| Author | Message | ||
     Clutchless |
good thread, I love the new xr 1200. Supposedly the air-box is in the peanut-tank's place. The fuel is stored under the seat via-vrod. Should handle the same if not better. I could imagine this being a potential outlet for many harely guys to have besides their cruiser and still feel like they have a huge dong cause it says harely on the side and not buell. I'm going to feel "used" if we in the states cant own one. I used to have a sporty damnit! (single tear)  H-D needs to understand that if they did infact make this new xr, I would still be riding a sporty as would many others I understand. I would surely make room in my garage for a sporty again if this bike were the case. and anyways....why in the hell would they do something like that? EPA? or is harely-northamerica afraid it will hurt there precious little sales? wait I got it.....the rear sections body work does not cover the whole tire excuse! Or is EVERY sportster in america gonna be like this? sorry I rant sometimes. (Message edited by clutchless on January 02, 2008) | ||
| Midknyte |
what toes? 'splain pls... | ||
| Cityxslicker |
dunno, I cant get any more info than that, Court was saying that the bike will never see the light of day due to stubbed toes. Pity, that is 12500 + ttl that someone Milwaukee wont be getting from me this year. until then drool here www.xrdna.com | ||
| Court |
Tough call . . . that website has wording to the effect "due to huge demand we'll be going into production in early 2008" Let's see. Wouldn't it be great if I were wrong . . . | ||
| Smokescreen |
Wouldn't it be great if I were wrong . . . Yes, yes it would. Smokescreen | ||
| 4cammer |
Wouldn't it be great if HD actually sold the only Sportster that I would buy in the States? How they can make a tribute to the XR750 and not sell it here disgusts me just a bit. Saw Mr.Davidson at a race last summer in Joliet and now wished I would have asked him why it is a Euro model only. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
on the sportster, It has always been my favorite Harley. It is the only model with 50 years of current build tradition. And they of course they have to be black and orange. My favorites are the 57, the 78 XLCR, The 84 XL1000 and of course the flat track XR750. I would buy one of those XR1200s if they were available. I am growing tired of having to build and customize a bike to where I want it and then having the motor company (H-D or Buell) come out with the bike the very next season and do it for less money.  | ||
| Court |
Let get this right just to make certain I understand . . . you are saying that you would pay $14,997.68 for a 1200cc Sportster? This is interesting. If . . . and I am most certainly not . . . doing the marketing forecasts, I'm trying to think of how I'd frame the scenario that would build the business case. Let me ask . . . at that price, how many would you build if you were Harley-Davidson? | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
I love the look of the new Sporty and wished I could own that look for years now. If they brought it here I might be willing to take the financial leap. Cant understand ANY reason it would not sell here. Cant understand ANY reason not to bring it here either. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Working in sales, Sportys have a bad rap. And these are quotes: They're topheavy. They vibrate a lot. They're hard to handle. They're too tall. They have no fuel range. Remember, the main Sporty "market" right now is novice riders. And many of those are females. Husbands would rather the wife learn on a disposable Kawondisaki and graduate to a Softail or Dyna than ride a Sporty. I guess its easier to write off a $4k metric than a $7k XL? Yes, one of the design attributes is a narrow chassis for good handling (makes it "topheavy" and "too tall"). Yes, one of the appeals is that it is the "sports car" of the HD line. Think Camaro, not Caprice. Yes, it has classic styling. But I've sold more orange and black XLs to ladies because they're "pretty" than because they look like the XR bikes. But, given the more "novice" customer base, I think any appeal through nostalgia (XR1200, XR750, etc) would be minimized. Big, "bad-ass" Harley guys won't be caught dead riding an XL. Buell guys? Sure, we appreciate them for what they are - a decent handling HD with adequate power to weight and an all-too-familiar drivetrain  It's a lot like Chrysler - Europe gets all the good stuff, like 35mpg diesel powered 300 sedans and 'saloons' (Magnum wagons), diesel Wranglers, hell, they've got diesel Grand Caravans over there now. Us? If we want a diesel, it's either a Cummins HD Ram, or a $40k-plus Grand Cherokee. Grrrrr.... | ||
| Jackbequick |
