HD Drops the XR1200 in 2013

[Rogue]

It’s a pattern that has been going at HD and its customer base for decades:  create a really sporty model (for HD); sell for a few years; discontinue.  

It reveals the following:

1)   Existing HD customers are NOT interested in “high” performance (including handling).
2)   HD is NOT interested in high performance motorcycles (why should they when it doesn’t move in the dealerships).
3)   HD is NOT interested in bringing anything new to the market except warmed over models that they just keep improving incrementally (why not?  They sell well).

While the rest of the industry have evolved their model lineup into modernity (since the 1970’s), HD continuous to (and successfully I might add) keep “revising” the same old models and often times goes back to the past in styling (note the model 72 and others).  I honestly don’t know why people like that stuff and buy so much of it that HD is able to stay in business for so long.  Don’t bother explaining this to me either because it would be like telling me a 1967 Mustang 289 is better to drive than a 2012 Mustang Boss 302.  

BMW’s Mini is successful but it is a modern car with modern high performance that will blow away many modern cars today.  The Mini does have some retro styling touches but you can tell today’s Mini is modern versus the 1970’s model!  Compare today’s Road Glide or Sportster to the ones offered in 1996 for example.  They look so much alike, it’s hard to tell the difference except in the smaller details.  Of course the engine and chassis have all been upgraded but the performance only increased incrementally.  The V-Rod was the only truly modern bike H-D has offered in recent memory.  The XR1200 is the other one that is probably more like the Mini in its execution.  Everything else is a re-hash of the same models.

[veefer800canuck]

Yep.

[kendenton]

Shame, it was a fun bike.

[Rincewind]

It seems like the XR was a tough sell.  People wanting performance had a wide array of better-performing non-HD bikes available.  It takes a niche-type of person to want a XR.

The Nightster is gone as well.  I saw a lot more Nighsters around than the XR1200.  

I would beg to differ regarding people not wanting "high performance" Harleys as indicated by the sales of the CVO series bikes and screaming eagle kits.  They just want a different type of performance.

[DogBoy]

Everyone who wanted to buy a new XR1200 already bought one. The bike then became a showroom anchor. I think the XR is a cool bike but I'm not going to buy one so I can't complain when they are discontinued.

[X1Glider]

Everyone who wanted to buy a new XR1200 already bought one. The bike then became a showroom anchor.

Same thing regarding the Dyna FXDX and FXDXT.

I think the problem with the lack of XR success is that it is a Sportster.  The USA is to enamored with baggers and softtails.  'Mericans want the bigger barges.  Texas is all about baggers. I'd say 50% of Texas is bagger populated.  After that, it's road kings, then softtails. Dynas and Sportys sell the least in Texas.  Texas is way to big to sit on a tiny Sporty all day long.

I actually laugh when I see all these bad ass tough guy bikers, like the Banditos and such and the tough guy wannabes all on big touring baggers instead of the stipped down, fairingless/windshieldless bare bones bikes.  Yeah, they're tough alright.

[Carbonero]

I actually laugh when I see all these bad ass tough guy bikers, like the Banditos and such and the tough guy wannabes all on big touring baggers instead of the stipped down, fairingless/windshieldless bare bones bikes.  Yeah, they're tough alright.

I am very confused by this.  

[steve.ski]

I am very confused by this.  

Me too.

[Rogue]

It means “tough” guys by definition/tradition have scoffed at full dressed tourers because it’s a luxurious ride.  Whether this is stereotype or not I believe there is some merit to it when it comes to the H-D tough-guy/freedom-loving image.  All those biker movies of the 70’s die hard!  None of them were riding fully faired, full baggers like Road Glides right?  They were on naked Sporties and customized choppers.  They took the brunt of wind, rain, and bugs, and stuffed their belongings on duffel bags!  

Honestly, I don’t really care either way.  My buddy rides a full dress RG and he’s a patch wearing member who is armed and can break your leg with a couple of moves--as tough as it gets (for real you wouldn’t want to mess with this guy).  But he loves his RG because it’s comfortable.  He also has an I-phone!  LOL!  Modern day tough guy for sure.  

[nomadmax]

This has been going on for decades.  Anybody remember the XLCR??? Two years is all it took for Harley to realize it wouldn't sell.  In the end, Harley sells every bike they make for more than competition does (excepting the VRod).  They are the oldest continuous producing motorcycle company in the world. While Harleys may not suit the majority of us who ride the way we do; they're damn sure suiting somebody.

I own a couple of vintage Suzukis from my youth and a Road King. You wanna be unique? Buy a Harley, leave the stock pipes on, wear functional protective gear, know how to ride it (I mean really ride it) and ride the thing as far and often as you can.  

[Carbonero]

I own a couple of vintage Suzukis from my youth and a Road King. You wanna be unique? Buy a Harley, leave the stock pipes on, wear functional protective gear, know how to ride it (I mean really ride it) and ride the thing as far and often as you can.  

