then there's this.
That is a real XR.
What is this XR1200 thing? Seems like taking a cool name and badging it on something irrelevant, like GM did with the new GTO
i wouldn't call the newer gto irrelevant. the only consistent criticism i ever heard was that it either didn't look bad @ss enough, didn't look retro enough, or whining about treading on a 'historic' name. when in its original australian guise, journalist and enthusiasts alike were in fits of ecstasy over it, and begged for it to come to the u.s. well, we got it, and gm was rewarded by (imo) narrow minded complaints.
this xr1200 may be leaning on a name with cashe, but when is that a new thing? all reports give this a nod for being hd's best street sporting effort, and a convincing one at that. they're apparently selling quite well in a part of the world that loves to poke holes in american offerings in this segment. if we b!tch too much hd will think "gee, guess selling performance bikes in the states is a waste of time." let's crank out another road pillow.
i'm leary of digging up old names for the sake of sales. but if the thing is good it's less of a sin. how critical would we be if they threw on another name? rip the decals off then.
lets asian this up a bit.