Harley-Davidson says goodbye to the XR1200

[Kornholio]

I know some are, but most aren't. It's amazing how much people just spout off the shit they were told by someone else without actually researching anything.

 

[corndog67]

I know some are, but most aren't. It's amazing how much people just spout off the shit they were told by someone else without actually researching anything.

Well, my Sportster was a piece of shit!

 

[Kornholio]

I firmly believe (not suggesting that you did this) that people that by a cruiser and expect it to be a sport bike, or even close to one, are going to be severely disappointed. I don't care who produced it, metric or standard, it's still a cruiser. Now, the XR1200 was a break-away that could've done better if HD actually spent any money and time marketing the thing (which they didn't) and if there wasn't an unfounded stigma against the company based on the way their products operated (or rather, didn't) 20-30+ years ago. Times have changed, and those that thought they knew Harley typically don't have a clue anymore. But yeah, it's not a sportbike, nor will it ever be one. It's a cruiser. That's what they're good at and that's what makes them money. As the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[ScottRNelson]

The XR1200 was the only Harley that I ever seriously considered buying. I tried out the V-Rod when it first came out and loved the engine, but didn't like anything else at all about the bike. I like the riding position and handling of the XR1200, but felt that I would have a hard time adapting to the vibration.

I may still look for a used one one of these days.

 

[Ironbutt]

Are people mistaking the XL for the XR?

The XL will never disappear..

 

[Kornholio]

No, they're thinking the XR.

 

[Brown81]

Last time I checked, every motorcycle they sell meets the definition of a motorcycle...

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motorcycle

Just because you don't like them doesn't mean they're not motorcycles.



How about the fact that there's more in that engine that isn't from the 1930's than there is. But I'm sure you already knew that. Oh, oh! How about the oil leaking bullshit part too? Everyone loves that one. :|

When are you people going to bitch about Ducati using an out-dated technology for their valve actuation system that's as old as HD's? When are you going to start bitching about GM still using OHV engines with pushrods?

There is so much ignorant hate about other motorcycles that don't meet an individuals standards on BARF that it's amazing you people like anything at all when you're too busy hating on everything you don't.

 

[kevin 714]

Last time I checked, every motorcycle they sell meets the definition of a motorcycle...

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motorcycle

Just because you don't like them doesn't mean they're not motorcycles.



How about the fact that there's more in that engine that isn't from the 1930's than there is. But I'm sure you already knew that. Oh, oh! How about the oil leaking bullshit part too? Everyone loves that one. :|

When are you people going to bitch about Ducati using an out-dated technology for their valve actuation system that's as old as HD's? When are you going to start bitching about GM still using OHV engines with pushrods?

There is so much ignorant hate about other motorcycles that don't meet an individuals standards on BARF that it's amazing you people like anything at all when you're too busy hating on everything you don't.

Not that I'm disagreeing with your point, but desmo valve accusation is used in their motogp engine. It's hardly outdated. It has some Rey good advantages regarding cam profiles and rev ceilings.

 

[Kornholio]

Not that I'm disagreeing with your point, but desmo valve accusation is used in their motogp engine. It's hardly outdated. It has some Rey good advantages regarding cam profiles and rev ceilings.

And Corvette engines use OHV with pushrods which obviously means that it's not outdated either and clearly capable of performance. Outdated, at least in terms of the BARF analysts, appears to be anything that was designed and implemented decades ago. But then again, I guess that means OHC and even DOHC is outdated technology too.

 

[JO EBRMC]

And Corvette engines use OHV with pushrods which obviously means that it's not outdated either and clearly capable of performance. Outdated, at least in terms of the BARF analysts, appears to be anything that was designed and implemented decades ago. But then again, I guess that means OHC and even DOHC is outdated technology too.

Come on, man. A friend of mine was a reliability engineer at H-D until they decimated their engineering staff a couple years ago so I am familiar with the level of technology on those bikes and some of it rivals most bikes on the road. However, a long-stroke air-cooled engine is outdated and there isn't really much to argue about there. The amount of money it takes to get even modest hp out of one of those motors is crazy.

