| Author | Message | ||
     Teddagreek |
CATS OUT THE BAG... Some press conference went down..   | ||
| Teddagreek |
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| Eboos |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/4062/231967.html?1160443052 | ||
| Teddagreek |
From the press conference at the 2006 Intermot in Cologne... Harley-Davidson showed a new XR 1200 based on the air-cooled Sportster 1200 engine. New is down draft fuel injection, chassis, sporty pipes and loads of ground clearance. performance are between 85-90bhp and around 75ftlb according to Harley-Davidson. The bike also gets an electronically controlled active air intake system.. | ||
| 12r |
I like it. Hints of XR, clean and uncluttered. Hopefully it'll go as good as it looks. | ||
| Trojan |
Which brings me right back round to my original question.... Where does this leave Buell in future? This bike will have more mass market appeal than Buell, particularly in export markets I would think. Even people on this board have labelled it as the 'new' tube frame M2 successor, and we are the Buell fans! Buell will have to be even more overtly sporting now to keep their own niche in the market, and sharing the motor with the Sportster probably won't help. | ||
| Rich |
I see dual Supertrapps on that bike already! | ||
| Trojan |
Of course, If H-D would like to wrap one up and send us one of these I'll happily race it in Thunderbikes next year  | ||
| Djkaplan |
I wonder if it's got a 6-speed? "Even people on this board have labelled it as the 'new' tube frame M2 successor, and we are the Buell fans!" I bet the 'new' Sportster weighs over 100lbs more than an M2. | ||
| Glitch |
I wonder if it's got a 6-speed? The '07s have a six speed, I would think this one does too. I bet the 'new' Sportster weighs over 100lbs more than an M2. And the power looks to be the same as an XB9. I wonder how much weight can be shed just by changing exhaust, the rest looks to be pretty naked. I wonder how it'll handle. Maybe we'll find out at MBIV. That'd be cool wouldn't it? | ||
| Khollister |
"Where does this leave Buell in future?" In much the same position they are already in. Since I recently traded a 1200 Evo Sportster for an XB12S, my thoughts on this are: * The Buell will always have much better handling due to the radical differences in chassis design. The difference in handling between my XL & the new XB is amazing. A conventional Sportster frame & suspension design cannot compete. The frame geometry is also a factor in the XB feeling totally different than the XL. * Braking will also be no comparison unless HD is going to a radically different caliper design. * The Buell will still have a considerable weight advantage. The rubber mount XL's are about 130 pounds heavier. I see nothing in the photo that suggests anything that would close this gap. The only Buell sales this might steal are folks that were looking for more power without modifying their XL. | ||
| Jaimec |
Six speed? I was under the impression only the 96ci engines came with the 6 speed transmissions. I don't remember seeing anything about a six speed in the Sportster family. Just checked Harley's website... the Sportsters are STILL five speeds. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Maybe we'll find out at MBIV. That'd be cool wouldn't it?" I almost dumped the demo Sportster at MBII. I leaned a little too far right and levered the rear tire up when the exhaust pipes ground into the asphalt. I thought I'd like the Sportster, but I hated that one. | ||
| Kenb |
on all european HD websites; http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/home.jsp?locale=fr_FR | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Did everyone note that this copy of the Storz street tracker is listed as a "prototype" with an "if and when development takes place" disclaimer? I think HD would be stupid not to produce it. That usually means that they will not. They are good at stupid.  By the way, there are Harley riders who like performance. Me and my Ducati buddy were out for a bit of a canter last night, and ran into one very big and fast and loud Harley. Tried to lure the guy into the twisties, but he wasn't having any. On the straight he was around the same speed we were, but a lot louder, and of course a lot more stylish in his brain bucket and cut-off tee shirt. He seemed delightfully unconstrained by any of the normal rules of the road, as well. | ||
| Jlnance |
That tail section reminds me a lot of my Blast. | ||
| Glitch |
the Sportsters are STILL five speeds. My bad!  But then again I'm a Bueller! What would I know about an H-D Sportster? I almost dumped the demo Sportster at MBII. I had a difficult time with it myself. The Street Rod was more fun. Sure would like to try this on 60 though...  | ||
| Blake |
"Where does this leave Buell in future?" The same exact place they have always been, in the sport bike market. Kudos to H-D for a great new prototype. I hope they see fit to produce it. They would do well to do away with the extraneous aluminum side covers and just go with the Buell engine all the way. | ||
| Bodyshot1 |
Looks Sharp!..I'd like to see one in-person and go for a ride. | ||
| New12r |
I would ride the wheels off of it. Why does everyone think this will impact Buell? Harley releases ONE prototype of ONE sport oriented bike and Buell just dissapears, i dont thinks so. Regardless of appeal the bike is no Buell. | ||
| Hattori_hanzo |
I think Harley nailed this one. If the price point stays around $9k to $10k, like the current XL1200's, it would be undercutting the Storz and Lawill XR replicas by $20k! When's the last time you saw someone drag a knee on a Harley that wasn't about to lowside? | ||
| Trojan |
The only Buell sales this might steal are folks that were looking for more power without modifying their XL. I think you may be wrong for a number of different reasons: 1. There are plenty of people who like the tube frame Buells but not the XB. This will be their kind of bike. 2. This has a more famous name than Buell, and even though we know the truth, that will always count for more in some peoples eyes. 3. And most importantly...Take a look in 90% of H-D showrooms and you'll see the very latest H-D models taking centre stage, whilst the Buells are tucked away in a corner out of the limelight. Which bike do you think the salesman will point people to? 4. It addresses just about every criticism of the sportser range, from lack of power to bad brakes thru to bad handling, so why will current H-D types want to buy a Buell instead? Personally, as an ex Sportster, owner it would have ticked every box that made me trade to a Buell in the first place many years ago, and I'm sure it will do the same for others. That doesn't mean I would get rid of the buell to buy one now though (Message edited by trojan on October 10, 2006) | ||
| Glitch |
When's the last time you saw someone drag a knee on a Harley that wasn't about to lowside? New12r on the Street Rod! Good points Trojan. The Sporty may just shed the "it's a girls bike" nickname. | ||
| Glitch |
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| Bodyshot1 |
..is it only for Europe?..or will they release it here as well? I'd like to check one out. | ||
| Glitch |
Who knows, right now it's a prototype. Probably looking to see how much interest it's stirring up. Kind of what Ducati did with their Super Moto before it was released. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
What's that then, Glitch? Did the governor run one up special in all black like, just to tempt ya? Might just work. | ||
| M1combat |
I don't think it'll affect Buell sales "much"... People who are looking for a sportbike are looking for a sportbike. People who are looking for a "sporty" bike are looking for a sportster or something else. that's not a sportbike. while I'm sure it's reasonably quick... It aint a sportbike  . I wonder if it still over-steers like the sporty? (Message edited by M1Combat on October 10, 2006) | ||
| Glitch |
Did the governor run one up special in all black like, just to tempt ya? Just for me!  http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=10022 | ||
| Eengler2 |
I'd buy one and put on some renthal bars. I've always liked sportsters and felt they only needed a little more for handling. |
