My dealer has just received a new XR1200 demonstrator. I took it out for a long test ride on Monday.
It is powerful (90 hp) and light which makes it very fast. It also handles like a dream with its inverted forks and Nissin brakes. It is a very impressive bike which is hard to fault. I posted a report on the Sportster Forum.
I was very tempted but I think I'll stick with my Fat Bob which is nowhere near as fast and doesn't handle quite as well but its more comfortable to ride and suits me perfectly.
__________________
If there's one thing that I like, it's a burn-up on me bike.
A burn-up with a bird up on me bike.
You're lucky to even have the choice. I read that they're not offering it in the US...not yet, at least. Seems \\;absurd that H-D builds a bike that it only sells in Europe.[>:]
Are they built in America and shipped over? Or is it a collaboration with someone in Europe? \\; I understand the market in Europe is stronger for this bike, but if they're making it here you'd think a few could slip out the back door.
__________________
I'd rather be riding my Street Bob
They are making them in Kansas City and shipping them to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. They have a some Japanese parts but a lot of my Fat Bob has 'Made in Japan' stamped on it.
There is certainly a strong market over here. I read somewhere they had taken more than 600 firm orders long before production had even started. A lot of people are talking about it who would never think of buying an H-D. Most young people view H-Ds as old mans bikes. I think the XR1200 will possibly go some way towards changing that view providing enough of them are sold.
I hope it sells well. It is certainly good enough.
__________________
If there's one thing that I like, it's a burn-up on me bike.
A burn-up with a bird up on me bike.
They are only selling it oversease because of our current crappy economy. \\; Believe it or not, they will make more money selling all the XR1200's in Euros and whatever other funny money overseas. \\; It would sell here for around $15500, which most would find a little steep for a Sporty. \\; A year or two ago, the Euro to dollar value would have made it more worthwhile to sell here, but the market for those size/type of bikes is better over there than here. \\; I think we'll see it here someday, but not for a while.
__________________
07 Street Bob- PCIII, K&N RK A/C, V&H Big Radius 2-1
MAN!!! I AM SO JELOUS!!!!! i want that bike! i REALLY REALLY WANT THAT BIKE!!! how does it lay you into your turns, does it have smooth finishes on accel out of hard turns? does the engine braking cause the rear tire to chrip at all? OOH my GOD i am jelous! that is right up my alley that bike! VERY SICK! VERY VERY SICK!
__________________ Joe Knapp “Your life is an occasion. Stand up to it”
Chicago, IL "If you can buy it, you can build it better"
In the UK it costs 155 Pounds ($297) more than the XL1200 Custom. It is worth every penny.
 \\;\\\\\\;
I didn't get to ride it very fast but it lays down well into a curve and pulls very smoothly out of it. I took it up to about 90 mph and didn't notice any issues with the braking which was far more powerfull and smoother than my Fat Bob.
 \\;\\\\\\;
It certainly does look like a real Harley. It is styled on the legendary XR750 produced in the 70s.
__________________
If there's one thing that I like, it's a burn-up on me bike.
A burn-up with a bird up on me bike.
Yeah - I was looking at them the other day when I was down at my Dealer in Slough - cool looking Sporty. \\; I reckon they are going to give some of the Jap muscle bikes a run for their money over here.
__________________
'07 Pewter Denim Street Bob
Stage 1 & Kitech Fueler
V&H Big Radius pipes
Progressive rear shocks & fork springs
XR1200
