Harley Davidson XR1200

[Chocaholic]

I need a third bike like I need another dog...but came across a very nice, low mileage 2009 XR1200, completely stock with OEM bags and an after market fly screen. It’s at a dealership in NY. I’ve extended an offer only a few hundred below asking and will know if accepted on Monday. Unfortunately I’ll have to have it transported which will add about $700 to the equation.

Been doing some reading and it seems it was designed for the Euro market and only offered in the States for the 09 model year...although there were subsequent renditions. Some innovative tech to the sportster engine and a very capable chassis. Wondering if anyone here has ever owned one and can share experience. I will not have an opportunity to ride it before purchase...assuming we work it out. Appreciate any thoughts.

This is not the exact bike, but it is the same year, model and color. In fact this one exhibits the ethanol tank swelling issue (aesthetic only apparently, unlike Ducs of similar vintage). The one I’m lookin at does not.

[Jeff Higgins]

From what I understand, it's simply a "heavier Buell". The motor is essentially the Buell rendition of the Sportster motor, with the intake ports and induction relocated to point up, moving the airbox up under the gas tank. It replaces the Buell's gas in frame, oil in swingarm planform with the traditional frame/gas tank/oil tank planform, which is where the additional weight comes from.

Every review I ever read was very positive. The guys I've spoken with that own one would never part with it. Not really a "sport bike" by any measure, of course, but apparently very capable in the twisties at a "real world" fun pace. Gobs of torque, of course, which is where its brand of fun comes from.

Sportster motors are a kind of an enigma, though. Buell found that out, as did the guys running the old AMA spec Sportster series. They just won't last long when run hard all the time like the more modern sportbike platforms. Ride it like an adult riding on public roads, as I'm sure you will, and you will never have a problem. The "racers" sure team them up in a hurry, though.

I'll be watching with some interest - this is a bike I've had my eye on myself for some time. I think you'll love it.

[911boost]

Agree with Jeff, it looks interesting for sure.

[Chocaholic]

Thanks Jeff...part of the reason I posted here is the lack of critical reviews. You’re right that I won’t tear it up...not at a youthful (?) 62 years old. I’ve been setting my sights on bikes I find interesting as of late and this one fits the bill. My son will be back from the ME in a couple of weeks freeing up some garage space where his Jeep resides during his deployment. So, why not add another bike to the stable?

In any case, I hope to work out the deal tomorrow then work on transport.

[Jeff Higgins]

I'm 61, so we're looking at it from the same perspective. When I first took the plunge into "sport bikes" with my 900 SS some 15 years ago, it whet my appetite for "more". "More" was going to be a 1098, maybe 1198 if the right one came along. Now, here I am, more satisfied with the performance of my 900 SS than ever before, and not even looking for that "more" anymore. That XR1200 is far more suitable for how I ride, realistically, than any true "sport" bike. Hell, I never really wring out the Duc anymore. As such, that Harley has all of the performance I will ever realistically use. And it's far more "useful" (comfortable) to boot.

[rfuerst911sc]

Nothing to add other than I like the look of the bike in the pic , old school and looks like a motorcycle .

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Nothing to add other than I like the look of the bike in the pic , old school and looks like a motorcycle .

Yes...on this we agree!

[Chocaholic]

Update…looks like it’s not going to happen. Apparently business is so good at this HD dealership that the GM seems to have no reason to be anything but a prick. Just can’t bring myself to buy a bike, sight unseen, from such a person.

A shame…pass.

[rfuerst911sc]

Then it wasn't meant to be. Move on there will be others.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Update…looks like it’s not going to happen. Apparently business is so good at this HD dealership that the GM seems to have no reason to be anything but a prick. Just can’t bring myself to buy a bike, sight unseen, from such a person.

A shame…pass.

Harley dealerships all suck for the most part now. They dont care about their customer base anymore. Its all about the #$.