That was my experience as well. I was definitely the black sheep in the Harley universe.

[Carbonero]

It means “tough” guys by definition/tradition have scoffed at full dressed tourers because it’s a luxurious ride.  Whether this is stereotype or not I believe there is some merit to it when it comes to the H-D tough-guy/freedom-loving image.  All those biker movies of the 70’s die hard!  None of them were riding fully faired, full baggers like Road Glides right?  They were on naked Sporties and customized choppers.  They took the brunt of wind, rain, and bugs, and stuffed their belongings on duffel bags!  

I suppose. I think in X1's case, he was just looking for bash-fodder.

I think it's more a matter of that was what was available. The tough guys would add third party stuff (Mike(?) Vetter built a whole business on this)... then was born the factory dresser at Harley. The tough guys would buy them then chop and channel them... then was born the Street Glide... to date, Harley's number 1 or number 2 seller (the other Electraglide models combine outsell it), so even tough guys like what they like.

[Nodaclu]

That was my experience as well. I was definitely the black sheep in the Harley universe.

Ditto.  

[jeepinbanditrider]

There are a few things that kept me from getting a XR.

Lack of touring goodies, short legs (Fuel wise), and that's about it.

[bomber]

to say that HD hasn't changed is erroneous, I think . . . . . .

it's also kinda beside the point of HD's existance . . . . .  .I'm thinking most any company on the planet would envy HD thei profitability . . . .

[X1Glider]

I suppose. I think in X1's case, he was just looking for bash-fodder

I wasn't trolling.  Rogue understood what I meant.  It's all the heavily tattooed patch wearing helmet-less 1%ers that ride a super comfy batwing faired Ultra Classic with white walled tires and every chrome accessory you can buy that's funny as hell.  They have seriously bad attitudes, dress like outlaws but wouldn't dream of sitting on something without a windshield and crash bars.  In Texas, they're everywhere.  Go to a rally, like the Lone Star one that just happened, and try and find a stripped down rolling gas tank...

[stevent]

I wasn't trolling.  Rogue understood what I meant.  It's all the heavily tattooed patch wearing helmet-less 1%ers that ride a super comfy batwing faired Ultra Classic with white walled tires and every chrome accessory you can buy that's funny as hell.  They have seriously bad attitudes, dress like outlaws but wouldn't dream of sitting on something without a windshield and crash bars.  In Texas, they're everywhere.  Go to a rally, like the Lone Star one that just happened, and try and find a stripped down rolling gas tank...

I don't know, I like to be comfortable when I ride. When I was in my 20's I had a rigid frame chopper with a cobra seat I rode everywhere, Now in my 50's I like my big ass seat and softtail comfort. Older and wiser I would say.

[Carbonero]

I don't know, I like to be comfortable when I ride. When I was in my 20's I had a rigid frame chopper with a cobra seat I rode everywhere, Now in my 50's I like my big ass seat and softtail comfort. Older and wiser I would say.

+1

[motociclista]

Everyone who wanted to buy a new XR1200 already bought one.

A friend of mine bought one and loves it. It's a good bike. But I think DogBoy's analysis is both succinct and correct.

It's kinda funny that there will still be an XR1200 race series in the U.S. in 2013, essentially promoting a bike you can't buy.

[Royal Tiger]

It’s a pattern that has been going at HD and its customer base for decades:  create a really sporty model (for HD); sell for a few years; discontinue.  

It reveals the following:

1)   Existing HD customers are NOT interested in “high” performance (including handling).
2)   HD is NOT interested in high performance motorcycles (why should they when it doesn’t move in the dealerships).
3)   HD is NOT interested in bringing anything new to the market except warmed over models that they just keep improving incrementally (why not?  They sell well).

While the rest of the industry have evolved their model lineup into modernity (since the 1970’s), HD continuous to (and successfully I might add) keep “revising” the same old models and often times goes back to the past in styling (note the model 72 and others).  I honestly don’t know why people like that stuff and buy so much of it that HD is able to stay in business for so long.  Don’t bother explaining this to me either because it would be like telling me a 1967 Mustang 289 is better to drive than a 2012 Mustang Boss 302.  

BMW’s Mini is successful but it is a modern car with modern high performance that will blow away many modern cars today.  The Mini does have some retro styling touches but you can tell today’s Mini is modern versus the 1970’s model!  Compare today’s Road Glide or Sportster to the ones offered in 1996 for example.  They look so much alike, it’s hard to tell the difference except in the smaller details.  Of course the engine and chassis have all been upgraded but the performance only increased incrementally.  The V-Rod was the only truly modern bike H-D has offered in recent memory.  The XR1200 is the other one that is probably more like the Mini in its execution.  Everything else is a re-hash of the same models.

Excellent analysis Rogue.  Once again, great job.