Harley Roadster VS Harley XR1200: The BEST Harley Comparison
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- Опубликовано: 15 май 2019
- The Harley Davidson Sportster line has an odd name considering it isn't very sporty at all... That is, except for two wonderful models. The XR1200 and the Roadster. The Roadster is obviously very similar to the XR1200, but which one is the sportiest, and which one should you buy? There are pros and cons about both of them, but let's get down into the ultimate comparison. I have owned both and will give you my thoughts.
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I have an 09 as my commuter. Found small, hard, removable cases and now I have a place for weekend tours and my lunch bag. FMF pipes and K&N filter, led headlight and led bulbs completed my mods. This bike is not for the faint of heart, newbies as, as you said, throttle is very “on/off”. However, I always get thumbs up, looks and there’s always people checking it out when I’m parked. I had one 3 years ago, sold it then bought it back. Yes, they are cult bikes and if you own one, keep it. You’ll regret selling.
I'm shopping for another one now. 1st HD I bought and should have kept it. Traded it for a Road Glide. Nice bike but not as practical as the XR nor as much fun.
Definitely going to pick up a XR1200X thanks for the best review on YT so far!
Thanks! I know someone who is selling one in my area. Let me know if you want the info!
This guy's level of excitement describing an amazingly awesome bike tells me he is an accountant. Yeah, that's probably accurate.....
Nah, Physicist!
Loved my 16 roadster but now on an 09 xr1200. The Xr always brings an uncontrollable smile.
I've got this exact bike, I have had my XR for 6 years and it is fast, nimble, comfortable and looks like the XR750, the most successful racing motorcycle in HISTORY!! Plus, Vance and Hines did a XR1200 AMA racing series where they raced XR1200s on circuit tracks, it is a fantastic motorcycling experience.
Is it reliable?
Great review of a very cool Harley-Davidson 👍🏻 glad I found your channel just subscribed
I appreciate it!
Harley seriously needs to make a modern version of this bike with the 1250 out of the pan America
Bronx!!...hopefully
The stock XR seat in 09 was miserable. I was in tears after riding about 4 hours on it but I had to finish the loop before I could stop. I replaced it with a Saddleman with the relief channel down the middle. That was heaven. Upgrading the fuel tank looks like the most difficult thing to do. All metal and a bit larger will be nice. I'm in Daytona now so shouldn't have too much trouble finding someone who makes custom pieces.
I’ve always liked the XR & I’ve ridden a Roadster & loved it. If I could fin an XR in good condition at a reasonable price I’d buy one. Currently riding a 1995 1200 & it’s an awesome bike. Your bike is really nice, looks like it’s a blast to ride, stay safe!
If you find one, make sure it isn't a trackbike. Most XRs went straight to the racetrack. People make them street legal when they want to sell them.
I had an 2017 XL1200CX Roadster, got rid of it and got a XR1200X and I love it. The Roadster is much more of a typical Sportster, only 60HP and very uncomfortable. I even put on Iron 883 bars, 1200 Custom seat and progressive rear shocks, but I could only stand about 40 minutes on the Roadster and I was done. The XR1200X is 90 HP (high compression heads, downdraft fuel injection), red lines at 7000 RPM (5500 RPM for the Roadster). MUCH more comfy, I can ride my XR over 200 miles with only a moderately sore butt. Plus it looks like the XR750's from the days of yore, and I get a lot of comments from riders, even sport bike guys. So most of what this guy says is true, even though he sounds like an accountant...
Glad to hear someone else has the same experience. Not an accountant, a physicist.
*The 883 handlebars fit the Roadster without any issues?*
I'm a little late to the party, but enjoyed your video. I have an XR1200 myself and would like to make a suggestion to move your mirrors under the bars. For me, it's more about safety than aesthetics. I found that my shoulders got in the way with the mirrors on top, and I would have to lean out of the way to view around me. However, with them under the bars, I'm looking past my hips. Now I can quickly glance at my mirrors and have a better idea of what's around me, without having to constantly look over my shoulder. Just a suggestion....
Has it been reliable
Had a1985 roadster loved it nothing but good luck with it. Fuel capacity major plus.
Why is it hard to find parts for the XR1200?
I think I'm more of a fan of the XR1200 aesthetics, they're reminiscent of the old buells which I loved when I was a teenager.
The engine is Buelled out. It is seriously fun. Makes me want to try a Buell out.
I just bought one today.
a very very good harley bike the XR1200 for many reasons, had the 08 model sold it few years ago, big mistake! will buy one again in near future for sure!
Better grab it quick! They are going up in price!
You should do a video of the XR 1200 vs the V Rod vs the Buell Blast
Do you know what a Blast even was? It was a POS Half Buell.
I put a Mustang fastback seat, 48 bars with 1 inch risers and 883 Iron foot pegs on my Roadster and I love it.
Sounds like you made it quite a bit more comfortable than stock.
Do the stock cables fit ?
YOU TRIGGERED ? Yes
Its crazy. The retro boom happened and the xr1200 didnt take off the way the Bonneville or thruxton did. I wish Harley kept producing them. I think it needed a few more years to catch on.
I had a Buell xb9 ,20 years back, sounds the same, probably handles the same as well. Fun bike, seat hard as a saw horse.
Sold for victory hammer,
Decent bike, but big/heavy.
Smiles per mile higher on beull
Don’t confuse HD posers for hardcore Harley fans. I’ve known about the Roadster for a decade and I’ve always wanted one. Not a big bike for HD but cool as shit! The XR was WAY under-rated because when it came out it was just to fill in for a different part of the market when the BIG boys were the main source of income for HD. Fortunately as with most things motorcycling changes... the newer direction, obviously a surprise to HD execs, is smaller, more compact, muscley bikes. This bike, now a star of its time has grown into its own. Probably a collector’s item (in which case the orange and black is king), and most likely still affordable. I look forward to HD making more like these in the future which will undoubtedly be way more expensive, a HD trademark. (Where is Buell when you need them?!)
Haha, great comment! They are rising in price pretty quickly! The new models coming up look promising... but I have a source that tells me the Bronx will be about $15000.
owned a 2018 fat bob, its stock seat was pretty much a rock, the "Sundowner" seat that's the "Long Distance seat" still like a rock and even worse because it cramps you up more, tried an aftermarket, was a bit better, sat on several roadsters and test rode one and now i own one instead of that FXFB fat bob because the roadster is just a better more relaxed bike with loads more style and a bunch more character, i would love an XR1200 but i doubt i will ever find one that isn't a total loss bike
color is very subjective but I LOVE the orange color, theres a guy in my area selling one of these with less than 1000 miles on it, tempting.
Grab it up! I really like the silver ones, but they are harder to find and the paint hasn't held up too well on them.
anyone else get Tony Hinchcliffe vibes from this guy's voice?
I rode a roadster and loved it. I also thought it was the most comfortable bike I'd ever been on, but then I've only ever been on a zx6r....
Get on a touring bike and you'll probably ascend
@@sivvinod3187 I actually have an XR1200 now. The zx6r was way more comfortable lol, but I love this bike.
What ? Did you buy the roadster ? I just watched the video this morning that you were doing a test drive. 😁😁
Both bikes are awesome but I'd have to go with the xr1200 one of the most Sporty Harley Davidson made the Harley Davidson sportster xr1200 and the V Rod and the buell blast
There,both,sportsters,you,can,not,go,wrong.❤
The XR has Buell parts from the factory. Around 18 more HP. It is a totally different bike.
i wish you'd address the plastic fuel tank problem (expansion)...and alternative tanks for sale..otherwise..great review
Harley just keeps on replacing them. I am on my third tank. They never did a recall like the Italian bikes.
Love my XR had it for couple years. There’s a lot of performance upgrades for it. Hammer makes a 1275 kit for it and in my XR forum their are a few guys with around 140hp. And a lot of weight reductions also
When they raced them they never cracked the motor. Most of the performance parts are not needed because they are Buell parts. I just replaced the exhaust, K&N and a tuner. I had it on the Dyno. 89.99 HP at the rear and 78 Torque. If you read the tests...it was like 76HP at the rear stock.
