XR1200 released in 2008 in Europe. Buell killed off by HD in what 2009? (correct as required) ......
HD set to kick off Buell but wanted a sporty HD on their books still?
Pass the tinfoil hat Allan?
Forum whore
XR1200 released in 2008 in Europe. Buell killed off by HD in what 2009? (correct as required) ......
HD set to kick off Buell but wanted a sporty HD on their books still?
Pass the tinfoil hat Allan?
Weekend cruiser
The XR1200 was the first Harley-Davidson model NOT introduced in it's first model year in the US market.Originally Posted by AllanB
Which was a big thing at the time as the North American market was organized as the mother ship, with smaller global markets viewed as satellite markets(now all markets are on an equal footing within the Motor Co.)
The US dealers went nuts because they didn't get it first. And when they got it the following year it sold well, but then sales fell off pretty quickly.
The XR1200 was introduced into Europe and OZ/NZ concurrently.
I had the first one on the road in the country
I shouldn't have sold it, but I was riding it a bit too hard, too often. "There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old and bold pilots" kind of thing.
Fantastic bike. Low geared, great hooligan bike. Short range, 150km of hard riding and you're pushing it to the petrol station. It feels lighter than it is, but under very heavy braking you can start to feel the weight.
The bike could go on a diet, especially the pipes.
The XR1200X is even better.
They will hold their value pretty well I reckon. Great platform for affordable-ish and reliable BEARS racing.
Buell was dropped by Harley exactly 1 year after I got my XR1200.
Several months earlier there was a definite "dead man walking" kind of vibe happening when Erik Buell was out amongst the product.
I know a lot of people are quite passionate about Erik Buell's product, and he definitely had some product/design innovation in a watered down version of what John Britton did.
The problem was that Buell motorcycles only made an operating profit for HD for 1 year. There simply wasn't enough critical sales mass.
Hopefully he has better luck with Indian money.
Forum whore
Just making the observation.........penis is your specialist subject
Forum whore
I think you'll find the XR1200's engine development was done in a Buell building.
If a man is alone in the woods and there isn't a woke Hollywood around to call him racist, is he still white?
Ta
I don't think so. Harley have been making go fast bits for sporty motors for decades, they don't need outside help.
Forum whore
The specific outputs for the XR1200 were pretty close to Buell figures. Engines don't spring from being non-existent to production guise in a year.
But then of course, you're just arguing for the sake of it, because.
If a man is alone in the woods and there isn't a woke Hollywood around to call him racist, is he still white?
Forum whore
Bit of trivia I dragged up tonight off the net - the XR1200 produces 10 hp less than Buells equivalent engine. All down to the reduced airbox size on the XR. A styling thing you understand.
Ta
Not true, I'm not arguing at all. I am pointing out that screaming eagle parts have been available for sporties since Eric Buell was still swinging in daddy's ball bag. Light cranks, rods, flowed heads with roller rockers, sport pack clutches, decent carb, the list is endless. Mind, Buell only ever had the evo engine so he was well out of the sack when that came along.
Are you saying 10 ponies can be unleashed by increasing the inlet plenum size?
No8 Wire Extraordinaire
Buell should have stuck with the Barton. At least it would have sounded better than a ditch pump And weighed less than Kansas. And banned anything with more than 23degrees rake (dirt bikes get special dispensation).
Don't you look at my accountant.
He's the only one I've got.
Forum whore
Web search for XR1200 took me to a site noting the 10 hp variance and put it down to the smaller volume inlet airbox on the XR. Smaller due to HD's styling requirements - not something MR Buell was concerned about.
Kind of makes sense when a box standard HD can release decent HP with simple intake/exhale modifications to allow them to breathe.
Be worth checking out the Europe forums or web sites to see if the aftermarket has produced a spiffy carbon fiber larger air box for the XR
Hardcore Biker
I have had an xr1200 since new, it has just clicked over 92k's. It has a few mods like ohlins shocks and the xr1200x forks 2-1 I made with a yoshi muffler,niterod bars, carbon fr guard, bigger front discs and a pro tuner.The only things that have gone wrong was a reg/rec ,ign switch,clutch basket (due to trackdays) and the throttle body butterfly shaft broke and I had to make a new one,but apart from that all I have done is change fluids and ride it.Its been damm reliable.
Forum whore
Here is a rather long article on the development of a larger airbox that gained good results.
http://www.twinmotorcycles.com/artik...?cid=5&aid=186
Senior Grumpy Old Bastard
they are like a big block HD Pete, strangled.... depending on 'year' the 'ecu' was altered to deal with Euro 3 & 4 noise/pollution regs... if its a 4 pot caliper, it'll be euro 3, if a 6 pot, euro 4. = You'll find a power step at 3k rpm, the bike is 'strangled' in the first 3 gears to get it through euro 4 noise regs.... you'll see the exup valve 'close' under hard acceleration in 3rd... the German tuning guys reckoned around a 20% power drop off.... it'll feel 'flat' like an evo big block up top.
the stage 1 improves it some (pipes, air fliter)... but the stage 2 (ECU + mods) wakes it up, and gives it a noticeable 'snap' on throttle response.
If the road to hell is paved with good intentions; and a man is judged by his deeds and his actions, why say it's the thought that counts? -GrayWolf
Hardcore Biker
I tend to agree, skippa must be a nasty prick. Hope the rest of vrod owners are nicer.
Hardcore Biker
I dont know Street Rod's. I would like to ride one.
Some friends have vrods and they say no way would they keep up with my GS in the tight stuff, from guys that know.
What one person thinks is good handling depends on what bikes they have ridden i guess.
Must say that the street rod is more my liking than the vrod.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks