I wouldn't put the GS in the same category as the XL. The GS is an enduro-tourer off the showroom floor if you get luggage, the XL Harley claims is a "sport bike", not a "cruiser". You'd have to compare something like an FXD convertible to the GS. The sportster has to be compared to GSX, R800, Ninja, Monster...
Look the GS may not be the same category of bike as the Sportster, but neither is a GSXR, Ninja, or Monster. Harley doesn't claim the Sportster IS a Sportbike. If anything they categorize it as a cruiser along with the rest of the world.
Me, I'll call a spade, a spade. It's a naked, classic, standard, in the same general category as a Bonnie, V7, Shadow RS, Bolt etc.
BUT THAT WASN'T THE POINT. Most people who bag on Harley's miss the facts.
Here are some FACTS from MCN
08 BMW R1200GS 536 lbs. wet, dual front brembos, 60-0 stopping distance 125.6'
10 BMW R1200GS 532 lbs. wet, dual front brembos, 60-0 stopping distance 142.0'
07 HD XL1200N 526 lbs. wet, single 2-pot Nissin, 60-0 stopping distance 121.7'
10 HD XL883L 574 lbs. wet, single 2-pot Nissin, 60-0 stopping distance 124.96'
12 HD XL1200V 560 lbs. wet, single 2-pot Nissin, 60-0 stopping distance 120.7'
and for the record
09 HD XR1200 580 lbs. wet, dual 4-pot Nissins, 60-0 stopping distance 106.56'
YEAH,
Harley's aren't sport bikes or adventure tourers, and the brakes don't have the one finger stopping power of a sportbike or sport tourer with dual-brembos, but they are generally far more capable than for what people give them credit,
often AS OR MORE CAPABLE than lighter bikes with "better" brakes.
And generally if you start comparing them to other bikes in the same categories (classic/naked/standards, cruisers, tourers) you're going to see they are very competitive and often come out ahead.
MCN lists 7 different Bonneville variants, and those Sportster braking distances are better than 4 of the 7 (including the Thruxton).
Take an experienced track rider time them on a showroom condition 1985 FXRS and any model stock XL, My money is on the FXR. I could be wrong, I usually am.
You had me at: "I could be wrong, I usually am."
quoting a cycle world article Dec 1981 Harley Davidson FXRS Cycle World Test "And like the T, there are no cast iron junctions on this frame . It's entirely welded steel tubing, with plentiful gusseting around the steering head. Compared with the old frame of the FX series, the new frame is five times stiffer, according to Harley's chief engineer." That MAY be an embellishment, but I'm inclined to take Mark Tuttle at his word. I have great respect for what his team did in the early 80's The previous FX, FLH, and XL frames were designed by trial and error. this was the first harley frame designed by certified engineers with CAD assistance. I don't have much trouble believing they made some progress. There is little structural difference between the 70's frames and modern frames of those series(exclude the XR and FLT series ). Mostly just mounting tabs. still all welded steel box.
Yes sure, it may have been the FIRST, but it's been THREE DECADES, The FL has received at least three frame changes in that time, the FXD at least 2, and the XL a MAJOR frame redesign in 2004,
and it was made significantly stiffer.
Again, I'm NOT BAGGING on the FXR, they're great bikes, but they're ANTIQUES and time has marched on.
