The Sportster 1200R is dead....long live the Xr1200!

[atadaskew]

I was in Glendale HD yesterday and they told me that 2008 was the last year for the Sportster 1200R, not coming back in 2009.  They then said that a new Sportster model was coming for 2009 to replace it.

What could this possibly be?
 

[Connierider]

another poor handling bike with an underperforming lump?

[atypical1]

another poor handling bike with an underperforming lump?

Intelligent comment from the peanut gallery. If you don't like HD then why hang out on the board? What a tool.

james

[atypical1]

I was in Glendale HD yesterday and they told me that 2008 was the last year for the Sportster 1200R, not coming back in 2009.  They then said that a new Sportster model was coming for 2009 to replace it.

What could this possibly be?
 

I would love to see the dirt tracker that is being marketed in Europe come over here. I think that the Sportster line is one of the most historic for HD and deserves better attention than it gets now.

james

[R.Markus]

If you don't like HD then why hang out on the board? What a tool.

james

We need to inform you that HD sucks cock and balls. Since you're here, it seems you didn't get the memo.

[atypical1]

We need to inform you that HD sucks cock and balls. Since you're here, it seems you didn't get the memo.

 

I don't read memos.

james

[Connierider]

I would love to see the dirt tracker that is being marketed in Europe come over here. I think that the Sportster line is one of the most historic for HD and deserves better attention than it gets now.

james

just stating the facts for the question asked.

[atypical1]

just stating the facts for the question asked.

No, you were being a tool.

Sportsters handle just fine. Just because you can't ride one doesn't mean they don't handle well  

james

[Rogue]

Why would H-D discontinue the Sportster 1200R just when they put a new, larger 4.5 gallon tank on it?  

In any case, I really like the way it looks for the newer tank.  The last road test I read of the Sportster from Cycle World is that it handled just fine as long as they didn't ask it to do what sportbikes do!  Gee what a concept!  One of these days I will get one of these bikes.

Love the ageless looks.

[steve.ski]

another poor handling bike with an underperforming lump?

Strong words from a Concours rider.


I hope to see the dirt tracker as well. I knew that thing would have to come stateside eventually...

[Baron Samedi]

I hope to see the dirt tracker as well. I knew that thing would have to come stateside eventually...

Apparently you won't.  
HD has made the XLR1200 for Yorp only. And it goes well, handles and stops. And it's all ours. The first HD to be a potential sensible buy. (crawls under sofa sobbing with laughter).

[steve.ski]

Apparently you won't.  
HD has made the XLR1200 for Yorp only. And it goes well, handles and stops. And it's all ours. The first HD to be a potential sensible buy. (crawls under sofa sobbing with laughter).

That is a shame, since it costs about $6m to build a Storz street tracker.

HDs are cool bikes as long as you just chuff along. I've had fun on them, but they lack the performance to justify the $$$$$$$$. If only HD had built a streetworthy VR1000; that would have been a brilliant bike. Although not too reliable I venture to guess.

[olderigetfasteriam]

Strong words from a Concours rider.


I hope to see the dirt tracker as well. I knew that thing would have to come stateside eventually...

Thats funny cause I just got off my Concours.

[steve.ski]

Thats funny cause I just got off my Concours.

No offense, Concours are great bikes; I just had to hit him with something...

[olderigetfasteriam]

No offense, Concours are great bikes; I just had to hit him with something...

None taken, I found it funny.

[Rogue]

If only HD had built a streetworthy VR1000; that would have been a brilliant bike.

Psssst......[wispering] They do build them.  They're called Buells.

[chornbe]

Strong words from a Concours rider.

 

[mnb]

Some people just think all bikes should be sport bikes.  Not all cars are sports cars and they're fine with that, but for some reason, the part of their brain that would allow them to enjoy motorcycling of another type as well seems to be missing.

All I can say is thank god I have that part.  More biking to enjoy?  Sounds good to me!  

[atadaskew]

Apparently you won't.  
HD has made the XLR1200 for Yorp only. And it goes well, handles and stops. And it's all ours. The first HD to be a potential sensible buy. (crawls under sofa sobbing with laughter).

dealer says it's coming to USA for 2009, replacing the Xl1200R.

[atadaskew]

Why would H-D discontinue the Sportster 1200R just when they put a new, larger 4.5 gallon tank on it?  

