Foo - Is it me, or is this the coolest new Harley out there?

Harley-Davidson XR1200. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIHhnnEQdsU&feature=related)

Keep in mind I know nothing about this bike but on paper it seems awesome. Hopefully it will ride as cool as it seems.

Disclaimer: I am not a Harley/cruiser fan. If you like the cruiser aesthetic this is probably not your favorite Harley but I think it's damn cool.

it's you.

Maybe it's just the shock of a Harley with somewhat realistic geometry.;)

Its still you.

Its still you.

lol

What an odd bird. For the sport bike rider who, err, wants a Harley? For the Harley purist who wants to... go fast? I don't know.

It sounds terrible, though that's hopefully due to it being a video made with a cheap camcorder and posted on Youtube.

:rolleyes:It's just an update of the XR1000 from the 80's. Those beerbellied weekend warriors we have around here won't buy it.:D The concept bombed in the 80's so they're trying it again?:innocent:

Yeah, it is due to the camera. Sadly that's the best video I could find. Saw a press release on the bike on some bike show and it sounds like an old MotoGP bike from the late sixties early seventies-the high-revving V-Twins.

I'm a huge fan of dirt track/flat track, too, so that may be part of it. And the idea of a cruiser-type bike that handles well intrigues me.;)

Why would they use the Harley Badge as opposed to the Buell?

I don't know about "high-revving." The tach only goes up to 8k. :P


Those beerbellied weekend warriors we have around here won't buy it.:D The concept bombed in the 80's so they're trying it again?:innocent:Yeah, it doesn't seem that the market for this thing would be large enough for H-D to bother with.

Why would they use the Harley Badge as opposed to the Buell?

Pay homage to the XR750, I suppose.

Harley is finally taking it's head out of it's ass and realizing that all of the RUB - Baby boomer - gay pirate costume wearing cruiser riders are getting old and won't be riding much longer --- and that the Gen X-Y'ers don't want their Dad's slow, noisy, cruiser.

If Harley doesn't bring in the sportbike crowd they're done. This and especially the Buell 1125R are attempts at changing direction.

The Buell 1125 actually has a real great engine too!!!! Not the same boat anchor POS V-twin!!

Harley is finally taking it's head out of it's ass and realizing that all of the RUB - Baby boomer - gay pirate costume wearing cruiser riders are getting old and won't be riding much longer --- and that the Gen X-Y'ers don't want their Dad's slow, noisy, cruiser.

If Harley doesn't bring in the sportbike crowd they're done. This and especially the Buell 1125R are attempts at changing direction.

The Buell 1125 actually has a real great engine too!!!! Not the same boat anchor POS V-twin!!

I dunno about the "boat anchor" V-Twin-if this thing had anything else in it I wouldn't care about it. A decent twin would sell it to me.

And I'm not sure why, I'm not a fan of Buells in general.

i wouldnt be caught dead riding any harley

I'd say it's you... I think the coolest new Harley out there is the FXDF Fat Bob.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/196289/images/FXDF_02.jpg

That's why I bought one.

That IS nice, Skiahh. Big difference from the Katana?;).

ugh, looks like a turd

Well technically, 'cool' and 'Harley' are mutually exclusive terms.

Why buy a more advanced, better quality and less expensive bike when instead you could buy a Harley? Blah..

Isn't buying a Harley a bit like buying a Big Mac and wearing a McDonald's t-shirt everywhere you go to prove it?

Harley Davidson has cut back production. They are sucking wind. You do have to wonder how long the Harley mystique can carry them. It has been working so far.

My guess is that all the m/c companies aren't exactly knocking them dead. But high gas prices will help m/c sales. My relatively large, heavy Honda still gets 35-45mpg. And of course it goes 0-100 in <8.5 seconds. Cars that fast tend to get 10mpg.

That IS nice, Skiahh. Big difference from the Katana?;).

Oh yeah... but it does handle nice for a big bike. Runs hot, though... I have a harness on order to increase the mixture and cool it off some. That's about my only gripe with it so far.

I'm not going to get into any pissing contest with any of you naysayers. I ride what I want because I like it. You ride what you want (or not) for your own reasons. Do you piss on "lesser" bicycles than yours to make yourselves feel better, too?

I have no need to go over 100 MPH, but at my last fill up, I was over 47 MPG.

Touchy touchy skiahh.

I don't think anyone meant any harm, just Fooing around.

