Xr1200

[lakedaemonian]

has finally arrived:



Looks(and goes) better in the flesh than the photos.

[ital916]

ride the tits of it so you can give us a ride report, I'm really keen to read how these things go.

[outlawtorn]

Looks amazing, well done, may you have miles of smiles!

Give us a ride report, would love to hear how it handles.

[lakedaemonian]

Well I've got about 400 k's on the bike and I couldn't be happier.

Handling is excellent(for a Harley ). I've had the good fortune over the years to have the chance to ride many different bikes and different brands and I have to say the XR1200 really inspires confidence.

In the "confidence inspiring" way it sort of reminds me of a Suzuki SV...one of my all time favorites. I feel like I can't get myself into TOO much trouble.....but when I inevitably do get myself in the poo, it's easy enough to rectify my errors.

The handling is pretty neutral and forgiving in my opinion.

The brakes are BLOODY good........the bike weighs in at a relatively porky 250kg.....but I only felt the weight under VERY heavy braking at fairly high speeds.

Otherwise it feels like the heavy frame must have a bit of helium in it

Great riding position......You can just sit upright and enjoy the view or hunker down and take a more aggressive riding position.....although the seat foam is a bit on the thin side for comfort.

While it's good up to 200KPH, it's really in it's "sweet spot" from 50-150kph.

What I will DEFINITELY change is that huge and hugely ugly set of cans......it will improve the look, and easily shed a fair bit of weight.

The suspension suits me for now, it's firm enough without being uncomfortable....but it may eventually lead to a spring kit up front and swap in some rear shocks as well.

I wouldn't touch the motor as it's getting close to it's design limit......but the tiny airbox could hide a horse or three somewhere in there if it could be made to breathe better without destroying the look.


Overall,

I'm quite impressed.......it's a bloody good value for money bike that let's me ride with sport bike mates one day(and not fall TOO far behind), and ride with the HOG club the next. It also just SCREAMS to be taken out for a 20 minute long ways round trip to the dairy.

I guess it's closest direct competitors(although could be different buyers for all I know) on the street might be the likes of the Suzuki GSX and Yamaha XJR(maybe even the Guzzi Griso), give or take some grunt, some weight, and some good looks. In a way it seems like Harley has taken a page out of the Japanese playbook instead of it often being the other way around with the Harley clones......and I mean that with the utmost respect as I've always though the GSX and XJR are bloody good bikes almost in their own unique category.

Everything in life is a compromise......but in this case I think Harley clearly made the RIGHT compromises(especially on price....$16750RRP)....I know a couple mates in the US who are spewing at not being able to buy one sight unseen.

I am crazy biased towards the Harleys(for lots of reasons), but I really think this bike will be sticking around until my wee boys are old enough to ride.

[98tls]

Yep got to say i like the look of it and wouldnt say no to having a ride on one,have to agree on the pipes and am sure theres an aftermarket set being made as we speak,enjoy your new bike,am sure plenty will admire it.

[The Lone Rider]

OT a bit.. but..

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...10#post1348310

[Bonez]

I hope you enjoy your bike as much as I'm enjoying my "new to me" CBX750.

Life tis good being on a bike.

Look fwd to further installments of ownership with the beast.

[AllanB]

The English magazine BIKE has a report and comparo with the XJR1300, Grisso 8V, BMW R1200R and the HD XR1200. In shops now (Oct edition).

Be warned they are a bit hard on the HD, having said that the brits tend to be hard on anything that's not a sports bike.

I was very interested in seeing one of these after reading the early release articles. Thoughts after seeing/sitting on one.

Larger than I expected - appears taller & looks bigger than the standard Sportster. Might just be me?
Pipes - its beyond me why HD did not try to high pipe it like the real XR - Triumph has on their scrambler, so I'm sure HD could have adapted frame, oil tank etc to suit when mocking up.
Should have come stock with a removable rear seat cover colour matched to the body - or at least the rear seat colour matched to the body.

I feel a test ride would help.......

And finally - just farkin great - now I'll have Harleys passing me

[lakedaemonian]

Yep got to say i like the look of it and wouldnt say no to having a ride on one,have to agree on the pipes and am sure theres an aftermarket set being made as we speak,enjoy your new bike,am sure plenty will admire it.

The Pommies have a few pipe kits on the market already(they received the first XR1200's just before they arrived in NZ), but with the exchange rate are bloody dear!

[lakedaemonian]

The English magazine BIKE has a report and comparo with the XJR1300, Grisso 8V, BMW R1200R and the HD XR1200. In shops now (Oct edition).

Be warned they are a bit hard on the HD, having said that the brits tend to be hard on anything that's not a sports bike.

I was very interested in seeing one of these after reading the early release articles. Thoughts after seeing/sitting on one.

Larger than I expected - appears taller & looks bigger than the standard Sportster. Might just be me?
Pipes - its beyond me why HD did not try to high pipe it like the real XR - Triumph has on their scrambler, so I'm sure HD could have adapted frame, oil tank etc to suit when mocking up.
Should have come stock with a removable rear seat cover colour matched to the body - or at least the rear seat colour matched to the body.

I feel a test ride would help.......

And finally - just farkin great - now I'll have Harleys passing me

I did read that article...I DO think they are being a bit hard on the XR1200, but hey, different strokes for different folks I suppose.

In regards to the seat height....I'm only 1.75-ish tall, and it's not too tall for me as many full on sport bikes can be.....it fits me like a glove in terms of getting both feet firmly planted but still having good ground clearance.

Yeah...the pipes are a shocker(they LOOK like they weigh a ton)....but will eventually be replaced once I can find a good value replacement option.

For me the goal is affordable weight reduction...pipes, MAYBE rims( they're nearly identical to Buell rim sizes,one 18" instead of 17").

I'd also compare the bike to the Honda CB Hornets as well.......good fun, not the least bit intimidating.....so it inspires a bit more confidence, and a bit less EXCESSIVE caution for a rider of my skill level.

Build quality is pretty good I reckon, no bits fallen off so far!