Harley Davidson XR1200

[FJRider]

thats a bit grim, be more positive!

I'm positive you will die before you see that... have a nice day...

[Pussy]

Great write up, Jim! I saw an XR1200 at Road and Sport M/C about a fortnight ago, and was VERY impressed with it. I'd have one

[scumdog]

Ok stupid question time. I have the 'L' which is obviously for 'Low'. What is the 'S' for ?

'S' for 'Sport'.

Has: Twin floating front discs, adjustable forks (top and bottom) and adjustable setting on rear shock for stiffness and ride-hight.

And the motor is solid mounted unlike late model 'rubber' Sportys.

And scads of ground-clearance.

Later ones had twin-plug heads, possibly more for smog than go.

[MadDuck]

'S' for 'Sport'.

Has: Twin floating front discs, adjustable forks (top and bottom) and adjustable setting on rear shock for stiffness and ride-hight.

And the motor is solid mounted unlike late model 'rubber' Sportys.

And scads of ground-clearance.

Later ones had twin-plug heads, possibly more for smog than go.

OK thanks for that. I have a huge learning curve going on with my new bike

[ital916]

OK thanks for that. I have a huge learning curve going on with my new bike

shes a puurty bike your one, gave it a lookover today, very nice.

[MadDuck]

shes a puurty bike your one, gave it a lookover today, very nice.

Hey thanks. Amazing that quite a few sports bike riders that give harleys shit admit that mine is kind of ok...

[AllanB]

Thats a fine write-up there sir.

That model is making 90 plus horses.

riding postion that looks like you fell from a Gynaecologists table and landed on a bike

I'm a bit worried about this, do you think one of those Gynnie persons could help with my hemroids?

[Shadows]

You really reckon? I'd be very surprised if that was the case. Does the 'S' sporty have the Buell heads, etc? The power specs on paper for the XR1200 seemed very very different from the Sportys.

And just based on photos I can't imagine the ground clearance is anywhere near similar.

For what it's worth, yes, the S had Thunderstorm heads. Compression is the same.

Lean angle wise the S loses out by 2.5º and 2º left/right. Near similar.

The claimed HP is irrelevant as it is found at the wrong end of the rev range for an Evo (and if you want to, the 20hp gap can be closed quite easily any way with a few $).

Torque, where it all counts, is the same between the two models.

Funny thing, the XR is heavier than the S.

Given identical riders, yes the XR would win a race around most tracks by a reasonable but not embarrassing margin but I'd say, as Scumdog did, in real world riding one would find bugger all difference between the S and the XR.

That does it. I'm going to inspect one in the flesh and take it for a spin to qualify my opinion one way or the other.

If it is a huge step up (although I don't think it will be) and on closer inspection I can get over the arse end of a jappa tacked on to the front end of a sporty look that I get from the photos - I will buy one on the spot.

In silver.

[Shadows]

Sportster riding postion that looks like you fell from a Gynaecologists table and landed on a bike.

I was wondering what to liken that too. I think you've nailed it.

Many a time I've seen my knees in the breeze shadow in front of me and had bit of a snigger at myself.

[Fudmucker]

Nice looking bike...!
All it needs is a decent motor....

[James Deuce]

Nice looking bike...!
All it needs is a decent motor....

Look who's talking Mr, "My Guzzi Engine is having a lie down".

[James Deuce]

If it is a huge step up (although I don't think it will be) and on closer inspection I can get over the arse end of a jappa tacked on to the front end of a sporty look that I get from the photos - I will buy one on the spot.

In silver.

You'd love it. You're just the man to wander around the Port Hills making little Gixer riders cry.

[Storm]

Look who's talking Mr, "My Guzzi Engine is having a lie down".

Not just a excellent scribe, but a wit as well! Is there no end to your talents Mr Jameson Double?

You must be doing well out of the advertising bonus Wgtn MC pays you for your writeups- a couple more and you'll get a free bike surely?

[James Deuce]

a couple more and you'll get a free bike surely?

Dude, I'm completely happy with my lot

I've been given the green light to have a crack at another bike soon, one I'm really looking forward to, and this one will be a bit more in depth.

[Motu]

I feel like Richard Pierce - pottering away in my shed and looking up in the sky to see a 747.I've been waiting a long long time for the rest of the motorcycling world to ''feel'' this about a bike.Superb write up Jim - the secret messages you slipped in just to give me a warm glow that bypass the others.....steel shoe,Chris Carr,Mert....

I have a special set of handlebars arriving from the USA next week....and then I'll wheel out of my shed the project I've been pottering away on.I'll show these young guys you don't need a 747 to fly high.....