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Administrator · 12-11-2008, 11:59 AM

Original Article:
2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster XR1200 Review

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster XR1200 Review in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

EmeraldCityKnght · 12-11-2008, 12:31 PM

Nice review Pete. The Buell thing you pointed out is an excellent point. Because the Buell's are much lighter and around the same price I would start with Buell and then test the HD. But I can see that the flat tracker looks would appeal to some but not me I love the Buell look.

Dr_Sprocket · 12-11-2008, 01:06 PM

I'm glad you took a side-view pic with a rider aboard, as it gives a better appreciation for the ergos. Having said that, I can tell this bike is not made for my long legs. (How tall are you, Pete?) Still looks darn cool, though!

longride · 12-11-2008, 01:45 PM

I like the concept, but it lacks execution by being too heavy and not enough motor, along with being priced high for what you get. I'd rather grab a pre 04 883 and put a Zippers kit on it and then raid the Storz catalog and I would end up with a bike that is cheaper, at least 100 lbs lighter, with more HP and torque than this one. It would also be truly be iconic because it didn't come out of a showroom.

mscuddy · 12-11-2008, 02:00 PM

It missed the mark in my opinion. Remember the XR1000 with the twin carb heads? And the nice seat/tank combo that really LOOKED like an XR750, not some bloated "squint real hard and it looks like one" version that HD went on the cheap for our less than awake friends across the pond. It's all out of porportion and, well, goofy looking if you ask me.

Buzglyd · 12-11-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longride

I like the concept, but it lacks execution by being too heavy and not enough motor, along with being priced high for what you get. I'd rather grab a pre 04 883 and put a Zippers kit on it and then raid the Storz catalog and I would end up with a bike that is cheaper, at least 100 lbs lighter, with more HP and torque than this one. It would also be truly be iconic because it didn't come out of a showroom.

Yer just grouchy cuz you didn't get that Senate appointment.

Oh, by the way, the Dali Obama is a White Sox fan!

seruzawa · 12-11-2008, 05:27 PM

Another excellent review of another attractive bike that tops the list of bikes I'll never buy. I'm with longride. It'd be more fun to pick up an 883 and upgrade it. I'm just waiting for those $1500 used 883s that need rebuilds.

newagetwotone · 12-11-2008, 06:03 PM

Now we need an XL1200CR....

Duken4evr · 12-11-2008, 07:13 PM

The rear head is on backwards and it is missing a carb.

This bike is a nice facsimile of an XR but HD trades on being the real deal genuine article. Back to the drawing board boys. Make it real.

uberhawk · 12-11-2008, 08:54 PM

Wow.

Guess I'm the dissenter in the group. Have a deposit down, and can't wait until January when it's supposed to get here. It's what I've been trying to turn my XL1200R into, and while I love my XB12Ss, riding it is like riding a fat chick.

It's the motor I love in a standard package. What's not to love. Yeah, a 100lbs less would be great, but hey, ditch the exhaust and lose 70lbs myself and I'd just about be there

12-11-2008, 11:59 AM	#1
Administrator Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: On My Bike Posts: 0	2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster XR1200 Review Original Article: 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster XR1200 Review Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster XR1200 Review in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

12-11-2008, 01:06 PM	#3
Dr_Sprocket Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delmarva Peninsula Posts: 2,331	I'm glad you took a side-view pic with a rider aboard, as it gives a better appreciation for the ergos. Having said that, I can tell this bike is not made for my long legs. (How tall are you, Pete?) Still looks darn cool, though! __________________ "Aid to the helpless indigent is civilized. Aid to the irresponsible is socially corrosive." ----- Schizuki (c. 2011)

12-11-2008, 01:45 PM	#4
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	I like the concept, but it lacks execution by being too heavy and not enough motor, along with being priced high for what you get. I'd rather grab a pre 04 883 and put a Zippers kit on it and then raid the Storz catalog and I would end up with a bike that is cheaper, at least 100 lbs lighter, with more HP and torque than this one. It would also be truly be iconic because it didn't come out of a showroom. __________________ I'm a knucklehead

12-11-2008, 02:00 PM	#5
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,447	It missed the mark in my opinion. Remember the XR1000 with the twin carb heads? And the nice seat/tank combo that really LOOKED like an XR750, not some bloated "squint real hard and it looks like one" version that HD went on the cheap for our less than awake friends across the pond. It's all out of porportion and, well, goofy looking if you ask me. __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.

12-11-2008, 05:27 PM	#7
seruzawa The Toad Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 17,392	Another excellent review of another attractive bike that tops the list of bikes I'll never buy. I'm with longride. It'd be more fun to pick up an 883 and upgrade it. I'm just waiting for those $1500 used 883s that need rebuilds. __________________ http://www.badmovies.org/movies/deadalive/ I kick @ss for the Lord!

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12-11-2008, 12:31 PM	#2
EmeraldCityKnght Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 10	Nice review Pete. The Buell thing you pointed out is an excellent point. Because the Buell's are much lighter and around the same price I would start with Buell and then test the HD. But I can see that the flat tracker looks would appeal to some but not me I love the Buell look.

12-11-2008, 06:03 PM	#8
newagetwotone Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,302	Now we need an XL1200CR....

12-11-2008, 07:13 PM	#9
Duken4evr Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 705	The rear head is on backwards and it is missing a carb. This bike is a nice facsimile of an XR but HD trades on being the real deal genuine article. Back to the drawing board boys. Make it real.

12-11-2008, 08:54 PM	#10
uberhawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 15	Wow. Guess I'm the dissenter in the group. Have a deposit down, and can't wait until January when it's supposed to get here. It's what I've been trying to turn my XL1200R into, and while I love my XB12Ss, riding it is like riding a fat chick. It's the motor I love in a standard package. What's not to love. Yeah, a 100lbs less would be great, but hey, ditch the exhaust and lose 70lbs myself and I'd just about be there