XR1200 In The Flesh

[Rogue]

So me and a friend visited our local HD/Buell dealership today and found one XR1200 in the showroom.  The dealership had 3 but had already sold 2 so one remained.  It was the orange color.  This was my first time seeing one and the bike was very interesting in many aspects.

Sitting there among all those Harleys, the XR1200 just didn't belong.  It actually fits in much better next to the Buells rather than all those chromed up Harleys (not all of them were chrome but most were).  It didn't belong because it didn't have any shiny bits to it and it was very subdued.  Oh it has the typical Harley fit and finish, with deep, lustrous paint, rich textures, and uncluttered engine, but the only shiny bit was the primary case cover.  Everything was either flat black or semi gloss.  

The XR1200 is definitely somewhere between a retro-bike and a modern cafe racer (but not a sportbike).  It is much more handsome in person than the pictures.  It does have some designe/packaging elements that made me and my Buell riding friend go WTF?      The clutch cable on the XR1200 is simply an abomination!  WTF was HD thinking?  It stuck out like a whip and looked like it was the lowest thing on the left side of the bike!  Something can easily get caught on that line!  And why the hell did they stick that oil cooler on the left side like they did?  Also, why did they make the shift mechanism so damn complicated and then have its ticking out so much that it would most likely be the first thing to hit the ground if it lowsides on the left.  The exhaust pipes look great but why is there an ugly-ass bracket holding the rear most part of the pipes?  They could have easily designed a bracket that extended from the passenger peg towards the rear of the pipes but behind so it's not visible.  And how do you adjust the right rear shock preload with the mufflers so close to it?  

Unfortunately, the sole XR1200 on the showroom was on borrowed time as the bike is so rare and is such an iconic bike that I'm quite sure it won't last there.  I give it a month before it is sold.  After seeing it in person, I've began to understand what this bike is for.  It's not really a sportbike.  It is what the Sportster should have been all this time!  This bike does not compete directly with Buell's Lightning because buyers of Buell most likely will not like this bike and vice versa.   I do think HD deserves credit for brining this bike out in the midst of their conservative nature and their history with making cafe racers.  Edited to add:  what really surprised me was the price.  The XR1200 is very competitively priced against its other (but very few rivals).  $10k-$11k depending on color.  Come to think of it, what does the XR1200 compete with?  The Ducati GT1000?  Moto Guzzi Breva or Griso?

[Geoff]

The XR1200 is the best bike to come out of Milwaukee in a long time. The bike will sell. And it really doesn't matter what segment it fits.

Harley used the European market introduction to generate a buzz in the states. Following the failure of the  '77 and '78 XLCR cafe racer, I'd imagine they were also a bit cautious about the US market.

[Phenix_Rider]

I just saw one yesterday.  It certainly is the best Harley I've ever sat on.    There's just something wrong about it.   Mostly all that plastic stuck around that air cooled lump.  It looks and feels like a toy, bur it's still Harley heavy.  They simply don't do plastic as well as the Japanese or Italian makes.  It sits better, it shifts better than any other Harley, and the gauges are right, but the plastic feels wrong, and that front wheel is raked out too far.  Put the Helicon? water cooled Buell engine into it, and I'd like it better- or replace the plastic bits with metal and stay true to the line.  I saw a gorgeous blue tank on a Sportster that they can't duplicate on the plastic airbox cover.

For the same price, I'd get the 1125R.  Far better performance, far more different, and I don't have to trade in my gear for a pirate costume.  

[Rogue]

You are completely missing the point of the XR1200 though.  It is NOT a sportbike.  Putting the Helicon engine in it would be a huge mistake for H-D.  Also, then it wouldn't be a Sportster but a bastard with an Austrian engine. 

That's like saying put a 1055 Triple on a Triumph Thruxton.  Then it wouldn't be a Thruxton would it?   

[surfsup]

its always intersting to read any review about harleys on this site... pretty much clueless

[chornbe]

how so  

[surfsup]

how so  

almost always comparing them to something they aren't - e.g., any bike that would typically be owned by members of S-T.N.

[Phenix_Rider]

 almost always comparing them to something they aren't - e.g., any bike that would typically be owned by members of S-T.N.

So...any bike made to cruise over 55 mph, and make more power than noise?

[Rogue]

So...any bike made to cruise over 55 mph, and make more power than noise?

What was the last H-D motorcycle you rode?  

[JamesG]

Most likely "never has".  

[surfsup]

So...any bike made to cruise over 55 mph, and make more power than noise?

see - another competent bike review by a real scary fast sqid -

[Phenix_Rider]

Rode several air cooled buells- close enough  


Again, what's the point in rattling your guts out on a bike that forced you to ride like a parachute?  

