how reliable or newer HD's

[vistavette]

Originally Posted by R1200R

i got a BMW R1200R "Classic", I have pics in my profile .. as to the Harleys, that were there, the main difference I noticed was the newer one which had the ABS was "less chromed out" but I think that's just an option thing, they were both 1600+ cc..

The R1200R is a great looking bike; I look at those everytime i'm in a BMW dealer - as far as the Harleys go; I meant did you happen to notice anything specific about them during the emergency braking exercise - you mentioned them in your original post so I thought you may have noticed something specific regarding them

[V8Thrasher]

Originally Posted by R1200R

kinda like the V-rod... a great Harley, a superior motor in almost every respect, but dang if it didn't sell as well as it should have.

Hey man, the thing just had a 10 year anniversary, it may not be selling like other Harleys, but it does have a devoted following

[ReconLdr]

Originally Posted by R1200R

kinda like the V-rod... a great Harley, a superior motor in almost every respect, but dang if it didn't sell as well as it should have.

Yet another [former] Erik Buell project.

The liquid-cooled Harley V-Rod motor, developed by Harley-Davidson then made street legal according to the EPA by Porsche, was originally an Erik Buell project, designed for a fully faired AMA Superbike Buell by 1998.[8] Harley decided the engine should also be used in a sport-cruiser, then took over development, making it "too big, too heavy, too expensive and too late" for Buell.[8]

Originally Posted by V8Thrasher

Hey man, the thing just had a 10 year anniversary, it may not be selling like other Harleys, but it does have a devoted following

Time will tell.

Based on some comments about my bike from HD riders/mechanics/die hards... Buell designed motorcycles might have been more popular if they had the "Bar and Shield" instead of "Buell American Motorcycles" on the gas tank/air box. I've had quite a few guys tell me they would've bought one if it said "Harley Davidson" on the side.

[V8Thrasher]

Wow Recon I had no idea the Revolution motor was a former Buell project.... Imagine what Eric would of done with it if he was able to do what he originally envisioned?

[ReconLdr]

Originally Posted by V8Thrasher

Wow Recon I had no idea the Revolution motor was a former Buell project.... Imagine what Eric would of done with it if he was able to do what he originally envisioned?

The Buell Xb platform was originally supposed to have a 150+ HP turbo charged 1203cc motor. Some of the early production frames still have a "bump" in the frame/fuel tank to provide clearance for the turbo/ducting.

He really has had some great ideas. Like I said in an earlier post, there are quite a few people that believe HD was holding Buell back. Granted almost all of them are huge Buell enthusiasts (like me).

I just hope his (EB) partnership with Hero affords him the $$$ to bring more EBR bikes to market.

[R1200R]

Originally Posted by vistavette

The R1200R is a great looking bike; I look at those everytime i'm in a BMW dealer - as far as the Harleys go; I meant did you happen to notice anything specific about them during the emergency braking exercise - you mentioned them in your original post so I thought you may have noticed something specific regarding them

no, I was just contrasting the difference in their braking performance with and without ABS... cause everyone else there was on a different brand/bike.. There was a Shadow 750, two Triumphs, one a cruiser the other a Bonneville, myself, and a crotch rocket Kawasaki.. Besides me and the other Harley, they were all on normal brakes.

[Badlands-4-2]

Originally Posted by vistavette

What kind of bike did you get? Notice any difference between the two Harley's?

I have two Harleys, one without ABS and one with. I wish that they both had it. I had the rear tire lock up on me durring a panic stop the other day. Scarry, and would not have happened if it had ABS.

[R1200R]

Originally Posted by vistavette

The R1200R is a great looking bike; I look at those everytime i'm in a BMW dealer - as far as the Harleys go; I meant did you happen to notice anything specific about them during the emergency braking exercise - you mentioned them in your original post so I thought you may have noticed something specific regarding them

I was gonna edit my answer, but it wouldn't let me... to be more specific..

the ABS Harley stopped in about 1/3 less distance, and there was absolutely no rear wheel lock up during the 4 times that I watched him stop it.. the guy without the ABS locked up twice and all 4 times stopped almost two bike lengths longer from 30.. it's eye opening.

[Biker Dash]

Ah... the V-Rod and Erik Buell... Great bike and a great man. Had Buell been given the needed support from HD, and if Buell had been given the opportuinity to do stuff for more of Harley's bikes, I think that HD would have been making even better bikes.

I myself would love to have an earlier V-Rod. One of the ones with mid mount controls.

Imagine just how much better the bikes would be if Erik had been working on them? They might have even replaced Honda as my favorite brand lol