In any case, I really like the way it looks for the newer tank.  The last road test I read of the Sportster from Cycle World is that it handled just fine as long as they didn't ask it to do what sportbikes do!  Gee what a concept!  One of these days I will get one of these bikes.

Love the ageless looks.

i wanted to buy it in that colour but the only ones dealers seemed to carry (if they carried the XL1200R) was either black or that metallic burgundy red.  Boo.

[Rogue]

That's too bad.  I would really like the blue if I were in the market for one.

However, the black one is also bad-ass!  

I do prefer the look of the 4.5 gallon tank.  Not to mention the added and much needed range.  I could be looking at my next bike!  

[atadaskew]

Rogue I checked out several of the black ones and while it looks nice it just doesn't have the pizzazz the blue one does.  The black ones, and I mean this respectfully, just look like any other Sportster to me.  The blue looks just oh so sweet.
It's weird that Harley used that as their main advertising image, but dealers didn't order it.

[chornbe]

I like the marroon-n-tan 1200R, and the black-n-cream one, too.

[chornbe]

Some people just think all bikes should be sport bikes.  Not all cars are sports cars and they're fine with that, but for some reason, the part of their brain that would allow them to enjoy motorcycling of another type as well seems to be missing.

All I can say is thank god I have that part.  More biking to enjoy?  Sounds good to me!  

PLUS ONE!

 

[1KPerDay]

I like the marroon-n-tan 1200R, and the black-n-cream one, too.

I can't believe they put the girly tank on those.

[1KPerDay]

dealer says it's coming to USA for 2009, replacing the Xl1200R.

ihopeihopeihope

[Baron Samedi]

Well, if you need to come over here to buy one, just let me know if you need a bed. Shaw's HD is just down the road.

[JamesG]

i wanted to buy it in that colour but the only ones dealers seemed to carry (if they carried the XL1200R) was either black or that metallic burgundy red.  Boo.

Show them the money and they will go get you one...

[atadaskew]

Show them the money and they will go get you one...

They weren't interested.  Just wanted to sell their stock.  Apparently they still had a bunch of them (in black/gray/maroon) still in crates round back waiting to be sold..

[chornbe]

I can't believe they put the girly tank on those.

Think d-i-s-t-a-n-c-e

The bigger tank is a sweet upgrade, I'm glad I did it on mine.

[Bodhi]

It sure looks purty (for a middleweight cruiser that is). But I test rode a XL1200R a few years back prior to realizing I really really wanted a sport-touring bike and not another cruiser. And I have to say that it was pretty much a lump. Now if they came out with a cafe racer along the lines of the Thruxton...

[71Fish]

I was in Glendale HD yesterday and they told me that 2008 was the last year for the Sportster 1200R, not coming back in 2009.  They then said that a new Sportster model was coming for 2009 to replace it.

What could this possibly be?
 

I'm not saying the dude at Glendale HD is right or wrong, or just blowing smoke, but HD does the best job of anyone in keeping secrets about new models.  Dealers don't know what they are getting until the dealer meeting in the summer.  Like I said, I'm not saying he's wrong, but I would be suspect this early.  Remember, dealer didn't even know they were getting a new engine, and that's a bigger deal than a new Sportster model.  I'd like to see them bring back the cafe racer, with a Buell motor.

[atadaskew]

They know that this year is the last year of the XL1200R.  They know that it will be replaced by a new model.  The Xr1200 is already offered in Yurop.  It's a new model..

[1KPerDay]

The bigger tank is an ugly upgrade, I should have just gotten a dyna in the first place.

FiXX0rd  

[chornbe]

FiXX0rd  

Had a certain wife of mine decided earlier she was finished riding even as pillion, I would have. *grumble grumble*

But ya know... I just did 5900 miles on the 'Glide and it was awesome. But today, I took every opportunity to run around on the Sportster. Such a fun little bike!  

[1KPerDay]

 

[Nodaclu]

Last summer, word leaked from a dealer on the east coast way back in April that the 883R would be gone after 2007. That one turned out to be true.

It's probably easier for dealers to find out what they *won't* be getting (i.e., discontinued) from H-D before the dealer meeting each year then it is to find out what they *will* be getting.

In this particular instance, it's pretty easy to put the pieces together. The $64,000 question is how much of a price jump will the XR1200 be from the '08 1200R? In colors, I believe it retailed for $9,195 this year, which was a jump of $200 from the '07 model.

