FS: Harley XR1200 Sportster

[dt]

2009 Harley Davidson XR1200 Sportster; 15,250 miles; well maintained
Bags (tank, tail, saddles); Bungees; Sport Screen; Corbin Seat
OE Security Option
Warranty through May 2014
$8,000 obo
Specifications
Slideshow
PM if interested...thx.

[Croz]

Haven't been around lately (for all sorts of reasons) but assuming you have a new toy to take this one's place? Hope you're not being forced to sell it for other reasons...

[dt]

No problems. I just decided I wanted to move into that emerging adventure touring thing some time ago…something more useful and comfortable for touring and that can take on some light to moderate off-road when I get the urge.

So…back in December I ordered one of Yamaha’s new adventure tourers, the 2012 XT1200Z Super Tenere. It’s actually been available in Europe and Africa since last year, but only made available to North America under a priority delivery program where you could order one starting back in September 2010 with an expected delivery in May 2011. I think around 900 were ordered before the deadline in March 2011. The reason that bike manufacturers do these priority delivery programs is to see how much market interest there is for a specific model. They ran a few of them around the country so you could kick the tires and ride them (around a parking lot..lol!) Then we all had to work out our deals with our dealers, plop down a non-refundable deposit and wait.

Anyway, Japan had the earthquake and tsunamis in March and everything went to shit including our program. Hard to complain, it was a pretty bad situation for quite awhile over there and our motorcycle orders shouldn’t have been a priority with all that. Around the end of May, they told everyone that the earliest delivery would be November and anyone who wanted could get out and get their deposits back. Quite a few did just that, but I didn’t feel like researching a new bike so I hung in there. There was no word until early last week, when I found out (and not from my dealer) that my bike was in a warehouse in Atlanta. I guess back in May, Yamaha was doing the underpromising and overdelivering thing. Within days, they were getting delivered all over the country and I got my call to come pick it up at Barneys Brandon Friday afternoon. Here it is…





Over the last two days I’ve put 260 miles on it. It’s an extremely smooth parallel twin with six gears and a shaft drive. It has two on demand maps…one for touring; one more sporty. It also has a multi-level traction control system and ABS (not too keen on the ABS part). Ergos are very similar to the XR, very upright but it’s really, really tall…thirty-three inches in seat height (I have a 30 inch inseam). It’s got a six gallon tank and is built for comfort and it surely is just that. These are going to make it usable for the real long hauls.

As an adventure tourer, it’s officially classified as a dual purpose. At 575 pounds, it’s no lite-weight though. It has a lot of other features that make it useable on the trails, mostly balance related. This is where ABS is a somewhat counterintuitive feature. BMW’s adventure tourer, the GS1200, allows you to switch off ABS. The other issue is the tires. It comes with Bridgestone Battlewings, which aren’t going to cut it in sand and mud. I’d picked out a better set called Heidenau K60 Scouts and got my dealer on ordering them when I found out the bike was in Atlanta…they’re on back order…figures. Anyway, yesterday morning I still went into the forest…turned around…and came right back out. I’ll wait for the tires before I do that again. I did take the pics to prove I tried, though…lol!

On the pavement, it's not striking me as a super performance sled; of course, I've been riding a HD for the last two years so what do I know. It's bottom end is geared pretty low consistent with a dually, but when you get in the upper gears it really stretches out. In sixth it's still pulling pretty strong and once you level off it's really smooth...if I get on a highway I may fall asleep riding this motorcycle. It's really flickable for its weight and lays down effortlessly but grips in the corners. I may give some of that up with the new tires, we'll see.

For now, 260 miles is way inside the run in and I'm sticking to the manufacturer's recommendations. So far, so good. I've been real happy with the XR1200. It's been a ton of fun and it's gotten me out on the road. But my background is off-road, and all that goes with that, and this bike is more me. I could keep the XR for awhile just in case, but I'm pretty sure the XTZ will work out.

EDIT: On the performance comment, I was just thinking this morning that my dealer said to stay in T=Touring mode for the first 600m leg of the run in, which I'm complying with. I might have a different view when I can switch over to S=Sport mode.

[v65infla]

Where do you carry the step stool??  

Nice bike, members on other forums started putting up pics this week also.  It will be interesting to see what Honda will come out with to keep pace.  

With that weight, I wouldn't want to lay it down in the sand though. 

[dt]

I wear high heels. 

Honda’s supposed to be coming out with the V4 Crosstourer shortly for this market. Not sure when, but that’s the word.

[bagobones]

Congrats on the bike. I would definitely say it's more "you". Me like the blue.

[Croz]

Hey! I saw you on Facebook! Barneys posted a bunch of pics the other day to their FB page with no explanation, and I didn't look closely at the bike to see why they were posting it.