Here is an interesting minisite about the XR 1200 (pick United Kingdom for English): http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2 006_Campaigns/XR1200_minisite/XR1200.jsp?locale=en _GB&swfxrdna=1 It is all interesting enough, and looks like a nice enough bike. It is sort of ironic that a motorcycle that is "inspired by the legendary XR 750" is only available to markets where the XR 750 was rarely seen. I think it is all about marketing. The moco has come up with something that buyers seem to like and want to buy and I see nothing evil in that plan. That there is not a U.S. variant probably just means that it will only be matter of time until it shows up here. Unless there is something in the XR 1200 that is going to have a hard time letting it meet the U.S. certification requirements. In the mean time, here are links to some comparison photos of the U.S. XR 750's: http://www.amaflattrack.com/adm/upl/t5kwre08en_118 8826530.jpg http://www.amaflattrack.com/adm/upl/on47qc4o1f_119 1769817.jpg http://www.amaflattrack.com/adm/upl/fjtu2g1ide_119 1185374.jpg Jack | ||
| Court |
>>>>Cant understand ANY reason it would not sell here. Try this. . . . . go on ANY motorcycle board and see what kind of interest you can get in a $15,000 60HP motorcycle. Curious. | ||
| Jos51700 |
I've heard estimates closer to 90 horsepower. I distinctly remember, pre-1125R, that the Buell salesman (Josh Cox) was upset that the HD's (specifically this "non"sportbike,) were making more power than the Buell's. | ||
| Jos51700 |
An Evo UltraClassic makes about 65 Horsepower. And sold for about that. And HD sold hundreds of thousands....... | ||
| Court |
Not sure what Evo Classic you are talking about but the XR1200 is likely to have about the same power as the stock 1200 which, of course, will sell for about half the price. Tough marketing case to build. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
i wish my ultra only cost about 15k, i would have bought two. | ||
| F_skinner |
I do not think the typical HD customer is concerned about HP. I imagine HP might be a selling point for the V-Rod (it would be interesting to see the V-Rod sales numbers). I think it is a status, mid-life crisis, trying to look cool thing which is probably the reason some HD dealerships are not receptive to Buells. I don't know. I have observed people, and have been guilty of myself, trying to get more HP out of Big Twin Harleys. A lot of money for very little gain. I am sure Ratbuell has more knowledge about this since he sees it on a daily basis. The Sportsters, on the other hand, are great bikes and my favorite was the 4 speed Evos. I really hated my ironhead but it taught me a lot about top end jobs. The Evo Sporty was just a joy to ride without the maintenance. My Electra Glide was not fun to ride but it was great for the long trips. It is all a matter of what your needs are I guess. I would not pay 14 or 15 grand for a Sportster (or a big twin). Of course I had a hard time paying over 10 grand for my girl's Sportster. I told my girlfriend (she has been riding ten years) she could have any bike she wanted. She went with the Nightster. I think she made her decision on looks, it is a great looking bike, and her ability to flatfoot the ground (I think she likes the vibration as well LOL). If she did not know how to ride I would not get her a Sportster; they are faster, handle better and look great from the factory unlike any other Harley I have ridden. The FLH on the other hand was a very easy bike to ride and well balanced for all that weight but it was just too boring. I do miss the trunk on that beast. Funny thing, my girl got to ride a Blast and fell in love with it. Now she wants one. But she, like many other Harley riders are not basing there decision on what bike brand (they have already chosen harley) they are looking for fit, function, sound and the look. Nothing wrong with that but I doubt a performance sportster would do well in todays market. It would have in the 60's..... | ||
| Court |
I've had a lot of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and don't rule out another. If I were buying one it would either be an 883 Sportster (I've had 3 of them) which is just elemental fun to ride or a FLHTC. My 1988 FLHTC is one of the bikes that I regret selling. I used to love wandering about the country just plugging along listening to music and kicking back. No place like Highway 4 in the Kansas Flint Hills at sunset . . . | ||
| F_skinner |
I can see a Geezer Glide when I start approaching that age. Guess I bought mine when I was too young to appreciate the CD player, weather band, trunk space etc. Not that your old Court! It is just not my style,,,, yet! My FLHTCI was the only bike I did not miss when the new owner rode it away. If I could only have one bike it would be a S2 but if I had to pick a new one most likely it would be a Sporty. But, I would not be buying it for HP or performance. I would buy it for fit and feel... No place like Spearfish Canyon on a hopped up Sporty passing Big Twins.. | ||
| Mikej |
