Five More Days

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Desmo Steve and I are picking it up next Thursday. I should have a photo the following day. Cary knows what it is (being an "enabler" in the matter...) but I don't think he's talking.
 

Mellow

Joe
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Hmm... A GL1800 or a K1600 those are my guesses.
 

W0QNX

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I don't want to ruin any secrets but I did see Roger in the leather store the other day buying some of these.

Raymond
 

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roginoz
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I didn't completely fall off the wagon, perhaps slipped off to the side a bit. This isn't replacing anything in the stable, just an additional bike in another category. The ST1300 will still serve as my primary bike and touring mount. The KLR may have to share short ride and around town duties, though. (The DRZ is still my unused off road bike. Maybe it needs a more appreciative, or dirt capable, owner...)

The new bike is a 2012 Harley Davidson XR1200X. (http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/2012-Motorcycles/sportster/xr1200x/xr1200x.html) Mine's the black model. Most people, including the “Harley guys,” have never seen one. Harley is discontinuing US distribution of this model, so I figured I'd better act now if I wanted a new one. This is probably as close to a sport bike as HD comes. The XR1200 was initially introduced for the European market, and later (2009) offered domestically. It was upgraded to the XR1200X in 2011 with fully adjustable Showa front and rear suspension (preload, compression and rebound damping,) floating brake discs, and a few other improvements (the blacked out engine hasn't changed internally, but looks better in my opinion.) The 1200 Evo engine has apparently been breathed on a little, as it puts out ninety horsepower and seventy-four ft-lb of torque.

I first saw these when the motorcycle magazines were bemoaning yet another bike that the Europeans could buy but was unavailable in the USA. I've watched them race the last couple of years at Indy in the AMA Pro/Vance and Hines (http://www.vanceandhines.com/xr1200/) series, and had the chance to get a closer look in August when the XR paddock was open to public view. In race trim, the XR1200 looks a bit like a grownup XR750 flat tracker. Everyone uses the same equipment in the XR1200 series, which makes for fairly tight racing.

The local dealer didn't have a bike in stock, but did have a used '09. It hadn't “been through the shop” yet, wasn't available for a test ride, and no one seemed to care about a guy who was interested in a non-traditional HD. Fortunately, Cary had a contact at an independent shop who was aware of a used bike at the Topeka dealership. After a couple of phone calls, Desmo Steve and I drove to Topeka (where they seemed more accommodating) a little over a week ago for a test ride. (Great people at Topeka HD, by the way. They also have a pretty good BBQ restaurant in their building.)

The bike handles well, has really good power, and is fun to ride. The ergonomics are a bit tighter than the ST, but it felt pretty comfortable after a couple of miles. The engine is surprisingly smooth, especially once you reach 3K. And, it's just plain cool. (A frivolous point in many instances, but a legitimate consideration for motorcycles.)

I wanted a new 1200 “X” model; upgrading the '09 suspension would have added at least $2K to the used bike price and new is, well, new. The Topeka dealer found a new bike for me in Nebraska, close enough to trailer back without encountering additional freight charges.

Desmo Steve and I made the trip back to Topeka today in the pickup truck, and hauled the XR home. (I didn't want to start the break-in of a new air cooled engine at eighty miles per hour on the Kansas turnpike.) Steve thinks that I should invest in the race kit (http://vanceandhines.com/xr1200racing/race-kit/) that Vance and Hines offers for the AMA Pro series, but then he does have a history of enabling irrational behavior.

XR Trip Home 026 (Medium).jpgXR Trip Home 027 (Medium).jpg
 
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Scooter

This space for rent...
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Doesn't look like you will need much wax for that bike. I hope you get plenty of enjoyment out of that Roger...
 
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(The DRZ is still my unused off road bike. Maybe it needs a more appreciative, or dirt capable, owner...)
What year 'n model, Rog,,, I could be interested in the spring,,, unless Honda springs a dirty surprise. :D
 

W0QNX

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Very nice Roger. I'd sure like to talk you out of a short ride someday. Always liked that model.

Raymond
 
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Sweet! It's too bad that model didn't continue. One of Harley's better offerings. Enjoy.
 

VFR

"Uncle Larry"
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Hmmmmm, nice machine. I've been kinda looking at that one myself. Also the XL1200S, made (I think) from '98-'02. That unit has dual plug heads, hot cams & I believe a bit more compression.

The 1200 Sportsters these days aren't made like the old ones.
 
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If I could only win the lotto:D

Back in the early eighties when Honda came out with the 500 VT Ascott I was hoping they would follow through with a 1100 or 750 engine version.:(
 
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roginoz
Joined
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Wichita, KS
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'05 ST1300
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Very nice Roger. I'd sure like to talk you out of a short ride someday. Always liked that model.
Raymond
As soon as I get a few break-in miles on it.

Nice! Now I know what your riding next week to Romeos! Have to let everybody drool!
I'll probably be on the ST; gotta do some break-in closer to home before the XR gets too far afield.
 
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