XR1200X, shame it's not in the US

Bad *** looking all blacked out.

 

Agreed. I love those bikes. The XR1200 must not have taken off here eh? I know my dealer still has one of the 700 09s (if they stuck to that number). Like I said, I love em, but I'm not going to buy one any time soon.

 

My dealer has 4 '09s sitting on the floor.

 

I really like the looks of the XR1200X... it also has the upgraded rear suspension. Maybe they'll offer it here as a 1/2 year model or maybe next year.

 

Yeah, thats a sexy bike! I'd have an XR1200 if I had the money in a heartbeat. BUT, I don't....... so guess I'm stickin' to the bob.

 

Hoping for a mid year intro myself. None of the 09 XR1200's left at the dealership I work at. The owner of the shop and another tech both bought one so that kinda skews the numbers. Just got in 2 of the 2010's last week. Haven't been over to the main store since we sent 'em over, so don't know if they have sold yet.

 

I bought a 2010 a coupla weeks ago.
As far as the "X" is concerned, American buyers don't flock to naked bikes, so adding an additional $3k to the already too-high price tag prolly wouldn't fly. I like the fact that you can buy the Showa big piston forks through the catalog, however. I'm gonna buy a set, but I'm going with Ohlins for the rear. It's gonna cost me less and I'm going to have better equipment.

 

No matter what kind of Showa they offer, I have found them only a bit better but no where as the same as aftermarket good suspension.

I believe the new Ohlins drop-in which replaces the stock internal cartridge side works well for the budget minded crowd. Under $1,000. I have the first set as I bought a brand set of fork parts from HD to make a complete front end. These have been extensively tested by Ohlins USA track mules and profesional riders.

I have been developing a complete drop in set of Ohlins R&T forks and all of the parts to insert it into your XR1200 triple trees. Waiting on a new XR1200 wheel & a front fender support to make the brackets to complete the kit. Getting them on Thursday. This is a direct replacement.

BTW the measurements are the same for Dynas. This means that the same XR1200 forks & triple trees will drop right into your Dyna fork neck.

 

Well..Having raced the past 17 or so years, I've ridden on everything from crap damper rod forks, to stock Kayabas and Showas, to Ohlins 25mm cartridge kitted forks, to Ohlins R&T forks, to Ohlins "developement" gas charged cartridges, to Ohlins $15k "Superbike" forks, to $100,000 "Factory Only" Ohlins Superbike forks.
For most average street guys, the stock forks maybe with stiffer springs will work fine.
I can see where someone who rides primarily on the street and doesn't ask a lot from their forks would have the same opinion as yours.
For someone who does track days at a good clip or even races, there ARE NO better stock forks than the new Showa big piston forks. The piston in these things are 19mm bigger than all other stock forks, and are 14mm bigger than even what Ohlins sells in their cartridge kits and their "R&T" forks. Since Kawasaki has a new 600 this year, and Suzuki has a new 1000, they both come with the new Showas. When the rest of the Showa-equipped sportbikes get redesigned, they too will also be equipped with the new forks. Riding on the track with the new Showas compared to riding on the "old" forks(20mm) is like riding on a pair of cartridge forks compared to damping rod style. Not only do the bigger pistons resists foaming of the oil so much better, providing more consistent performance throughout, their new internals also provide much better feedback, and take a huge step forward towards the "Holy Grail" of suspension. Providing forks that are as plush as can be, yet provide the most feel and feedback, and resist bottoming.

When Road Racing World was doing their 600cc shootout, the '09 ZX6 was so much faster than last year's model that they contacted me asking for one off the showroom floor. They were convinced Kawi had given them a ringer. They found out they hadn't.
IMO, Showa has revolutionized suspension with the release of these forks.
If HD offered these forks alone for $1500 it'd be a deal. Considering that's what Ohlins cartridges retail for, plus the cost of installing them. The fact that HD includes a "decent" set of fully adjustable shocks, it's a steal. I'm told you can buy these forks alone from HD for $588ea, but I'm still looking for the P/N.
Considering what Harley charges for the rest of their accessories, it's prolly just a matter of time before they jack up the prices on these things.

 

Looks cool, but I like the black "racing theme" paint better than the matte black with the red. Swap out the tank and you're set.