Sportsters

[homebrew]

Now this is a cool bike:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=3824&Page=1

XR1200 prototype

[1KPerDay]

Word.

[T.RexRacing]

And I'll ride one before anyone else.

[nanbil]

Sorry, this dosn't do it for me, now the Street Rod

I really hope to have one sitting next to my TDM soon—I just hope she (the TDM) dosn't get jealous...

[Snowbird]

I'll *consider* buying a Sportster or V-rod *if* I ever see one with a seat for rider and passenger. My eyes like style, but my ass likes a place to sit.  

[sfarson]

The H-D P&A catalog is loaded with page after page of seat options.  Both bikes.

[Snowbird]

The H-D P&A catalog is loaded with page after page of seat options.  Both bikes.

I should have made it clearer that the seat must be on the bike from the factory. And H-D isn't the only maker of bikes that fail this test.

[Bodhi]

Is HD starting to step on Buell's toes?

[boxjoint]

I should have made it clearer that the seat must be on the bike from the factory. And H-D isn't the only maker of bikes that fail this test.

No offense but, isn't that a silly thing to base your bike decision on? The majority of bikes out there get replacement seats (Corbin, Seargent, La Perra etc.. )

I would rather pay the aftermarket 400 for a great seat than pay the factory 800 for having it as standard equipment.

[Snowbird]

No offense but, isn't that a silly thing to base your bike decision on? The majority of bikes out there get replacement seats (Corbin, Seargent, La Perra etc.. )

I would rather pay the aftermarket 400 for a great seat than pay the factory 800 for having it as standard equipment.

Not to me it isn't silly. You won't pay the factory $800 for a seat if it comes on the bike as standard equipment... not so long as it isn't a replacement seat. That's one place H-D soaks it's customers: install as standard a very stylish but virtually unusable stock seat, then hit them the $500 for a replacement. At least $500 was what they were charging last time I looked.  

Consumers always seem to forget one thing: it's their money until the business bends over backwards to get it out of your pocket.

[boxjoint]

Not to me it isn't silly. You won't pay the factory $800 for a seat if it comes on the bike as standard equipment... not so long as it isn't a replacement seat. That's one place H-D soaks it's customers: install as standard a very stylish but virtually unusable stock seat, then hit them the $500 for a replacement. At least $500 was what they were charging last time I looked.  

Consumers always seem to forget one thing: it's their money until the business bends over backwards to get it out of your pocket.

What I meant was they will jack up the MSRP for premium seats. Most harley seats are fairly comfy from the get-go. My Dyna was a solo standard and I got the "Sundowner" which is their premium two up toring seat and I paid 220. Got 40 for the stocker on e-bay so another 180 out of my pocket. I would like if premium seats came factory but there are a very very few bikes that come with the perfect seat.

[Snowbird]

You are right... it really is personal preference. Some people enjoy mixing and matching parts. The FL seats are the only stock ones-- to my mind-- that H-D installs that I could live with. But, that's me. YMMV.    

[phoenix]

Is HD starting to step on Buell's toes?

Maybe just a tad, but for the most part I would say no.
It seems like (with emphasis on "seems") a lot of HD purchases are made because it IS a Harley. With similar models from the other motorcycle manufacturers usually at a lower price, a choice has to be made, often an easy choice, to buy what you want rather than what is least costly.

Anyway, my personal opinion is that Buell needs to take a few more steps in the direction of sport-tourers or sport bikes with the liquid cooled V-Rod engine. They seem to have 18 different variations of the XB12 and one adventure bike. They need more depth to their product offering.

I like this Sportster.  

[Bodhi]

HD used to be a serious name in racing. These days they are associated with overpriced overweight bad-boy image bikes. I like the direction this bike is taking them. The last Sportster I test rode (just last year) was thoroughly unimpressive. And the dealer wanted about a grand more than I ultimately paid for my Ducati - which I feel is a far more interesting/exciting bike. They used to make a cafe racer Sportster version - right down to the orange and black checkerboard paint scheme. Whatever happened to it?

[1KPerDay]

 They used to make a cafe racer Sportster version - right down to the orange and black checkerboard paint scheme. Whatever happened to it?

 

You're not talking about the XLCR, are you? No checkerboard, no orange on that one.

[Red01]

 

You're not talking about the XLCR, are you? No checkerboard, no orange on that one.

Something like that ^^^ is what they should have put the the old XR1000 motor in back in the day... or better yet, in a more flat track inspired bike like the XR1200. It has always puzzled me why HD has never built a street bike to look like its most successful racer. Maybe they'll FINALLY do it.

[1KPerDay]

 It has always puzzled me why HD has never built a street bike to look like its most successful racer.  

Ummm... have you seen an XR1000?  

[Red01]

Ummm... have you seen an XR1000?  

Yes... a guy here @ work used to have one. IMHO, it looks like a plain old solo seated XL - except for the motor/carbs/pipes. The only thing flat-track inspired is the motor...and a traditional looking Sporty does nuthin' for me.

[Yankee Dog]

I should have made it clearer that the seat must be on the bike from the factory. And H-D isn't the only maker of bikes that fail this test.

holy moly, you have cut way down on your choice of available bikes.  They almost all need an aftermarket seat to ride further than around the block in comfort.    in fact I not sure that such an animal exists.  

Yankee Dog

[zarly]

I can't believe this... but I REALLY like it.