I bought my first new Harley back in the mid 80's from a family owned dealership in NYC. It was one of my best friends familes. His great grandfather opened it in 1914. My friend inherited half of the business when he turned 18. It was such a great place. Was like a second home to customers.
He sold the business in 2016, because HD corporate made it unbearable to run. No more catering to their long time customers. Became all about pushing accessories and inventory. He sold it and opened an Indian dealership.


.

[Jeff Higgins]

That's too bad, Mike. If you really are interested, though, there are a few of them out there. Not "plentiful" by any means, but I bet it's easier to find another one of these than it was to find your latest Moto Guzzi. Hopefully you won't have to deal with another dick next time.

I was hoping for a full report, so I could make my mind up. So, please, keep looking...

Oh, and someone got me started on HD dealerships. I've been frequenting them since I bought my first Sportster, in 1976, at the ripe old age of 16. Back then, they were pretty rough places. Tittie posters all over the walls, right out where customers could see them (prolly why I hung out there so much). Everyone spoke with an accent - Andrew Dice Clay's "Bronx accent" - "effin' this, effin' that, how the eff ya doin'", and on and on. And that was when they were on their best behavior, trying to sell you something. Standard greeting at the parts counter was "what the eff do ya need?".

Well, somewhere in the late '80's or early '90's, the business model changed. Already relatively expensive bikes got even more so, and they went after a different customer base. The RUB. And the dealerships got gentrified. Tittie posters came down, language got cleaned up, lots more lighting, etc. Now it looked like you were walking into any big car dealership. It was supposed to be more "welcoming", especially for female riders, or the wives and girlfriends of riders.

Problem was, the guys who snarled "what the eff do you want?" were genuinely nice guys underneath it all, and genuinely knew the bikes, and knew exactly what you were asking for, no matter how unusual. The kinds of guys who genuinely wanted to help a kid, especially one that showed interest in learning. Well, with the gentrification, those guys have been replaced, long, long ago, with the slick salesman type. A guy who was selling Cadillacs last year, and might be selling boats next year. They learn enough superficial lingo to fool the RUBs, but their only real interest is their cut of the profits.

And, yeah, I'm painting with a broad brush, I realize that. Not all of them are like that, there are some genuinely enthusiastic, knowledgable people left. Odds are, though, when you roll the dice, they will come up as they did for you. That's just a shame. Maybe next time you'll get lucky and hook up with one of the good guys. Maybe one who still asks "what the eff do ya want?".

[Chocaholic]

Yes…will keep eyes opened. Would be ideal to find one locally but I realize that’s a stretch. Much prefer to buy from a private owner, ideally a mostly stock iteration. Certainly in no hurry. And if the guy has a couple of titty posters in his garage, all the better!

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Update…looks like it’s not going to happen. Apparently business is so good at this HD dealership that the GM seems to have no reason to be anything but a prick. Just can’t bring myself to buy a bike, sight unseen, from such a person.

A shame…pass.

What did he do? Now I want to know!

That's too bad but there are others out there. Maybe you can find one local and save the transport $$. Our own Mr. Motion used to race one for a while in that AMA class if not mistaken...at least I think that was the bike(?)

He wasn't crazy about it but he's spoiled by ultra-high performance race bikes and is a great rider. For normal Harley street duty, I'll bet it's great. I've been wanting to build an XR-1000 replica, I'm not sure which bike you're supposed to start with. Good luck w the hunt!

P.S.: I'm working on my BMW that you helped me purchase in Atlanta a few years back today! Tires, other maintenance...it's been sitting due to work schedule.

[911boost]

The local Duc dealership is what Jeff mentions times about a million. I will NEVER give them a penny every again.

I have a fairly large HD dealership near me, and bought my first HD there. For my second I went to a smaller one about an hour south of me because there were more of the eff you type people there. Oh and the tatted up sales lady had a great rack. I kept in touch with her for a few years, unfortunately cancer reared its ugly head and I lost track of her.

[Chocaholic]

He’s a she Denis. Just a rude and arrogant woman. Nothing outrageous…just rubbed me the wrong way. Then this evening, the sales guy called me and said he’d see what he can do. He’s been a pleasure, it’s his boss that was bit by the nasty bug.