This isn't Harley bashing, I spent quite a bit of time on a Wide Glide and wouldn't mind owning one but I'd never give my money (particularly that much) to a company I loath for their business practices and mismanagement.

 

[Kornholio]

The point is their engines are fine for their customer base as a whole. They have absolutely no need to reinvent the wheel. They're still selling bikes, still making truckloads of money and still coming out with products that their customers want. In fact, they're continuing to bring in younger customers too.

 

[JO EBRMC]

In fact, they're continuing to bring in younger customers too.

I think the death of the XR1200 says otherwise.

 

[Jakemate]

I know some are, but most aren't. It's amazing how much people just spout off the shit they were told by someone else without actually researching anything.

Anything manufactured by the white devil leaks oil.

<----- rides a KTM....

 

[Papi]

What is misinformed about 1930's technology at 2012 prices? And what can we gleam from past history?

Yeah, I guess that's why the "technology" dominates PSM huh?


Anywho, I rode a wonderfully slightly modded (Storz) 1200 and honestly it was one of the funnest rides I'd had a loong time. Thing was agile, lots o'power and was a friggen blast in the twists.

There is no doubt I'm gonna buy one and turn it into a street tracker. Miles of smiles that thing will bring.

H8 on bishes.


.

 

[ob1ventura]

http://blogs.motorcyclistonline.com/why-do-real-motorcyclists-hate-harley-davidsons-27381.html


R.I.P. XR1200: the next in Harley-Davidson’s long line of sporty sales flops-cum-coveted collector bikes.

Yeah, it looks OK, if you're in to nostalgia, tube frame, duel rear shocks, and that swing arm.....gah. 551 lbs. of moistness. And of course, the Hardley price............Maybe it should have been on the list of poser bikes. I found it underwhelming, especially when Kawasaki makes the Z1000.

Harley doesn't sell motorcycles. They sell an image and a lifestyle.
The XR1200 was dangerously close to being a real motorcycle.
Thats why they had to kill it.
They will tell you the sales numbers weren't there.....(because the motor company wanted it that way)

:


There is so much ignorant hate about other motorcycles that don't meet an individuals standards on BARF that it's amazing you people like anything at all when you're too busy hating on everything you don't.

Harleys suck

 

[russ69]

Not that I'm disagreeing with your point, but desmo valve accusation is used in their motogp engine. It's hardly outdated...

Well, if Formula 1 means anything, they gave up on desmo in the 30s and the other manufacturers don't have any problem winning motogp races without the desmo "technical advantage". Just saying.

 

[MC BumSlap]

But...but...but...it's tradition!!!

 

[JO EBRMC]

Well, if Formula 1 means anything, they gave up on desmo in the 30s and the other manufacturers don't have any problem winning motogp races without the desmo "technical advantage". Just saying.

Actually, F1 and the other MotoGP manufacturers had to develop and adopt pneumatic valves in order to keep up with Ducati's desmo valves. There was no way they could get to 19k RPMs with spring valves.

 

[Carlo]

And Corvette engines use OHV with pushrods which obviously means that it's not outdated either and clearly capable of performance. Outdated, at least in terms of the BARF analysts, appears to be anything that was designed and implemented decades ago. But then again, I guess that means OHC and even DOHC is outdated technology too.

Desmondromic valve actuation goes back to before WWII.

And it IS outdated. Ducati's don't rev any higher than other high performance engines with valve springs.

They hang onto it for the same reason that Harley makes bikes with pushrod 45 degree v-twins; it's a trademark.
Let's also not forget how complicated desmodromic valve mechanisms are.

 

[OldMadBrit]

So after all the effort the AMA put into establishing a race series for this POS 2 wheeled tractor - HD rewards them by discontinuing it

So it wasn't Eric Buell that HD hated - it was/is non-oval track racing