I'll be stunned if the XR shows up on H-D's website in July for under 10 grand. That's a hefty jump in a bad economy - no matter how much better the bike may be.

[1KPerDay]

I think if it's under 10 grand it'll sell reasonably well. Maybe even if it's closer to 12.


Or maybe nobody will buy them, just like they didn't buy the XR1000 and the XLCR.

[Rogue]

Every time H-D tries to cater to the sportier crowd in the US, it fails.  NO matter how good the bikes are.  XR1000.  XLCR.  The Sportsters Sports.  The Street Rod.

It is easy to understand why H-D is not terribly excited about releasing the XR1200 in the US any time soon.  It is my gut feeling that it too will fail miserably here in the US.  Despite its "popularity" in this group.  But this group in ST.net is decidedly anti-Harley anyways and do not generaly like cruisers.  So this is not the customer base H-D is catering to.

What H-D needs to do is to put the performance of the XR1200 into the current Sportster 883/1200 bike.  Keep the XR1200 in the Europe.  

[1KPerDay]

I'm sure it will trickle down eventually.

But saying "keep the XR1200 in europe" doesn't make ANY sense. We bitch about Yamaha not selling the XJR1300 here and stuff... then you want them to keep what is probably the most American of American motorcycles NOT available in America?  

[Baron Samedi]

Youse lot kid your sen. Thios was a bike developed for Yorp. And, no, you can't have one.  

[Rogue]

....you want them to keep what is probably the most American of American motorcycles NOT available in America?  

That's exactly my point.  It is not American.  A lot of its influences are European.  People who want something that looks European will go to a European brand.  The Sportster is H-D's best selling bike.  A lot of that comes from the bike's looks.  What I am saying is, give us the looks of the Sportster with the performance of the XR1200.  

Once the American customers who love the looks of the XR1200 get theirs, the demand for this bike will drop and it will languish in the showrooms.  Most of the core customers who keep coming back to buy Sportsters are not looking for a Ducati Monster in a H-D dealership.  H-D needs to leave the Euro-fighters to Buell.  Honestly, Buell does it way better.  

[chornbe]

That's exactly my point.  It is not American.  A lot of its influences are European.  People who want something that looks European will go to a European brand.  The Sportster is H-D's best selling bike.  A lot of that comes from the bike's looks.  What I am saying is, give us the looks of the Sportster with the performance of the XR1200.  

We had that (mostly) in the Sportster Sport. And yet...  

[1KPerDay]

That's exactly my point.  It is not American.  A lot of its influences are European.  

Such as?

[Rogue]

Exhaust.  Wheels.  

[Rogue]

We had that (mostly) in the Sportster Sport. And yet...  

It didn't have the hot motor and that Sporty vibed a lot.  

[chornbe]

It didn't have the hot motor and that Sporty vibed a lot.  

High compression heads, dual plugs, hot cams. Only the '96 had the stock 1200 engine.

[1KPerDay]

Exhaust.  Wheels.  

You trippin'.

[Rogue]

I just don't like its looks.  It's boring and doesn't look like the Sporty or the original XR to me.  

[atadaskew]

I'm with Rogue on this one.  People in the US buy Harleys for that traditional Harley look.  If they want sporty they look elsewhere.
Why else would the Vrod be a boat anchor on the sales floor in the US?
The people clamouring for the XR1200R in the US most probably are the five vocal people on this website, and a handful of magazine editors who would not part with their own cash anyway.  Ya know the type, the ones that write "sign me up!" or "make mine red" or "kudos" to every new bike that they test...
If Harley brings it here, it's gonna be another sales dud.

[1KPerDay]

I don't care if it's a sales dud, as long as I get one. All my bikes have been sales duds.

As for V-rod sales, you should look at the total number of units sold compared to some other brands/models...  

[Nodaclu]

Well, it's gracing the cover of the issue of the Motorcyclist magazine that landed on my door today, with a fairly big deal being made about its (so far) non-availability in the U.S.  

[atadaskew]

As for V-rod sales, you should look at the total number of units sold compared to some other brands/models...  

Are you tawkin' 'bout total Vrod sales worldwide or in the US?  Cuz outside the US peeps love the Vrod cuz they're not all sucked into the tradition thing.