So…all hope is not lost. The bike only has 2k miles on it and looks pristine from what I can tell…and from his description. We’re supposed to talk again in the morning. We’ll see.

That was a nice RS…and the seller was a great guy, I remember our visit fondly. Glad you’re still enjoying it. Great color too (dk blue).

[Chocaholic]

Update…thanks to the work of a good salesman, I swallowed my pride and bought the bike. Now need to figure out how to get it here. Thanks to A-burner for a good lead that will hopefully pan out. More to come.

[speeder]

Tim (505) 917-3349

Great motorcycle shipper. If he’s still in business and in that part of the country, he would be a good choice.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by speeder

Tim (505) 917-3349

Great motorcycle shipper. If he’s still in business and in that part of the country, he would be a good choice.

Thanks. I have two irons in the fire. Hopefully have things firmed up in the next day or two.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

That's too bad, Mike. If you really are interested, though, there are a few of them out there. Not "plentiful" by any means, but I bet it's easier to find another one of these than it was to find your latest Moto Guzzi. Hopefully you won't have to deal with another dick next time.

I was hoping for a full report, so I could make my mind up. So, please, keep looking...

Oh, and someone got me started on HD dealerships. I've been frequenting them since I bought my first Sportster, in 1976, at the ripe old age of 16. Back then, they were pretty rough places. Tittie posters all over the walls, right out where customers could see them (prolly why I hung out there so much). Everyone spoke with an accent - Andrew Dice Clay's "Bronx accent" - "effin' this, effin' that, how the eff ya doin'", and on and on. And that was when they were on their best behavior, trying to sell you something. Standard greeting at the parts counter was "what the eff do ya need?".

Well, somewhere in the late '80's or early '90's, the business model changed. Already relatively expensive bikes got even more so, and they went after a different customer base. The RUB. And the dealerships got gentrified. Tittie posters came down, language got cleaned up, lots more lighting, etc. Now it looked like you were walking into any big car dealership. It was supposed to be more "welcoming", especially for female riders, or the wives and girlfriends of riders.

Problem was, the guys who snarled "what the eff do you want?" were genuinely nice guys underneath it all, and genuinely knew the bikes, and knew exactly what you were asking for, no matter how unusual. The kinds of guys who genuinely wanted to help a kid, especially one that showed interest in learning. Well, with the gentrification, those guys have been replaced, long, long ago, with the slick salesman type. A guy who was selling Cadillacs last year, and might be selling boats next year. They learn enough superficial lingo to fool the RUBs, but their only real interest is their cut of the profits.

And, yeah, I'm painting with a broad brush, I realize that. Not all of them are like that, there are some genuinely enthusiastic, knowledgable people left. Odds are, though, when you roll the dice, they will come up as they did for you. That's just a shame. Maybe next time you'll get lucky and hook up with one of the good guys. Maybe one who still asks "what the eff do ya want?".

Reminds me of the time I had to get a drive shaft shortened. I was walking in with it and from 25-30 feet away the guy asks me what do I need done with that Mopar driveshaft. Told him I needed it to be 8.5" and he told me it would be no problem to drop 8.5" off of it. I said no, 8.5 yoke to yoke and a U-Joint to go on a Ford 9" rear end. He gave me a funny look and said no problem.

Our local HD dealer used to be one of the worst places you could go for customer service. They went bankrupt for some reason. The new owners are pretty good. When my brother in law takes it in for service they give him a nice Road King for the weekend as a loaner since he is 3 hours away. They also host a free "stunt show" and have Muay Thai tournaments there. Lat time I was at the Stunt show a couple years ago I met a machinist that worked on the XB-70. He was surprised the kids and I knew what it was.

[gsxrken]

That looks like a HD I could ride. I can’t ride a bike with my feet forward for more than a 1/2 hour due to lower back issues. Sold my softtail over that and bought a BMW. I need the pegs situated so my legs can help as shock absorbers and keep my from rounding my back.
Congrats on the new addition!