If you start crying though...the torture begins in earnest. You know the drill. ;)

Good to see Harleys still get good MPG, like they did in the early 1990's when I rode motorized cycles. All else being equal, V-twins do pretty well with fuel economy. Of course, back then, fuel economy was all about making fewer stops for fuel when covering lots of ground. I like the Fat Bob's appearance, with the Euro-inspired twin headlights something I have liked since 'way back when, before it was Euro. I remember looking into a twin-headlight set-up when I had a Dyna Wide Glide, but I sold that bike pretty quickly, as the forward controls meant it was a sit-on-your-tailbone bike, which did not suit me. Unlike many who think you have to belong to one "camp" or another, I like a wide range of motorcycles, with a slight preference for BMW machines. I miss my R100R Boxster.

I'd say it's you... I think the coolest new Harley out there is the FXDF Fat Bob.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/196289/images/FXDF_02.jpg

That's why I bought one.


Sure like that. :thumb:

I'm not going to get into any pissing contest with any of you naysayers. I ride what I want because I like it. You ride what you want (or not) for your own reasons. Do you piss on "lesser" bicycles than yours to make yourselves feel better, too?

:thumb: :ride:

I like the Fat Bob, but would need to look into some mid-mount pegs for covering ground. That might be problematic with that distinctive exhaust system. Hmm, might need to check out a Harley dealer this week, too, instead of just the BMW dealer.

yeah, that fat bob is nice and soooo... rough looking

Harley needs to reinvent themselves and do it now, before they start ending up hurting again.

They really can't retool into mainly doing sportbikes, because Yamaha, Honda, etc. have been at this market for decades and it would be an uphill battle. What Harley needs to do is work on a market niche that SUVs were in, and sell cruisers with lots of high tech gewgaws. They are already doing this with their upper end line, but they need to consider this with their whole lineup. Harley cannot fall back on its "all American" image because of the sheer hatred anything from the US gives in so many areas around the world. Harley needs to have bikes that are for the cool geek, as well as the guy with the bandanna and tats.

harley needs more fat bob. that bike is the only motorcycle i've ever seen that i actually want even though they scare the **** outta me. reviews on it are good too. supposed to handle good.

Isn't buying a Harley a bit like buying a Big Mac and wearing a McDonald's t-shirt everywhere you go to prove it?

Funnneeeeeeee:thumb:

Oh yeah... but it does handle nice for a big bike. Runs hot, though... I have a harness on order to increase the mixture and cool it off some. That's about my only gripe with it so far.

I'm not going to get into any pissing contest with any of you naysayers. I ride what I want because I like it. You ride what you want (or not) for your own reasons. Do you piss on "lesser" bicycles than yours to make yourselves feel better, too?

I have no need to go over 100 MPH, but at my last fill up, I was over 47 MPG.

of course.

Isn't buying a Harley a bit like buying a Big Mac and wearing a McDonald's t-shirt everywhere you go to prove it?

Only as long as you have the Harley Bandanna, Harley wallet, Matching Harley jacket for you and the wife and of course the Harley stickers on your car and truck so everyone knows that you own one.

of course.

Really, what's the problem?

I like the Fat Bob, but would need to look into some mid-mount pegs for covering ground. That might be problematic with that distinctive exhaust system. Hmm, might need to check out a Harley dealer this week, too, instead of just the BMW dealer.

You can get either mid or forward controls from the factory on the Fat Bob.


of course.

You didn't need to answer that one, botto... we all knew your answer!

Mid-mount controls on the Fat Bob; another reason to visit the Harley dealer! Thanks for that; the review I read did not mention that option.

As for dressing the part of a Harley rider, well, I don't go for the "outlaw" image myself. My leather jackets are classic style, and I wore full-face helmets most of the time. I didn't have to change a thing when I sold my third HD and bought the BMW, though I guess the high-top engineer boots were not typical BMW attire. While on the subject of helmets and boots, though, I experienced a bit of sticker shock recently when looking at full-face helmets and Sidi boots. (Yep, same Sidi as cycling shoes.) I did not keep my helmets or summer touring jacket when I sold my last motorcycle in the mid-90's, and the old engineer boots were either given away or tossed out during a move. Buying a new motorcycle will entail budgeting many hundred$ for new gear; or more like a grand+.

Back to the OP...

I think Harley took a few cues from the very written about Storz in creating a showroom custom. If you want fast, I'd go with the Storz.

http://www.flattrack.com/Whats%20new%20ad%20photos/XR%201200lr1.jpg

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/05/10/storz-xr1200-conversion-kit/

My personal choice for best looking Harley is the Road King sans a windscreen or fairing.

http://www.wild1inc.com/images/508mp6.jpg

Maybe it's just the shock of a Harley with somewhat realistic geometry.;)

Realistic for what? It looks uncomfortable to me. I can't imagine riding very far with my heels up under my butt like that.