[CosmicHD]

We need to inform you that HD sucks cock and balls. Since you're here, it seems you didn't get the memo.

SOunds like you are the expert on sucking cock and balls.

[CosmicHD]

I can't believe they put the girly tank on those.

Girly tank. ha ha -- funny.

I put a 4.5 gallon tank on my R. It was all about getting a better fuel range.

Mine is not the same red as the previous picture. It is a deeper black cherry pearl. It looks dark to black in the shade or at night and gets a metallic sparkle in direct sunlight. This pic was taken in the overcast so it has the dark look.

[atadaskew]

Nice!

[steve.ski]

Girly tank. ha ha -- funny.

I put a 4.5 gallon tank on my R. It was all about getting a better fuel range.

Mine is not the same red as the previous picture. It is a deeper black cherry pearl. It looks dark to black in the shade or at night and gets a metallic sparkle in direct sunlight. This pic was taken in the overcast so it has the dark look.

Very nice bike...

[1KPerDay]

Girly tank. ha ha -- funny.

I put a 4.5 gallon tank on my R.

Nice Dyna.

[CosmicHD]

Thanks guys.

And the Dyna joke is not so much a joke because I agree with it!   I do refer to it as a "Dyna-lite". I just need to make some mods while it is my daily/do everything rider.

Don't worry....I saved the peanut tank and mid controls. And will keep the drag bars and cables safe. All of them can go back on when I get a second bike. Or not.

[Tar Snake]

Thanks guys.

And the Dyna joke is not so much a joke because I agree with it!   I do refer to it as a "Dyna-lite". I just need to make some mods while it is my daily/do everything rider.

Don't worry....I saved the peanut tank and mid controls. And will keep the drag bars and cables safe. All of them can go back on when I get a second bike. Or not.

Just curious how the forward pegs are working out? I've ridden a couple of Sportsers, but being 6'1" they just felt too cramped. Both had the mid engine pegs. Both where from the solid mount era one a 4-sp the other a 5, both 883's.

I thought they were fun for when you just wanted to go for a ride.

[CosmicHD]

Just curious how the forward pegs are working out? I've ridden a couple of Sportsers, but being 6'1" they just felt too cramped. Both had the mid engine pegs. Both where from the solid mount era one a 4-sp the other a 5, both 883's.

I thought they were fun for when you just wanted to go for a ride.

Good question. I have only had the forwards on for a few months. Previously I had mid-pegs and a set of highway pegs up front. I am evaluating until the end of the summer and then deciding which I want.

The forwards are definitely more comfortable for cruising. I am 6'2", so they let me stretch a little. And I can stretch my legs out on top of them and use them as highway pegs on longer runs.

They cannot compare with the maneuverability of mid-pegs. Sure., you can adapt to the forwards and replicate your previous maneuvers. But mids will always be more superior and give you better control. I have also noticed I may scrape a boot heel with the forwards before I would scraped a peg with the mids. I have actually gotten used to it and when I take certain turns I shift my foot slightly on the inner peg to get more clearance to the boots. By shifting I just mean I go more toe down, than heel up in the way the boot sits on the pegs.

Also going over bumps is different, as is slow speed turns. You cannot stand up on the forward pegs for bumps like you did with mids. Nor can you really get your weight shifted as easily to the outside pegs for slow speed stuff. Sure, you can shift your body weight over to counter-balance, it is just easier to do with mids.

Overall I really like them and they are comfortable. BUT.....I have to say if I went back to my old set-up I would not be upset with the mids+ highway pegs set-up.

[rauchman]

Why would H-D discontinue the Sportster 1200R just when they put a new, larger 4.5 gallon tank on it?  

In any case, I really like the way it looks for the newer tank.  The last road test I read of the Sportster from Cycle World is that it handled just fine as long as they didn't ask it to do what sportbikes do!  Gee what a concept!  One of these days I will get one of these bikes.

Love the ageless looks.

Sorry for resurecting such an old thread, but I saw this bike this past weekend at Bear Mountain, NY.  What a gorgeous bike!!!!  Wish HD would bring this one back, ............... along w/ the Sportster Sport and Dyna Sport and Dyna T Sport.

[1KPerDay]

Nice Dyna.

[NKGMAN]

another poor handling bike with an underperforming lump?

[/b



Connie rider???????      STFU                FEM

[1KPerDay]