[chornbe]

Rode several air cooled buells- close enough  


Again, what's the point in rattling your guts out on a bike that forced you to ride like a parachute?  

Hmm.... yeah. Ok.

[Rogue]

Again, what's the point in rattling your guts out on a bike that forced you to ride like a parachute?  

The point here is that your posts about HD's motorcycle show how much you know about them and about motorcycles in general.  You haven't been riding long enough to know there are fast HD bikes out there.  In fact, they do make a few bikes that can be ridden fast and are fast.  The XR1200 is one of them.  

And if you REALLY have ridden "several aircooled Buells", you should know better.  There is more to going fast than just going WOT.  

You fell right into my trap and revealed to everyone how much you know.  

[chornbe]

80% rider, 20% bike

[Phenix_Rider]

The point here is that your posts about HD's motorcycle show how much you know about them and about motorcycles in general.  You haven't been riding long enough to know there are fast HD bikes out there.  In fact, they do make a few bikes that can be ridden fast and are fast.  The XR1200 is one of them.  

And if you REALLY have ridden "several aircooled Buells", you should know better.  There is more to going fast than just going WOT.  

You fell right into my trap and revealed to everyone how much you know.  

Oh my GOD!! You're a criminal Mastermind!!!!  

Yeah- I rode Buells and hated them.  Why the hell would you put a piece of shit engine in a sport bike?

[Rogue]

Buells are for people who have developed a different taste in Sportbikes and understand what and why they are.  Again, your post about them shows how little you know.  Did you just get your license or what?  

You are an incredible noob posing as someone who knows a lot.  I recommend you go ride at least 10k miles on your little 650 before you make your next post.  

[surfsup]

awww - the ninja 650 is a cute little "beginners" bike and a good choice for the ladies - not sure if it's true but i heard that regarding its parallel twin motor design - it required final approval by a team of mothers and grandmothers.

[chornbe]

I like the ninja 650R. It does a whole lot really well.

Again. 80% rider.

[falcofred]

I haven't been in a H-D Boutique in years, maybe I'll put on a do rag and head over to Smith Brothers and see if I can get a demo ride on an XR1200. It's the first Harley that has ever peaked my interest.
Torque and only as much HP that you can use on the street. That is all I need for a good ride. Cornbe in correct in that it's 80% rider and 20% bike. I had no problem keeping up with most on my SV650 once I invested some $ in the suspension. Never did anything to the engine, even kept the stock exhaust.

[surfsup]

I like the ninja 650R. It does a whole lot really well.

Again. 80% rider.

absolutley - it is a great bike but it ain't no technowonder or powerhouse - i.e., he's living in a glass house to be dis'n anyones choice of 2 wheels.

[nanbil]

Did you just get your license or what?  

You are an incredible noob posing as someone who knows a lot.  I recommend you go ride at least 10k miles on your little 650 before you make your next post.  

 

[Rogue]

 absolutley - it is a great bike but it ain't no technowonder or powerhouse - i.e., he's living in a glass house to be dis'n anyones choice of 2 wheels.

Exactly.  

There are very few bad bikes out there.  It's all a matter of choice and riding style.  Those who have ridden a lot and matured enough understand this.  

People who trash talk bikes come out sounding like teenage punks.  

[rauchman]

Got to see one at the IMS NYC show.  I like it.  The only downside to me is the small gas tank.  Aside from that, it looks like a hell of a fun ride.  Thought it was very comfy.  I could have a blast on this thing.

[chimera]

Seems like a confused design.  The retro treatment didn't take well, it looks more like a late 80's Kawasaki than an old school cafe racer.

[1KPerDay]

Seems like a confused design.  The retro treatment didn't take well, it looks more like a late 80's Kawasaki than an old school cafe racer.

It's not supposed to be a cafe racer, it's supposed to be a street-tracker. But your point has merit; there's a bit of Honda nighthawk 650 in there. Fortunately I liked that bike.

[CosmicGS]

Seems like a confused design.  The retro treatment didn't take well, it looks more like a late 80's Kawasaki than an old school cafe racer.

And the '80s Kawasaki was trying to look like an ol' Harley dirt-tracker.  

[Prubert]

Here is a pic of a Black XR w/super-trapp system.  It sounded pretty good firing up and riding around the parking lot.

[st ryder]

Here is a pic of a Black XR w/super-trapp system.  It sounded pretty good firing up and riding around the parking lot.

Hmmm, I'm not sure I like the way that system looks. Seems too low, and too long. A higher, shorter, 2-1 system would look better and be lightter IMO. I do like Super Trapp exhausts though, especially the tunability feature. It's amazing how much difference one disc can make.