I am a big fan of some versions of the Sportster, but never have cared for that tank.

http://www.bookrocker.com/img/HellsAngels.jpg

After reading this book, I completely gave up on the idea of ever riding a Harley.

Dont read this either...

http://www.gonzo.org/sausage_creature.txt

Realistic for what? It looks uncomfortable to me. I can't imagine riding very far with my heels up under my butt like that.

I am a big fan of some versions of the Sportster, but never have cared for that tank.

Geometry that seems like it might actually handle, for one.

That Storz is even cooler.

Reading _Hell's Angels_ to learn about Harleys is hardly the way to learn the whole truth. There has long been a contingent of HD riders who are conservative. Outlaw bikers like to use the term "1%er" to describe themselves, as they are a fringe group. Around the early 1990's the "RUB" appeared, rich urban biker, who suddenly embraced the outlaw image, while not embracing the outlaw lifestyle. I, and many other HD riders, thought of both outlaws and RUBs as rather silly. But then, the RUBs probably saved HD from bankruptcy, and made it the healthy company it is today.

3000$

http://www.moto-station.com/ttesimages/motodivers/nouveautes2008/Kawasaki_Ninja_250R_2008_st3pz.jpg

http://www.planete-biker.com/news/images/hd2007/2007_Harley-Davidson_VRSCDX_Night_Rod_Special_right.jpg
20+ g's?

harleys are fugly.

Isn't buying a Harley a bit like buying a Big Mac and wearing a McDonald's t-shirt everywhere you go to prove it?

If it's a Big Mac that tasted like crap, gave you terribly loud flatulence, forced you to walk at half normal speed, and plugged up your digestive tract. Then it would be analagous to a Harley.

Harley Davidson = Marketing.

3000$

http://www.moto-station.com/ttesimages/motodivers/nouveautes2008/Kawasaki_Ninja_250R_2008_st3pz.jpg

http://www.planete-biker.com/news/images/hd2007/2007_Harley-Davidson_VRSCDX_Night_Rod_Special_right.jpg
20+ g's?

harleys are fugly.

That Night Rod will kill that Ninja all day, of course. You can't really compare the two, even.

Reading _Hell's Angels_ to learn about Harleys is hardly the way to learn the whole truth. There has long been a contingent of HD riders who are conservative. Outlaw bikers like to use the term "1%er" to describe themselves, as they are a fringe group. Around the early 1990's the "RUB" appeared, rich urban biker, who suddenly embraced the outlaw image, while not embracing the outlaw lifestyle. I, and many other HD riders, thought of both outlaws and RUBs as rather silly. But then, the RUBs probably saved HD from bankruptcy, and made it the healthy company it is today.

The book isn't so much about Harleys as the Hells Angles' culture. It happens that that brand of motorcycle is a pretty integral part of the culture. The book brought out the contradiction in a bunch of leather-clad, softail riding dentists and bankers trading on the bad boy image created by a bunch of guys who ride hardtails and who wouldn't be caught dead wearing something as protective as leather.

That Night Rod will kill that Ninja all day, of course. You can't really compare the two, even.

Kill it in what terms? Straight line, maybe. If that's the case, what a waste. I'd bet that even a Ninja 250 will beat any Harley on a track with riders of equal skill.

Probably that Night Rod but the Ninja would never keep up with the XR1200 or the Storz. Actually, I'm pretty sure a big supermotard would drop the Ninja 250.

Probably that Night Rod but the Ninja would never keep up with the XR1200 or the Storz. Actually, I'm pretty sure a big supermotard would drop the Ninja 250.

I doubt a motoGP racer would drop it. Skinny buggers. And, sorry, man, you're dreaming. The Ninja 250 is a track favorite due to the fact that it's so nimble and you can carry so much speed through corners. Plus, it's about half the weight. It's not all about displacement.

It's also what, 40 horsepower? I've argued this over and over; It's not all about weight either. MotoGP bikes and supermotard bikes are two totally different things. A KTM supermotard bike is lighter, more powerful and torquier with a 654cc single. Plus, it will decimate the Ninja in the twisties.

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop-380x223/690smc_fw.jpg (http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/ktm/2008-ktm-690-smc-ar50838/picture227329-0.html)