In the '04 and newer models an 883 converted to 1200 will outrun a stock 1200 all day... something about the amount of teeth in the primary sprokets... Don't worry about carbs or jets, just get a needle from an '89 model.

Sportsters are pretty cool, just don't expect too much from least expensive HD in the line-up. Some easy mods to an 883 can make about 75 ponies and a few bucks more can get a pillion comfy... Not to mention that there's something about dragpipes that attract sleazy chicks...

Buying a new HD is a pretty good investment, they hold their value well and not to mention the bike is just an invitation to the massive parts and accessories catalog... Just ask the dealer for "the big book"

The stable...

Quote from: Jake D on January 02, 2007, 09:16:31 AM

Quote from: manofthefield on December 31, 2006, 07:41:04 AM
I wouldn't mind test riding an 883R and a 1200.  And some Buells while I am at it.

The Sportsters don't look bad and I think they really look sweet with some of the street tracker conversion parts. 


Too bad they're so pricey

I would ride this bike.  Hell, I'd sell my bike and have this as my only bike and I'd be pretty stoked.  Why doesn't Harley make and sell this bike?  I love street trackers and this one is no different.

This is coming to Europe first, then probably the US.


Story
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/nav?page=motorcyclenews.articles.articleCategory.article&resourceId=5762542&articleCategory=NEWS_NEW-BIKES

HD Info
http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2006_Campaigns/XR1200_minisite/XR1200.jsp?locale=en_GB&swfxrdna=1

And I'm paitently waiting for the parts to go on sale... really want that swing arm that fits a real sportbike 180 tire... I'm sure HD would want a fortune for the wheels, probably better off finding some PM wheels or something..

You might want to steer away from 06+ models. I guess they are changing things for the worse.

Things are changing for '07... No more carbs on the sportster...

Quote from: fettcols on January 03, 2007, 05:26:10 PM
Things are changing for '07... No more carbs on the sportster...

wouldn't that be no more CARB......

O.k.

First before I ramble on about how inferior the design of Harleys are let me say this.

When you ride one you do not care. They rumble right, are smooth once underway, well controlled and while not fast they build momentum effortlessly. (These are my impressions from riding a Sportster 1200) You'll look down at the speedometer and think, "How the heck is this 50?" Yeah 50 feels like 35.

You will also run out of ground clearance amazingly fast. Hopping from the GS onto the Sportster directly means that you will be grinding the heck out of your pegs.

They are also very forgiving. Your first ride on it is smooth, controlled and enjoyable. The bike does not demand anywhere near as much as my race setup GS. (Suspension only so far, but more is cooking.)

A word on mass: The Sportster controls it well. It does feel heavy-ish, but unless you are hurtling through the twisties the motions are well contained. It is there, but it almost seems to help this bike.

That being said the engine design is as advanced as a lump of coal (even when contrasted against our air cooled twins.) This has to do directly with the angle of the motor and the common crank journal. I could go into it, but honestly after riding it you won't care. It's not a race bike, it's a Sportster. love it for what it is.


All said and such the XR1200 would be a nice bike to own. If it's lighter than the Sportster and makes at least as much power that is.

Quote from: CirclesCenter on January 03, 2007, 08:00:43 PM
That being said the engine design is as advanced as a lump of coal (even when contrasted against our air cooled twins.) This has to do directly with the angle of the motor and the common crank journal. I could go into it, but honestly after riding it you won't care. It's not a race bike, it's a Sportster. love it for what it is.


All said and such the XR1200 would be a nice bike to own. If it's lighter than the Sportster and makes at least as much power that is.

Sounds like you understand Sportsters pretty well. Congratulations.

I owned a GS for a year and went back to a Sportster. The basic design of the motor is archaic, but I just read elsewhere on the web of a woman finally needed a new top end on her Sportster after 130,000 miles. That's the kind of miles you can expect from automobiles and Harleys, but not much else on 2 wheels. My truck's GM 350 V8 has 175,000 miles on it and runs well with no smoke. If my HD goes 100,000 before a rebuild I'll be happy. With Cams and High Comp pistons, my 1200 accelerates like a big block V8 yet the motor is still understressed and not finicky at all. That's just the way I like it.

Regarding the new XR1200, it's about 20HP above a stock XL1200. Unfortunately the weigh pretty much the same. It's still gotta be a blast to ride.

My truck's GM 350 V8 has 213,000 miles on it.  No smoke at all and the only thing I have done to it is one new alternator.   Doesn't tick or leak oil.  That's said, GSjack has no doubt put that many miles on a GS before. 
If I ever have to rebuild my Honda's motor, it might be before 100,000 (CCT's need replacing on the Super Hawks at about 30,000), but at least I'll have had a blast doing it.  You see, if you bike red lines at 10,000 RPM rather than 5,000, you need a rebuild sooner.   But I digress. 

