Now I'm not normally a HD fan, but....

**slimjim** · 10th October 2006, 17:27

gee's most parts on this little fucker are made and reassembled in the states by japs, now the yank's have gone and made it so you can't fuck around with the air intake, what the fuck's up with this, fucking electronically active air intake system, fuck another thing that a k/n filter won't fit in

**HenryDorsetCase** · 10th October 2006, 17:31

sign me up. Id own that like a shot.

**Edbear** · 10th October 2006, 17:47

The 1200 Sporty has always been my favourite HD, (well maybe since that XLCH 1000 back in the '70's!). I like it, but still think staggered duals are the best looking pipes.

Unfortunately, I have too much else on, financially, at the mo' to be able to make an offer, SD!

One of my customers has a 1200 for sale as he's hardly ridden it! It's a '03 I think, for about $13k? But it's not the twin disc model. Only got 13k on the clock, too! Looks brand new.

Comments about useable power are interesting. My 600 is rated at 80hp and it can get up and boogie! However it's also happy pootling along at the legal limit. Plenty of torque for 6th gear overtaking in most situations, too, but knocking it down to 4th is a real rush!

BusaPete was quite complimentary after I hooked up with them for a trip around the Waipu loop, and I didn't feel too outclassed, even though the bikes I was with would eat the 'F' in outright speed!

Can understand how the power of the thou's and over could be addictive, though!

Very few bikes I don't like, I just love bikes!

**Kyle** · 10th October 2006, 17:56

Obviously its not a race bike, so 90bhp out of 1200cc is perfectly fine. Personally id use a 94cbr600 putting out around 100hp for the race track, and ride the big stonking, loud and thumping HD on the road. That is, if i could afford one. Good on HD for trying different things i say.

One thing you have to keep in mind with those HD motors is what 'can' be done to them. Jackdaniels racing have a HD drag bike, putting out something like 700hp. That methanol breathing demon would scare most people i think.

**Lou Girardin** · 10th October 2006, 18:12

At least the Sporty's don't have the new active exhaust control. It's a Euro spec device to cut noise, but it makes it sound like it's running on 1 cyl at times.
It's bloody hard to cheat too. No doubt some techo genius is already working on a way to get the 'potato potato' back.

**nudemetalz** · 10th October 2006, 19:09

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

At least the Sporty's don't have the new active exhaust control. It's a Euro spec device to cut noise, but it makes it sound like it's running on 1 cyl at times.
It's bloody hard to cheat too. No doubt some techo genius is already working on a way to get the 'potato potato' back.

I wonder how Senior, Pauly and Mikey get on with exhaust noise control.....

**kr250** · 10th October 2006, 19:50

For christ sake,if it's a bike ride it and enjoy it,this bullshit about status pose etc is crap

**scumdog** · 10th October 2006, 20:02

Originally Posted by kr250

For christ sake,if it's a bike ride it and enjoy it,this bullshit about status pose etc is crap

Shit no, it's ALL about pose, status etc.

Bling, tassles, staccato exhaust noise - ya gotta have it all!!

**Edbear** · 10th October 2006, 20:05

Well, maybe not the tassles....

**98tls** · 10th October 2006, 20:16

Originally Posted by Edbear

Well, maybe not the tassles....

Down south tassles are like Red Bands.............mandatory............

**Shadows** · 10th October 2006, 23:19

Originally Posted by Ixion

So the HD has the same torque as the litre 4 cylinder. Just not as much top end power. Which everyone says they can't use on the road anyway. So why bag HD for 90hp? If what's really wanted is torque not power?

Serious question. Can anyone say they use more than 70hp on the road? More than 100hp? . I'm not talking about wanting a bike with > 100hp for the sake of low end torque (as OAB was). I'm asking if anyone actually uses > 100hp on the road., ie a > 100hp engine and wringing its nuts off, keeping the revs right up at the red line all the time, like someone on a 250 does? Remembering that a 150hp bike doesn't produce that figure unl;ess it's pretty near the red line.

Cos if people don't actually use the top end power of the 100hp+ jobs, then the HD actually seems a lot more sensible. Same torque, which IS used, less top end horsepower, which isn't.

Totally, utterly and unarguably spot on, I couldn't have said it better myself. Crasher had it pinned as well.

As for the bike though, I like where they were trying to go with design, but they've fucked it all up. Its a mongrel, it looks like the arse half was taken from a Guzzikwakasuki and welded on to the front of a Sportster that was dropped on its head as a baby. Whats with the angular modern looking tailpiece matched with an almost traditional tank? They should have gone with more of a coffin shaped tank like the original XR.
What about the plasticy shit around the bottom of the tank, is that a new air intake set up? It looks cheap and nasty, could have been done much better.
Did they take the wheels off an old MVX or something and paint them black?
The more I look at it the more I think its just wrong.
Aarrrrgh I just had another look.... fuck its ugly!

**Edbear** · 11th October 2006, 05:45

Just what are you trying to say, Shadmeister...?

**HenryDorsetCase** · 11th October 2006, 11:42

Originally Posted by Shadmeister

I like where they were trying to go with design, but they've fucked it all up. Its a mongrel, it looks like the arse half was taken from a Guzzikwakasuki and welded on to the front of a Sportster that was dropped on its head as a baby. Whats with the angular modern looking tailpiece matched with an almost traditional tank? They should have gone with more of a coffin shaped tank like the original XR.
What about the plasticy shit around the bottom of the tank, is that a new air intake set up?

um. look at at track only XR to see where the design cues for the tailpiece come from.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 11th October 2006, 11:48

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

um. look at at track only XR to see where the design cues for the tailpiece come from.

Yeah, you used to be able to buy that tailpiece from the acc catalogue.
Simon Turner had one on his 883 race bike he rode for Road & Sport.
They looked horn!

I NEED one of these new 'XR' Reps......