Just bought a 2009 1200r Roadster Sportster and need to get back up to speed in the HD world as I've been out for over 10yrs and have forgotten what all the "neat" and "needed" stuff was. I googled my vin number and it said it was made for export in St Louis MO., has a km speedo, was shipped to Russia, then purchased with 4 other bikes and exported to Thailand via Japan. Really nice bike, looks like it just rolled out of the showroom. Did they come from the factory with the front blinkers on the forks?
Also, do they sell this bike in the USA, or only export it as I haven't seen any 2009r's like it, only xr's.

 

From the factory, the turn signal lights are mounted on the handle bar control pods. This model is sold world wide.

 

Nice choice, I love the Roadster.
I think 2008 was the last year of the Roadster in the US, 2009 1200's were limited to the low, custom, Nightster and the XR.

 

Kinda sucks they don't sell it in the us
One of the XL's I like the look of the most

 

08' was the last year of the Roadster in the USA. It had the turn signals on the handlebar like most Sportys. My guess is that yours was added-on by either the dealer or previous owner.

The Roadster had some great options - Tach, tall shocks, dual front disc brakes, and a dark engine. It seems harley had another blacked out engine in the Sportster class and moved that way. The newer bikes tend to have smaller and fatter tires. They are less likely to fell bumps that way. Either way, enjoy the bike!!!

 

Speaking from a position of having owned many many bikes over the last 49 years I can tell you the Roadster is a very competent and FUN machine. Congratulations on your acquisition - you're gonna love it!

 

But this one was made in the US in 2009. So it's made in the US, but not sold in the US? Weird. Also, but off topic, the new 2011/12 Ford Ranger International version is coming out here in Thailand now. The 4 door 4x4 3.2L diesel looks really sweet, but I was told it won't be offered in the States either. Weird.
I guess some companies want to get rid of old stock first or something.

 

This is not new. HD, as well as other vehicle manufacturers, will and do make vehicles targeted for foreign markets only. Sometimes, depending on reaction here in the U.S., those "made-for-foreign-markets" vehicles will wind up being marketed here, but not always...

 

Not to mention the US standards that make some vehicle designs/configurations too costly to produce for this market, or the EPA regulations that prevent them. The Ford EUDM/JDM-only Focus RS. All wheel drive, turbo-charged, set up well from the factory, competitively priced for what it is...

 

We still get the 883R here in Europe and had the XR before it was released in the USA, but we don't get all the models you have there. Works all ways!

The fork mount indicators may be a requirement in Russia. European bikes have to be quieter than USA models, so we get similar looking but slightly different mufflers. In the UK we have to have white lights up front (eg fender light on Touring models) and red at the rear (fender light again) and amber side reflectors and indicators (see my bike below). So there are many minor differences. If you look in a factory Parts List you will see 'International' and other parts listed separately,