"I do not think the typical HD customer is concerned about HP." On a couple of Harley focused web sites I visit every month or four a fairly common comment is with FL riders referring to their bikes as their "700 pound sportbike", and some of those FL riders can flat out negotiate their bikes around the roads. Yes, a typical HD customer is concerned about power, they just have additional desires and wants on their bikes. There are some things about the XR1200 that I like, but I could get a XL1200 base model and get the same things for less in the end. | ||
| Jos51700 |
Personally, I doubt the XR1200 will produce what the existing 1200 produces, just because the intake and head design is considerably different. I'm curious to see. | ||
| Jos51700 |
Evo UltraClassic lika dis.  | ||
| Court |
>>>An Evo UltraClassic makes about 65 Horsepower. And sold for about that. List was $21,135.00 in 2006. So .. the question would be . . . would you pay $39,000 for the bike in the picture? | ||
| Nevrenuf |
f_, got the blast/nightster for the wife/daughter. great bikes for what they are. really impressed with the nightster and how it rides. the m2 and the flhtcui for me are also great bikes for what they are. had a 01 ultra first then went to an 04 which is alot nicer because it sits lower for us vertically challenged people. and there is nothing greater than cruising down the road listining to some great music. the wife loves her blast but would like to give some more oomph and change the bars maybe. if your girlfriend wants one, i'd let her have it. | ||
| Madduck |
Court, For sticker shock, go look at the special edition models Harley sells in very limited numbers, I believe there is a $38,000 Ultra Classic in my dealers showroom in Raymond,MN. Don't come out its already spoken for. An Nightster, 1200 low with some minor trim, chromed to replace black accents will easily go $15000 and I know 5 that have been sold at the two dealers I frequent in MN. If I were Harley, I would make it the first CVO sportster in extremely limited quantities and blow it out the door for $20,000. Over priced is better than value priced in this league. Maybe get Scotty Parker autographed and in the quantity of GNC wins, about 70 I think. | ||
| Court |
>>> I would make it the first CVO sportster in extremely limited quantities and blow it out the door for $20,000. I agree. I could see moving 500 units at 20,000. It'd need some, not much, styling tweaks. Frankly . . . . they have some real challenges if they decide to release this bike that would take at least a year or two to overcome so we have some time to contemplate. | ||
| Jos51700 |
Keyword (abbreviation) is "Evo" ultraclassic. 1998 and earlier. I'm not sure what exact MSRP was in 1998, but if I remember correctly, it was about $15,500 | ||
| F_skinner |
Neverenuf, the Nightster is a great bike. I do not get to ride it that much unless the gf is at work and I can find the keys. I am really impressed with its off the line low end power. I was never a fan of the rubber mounted motor but that is just because I did not grow up on them. It was low enough that I did not have to do anything to it.. GF is 5 foot 1 inch.... I had a 04 FLHTCI, very nice bike for what it is. The thing that impressed me the most about it was how well balanced it is (without much in the truck/bags). I was able to throw it into the turns to a certain extent. I just could not get over how easy a 800 pound bike was to ride. I was riding that beast around Red River NM with a bunch of other Bagger riders and after leaving them in the turns a couple of times my buddy comes up to me says: "You know, that is not a Buell, can you slow down a bit".... Yeah, I made a big mistake in letting Lynn ride a Blast. What made it worse was how nice the people that drove the Demo truck were. She got the impression that all Buell riders were very nice people, save me. LOL Every now and then I look for a Blast locally so I can get her one. I may be able to ride the Nightster a little more if she has a Blast. | ||
| Court |
It's interesting, and it sure went against the "planned thinking", how many folks have switched from Harley-Davidsons to Buells. The idea was that the BLAST would be an entry bikes . . . folks would ride it and "graduate" to the American dream of owning a Harley-Davidson. Funny thing happened . . . . folks, with the Buells and HD's being together, started slowly trying the Buells. Next thing you know folks who liked to tour were swapping FLH's for Ulysses. Like one guy said . . . this answered my handling, braking, power and carrying concerns with one motorcycle. Cool beans . . . I notice that nobody is touching the "would you buy a $15,000" Sportster question. That's not THE reason I don't think you'll see the bike in the USA but it's a reason that I think would make it a tough sell as HD takes a look at it's business plan. | ||
| Mikej |
I'd buy a $10,000 Dyna before I'd buy a $15,000 Sportster. |
