

[Lurch77]

What a sweet, sweet looking ride! New wallpaper for me. I wish they had the XR models out when I bought mine.

[67fire]

One of these?






With the V&H exhaust, it would be EXACTLY how I envisioned it!
(Only with the Red tank and fender.)

After riding one, I highly recommend it as a great beginner bike.

Eric

[Lurch77]

Beginner bike hell. I could see one of those in my garage for the rest of my life, slowly being modified with Storz Performance and garage made stuff.

[67fire]

Ride one.

Eric

[BH121869]

They look great to me except for the mufflers. I looked at them and after setting on it didn't want a test ride. It weighs the same as a standard sporty. I've had three Sportys and love them, and the last one a 2001 1200 S model ruined me. it handled and out run the new ones with ease, well except for this one.

[Lurch77]

Originally Posted by 67fire

Ride one.

Eric

I guess I don't follow you. Are you saying it would not be something a person would want in the long run? Everything I have read says it is a fun, sporty machine for what it is. I'm sure it would not hold a candle to my Gixxer, but I think it would be a fun bike to own. The sporty I have now is a lot of fun to ride in my opinion, I can only think the XR would be more fun.

[BH121869]

I think it is a fun bike. I'd waited and wished Harley would someday come out with a Sportster, with the Buell 1203 motor and shed some weight. They did kick up the power on this one but it is still heavy. The XR 750 was and is a fast racing bike. This 1200XR could have been so much better. I got a Buell instead. I started riding when nothing was faster at the drags than an 883 Sportster. In the 50's and 60's it was king. by the mid 70's it fell behind. I then switched to Kawasaki bikes. Harley didn't even try to keep up. Just give us one model Sportster, keep it at 1200cc and get it down to 450lbs with 140hp. Then it would deserve these racing colors of black n orange.

[Lurch77]

OK, I agree with you there. I do wish HD would up the power across the board. Would be great if they took those now defunct Buell engines and stuck them in the XR to make it a truly good machine.

[GI Jack]

the biggest killer for the sportster being fast is the fact its 550 pounds, and you don't get around that easy. Its made out of pure steel, and steel has a much much much higher strength to density ratio to aluminum, which is better strength to mass.

Which makes it fine for frames designed to be aluminum, but it demands a complete re-design for any significant weight savings on mr sporster.

Or for ****s and giggle, see if Erik Buell would lend a brand spanking new 1190rr power plant.

That'd be worth it, if only to pull up to some squid on a 600cc sportbike and embaress the living **** out of him.

[67fire]

Here's a link to the exhaust that I was looking at for the XR1200R to help make it look/perform better:

http://www.vanceandhines.com/product...212-widow.html

Still needs a single out pipe or the high twin like the XR750 of old.

Eric

[Lurch77]

Bub makes a tracker style exhaust for the XR, in black or chrome. It would be on my list if I owned one. http://www.storzperf.com/

[67fire]

Now THAT'S what I am talkin' about!



With, the black engine and swing-arm.
I would like to see the price, quite a bit lower than $1,050 though.

Eric

[BH121869]

In 1997 The S model 1200cc Sportster weighed 498 dry.
The 2010 C model is 569 dry. The older you go the lighter they were. With modern materials they should not be over 450.

[Lurch77]

True. But on the other hand it is nice to see a manufacturer that uses steel instead of lightweight, space age plastics all over. Have you seen the Honda Fury? Every "chrome" part and both fenders are plastic. Also the 2004-on Sportsters gained some weight because of the rubber mounted engine design.

[BH121869]

Originally Posted by Lurch77

True. But on the other hand it is nice to see a manufacturer that uses steel instead of lightweight, space age plastics all over. Have you seen the Honda Fury? Every "chrome" part and both fenders are plastic. Also the 2004-on Sportsters gained some weight because of the rubber mounted engine design.

I would agree with you except the Sportster was built in 1957 to compete and out perform other motorcycles. It was state of the art back then. It was the original sports bike. It was light for the time and very fast. Now with electric start, large battery, rubber mounts,lower compression and on and on it has not kept up. By 1970 it started loosing ground and became a mild, smooth,quiet none sporting bike. It looks good, sounds good and is a fun reliable bike. 90 HP for a 1200cc? Harley can do better than that.

,

[Lurch77]

Agree. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, they can do better across the board when it comes to HP. I love them, but they desperately need to inject some steroids into the engine department.

[GI Jack]

Originally Posted by BH121869

In 1997 The S model 1200cc Sportster weighed 498 dry.
The 2010 C model is 569 dry. The older you go the lighter they were. With modern materials they should not be over 450.

if you think thats something, the original 1957 sporty was an even 400, but only had 35 hp.

I'm also pretty sure the old time purists would grumble about plastic, but they hate sporsters to begin with

[BH121869]

Originally Posted by GI Jack

if you think thats something, the original 1957 sporty was an even 400, but only had 35 hp.

I'm also pretty sure the old time purists would grumble about plastic, but they hate sporsters to begin with

Your absolutely correct. The 1955 and 56 K model flat heads had more power than the new overhead valve motors for a couple years. They were even lighter than 400lbs.