1100 EVO Vs Sportster

[DucatiBastard]

I was going to mention that I've never heard a test ride mentioned at my local Duc dealer but as it happens, I've never actually ridden my bike there, not so for the H-D dealer.

I'll have to see what changes when I show up on an actual motorcycle...

In my defense, they are relatively new in town, and in the same building as a Moto Museum and a killer bike-themed restaurant, so I normally take out-of-towners there in a car

[Speedbag]

883s are turds. Should have tried a 1200 as a minimum. But comparing a 1200 Sporty and a Monster is a true apple-to-orange scenario.

This thread reminds me that I need to get back on the hunt for a nice, clean Buell XB1200Ss for building a beast, now that they're cheap....

[twolanefun]

Sorry I did not chime in earlier, the XR1200 is a great machine IMHO, I've got about 80K miles on Monsters, I love my M900 and would never choose the XR over my M900. But I'll tell you that the XR puts as much of a grin on my face as the M900 does. I do have the upgraded suspension on it and the Vance and Hines exhaust but other than that it's pretty much stock and I'm quite happy with it. I've had no issues with it. The tank was replaced under warranty 2 years ago due to swelling but the new tank had not swelled, it's fine. IMHO the motor is very nice, gobs of never ending torque, dead smooth above 4k, and everyone should have at least one American bike in the garage. FWIW I rode an XLCR last year on a retro tour http://www.retrotours.com/ On the 1st day everyone was trading with me, the bike was fun to ride, only 4 speeds and not a ton of power but still fun. You know you just don't have to have the kind of performance that my Diavel has, for example, for things to be fun. - Gene

[El-Twin]

You know you just don't have to have the kind of performance that my Diavel has, for example, for things to be fun. - Gene

My 16 horsepower Mustang Thoroughbred was my pride and joy.

Of course, I was 15 at the time. 

[twolanefun]

I had a 72 CB500, put over 100K miles on it too, before the Army shipped me overseas. But I'm looking for a 70' Honda CB100, my first bike. Ddid you see that they are making Mustangs again? http://www.californiascooterco.com/csc_factory_customs.htm - Gene

[El-Twin]

I had a 72 CB500, put over 100K miles on it too, before the Army shipped me overseas. But I'm looking for a 70' Honda CB100, my first bike. Ddid you see that they are making Mustangs again? http://www.californiascooterco.com/csc_factory_customs.htm - Gene

You are totally making my day!

I can't believe that the Mustang is reborn. Modern motor (the original was an industrial flat-head), but otherwise that's how I remember it. Bookmarking the website. 

And major kudos for the 100K on your 72 CB500! I put 50K on my '72 before it started to fade. Didn't have enough $$ in those days for proper maintenance. 

[Kev M]

It's an odd comparison, but a biased one too. I mean Ferrari and a tractor? Puhlease, Ferrari? We're talking a Duc, not an MV Augusta.

I might buy an Alpha and a Ram.

But really, they're fun in different ways. And the Sporty will run a 14 second quarter mile. Not fast by any sporting bike standards today, but still knocking on WRX speeds.

It is what it is, and it's not meant for racing.

[Triple J]

Same... I think HD and Ducati are the only brands that really allow a lot of test rides.  I remember seeing that in a study before.

Must depend on the region. I've never had a dealer turn down a test ride up here...Duc, Guzzi, Aprilia, Triumph, KTM, etc. Those brands constitute 5 different dealers.

[Speeddog]

My GF and I had ridden our Monsters to a local SoCal BMW dealer to sit on a touring bike.
Salesman offered a test ride within 2 minutes, didn't even have to hint at it, let alone ask.

[Kev M]

Must depend on the region. I've never had a dealer turn down a test ride up here...Duc, Guzzi, Aprilia, Triumph, KTM, etc. Those brands constitute 5 different dealers.

Oops, yeah, I meant to reply to that too.

FWIW, when I started riding a couple decades ago about the only dealers who'd offer demo rides were BMW dealers and AFAIK they still do.

I think many Triumph dealers do too, and Victory. Though both brands (& Indian too) have roaming demo trucks so some dealers may defer to that.

I think with Aprilia and Guzzi it's highly dealer dependent, but always a possibility. I know Guzzi has had recent demo programs where participating dealers got a new model early if they agreed to make it available as a demo (Cali 1400 & V7 Stone or Racer).

The Harley demo thing started in the 90's when they had waiting lists. The Co gave participating dealers additional allocations of demo models that they had to agree to keep available a minimum length of time. I believe it included Buell too at one point. But it's evolved into a ride anything in the showroom policy (and it honestly worked on me once when the new rubbermount Sportster debuted in 04).

[ungeheuer]

I have never ridden any Harley.

I've ridden one of my mate's Buell 1200 something-or-other....  I kinda liked it.

And I so want to agree with the OP's ride assessment.

And then along comes Kev M.... talking sense to spoil the fun  

It's an odd comparison, but a biased one too. I mean Ferrari and a tractor? Puhlease, Ferrari? We're talking a Duc, not an MV Augusta.

I might buy an Alpha and a Ram.

But really, they're fun in different ways. And the Sporty will run a 14 second quarter mile. Not fast by any sporting bike standards today, but still knocking on WRX speeds.

It is what it is, and it's not meant for racing.

Have to agree with ya.  

Bugger  

[Bishamon]

I test rode the XR1200X, and I was surprised that it did not feel very powerful compared to my M796.  It also wasn't as smooth as I had expected down low (it was my first time riding a Harley).  It was a disappointing experience.

[Kev M]

And I so want to agree with the OP's ride assessment.

And then along comes Kev M.... talking sense to spoil the fun  
Have to agree with ya.  

Bugger  

Sorry man  

I DO try to be slavishly devoted to the facts, but we all have our own biases.

I test rode the XR1200X, and I was surprised that it did not feel very powerful compared to my M796.  It also wasn't as smooth as I had expected down low (it was my first time riding a Harley).  It was a disappointing experience.

Well, think about it.

796 - 76 hp / 51 torques - 418.5# wet - 11.97 1/4 mile

XR1200 - 79 hp / 68 torques - 580# wet - 12.25 1/4 mile

Though the smooth thing could be where in the powerband you were riding.

I dunno, the XR at that weight is just never going to be the nimble carver that your Monster is, but it CAN still be a blast to ride assuming "it's your bag baby".

As Eric Clapton said in the 80's "It's in the way that you use it".

 

It's funny, I still want an XRX, pretty badly. I had an opportunity to buy a new Denim White one about a year and a half ago and chose the Guzzi V7 Stone instead. I'm NOT disappointed as the V7 is better suited to my style of riding.

I THINK wanting the XR was the reason I stumbled upon and bought my Buell... but, as excellent a bike as it is, I'm toying with selling it and getting something else just because it's not me.

To be perfectly honest, as much as I enjoy the Duc, I'd probably never have bought it if Jenn didn't want it.

Just different strokes so to speak.

[MadDuck]

I do think though that allowing, or encouraging, test rides is at the sole discretion of the dealership. The manufacturer can encourage the dealer to offer test rides but I don't think it's part of the franchise agreement.

[Curmudgeon]

796 - 76 hp / 51 torques - 418.5# wet - 11.97 1/4 mile

XR1200 - 79 hp / 68 torques - 580# wet - 12.25 1/4 mile

796 is 87 BHP / 58 ft.lbs. NOT your wife's 696.