I know its a harley

[GARTHXS]

Has any body taken a look at the new harley I think its called an xr1200 , good ride good suspension and brakes and they say the motor. Has a lot of juice, what do you think?? Dammit why can't we have an xjr in the US

[crazy steve]

Yep, it's a Harley

If you like it, you'll probably be able to buy this years model new next year at a discount after all the 'gotta have the newest thing' guys are done. This will be a slow seller, as the faithful won't buy into it's 'industrial' styling. It's supposedly popular with the europeans and that was it's target audience. But every 'performance' bike HD ever built ended up being a poor seller. The XLCR (actually ahead of it's time), the XR1000, and the Sportster 'Sport', none of them sold in any amounts.

Like all Harleys, the XR1200 will benefit from paying the 'Harley Tax' if you want the bike to reach it's potential. Although with the new EFI, that's getting expensive and rather hard to do. Although by all reports it's a decent performing bike.

To tell you how far Harley has sunk in offering performace features, the only Sporty in their current line with a tach even available is the XR.

'78E original owner
'93 XL1200

[oseaghdha]

I thought it was kind of a cool bike.
I was the ME for the camshaft department at HD when they did the first production runs. It has an oil cooled head, which is how they got more juice out of it. I forget what the redline is, but I was surprised it was as high as it is. (7000-ish?)

We added another oil pump drive on the cam package. The cams themselves are the same as the Screamin Eagle grinds.

Slightly better performance than the Buell, without the cooling fan (or the handling). Last I heard, there were no plans to offer it here. Biggest bitch is the tiny gas tank.

[DJinNH]

Not bad but if I ever got one, that butt-ugly exhaust system would have to go.



Don

[madmax-im]

I sat on one at the NYC Int'l Motorcycle Show...and YES its available in the USA!!!This would be the only HD I would consider owning...I reallllllllly like it If you think that exhaust is fugly you should see the exhaust on the new V-Max not thats FUGLY According to the HD rep at the show this is coming to the US

[TopCatGr58]

I know Mythbusters busted it, but this brings to mind the phrase
"you can't polish a TURD"!

I'm not a Harley Basher, just THIS one!! When I was shopping for a bigger bike back in '83 while in Japan, I had looked at a Harley FLXR or such, but the sticker shock was really bad!! I didn't know much about the performance limits of HD's at the time! I'd rather get a V-rod than this P.O.S. looking machine! Sorry BNE, to each his own. I also like the V-max looks, ESPECIALLY it's Exhaust!
T.C.

[Montreux_Blue]

Not bad but if I ever got one, that butt-ugly exhaust system would have to go.

Is this better?

[DJinNH]

Is this better?

Actually.....no. Looks like 2nd or 3rd degree burns to the leg just waiting to happen.

I do like the look of the rest of the bike.

Don

[Montreux_Blue]

I guess that exhaust setup works for some people but I totally see your point. At least this one has a guard.

[crazy steve]

I'm not a Harley Basher, just THIS one!! When I was shopping for a bigger bike back in '83 while in Japan, I had looked at a Harley FLXR or such, but the sticker shock was really bad!! I didn't know much about the performance limits of HD's at the time! T.C.

Well, in '83 what you were looking at WAS at it's performance limits (the last year of the ironhead Shovel). But don't sell the newer ones short. It's pretty easy to make 100 RWHP with a EVO Sportster, and 130 isn't at all out of reach. There was guy a few years ago ('01?) that bought a brand new 883, immediately tore it down for a big-bore kit and trick heads, and ended up with a legit 10 second street bike for under $10K. And it still got better MPG than my XS. I've even seen a mid-nines bike that was street-legal and could have been duplicated for about the same money as a V-Max. Sure, these weren't touring cruisers (you'll never make any v-twin as smooth as a DOHC multi) but for an around town, light-to-light street fighter, a complete gas.

And this is without any complicated, expensive-to-fix electronic crap or radiators....

'78E original owner

[xsilerating]

I'm with T.C. on this one (except for the pipes). 'If' I were to choose a Hardley, it would be the V-Rod... only decent bike Harley makes and, IT has some serious performance specs.

[xs11lover]

I'd like to have that seat in the second pic for my project bike. The older I get the less I like "biker" bikes. Most Harley bikes make me sick, but this one looks pretty cool.

[earl G]

I know Mythbusters busted it, but this brings to mind the phrase
"you can't polish a TURD"!

I'm not a Harley Basher, just THIS one!! When I was shopping for a bigger bike back in '83 while in Japan, I had looked at a Harley FLXR or such, but the sticker shock was really bad!! I didn't know much about the performance limits of HD's at the time! I'd rather get a V-rod than this P.O.S. looking machine! Sorry BNE, to each his own. I also like the V-max looks, ESPECIALLY it's Exhaust!
T.C.

this bike?

[The Lorax]

I gotta tell ya, I rather like the look of that XR1200, nice lookin ride. that 900 scrambler is the bomb though! very retro (I know, it's modeled after the TR6B trophy) good lookin bike, love the old triumphs....love the new ones that look old too have a nice day and ride safe

[GARTHXS]

looks good to me

My brother in law has an 06 triumph scrambler and let me tell you when we ride together every body is all googleyed over his bike and I admit it is shiney but it a throwback , I have ridden it and it is like a scooter gutless! My xs smokes it the triumph has a woppin 53 hp, now the xr looks like an actual motorcycle and not the usual blinged out harley!!