Why doesn't Harley Davidson build a kick ass XR 1200?

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Not referring to that bolt on abortion designed for the European market. I mean Dual carbs, forward facing exhaust, etc, like they did in '83? There is such a demand, even a bolt on kit would be hugely well received. They didn't sell well then because people were too blown away by obscenely fast Rice rockets. Mert Lawill produces a limited number at a resultingly high price. Baisley heads toy with the idea- with good results, from what I have heard- but still, after all these years, nothing substantial and affordable.

 

[ninebadthings]

An air cooled v-twin was cutting edge performance 70 years ago when windey-up record players were cutting edge. Not going to ever get the job done today in the age of the ipod and the 120HP 600cc crotch rocket that costs under $10K.

Sure Harley could build a kickass bike, but they choose instead to sell stuff that must continue to look like a Harley, that is their priority, they only want to sell Harleys to people who demand a bike look like a Harley.

They built the Vrod that looks like a Harley, but sacrificed lots of performance doing so, and their customers rejected it for not looking enough like a harley.

Actually they have finally built a performance bike, it's the Buell with the liquid cooled Rotac engine. Is it competitive in it's class? probably not. but it's getting there. Maybe hope that there will someday be an americian bike agian that dosn't suck.