Looks like a great bike! Having become hopelessly addicted to the "Long Way Round," "Long Way Down," DVDs, I've been dying for a 'dual-sport/adventure touring' bike. But I have a 1-bike-budget' right now, and my cruiser's not going anywhere soon.

That Yamaha is beautiful. Love to hear your opinions on its off-road abilities once you have the new tires on it.

[mrbones]

Awesome looking bike. I think I'd enjoy an adventure type bike, too. Don't think I haven't thought about putting different tires on my SV650 and making a custom crash guard for the engine and exhaust and heading out into the woods.

[danh600]

That is a nice looking bike. I love the blue.

A bike like that sure opens up some options on the kinds of rides you can do.

[dt]

That is a nice looking bike. I love the blue.

A bike like that sure opens up some options on the kinds of rides you can do.

It only came in black and blue 

My plan is to take June-July 2012 and go to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Serious!

Hey! I saw you on Facebook! Barneys posted a bunch of pics the other day to their FB page with no explanation, and I didn't look closely at the bike to see why they were posting it.

Looks like a great bike! Having become hopelessly addicted to the "Long Way Round," "Long Way Down," DVDs, I've been dying for a 'dual-sport/adventure touring' bike. But I have a 1-bike-budget' right now, and my cruiser's not going anywhere soon.

That Yamaha is beautiful. Love to hear your opinions on its off-road abilities once you have the new tires on it.

Oh man! I wondered what they were going to do with those pictures. 

They sold three and the other two guys backed out.

My sales guy, Mitch. Good guy. He's sold me about five or six motorcycles/atvs. This one should count for two though. 

[mrbones]

Alaska?! Have you lost your stinkin' mind?! 

[dt]

Yup, gonna do it. Believe it or not, I know two bikers up in the Yukon Territory and they said if I can get there, they'd lead the way up though Alaska. They have guns too. Grizzlies you know. 

[niteman]

That's an awesome bike you got there dt! Lovin it!

Also loving the Alaska trip plan! Good for you, that would be awesome.

I'll have to pick up a dual sport one of these days in the future. They sure open up a lot of ride possibilities.

[dt]

That's an awesome bike you got there dt! Lovin it!

Thank you!


Back on the Sportster, it's not taking up alot of room 'cuz I've sold off most everything, and I could keep it, but it would be a shame to keep a bike around like that and not ride it. So I reduced the price down to $8,000 obo.

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/mcy/2524546325.html

[magnaone]

nice bike  no more oil drip

[v65infla]

Far be it for me to endorse a Harley but that is a fun little bike that Bill has for sale.  Some one should probably jump on it and make it a keeper. 

[magnaone]

jamie  you would look good on it

[v65infla]

jamie  you would look good on it

 

[dt]

CL (renewed weekly), eBay (two cycles) and Sprocketlist…one “questionable” query. I have had about eight people interested in the accessories. One guy says, hey, looks like your bike isn’t selling, why don’t you sell me the luggage and screen and I respond ‘cuz if it doesn’t sell I need them. Yesterday some dude presumably from So. Dakota sends me an email and this is an exact quote, “Is this bike brand new?” This one goes on to want to buy it, but there was too much weirdness and I told him to get lost. Anyway, being in the middle of the summer with the heat and humidity we’ve had it’s probably not the best time to be trying to sell, but I’ll keep on it.

[v65infla]

Yep, that and there is this little thing called the economy that has people sitting on their excess cash right now.   

[dt]

Got contacted by a guy from Sarasota last night who’s interested. We agreed to meet in Sun City Center this afternoon. He and another guy showed up on big ol’ Harley baggers; told me he wants something like the XR to keep at his cabin up in the Smokeys for all the twisty roads. He rode it and fell in love…not enough to make a really good offer though. But at least an offer I can work with.

[v65infla]

Got contacted by a guy from Sarasota last night who’s interested. We agreed to meet in Sun City Center this afternoon. He and another guy showed up on big ol’ Harley baggers; told me he wants something like the XR to keep at his cabin up in the Smokeys for all the twisty roads. He rode it and fell in love…not enough to make a really good offer though. But at least an offer I can work with.

At least you can tell him it has already earned its Dragon badge.  

[dt]

btw...and I kid you not...his offer includes use of his cabin whenever I want it. 

[v65infla]

btw...and I kid you not...his offer includes use of his cabin whenever I want it. 

When do we leave?? 

Supposed to have been leaving for a weekend to trip to NY next week for a v4 BBQ but had to cancel for this year.  Bummed.   

[dt]

I’m pretty sure we have a deal here. He's $500 below my original absolute bottom line. Throw in the cabin use and I think it's a go. It's south of Gatlinburg, NC. The buyer and I have been talking about some rides, too; I think we’ve got another riding partner that'll be interested in our events.