XR(X)1200 Harley

[cruzziguzzi]

I really liked the XR1200s.  Too bad the low volume couldn't be justified by HD's sales team...

Even a mega company should have some niche products...

I should think keeping it, if only as a place holder between Buell and whatever they'll use to counter an Indian attack in the V-twin "sport" segment, would have been a no-brainer. I guess ultimately HD is deathly afraid of potential head-on competition.

A race series with the XR, a Triumph and a Guzzi of two would have been pretty cool. The Vance & Hines series grew a little IROC stale.

But then too, I decried the decision to cut XR1000 production. Silly bike but I loved mine!


Todd.

[mjptexas]

Kev, the new Roadster is very cool.   Brad Richards (took Willie G's job after retirement) and his team did a nice job!  Brad is the most down to earth, bike crazy guy you will ever meet.

The Roadster's ergos are very different than those of the XR1200.  They are closer to those of my Ducati Monster:



If you're expecting the Roadster to be the second coming of the XR1200 you will be sorely disappointed.

If you're expecting the Roadster to be a competent handling Sportster with real cornering clearance, very good suspension, super brakes and aggressive ergonomics, you will be happy. 

I have to give Harley credit for making a serious effort to build something other than a cruiser.

[fossil]

One of our German magazines (called MO - their main characteristic is they LOVE Guzzis) just test-rode the new Roadster. And they were really surprised: they said this bike can corners - and not only "for a Harley".

[Kev m]

The Roadster's ergos are very different than those of the XR1200.  They are closer to those of my Ducati Monster:



If you're expecting the Roadster to be the second coming of the XR1200 you will be sorely disappointed.

If you're expecting the Roadster to be a competent handling Sportster with real cornering clearance, very good suspension, super brakes and aggressive ergonomics, you will be happy. 

I have to give Harley credit for making a serious effort to build something other than a cruiser.

It's that ergo difference that makes the new Roadster so much more attractive to me than the XR. 

[cruzziguzzi]

It's that ergo difference that makes the new Roadster so much more attractive to me than the XR. 

Hear, hear.. Same here!

I had an XR1000 and loved it ion spite of its sporting paradox. When the 1200 came out I was quite excited until I sat one, as with the Buel I had for a short time, something did not ring true with me in its ergo-ration.

The Roadster now... That seems to be a fine mix of what I liked about my XR, what I currently love about my "Hugger" and what I wanted to like about the 1200.

Now, give me dual carbs and left side exhaust and I'm a buy-in at twice the price!

Todd.

[oldbike54]

 In the interest of fair play , some of you Harley folks need to start a Moto Guzzi thread on an HD forum and speak of how wonderful they are . Go ahead , we dare you 

 Dusty

[drlapo]

The fuel tank doesn't fit
Half of the rear mudguard is missing
The foot pegs are too far forward.
Nope HD still doesn't make a bike that interests me
Not even at half the price

[cruzziguzzi]

In the interest of fair play , some of you Harley folks need to start a Moto Guzzi thread on an HD forum and speak of how wonderful they are . Go ahead , we dare you 

 Dusty

Done that before on the XL forum. Generally positive responses too.

Harley in general though, with the big-twin koolaide drinkers in particular, probably wouldn't play so softly - but Sportster specific guys are far more like Guzzi guys than one would normally think.


Todd.

[oldbike54]

Done that before on the XL forum. Generally positive responses too.

Harley in general though, with the big-twin koolaide drinkers in particular, probably wouldn't play so softly - but Sportster specific guys are far more like Guzzi guys than one would normally think.


Todd.

 So as long as we tip toe around the "real" HD owners and only mix with the Sportster types everything will be fine ?

 Dusty

[Kev m]

Ha ha, I was gonna say I regularly interject content and have started Guzzi threads on an HD forum, but alas yes it's the XL Forum and they are generally much more open and accepting to other brands than the more stereotypical BT types.

