want. soooo much

[1KPerDay]

[DogBoy]

Hard to believe this bike is in the same category as the Bandit 1250.






















 

[Snapping Twig]

That DOES look good!

[1KPerDay]

Hard to believe this bike is in the same category as the Bandit 1250.

 

Nah... the Bandit is faster, lighter, and cheaper.

[DogBoy]

Nah... the Bandit is faster, lighter, and cheaper.

...with budget suspension.

[1KPerDay]

...with budget suspension.

And generic good looks...

[falconati]

 

Would be a blast to ride.  My biggest gripe about the stock XR1200 was the suspension.

[veefer800canuck]

There is some actual riding if you forward a bit:

[Prubert]

 
Would be a blast to ride.  My biggest gripe about the stock XR1200 was the suspension.

The stock suspension comes from the factory with NO preload on the shocks.  I had a miserable ride with the rear shocks at this setting, I felt every little bump and crack in the road.

When I put the rear-preload all the way up the ride completely changed.  I still feel the sharp bumps but the other stuff smoothed out, and the bike seems to turn a little faster.

But, for $1500 (plus a 20% discount for me!) the BPF and shocks may be in order....

[Rincewind]

I didn't see that Prubert got a XR1200.  Congrats!  

[reppans]

The stock suspension comes from the factory with NO preload on the shocks.  I had a miserable ride with the rear shocks at this setting, I felt every little bump and crack in the road.

When I put the rear-preload all the way up the ride completely changed.  I still feel the sharp bumps but the other stuff smoothed out, and the bike seems to turn a little faster.

That sounds counter-intuitive, unless you are heavy enough to bottom the shocks out at the lowest pre-load setting.  What am I missing?  

I too would like a smoother ride (also think the stock shocks suck), and more ground clearance would be nice. My pre-load is on the factory lowest setting, but I weigh 155 lbs and ride solo inladen.  Haven't tried to adjust yet due to the PITA muffler placement.  

[chornbe]

That sounds counter-intuitive, unless you are heavy enough to bottom the shocks out at the lowest pre-load setting.  What am I missing?  

I too would like a smoother ride (also think the stock shocks suck), and more ground clearance would be nice. My pre-load is on the factory lowest setting, but I weigh 155 lbs and ride solo inladen.  Haven't tried to adjust yet due to the PITA muffler placement.  

HD specs their bikes at a max-weight rider of 180lbs, even on the big tourers. They likely factor that in and keep the preload down. The Sportster was wickedly undersprung front and rear. The Street Glide was undersprung and woefully underdamped up front, yet just fine out back with 35+lbs of air.

I would say that item #1 of New Harley Ownership is getting the suspension sorted out and often times, on their bikes, that means just flat out replacing parts.

However, it's worthy. With good suspension bits (and much better tires) I was able to rail the Sporty and the 'Glide did wonderfully in the mountains.  

[Prubert]

=hijack=
Preload will make sure the springs can hold up the bike up and let the suspension do it's work using the entire travel.   If you have too much weight (me) and you compress the suspension down so you don't have full travel, it will cause you to hit the bump stops with little movement of the suspension.

By adding in preload, you will help the springs hold you up so the suspension can move thru the entire travel and keep you off the bump stops that are at then end of the travel.

Add in too much preload and the springs will keep the suspension from moving at all, so if you are lighter you will have to adjust the suspension accordingly.  It will feel as bad as being under-sprung.

My point was that  you need to adjust the rear of the XR1200 from the factory settings to match your weight.  The factory settings may be good from some, but most may have to add some preload to get the rear shocks working thru the entire stroke.

For the exhaust side, you have to remove 2 bolts and slide off the end can to get at the pre-load adjustment.  You will need a spanner wrench to adjust or you can try with a channel lock (may scratch up the adjuster).
=/hijack=

[Prubert]

I didn't see that Prubert got a XR1200.  Congrats!  

Thanks!  But I'm really just riding it until Chirs buys it next year (2 bike cycles from now)  

[chornbe]

Thanks!  But I'm really just riding it until Chirs buys it next year (2 bike cycles from now)  

yousonuvabich!!!

And you're probably right.
 

[reppans]

Thanks for the info guys....  I do understand how the shock works, and how adjust it - I guess I'm just "shocked" that anyone would ever need to dial up the full preload for solo riding on this bike.  That setting is typically for 2-up with luggage .  

Just checked my XR, and unscientifically looking at the shock piston rod, the difference between pulling up on the rear-end (unweighting the rear) and sitting on the seat (with my paltry ass) is about 25-30% sag at the lowest preload setting.... and these springs are friggin stiff!  

Are you getting a similar results at max preload?  Do you bottom out at the lowest preload?  How much do you weigh.... if you don't me asking?

[Geoff]

Hard to believe this bike is in the same category as the Bandit 1250.

Everyone knows the Bandit is a faster bike. Resale value goes from $9,299 to $3,000 in under 15 days.    

[Prubert]

Are you getting a similar results at max preload?  Do you bottom out at the lowest preload?  How much do you weigh.... if you don't me asking?

...A bit more than you, about 240 + gear.  

[stevent]

Nice bike but he's going to get hurt riding on the wrong side of the road like that!