New Harley Sporster

[garylspolar]

http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=10022

NEW BIKES - Harley Releases A Prototype
Posted By Paul Carruthers
New Sportster 10/10/2006

The following is from Harley-Davidson...

Harley-Davidson revealed a prototype Sportster XR 1200 motorcycle aimed at the European market today at the INTERMOT International Motorcycle Show in Cologne, Germany. The XR 1200 prototype places an emphasis on performance and handling with styling inspired by the Motor Company’s legendary XR 750 dirt track racer.

Created with the demands of the European market in mind, the XR 1200 prototype’s development goals include a powerful air-cooled V-Twin engine, agile handling, and high performance suspension and brakes.

“As Harley-Davidson seeks to further grow its presence and sales in Europe, INTERMOT and subsequent major European events will be used to carefully evaluate media and public reaction to the XR 1200 prototype,” said John Russell, Vice President, Harley-Davidson Europe. “If the prototype is well received, we hope to bring the XR 1200 to Europe in 2007.”

The Sportster XR 1200 Prototype features:

XR 750-inspired styling

1200cc air-cooled V-Twin with downdraft fuel injection (85-90 HP target)

Specially tuned Showa suspension with 43mm inverted front forks

High performance four-piston caliper Nissin brakes

Unique lightweight cast wheels with dirt track-inspired design

Specially developed Dunlop Qualifier tires:

Front 120/70ZR18

Rear 180/55ZR17

[DJ Downunder]

I think it's only a prototype.

DJ

October 9 2006
Harley XR1200 prototype

Harley Davidson has unveiled a totally new prototype at todays Cologne Show to spark a reaction from the meida and public alike.
Influenced strongly by the flat tracker scene Harley Davidson are notiorious for dominating, the XR1200 is powered by the European spec 1200 V-twin motor pounding out a claimed 85-90bhp.

Based on the legendary XR750 Dirt Tracker, this prototype is the result of another close collaboration between Harley's Milwaukee-based development team and Harley Davidson's Product Planning Europe team that recently brought us the Night Rod Special.
The prototype boasts an impressive electronically controlled active air intake system, powerful Nissin brakes, specially crafted Showa forks and a purpose seat height to fit the average European customer.

[GypsyRR]

Okay, but what does it sound like?

[perfectstranger]

beautiful

[JCsman]

Before my R1150R I rode a 2002 Sportster 1200R.

It was beautiful. Sounded great (stock mufflers, deep sound, but NOT the "loud pipes save lives" nonsense). It handled better than you might think, no, nothing like my RR, but lots better than the "big twin" H-D's I've ridden. Power was, uhmmmm... adequate, torque being the key.

The prototype Sportster shown would have heaps more power. It should handle much better. The new frame (post 2004) is heavier for the new motor mounts, the suspension and brakes described here are WAY upgraded and the control mounts are far to the rear of the existing Sporty. Plus, compared to the one I rode, this one, and all the newer Sportsters, would be far less of a paint shaker. (The main drawback of that 2002 Sportster was the solid motor mounts. It would, literally, shake parts off every other ride.) It would kill my H.O.G. friends to hear it, but I bet those mid-mount controls would make this more comfortable both on long trips and at a higher speed than the exiting Sportsters.

Now I might not want that prototype as my only bike. The RR meets that need better than anything else I can imagine. But, if I had, say, a R1200RT or R1200GS, that Sportster would be a GREAT local ride if it goes like I suspect it would.

[DJ Downunder]

Okay, but what does it sound like?
_________________
K.

Potato-potato-potato...

DJ

[Boxer]

I'm with you Bill. This looks like one I would like to own. To hell with all those cruiser styles, and the specs on this bike sound like a good comparo with our Roadsters.

I noticed on the 3Rad post at the Intermot show in Germany that a lot of the bikes there look different (more standard) than our typical American Dream machine cruiser Pizza Shift bikes.

Do we have to go to Europe to find these things? Or will they eventually be here?

[R4R&R]

Do we have to go to Europe to find these things? Or will they eventually be here?

Aren't they made in America?

Actually, I like the looks of those. Maybe they are realizing that the 'sportster' wasn't really that sporty, but more of a retro bike. They need to get with the times.

[Boxer]

Aren't they made in America?

Yes, but what worries me is that their thinking may make this a Euro bike only since here we mostly buy the cruiser type.

I dunno. Maybe someone more knowledgeable in Harley marketing and sales can enlighten us...er me.

