1200r owners
#13
05-19-2010, 07:48 AM
Ujm
I can't argue that the 4.5 gallon tank isn't more practical. I'd love more capacity, but I still think the 3.3 gallon tank looks better. Stupid reason, I'll admit, but there it is. Every now and then we've all got to allow ourselves an irrational decision here and there. 
I can sort of understand why the Roadster was dropped; it never did sell particularly well as I understand and no matter how many parts it shared with other Sporties it really did present itself differently than the models with forward controls and more "cruiser" styling. The Roadster was more of a "Standard" motorcycle, a UAM, if you will (and if I can be forgiven for the comparison to a UJM) and because of that it occupied an odd sort of middle ground. It wasn't styled like a cruiser in the manner that the traditional Harley buyer looks for but it wasn't different enough to pull in people looking for something obviously different (like the XR1200 or the VRSC models).
As good as standards are in terms of practicality, they just don't sell well in the US anymore. Seems everyone wants either a full-blown cruiser or a race bike in street clothing. It's the same thing that killed great bikes like the Honda Nighthawk 750 in the US; people just don't buy them.
It's probably the same reason that I'll run into other bikers all the time when I take the Sportie to the pub, but almost never when I throw the backrest bag on and use the Sportie to fetch groceries or run errands. We tend to look at bikes for reasons other than practical things like dual front discs or a tach or even ground clearance and shock travel. It's not a bad thing, but it makes the cancellation of the Roadster more understandable.
I can sort of understand why the Roadster was dropped; it never did sell particularly well as I understand and no matter how many parts it shared with other Sporties it really did present itself differently than the models with forward controls and more "cruiser" styling. The Roadster was more of a "Standard" motorcycle, a UAM, if you will (and if I can be forgiven for the comparison to a UJM) and because of that it occupied an odd sort of middle ground. It wasn't styled like a cruiser in the manner that the traditional Harley buyer looks for but it wasn't different enough to pull in people looking for something obviously different (like the XR1200 or the VRSC models).
As good as standards are in terms of practicality, they just don't sell well in the US anymore. Seems everyone wants either a full-blown cruiser or a race bike in street clothing. It's the same thing that killed great bikes like the Honda Nighthawk 750 in the US; people just don't buy them.
It's probably the same reason that I'll run into other bikers all the time when I take the Sportie to the pub, but almost never when I throw the backrest bag on and use the Sportie to fetch groceries or run errands. We tend to look at bikes for reasons other than practical things like dual front discs or a tach or even ground clearance and shock travel. It's not a bad thing, but it makes the cancellation of the Roadster more understandable.
#15
05-19-2010, 09:31 AM
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Just the opposite here. I'd like to move them back about three inches -- then it would be a true standard. But I'm pleased enough with the current positioning.
#16
05-19-2010, 09:42 AM
Cruiser
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Location: Orkney (North of Scotland)
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#17
05-19-2010, 09:49 AM
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#19
05-19-2010, 10:17 AM
With drag bars on the stock risers that's the perfect position, whenever I'm out of the city I flip them down and use them, I can ride all day like that. And no it doesn't seem to scratch the exhaust or side covers.
#20
08-30-2010, 09:20 AM
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