I've started Triumph threads there too! 

[cruzziguzzi]

So as long as we tip toe around the "real" HD owners and only mix with the Sportster types everything will be fine ?

 Dusty

Don't really have to "tip toe" on the XL forum. Most of them are more about the motorcycle for what it is and what it can be than how it presents or represents them as with the big twins.

An even greater example is the derision heaped upon Xls by the true-believers. Watching them abort a road-going wave when they ID a Sportster is tons of fun!


Todd.

[mjptexas]

In the interest of fair play , some of you Harley folks need to start a Moto Guzzi thread on an HD forum and speak of how wonderful they are . Go ahead , we dare you 

 Dusty

'Harley folks'?  Son, down here in Texas that kind of rude conversation ain't tolerated in proper company. 

Guess I need to post an XL1200 Roadster vs. Griso comparison in this thread to add a little Guzzi content.

[oldbike54]

'Harley folks'?  Son, down here in Texas that kind of rude conversation ain't tolerated in proper company. 

Guess I need to post an XL1200 Roadster vs. Griso comparison in this thread to add a little Guzzi content.

 Dunno Mike , wind gets just right we can hear the sound of all them de-mufflered HD's in Texas all the way to Muskogee 

 Dusty

[Dave Swanson]

Guess I need to post an XL1200 Roadster vs. Griso comparison in this thread to add a little Guzzi content.

Now that's a good idea!! Except I worry I might be throwing rocks at my XR afterwards. 

[Cool Runnings]

The Roadster's ergos are very different than those of the XR1200.  They are closer to those of my Ducati Monster:



If you're expecting the Roadster to be the second coming of the XR1200 you will be sorely disappointed.

If you're expecting the Roadster to be a competent handling Sportster with real cornering clearance, very good suspension, super brakes and aggressive ergonomics, you will be happy. 

I have to give Harley credit for making a serious effort to build something other than a cruiser.

The Harley-Davidson Sportster is a line of motorcycles produced continuously since 1957  

[Cool Runnings]

In the interest of fair play , some of you Harley folks need to start a Moto Guzzi thread on an HD forum and speak of how wonderful they are . Go ahead , we dare you 

 Dusty

an post the results here. 

[Kev m]

an post the results here. 

Some threads I've started or seen over the years at the XLforum:


My V7 Stone:

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1572404

Old ones about my Jackal (and a funny encounter in the second one):

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=776491

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=779871


Guzzi Eldo 1400:

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1939545&highlight=Guzzi


New Triumph Bonnies:

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1932846&highlight=Guzzi

Ducati Scrambler:

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1824402

Jenn's Duc:

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1117585


What other bikes (non-Harley do you own):

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1926311

[Kev m]

Mike

'16 XL1200 Roadster

'15 V7 Custom
'15 Monster 821
'14 Cali Custom
'06 Griso
'04 Ballabio
'14 Vespa GTS300 Super

Mike you SNEAKY BASTID! I didn't even SEE YOU sneak that into your signature!


 

[mjptexas]

Mike you SNEAKY BASTID! I didn't even SEE YOU sneak that into your signature!


 

 

Now we'll see how long it takes for the Missus to notice it.     (one advantage to having all black bikes).

[Kev m]

Now we'll see how long it takes for the Missus to notice it.     (one advantage to having all black bikes).

Ha ha good luck, hopefully yours isn't as much of a gear head as Jenn. I probably wouldn't get further then the first time she pulled her Jeep in the garage before she'd notice.

[Dave Swanson]

[jbell]

Dunno Mike , wind gets just right we can hear the sound of all them de-mufflered HD's in Texas all the way to Muskogee 

 Dusty

Ya sure that's not the Batfish cranking up?  Dang it, I still need to put a book list together for you.

[oldbike54]

Ya sure that's not the Batfish cranking up?  Dang it, I still need to put a book list together for you.

 Just bring it to the Okie John 

 Dusty