[Ed K]

I owned a new 2004 Sportster (rubber mounted)... for about three months... then got my RR... and not for second, regretted going to the RR.

[ebiker]

I owned a new 2004 Sportster (rubber mounted)... for about three months... then got my RR... and not for second, regretted going to the RR.

Back in the early 1990's, I considered owning another Sportster. (My first Sport was a two year old 1966 XLCH, a real piece of sh*t) Anyway, I test rode a low mileage used '91 1200 Sportster at the Harrisburg Pennsylvania Harley Davidson dealership.

On the Sport was noise, vibration and a bumpy-stiff ride. I told the dealer I would think about it.

Then I rode home my 1977 R75/7 with it's smooth quiet motor, lack of vibration and soft gentle ride.

As I rode home I asked myself:"What the h*ll was I thinking?"

[yjleesvrr]

The new Sportsters, from 2005 onward, are much improved. They vibrate far less and have a wee bit more power.

Harleys these days don't vibrate like they used to. On the highway, my Super Glide Sport is as smooth as my R. At lower speeds however, it does shake more. But it's very tolerable, as evidenced by a couple 500 mile trips I've taken on it to New Jersey from Southwest VA.

[Wass]

Slightly OT but I'll never forget a work colleague bringing his brand new Sportster to the office and showing it off to everybody. It was the small one, not the 1200. He's showing it off and I said 'but that's a girl's bike'. The look on his face was priceless.
We never saw the little Sportster again. He went and got a Gold Wing.
This proto sportster looks much improved.

[ebiker]

Slightly OT but I'll never forget a work colleague bringing his brand new Sportster to the office and showing it off to everybody. It was the small one, not the 1200. He's showing it off and I said 'but that's a girl's bike'. The look on his face was priceless. We never saw the little Sportster again. He went and got a Gold Wing. This proto sportster looks much improved.

For years I felt the same way about the 883 Sportster being a "girls bike", until I met two women from Chicago who actually rode their 883 Huggers to Daytona Beach for Bike Week. That day I learned to never "bash" another bikers choice of ride.

[Wass]

ebiker -
Girls on 883 Sportsters are hot.
250 pound dudes are not.

[JCsman]

Aren't they made in America?

Yes, but what worries me is that their thinking may make this a Euro bike only since here we mostly buy the cruiser type.

I dunno. Maybe someone more knowledgeable in Harley marketing and sales can enlighten us...er me.

I don't claim any particular expertise in marketing. But I was talking to an H-D salesman a few weeks ago (I'm not in the market, mind you, I just like talking about bikes). He tried to interest me in a Street Rod, one of the two H-D's I'd consider.

He explained they sell a ton of 'em in Europe and parts of the west coast. But the rest of the US, particularly here in the South, the entire V-Rod line just doesn't sell.

Now, compared to the rest of the H-D line, the Street Rod is a real rocket ship both in a straight line and in the curves. The salesman said they haven't noted any real dependability problems, and, the ones they have sold are well liked by their owners. It's just that H-D guys LIKE the existing big-twins with long raked front ends, moderate (I'm in a generous mood) power, emphasis on style over performance and noise.

But the Sportster shown just might still appeal to the traditionalists, yet offer reasonable performance for the rest of the world.

YMMV

[ebiker]

Aren't they made in America?

Yes, but what worries me is that their thinking may make this a Euro bike only since here we mostly buy the cruiser type.

I dunno. Maybe someone more knowledgeable in Harley marketing and sales can enlighten us...er me.

I don't claim any particular expertise in marketing. But I was talking to an H-D salesman a few weeks ago (I'm not in the market, mind you, I just like talking about bikes). He tried to interest me in a Street Rod, one of the two H-D's I'd consider.

He explained they sell a ton of 'em in Europe and parts of the west coast. But the rest of the US, particularly here in the South, the entire V-Rod line just doesn't sell.

Now, compared to the rest of the H-D line, the Street Rod is a real rocket ship both in a straight line and in the curves. The salesman said they haven't noted any real dependability problems, and, the ones they have sold are well liked by their owners. It's just that H-D guys LIKE the existing big-twins with long raked front ends, moderate (I'm in a generous mood) power, emphasis on style over performance and noise.

But the Sportster shown just might still appeal to the traditionalists, yet offer reasonable performance for the rest of the world.YMMV

Since we both seem to like the street rod, you just might be interested in this version of Harley Davidsons V-Rod......

http://www.partsmag.com/0501/V-Rod-Proj ... -0501.html

Most of the body conversion parts come from the Road Glide.