The old school engine design is there for a reason.... it's called potato potato potato... I'm sure ed and yama will understand...

I have aftermarker exhaust on my liter v-twin.  Believe me dude, I understand.  Imagine if a potato potato Harley and a Ducati had a love child.  Well, that's the sound my bike makes.  I totally understand.

I've always thought the GS500 is a great beginners bike, maybe the best. Enough power to have fun but not scary for a noob.

I was not new to bikes when I bought mine so the lack of power caught up to me quick. The clincher was a semi panic stop with my wife aboard. Being driven into the gas tank by myself and my mate convinced me riding two up on a ball buster sportbike is not for me. The Sportster is much more comfortable and relaxing, even in a panic stop, riding 2 up.

I have pondered what I'd get for a 2nd bike if I can afford it someday. I prefer twins so I'd probably go with an SV650 (not the S) since I like an upright seating position. I'd probably put a pipe on it for more HP too. That would be for solo riding though.

I'd like to have both a cruiser and a sportbike.

I get wild enough with my HD I don't think I should go for a full liter sport twin, but I could be wrong. Wheelies is all I want. I have jumped and off-roaded my Sporty.

Ed, see Jake's post above.  The SV650 will keep you interested for about 15 minutes.

Here's an experiment for you Ed:

Get on your Harley.  Ride it and its motor like a GSXR1000 is meant to be ridden on your way to the local Suzuki dealer.  See how many miles you get. 

After you make it to the Suzuki dealer (on foot) buy yourself a GSXR1000.  Drive it and its motor like you drive a Harley.  See how many miles you get.

Yeah, the SV is really under powered.  It blew my hair back for like the first 30 minutes I rode it.  Get a Honda 599 if you want something like an SV650.

Quote from: Egaeus on January 04, 2007, 02:09:49 PM
Here's an experiment for you Ed:

Get on your Harley.  Ride it and its motor like a GSXR1000 is meant to be ridden on your way to the local Suzuki dealer.  See how many miles you get. 

After you make it to the Suzuki dealer (on foot) buy yourself a GSXR1000.  Drive it and its motor like you drive a Harley.  See how many miles you get.

Hmmmmm. Smells like bullcrap.

I got  a better one. Why don't you launch a paper airplane off a cliff then jump off the same cliff and see how many miles you get.

Quote from: Jake D on January 04, 2007, 02:13:50 PM
Yeah, the SV is really under powered.  It blew my hair back for like the first 30 minutes I rode it.  Get a Honda 599 if you want something like an SV650.

OK I'm convinced, thanks. I wouldn't want to make the same mistake twice and not have enough power.

Looks like I'd have to go liter v-twin for sportsbike. If I ever have the money to start a collection.

Quote from: Ed_in_Az on January 04, 2007, 03:08:52 PM

Quote from: Egaeus on January 04, 2007, 02:09:49 PM
Here's an experiment for you Ed:

Get on your Harley.  Ride it and its motor like a GSXR1000 is meant to be ridden on your way to the local Suzuki dealer.  See how many miles you get. 

After you make it to the Suzuki dealer (on foot) buy yourself a GSXR1000.  Drive it and its motor like you drive a Harley.  See how many miles you get.

Hmmmmm. Smells like bullcrap.

I got  a better one. Why don't you launch a paper airplane off a cliff then jump off the same cliff and see how many miles you get.

What's wrong Ed, don't like people calling you on your own bullcrap?  Hey, if you're going to compare the engine in a Harley and a sport bike, you should  compare them equally.  Wind them both up to 15k RPM or keep them under 5k.  Otherwise, shut your ignorant trap.

The comparison between the high rev sport bikes and the low rev Harley lump is fair.  It is only unfair if you're comfortable with half truths. 

In Ed's defense, a Harley probably makes 100 plus foot pounds of torque, so there isn't much need to rev it like  you hate it. 

But trumpeting the other worldly reliability of a motor that makes half the HP of a 600 cc I-4 with 1/3 of the RPM, all the while maintaining an actual reputation for being a cold blooded, oil leaking, frequently repaired turd. . . on a sports bike website while offering patent insults at said sport bike. . . is let's just say, questionable. 

If all you live for is to hear yourself and your bike scream then expect to live fast and die young.

I'm coming from a different direction to be sure. 120mph (@6,000rpm) is quite enough for me.

I didn't mean to interrupt your screaming.

Wail on.