Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

2009 XR1200 versus the BMW K1200R-Can the XR1200 compete?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 16, 2008 | 02:04 PM
  #21  
BIGschwerm's Avatar
BIGschwerm
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: FT. CAMPBELL KY./Clarksville TN.
Default

**** poor comparo.....
 
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2008 | 04:10 PM
  #22  
sawinwa's Avatar
sawinwa
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Default I like both HD and BMW

I love HD heritage and image and style, and love my big twin for crusin'. But if I was going to blow another $10+k on another bike just for "performance", I'd be headed to the BMW dealer, no question. BMW, as with their cars, in many ways sets the benchmark in the targeted demographic & use they build for.
 

Last edited by sawinwa; Dec 5, 2009 at 01:51 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2008 | 05:31 PM
  #23  
beardo's Avatar
beardo
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 21
Default

Isn't the point of reviewing seemingly "different" machines to evaluate how each might be suited to the intended use? If HD is gonna market this new ride as a "performance bike", then anyone who's into "performance" might want to evaluate ALL the comparables before investing, right?

I love HD heritage and image and style, and love my big twin for crusin'. But if I was going to blow another $10+k on another bike just for "performance", I'd be headed to the BMW dealer, no question. BMW, as with their cars, in many ways sets the benchmark in the targeted demographic & use they build for.
No where does HD promote the XR as a "performance" bike...
 
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 09:21 PM
  #24  
performanceisthekey's Avatar
performanceisthekey
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 610
Likes: 5
Default

I don't see why these comparisons continue. If you're going to compare something at least try to get something similar. It's like an auto forum running comparisons between a Saturn and a Ferrari.

Please find more compatible comparisons. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 09:26 PM
  #25  
performanceisthekey's Avatar
performanceisthekey
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 610
Likes: 5
Default

Originally Posted by beardo
No where does HD promote the XR as a "performance" bike...
Taken directly from HD'S site:

"Whether it's concrete,asphalt,pavement or blacktop, the bottomless pit of torque hits as hard as it did on racetracks a half century ago"


I'd say that's promoting it as a performance bike wouldn't you?
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2009 | 06:46 AM
  #26  
tiger_rider's Avatar
tiger_rider
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
From: Jackson NJ
Default

Originally Posted by performanceisthekey
Taken directly from HD'S site:

"Whether it's concrete,asphalt,pavement or blacktop, the bottomless pit of torque hits as hard as it did on racetracks a half century ago"


I'd say that's promoting it as a performance bike wouldn't you?
True, except that bit where it says "a half century ago".

There was a bike magazine article a couple of weeks ago where they compared the XR and a Ducati Biposto. Probably one of the better comparisons

Edit. It was the July issue of Cycle World and the Ducati was the Sport 1000
 

Last edited by tiger_rider; Jun 19, 2009 at 04:50 PM. Reason: More Information
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2009 | 09:57 AM
  #27  
shopewell's Avatar
shopewell
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 3
From: utah
Default

I guess it all depends on if you are looking to pick up dudes or chicks...
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2009 | 09:33 PM
  #28  
ernofsteel007's Avatar
ernofsteel007
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 1
From: dual citizen nomad
Default

look man richard simmons is in better condition than dennis leary, but that dont make me wanna have beers with him over leary. the bmw is a better performance bike thats kinda gay an really directed towards **** yuppies so i'd never want any part of it. the XR1200 is no performance slouch, looks tough, has the harley sound and chicks dig em so i say the XR1200 doesn't just compete with the bmw it kicks it *** all day long.
 

Last edited by ernofsteel007; Jun 21, 2009 at 09:35 PM.
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 22, 2009 | 07:03 AM
  #29  
SHTFIT's Avatar
SHTFIT
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
From: Westchester, New York
Default

lol...I agree. I believe they are saying it's the type of performance bike you would have ridden a "half century ago". Certainly not today! Cool bike nonetheless! As with all H-D's, top line performance is not what the bikes are about.


Originally Posted by tiger_rider
True, except that bit where it says "a half century ago".

There was a bike magazine article a couple of weeks ago where they compared the XR and a Ducati Biposto. Probably one of the better comparisons

Edit. It was the July issue of Cycle World and the Ducati was the Sport 1000
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2009 | 06:08 PM
  #30  
bogman's Avatar
bogman
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Cork Ireland
Default

Own a K1200R and a 09 CVO softail, drove the XR1200, lovely bike, the review in question is an unfair comparison but makes me wonder why im thinking of trading in the Beemer for the 2010 XR1200x
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:26 AM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE