Motorcycle Comparison: 2009 Harley Davidson XR1200 vs. 2008 Kawasaki Z1000 Spec Comparison

After dominating the touring and cruising markets for decades, Harley Davidson has shown their hand for attacking the sports bike market with their 2009 XR1200.  This introduces Harley Davidson into a market with a whole new list of competitors from around the world.  One major competitor in the sports bike market is the Kawasaki Z1000.

 

Drivetrain

The 2009 Harley Davidson XR1200 is powered by the familiar air-cooled Evolution engine, measuring 73.40 cubic inches and making 90 horsepower and 73.8 lb-ft of torque.  The Kawasaki Z1000 is powered by a liquid cooler dual overhead camshaft 4-cylinder engine.  This 58.15 cubic inch engine makes a reported 123 horsepower, and 72.8 pounds.  However, the Harley Davidson makes its peak torque at 4,000 rpm, where the Kawasaki does so at 8,200 rpm (and 10,000 for its peak horsepower).

 

 

Motorcycle Comparison: 2009 Harley Davidson XR1200 vs. 2009 BMW K1200R Spec Comparison

 

The 2009 XR1200 brings a sports bike back to the American Harley Davidson lineup.  Harley Davidson has dominated the touring and cruising markets for decades, but the XR1200 introduces the company into a new market with new competitors around the globe.  One of their higher-end opponents in the sports bike market is BMW, with their K1200R.

 

Drivetrain

The 2009 Harley Davidson XR1200 uses an air-cooled Evolution engine measuring 73.40 cubic inches to make its 90 horsepower and 73.8 lb-ft of torque.  The BMW K1200R is powered by a duel overhead camshaft, liquid cooled inline 4-cyclinder.  This 70.6 cubic inch engine makes a whopping 163 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque.  This difference in power gives the BMW a defined advantage, although the K1200R makes its peak torque at 8,250 rpm, whereas the XR1200 has the heart of a Harley Davidson, making its peak power at a more cruising-friendly 4000rpm.

 

 

 

 

Motorcycle Comparison: 2009 Harley Davidson XR1200 vs. 2009 Ducati Monster 1100S Spec Comparison

The 2009 XR1200 brings a complete sports bike back to Harley Davidson's lineup.  Harley Davidson has dominated motorcycle cruising and touring market for decades, but the XR1200 pushes the company into a new market with major competitors from all around the world.  One of the most notable competitors will be the Ducati Monster 1100S.

 

Drivetrain

The 2009 Harley Davidson XR1200 is powered by the familiar air-cooled Evolution engine, measuring 73.40 cubic inches and making 90 horsepower and 73.8 lb-ft of torque.  The Ducati Monster 1100S is fitted with an air-cooled Desmodromic L-Twin cylinder engine, measuring 65.78 cubic inches and making 95 horsepower and 75.9 lb-ft of torque.  This gives a slight edge in both horsepower and torque to the Ducati, although the Monster 1100S makes its peak torque at 6000rpm, where the XR1200 makes its peak torque at just 4000rpm.

 

 

 

 

 

Motorcycle Comparison: 2009 Harley Davidson XR1200 vs. 2009 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom Spec Comparison

The 2009 Harley Davidson XR1200 motorcycle is bringing a whole new style to the Sportster family by departing from the sport cruiser look.  Its styling is based on the race-built XR750 designed for flat track and street performance.  The result is a motorcycle that has the form of a sports bike with the heart of a Harley Davidson.

 

Drivetrain

The similarities between the XR1200 and the Sportster 1200 Custom begin and end with its engine.  Both motorcycles are powered by an air cooled 73.4 cubic inch Evolution engine while the 1200 Custom boasts more torque with 79 lb-ft compared to the 73.8 lb-ft made by the XR1200.  The big difference in the two engines is in horsepower.  Although Harley doesn't publish horsepower numbers for many of their bikes, the XR1200 generates an advertised 90 horsepower.  In comparison, the Sportster 1200 Custom typically measures in the low 70-75 horsepower range. The difference in power is due to the addition of a larger air box, downdraft fuel injection, and a higher flowing exhaust system along with an increased compression ratio.

 

Harley-Davidson's "Build It - Win It Sweepstakes"

By Patrick on October 21, 2008 7:04 AM

From now until November 6, 2008, visitors to Harley-Davidson's Customizer website have a chance to win a free bike of their choice, with any available option and accessory from the company.  How?   

Simply by going to http://www.harley-davidson.com/customizer , and clicking on the link for "Launch the Customizer".  It opens a new window, and you can select any model, any trimline.  Once you have picked your bike, you can go through the online catalog, adding everything from bags to a big bore kit.  As you add things to the bike, the additions are shown in the Customizer window, and at any point you can click the estimated payment box for a price on your custom bike.

Harley-Davidson knows sex sells with new ad campaign

Considering that Harley-Davidson has been atop the list for best selling motorcycles for over a century now, with a long history of quality and freedom helping to sell the bikes, the launch of their new V-Rod Muscle is likely an event that will make a great deal of noise in the industry on its own.  However, with a struggling domestic and world economy, HD took some measures to see that this sleek new motorcycle has an advertising campaign that will be likely to catch the eye of the male market, and what better way to do that than to employ the help of one of the most beautiful women in the world? 

The ad campaign, which was launched on October 13, 2008, features Supermodel Marisa Miller, who was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Issue, as well as being ranked the Number 1 on Maxim Magazines 2008 Hot 100 list.  Miller, whose family has long been involved with the Harley scene, jumped at the chance to be involved with this project. 

The videos and imagines pairing the new V-Rod Muscle and Marisa Miller are available for both viewing, and as downloadable wallpaper on the Harley-Davidson site.  Along with the pictures and videos of the two, there is also a ton of information about the newest installation in the Harley-Davidson saga.

Harley-Davidson Purchases Italian MV Agusta

Over the past three years, Harley-Davidson has seen a massive amount of growth in the European markets, and to aid that growth, HD purchased popular Italian motorcycle company MV Agusta in early August, 2008.  This new branch of the HD empire will help the company increase its foreign market sales, and while the popularity of the Harley has grown around the world, the distinctly Italian design of the MV Agusta bikes, such as the Brutale 1078RR. 

The MV Agusta company stormed onto the scene following World War II, offering low price, small motorcycles as a low-buck vehicle option, but in the 1960s and 1970s, the demand for small displacement motorcycles declined.  Over time, their focus became racing and performance rather than low cost and efficiency, and with that came the extinction of their smaller engine models, and in their place were larger, more powerful, and more excusive (low volume) bikes.  This caused a decline in sales, and by the 1980s, the company stopped producing bikes.  It would be some 17 years and the company's first buyout before they were start producing MV Agusta bikes again, but when they did, they did so with a bang.  The new Agusta's were direct competition for some of the hottest sport bikes in Europe, and when they released their Brutale lineup, their intention was to introduce a sort of Ferrari of motorcycles....super high performance and super low production volume, making them among the most expensive motorcycles in the world.  Even with that high price tag, the MV Agusta models have earned respect around the world; on both the street and the track. 

This 108 million dollar acquisition gives HD not only a stronger foothold in the European market, but the variety of ultra high performance "Sport bikes" add a new element to the Harley-Davidson family, and this new division of the HD family will surely help to continue to spread the growth of the brand around the world.

Harley Davidson to Offer a Factory Dual Front Wheel Trike?

Rising fuel costs have caused growth in unique areas of the transportation market, and motorcycles offer a far more exciting alternative to an egg-shaped, battery powered foreign car.  Some companies have begun offering more "everyone friendly" alternatives, such as the Can Am Spyder (pictured on the right), which is marketed as a roadster, but is little more than a sport bike with dual front wheels for ease of use. 

While certainly not in the same league as a Harley, this bike has given people an alternative and in seeing the popularity, there is a chance the HD could be debuting a trike concept at a large show later this year in Cologne, Germany.  Many had expected a more typical setup with dual rear wheels and a single front wheel, but the rumors suggest that HD will be releasing a dual front wheel layout to compete with the market currently controlled by the Can Am Spyder. 

It has also been reported that rather than the common 45 degree air cooled engine used in most of the Harleys, the new trike concept could be powered by a liquid cooled, 90 degree Revolution V-Twin.  Again, while these are all rumors, we should see in the next few months what Harley Davidson has in store for the ever changing motorcycle market.

Mixed Reviews Meet Indy Area Innovation.

While most bike owners take pleasure in carefully detailing their bike, the owner of Harrell's Car Wash Systems has developed the first automated, touch-free motorcycle wash.  The ideal sprouted when owner Mark Harrell spoke with American Chopper's Paul Teutul Sr. about the idea of an auto-wash for bikes. 

Harrell has spent three years designing and perfecting the layout of his new motorcycle wash, and now that the initial Moto Express Wash is operational near Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Harrell plans to begin selling the technology to dealers early next spring.  While some are concerned about the effects of the high-pressure soap and water on the bike, the company claims that it is safe for everything with two wheels, "from scooters to choppers".

 

The Pomona Area Prepares for California Bike Week

October 24^th, 2008 marks the beginning of the second annual California Bike Week (CBW).  This three-day event, organized by the Southern California Harley-Davidson Dealers Association and the Love Foundation, with everything from vendors to music to food to flat track racing. 

There are features that go on all week, such as the three-day perpetual bike show, and Harley Village which offers demo rides on 2009 models, as well as a display of vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycles.  250 vendors will adorn the area referred to by the planners "The Worlds Best Biker Vendor Village", and during the three days, there will be various stunt shows to check out. 

Friday's plans include a Hot Rod show feature both bikes and some of the coolest cars on the west coast and the night finishes off with a concert featuring The Blasters and Lee Rocker.   

On Saturday, the featured event is the West Coast Flat Track Series' Pacific Coast Nationals, and for just $30, you can see some of the best Harley-Davidson racing the west coast has to offer with classes ranging from Open/Unlimited to a class featuring just pre-1976 bikes and riders over the age of thirty, to the Novice class.

The Blue Ridge Parkway - "A Motorcyclist's Paradise"

  The south has a wonderful jewel in it's midst, a road that is filled with adventure, smooth roads, stunning scenery of mountains, sweeping curves, valleys, lakes, and rolling fields, wildlife and many, many scenic stops along the way, and it was as if it was made for motorcycles. And that jewel is the Blue Ridge Parkway. Now I know that when it was first conceived in 1933 that the thought of making it a motorcycle wonderland was not what they in mind. But a wonderland for the motorcyclist it is. And boy is it ever!

With 469 breathtaking miles, the road starts at Rockfish Gap in Virginia and continues on where it ends in Cherokee, NC.

As you motor up to the sign that says "Blue Ridge Parkway" then make that turn onto the road, a feeling of exhilaration and excitement overtakes you as you know that you are in for the adventure of a life time. We always like to start at the southernmost point at milepost 469 at Cherokee. The moment your tires hit the pavement you feel as though you have stepped into a different world. The speed limit is 45 mph but you don't want to go any faster than that anyway as you may miss something. Beautiful trees with their canopies above you envelope you and your senses are overtaken with the coolness of what surrounds you, the smell of the living greenery around you and the freshness of the air. Sweeping curves greet you and you cruise ever so easily around them. So many times after a curve you are greeted by a clearing and you are met with spectacular views of beautiful mountains and valleys. It is nature that has been unspoiled for millions of years and you feel like you are no longer in modern times, but back in time when all nature was unspoiled. Only the rumble of your motorcycle brings you back to the present.....and then a passing car or motorcycle. But there are never any passing commercial trucks as they are not allowed on the Parkway adding to the pleasure of your ride.

Harley-Davidson, Brew Crew Announce Partnership

The 105^th Anniversary of the Harley-Davidson Company was a four-day event featuring activities all around the greater Milwaukee area, including a meeting of the Harley Owner's Group (HOG) at Miller Park - the home of the Milwaukee Brewers.  It was during this massive motorcycle show that Harley-Davidson and the Brewers announced a new partnership for the 2009 baseball season.
 
The main attraction of this partnership is the new Harley-Davidson Deck, which will be built in left-centerfield during the upcoming off season.  This new seating area will feature the familiar HD orange and black, with a few Harleys around the new deck.  The tickets are planned to be sold in packages which include special motorcycle-safe parking with entry through the new and exclusive H-D Gate, two tickets to the game, two tickets to the pre-game buffet, and two complimentary drinks.  Prices have not been announced for next seasons HD Deck, but it was announced that Harley Owner's Group members will have priority in ordering as well as possible discounts in package pricing. 

Before the new Harley-Davidson Deck is constructed, the agreement will officially began on September 2, 2008, as the ball for the ceremonial opening pitch was delivered by a rider on a Harley-Davidson, and this is something that will hopefully become tradition as part of the partnership.

 Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and the nation's pastime make for a great partnership, allowing riders to feel confident in taking their bikes to a game, helping to promote two major staples in the Milwaukee community.

 

All articles are pulled from HD-Forums.com