I have 16 bikes, mostly Harley's and buells...including the livewire, wicked quick and rock solid handling...I have a xr 1200 and a roadster....the xr is far more sport bike than the roadster....the roadster is much more enjoyable to ride though, you feel like your hauling ass on the roadster!...I think after 3 years of the roadster now....its actually my favorite....that's saying alot out of 16....ride as you like!!
The XR is a horrible streetbike. That is why most of them went straight to the track.
@@KevXRDuke I definitely would not call it horrible.... especially compared to other Harley's
Only thing I dont like is tiny headlight.Unless one changes to LED stock would not do much.
Yes, the headlight is pretty useless.
XR 1200, of course
Yep!
I have a roadster and I actually love the stock seat and have no quarrels with it
I honestly don't like the looks of the Roadster. I want that performance, but I don't like the lines. Make the Iron or 72 w/ the same performance parts as the Roadster, and I'm in.
Man release your hand at the clutch! Oh my god...
If you knew a clutch you would know there a small amount of play in the lever.. lol he’s definitely not hurting the clutch more prepared for a disaster
It's sad that Harley folks don't know what they are. The xr1200 is direct DNA taken from the 1960's Xrtt. Those bikes paved the way in Daytona road racing. The sportster put Harley on the map in racing. The shared case design is even on the first Harley ever. The street 750's were taken from the xlcr. Who knew what failed then, works now.
The XR1000 had the XR750 motor. Not the XLCR.
just rode the roadster. riding position just doesn't match with the characteristics of the bike. I think the Iron looks best from all the harleys.
Yeah, I am not exactly sure what they were trying... but the XR1200 is definitely better. The Iron does look good, sometimes.
Here's my 2 cent's so take it for what it's worth. I owned a 2009XR for approx. 2yrs. The handling in like a parking lot left much to be desired & the seat was hard as a rock. I was good for about 20-30 miles & my ass was screaming to get home. Power performance was o.k. for me & was somewhat fun to drive. This was the only Harley i've ever owned. I have had numerous cycle's in my life as I am 70y.o., & would rate this Harley near the bottom of the bike's that I owned. (Still own 6 bike's). Not trying to put Harley or Harley rider's down as everyone should ride what they choose. This is just my honest take!!!!!!
Ok...he knows some things.....just not alot about riding..
Thisguy,is,waffling.
I get way more thumbs up and fist bumps on my XR from the sport bike crowd than the traditional H-D crowd and most definitely it would be cheaper to date a super model than to upgrade the XR.
Haha, I find that to be the case too. I thought Harley people would love it, but they couldn't care less.
The Coppers,I thought only we Brits used that expression about the Filth
Ever see a xr 1000
Yeah, I cant say that I'm a fan.
Yes...I wanted one back in the early 80s. It was very expensive. Way more than a top of the line Japanese bike. A guy has one near me in West Palm Beach. I ride an XR.
Xr is way better than the roadster
Agreed!
Dont sell it. I regretted selling mine.
I hope to keep it for a long time.
Yup me too , regretting
The Indian FTR 1200 smokes them both.
Wait for Harley 1250 custom
So does a busa , r6, ducati monster s4r. The Polaris Indian FTR 1200 isn’t a bad bike, but then again we are talking Harley Davidson...
Nobody buys a Harley for performance. I see the roadster and this as Harley’s that pass for reasonably decent and safe motorbikes.
You're an idiot.
Where,are,you.😂
Do you have trouble sleeping? Then listen to this knob for 30 seconds.
Good advice. How did you know that my nickname is knob? I think it is because I am good at turning things.
Revvin the 417 kill them with kindness :)
harley basically stole this bike from erik buell, they stole his work and now making bikes from it
@MotoPaisano it was injustice what hd did to erik buell, the man is nothing short of a visionary and hd could´ve made america´s own breed of sport bikes
Actually bought the rights from storz he invented the xr1200. He was a xr750 crew chief for racing bikes. Check out his stuff
I agree, he is. I hope we haven't seen the last of him.
Are,,you,on,life's?
It’s a horrible looking bike. It’s as flat tracker as your Grom. Clearly the roadster used this as a donor in terms of ideas. The price ratio is the same in Australia.
The looks have grown on me.
Also....this guy just barely knows anything!!!Lol...