[Jeff Higgins]

Interesting; I've not followed how the XR1200 has been doing. I know it was only brought here after the hue and cry from the Harley faithfull demanded it - it was supposed to be "Euro only". I did hear it was selling well over there. I have also seen some good reviews of it, along with the one you mention where it is paired with the Monster. I'm not sure it "failed misserably" in that comparison, but it certainly did not have the overall performance of the Monster. If one desires that level of performance from an H-D product, one should be looking at Buells anyway. As somewhat of an aside, the air-cooled Buells tend to beat up on the air-cooled Monsters these days.

Harley has a long, proud history of almost getting it. Of building bikes that appeal neither to their faithfull, nor the hoped-for new audience. The last effort prior to the XR1200 (if it does indeed prove to be such) was the Street Rod, a V Rod variant. Standard foot position, normal handlebars, drastically reduced rake. Cycle World (or maybe it was Motorcyclist) touted it as the "Harley for the rest of us". It could have been a very viable sport tourer, had Harley outfitted it as such. Kind of in the FJR mold. But, they didn't, and it died on the vine.

As far as the XR1200, I think a more valid comparison would be with the Triumph Bonneville or Thruxton. I don't think it is aimed at the market segment that is shopping Monsters. Like I said, Buell is more the competitor in that market.