why get a Harley when you can have a Ducati

[Ducatamount]

796 is a Ducati Monster. 

Remind me again what forum this is?

The orange ADV forum?

[ducpainter]

796 is a Ducati Monster. 

Remind me again what forum this is?

Only because it says so on the MSO. 

I still haven't warmed up to the new gen Monster.

BTW...don't you own some 'foreign' brand? 

[ungeheuer]

BTW...don't you own some 'foreign' brand? 

Yup.

It aint no Monster, but it is fairly able 

[Kev M]

I wouldn't put the GS in the same category as the XL. The GS is an enduro-tourer off the showroom floor if you get luggage, the XL Harley claims is a "sport bike", not a "cruiser". You'd have to compare something like an FXD convertible to the GS. The sportster has to be compared to GSX, R800, Ninja, Monster...

Look the GS may not be the same category of bike as the Sportster, but neither is a GSXR, Ninja, or Monster. Harley doesn't claim the Sportster IS a Sportbike. If anything they categorize it as a cruiser along with the rest of the world.

Me, I'll call a spade, a spade. It's a naked, classic, standard, in the same general category as a Bonnie, V7, Shadow RS, Bolt etc.

BUT THAT WASN'T THE POINT. Most people who bag on Harley's miss the facts.

Here are some FACTS from MCN

08 BMW R1200GS 536 lbs. wet, dual front brembos, 60-0 stopping distance 125.6'
10 BMW R1200GS 532 lbs. wet, dual front brembos, 60-0 stopping distance 142.0'

07 HD XL1200N 526 lbs. wet, single 2-pot Nissin, 60-0 stopping distance 121.7'
10 HD XL883L 574 lbs. wet, single 2-pot Nissin, 60-0 stopping distance 124.96'
12 HD XL1200V 560 lbs. wet, single 2-pot Nissin, 60-0 stopping distance 120.7'

and for the record

09 HD XR1200 580 lbs. wet, dual 4-pot Nissins, 60-0 stopping distance 106.56'

YEAH, Harley's aren't sport bikes or adventure tourers, and the brakes don't have the one finger stopping power of a sportbike or sport tourer with dual-brembos, but they are generally far more capable than for what people give them credit, often AS OR MORE CAPABLE than lighter bikes with "better" brakes.

And generally if you start comparing them to other bikes in the same categories (classic/naked/standards, cruisers, tourers) you're going to see they are very competitive and often come out ahead.

MCN lists 7 different Bonneville variants, and those Sportster braking distances are better than 4 of the 7 (including the Thruxton).

Take an experienced track rider time them on a showroom condition 1985 FXRS and any model stock XL, My money is on the FXR. I could be wrong, I usually am.

You had me at: "I could be wrong, I usually am."  

quoting a cycle world article Dec 1981 Harley Davidson FXRS Cycle World Test "And like the T, there are no cast iron junctions on this frame . It's entirely welded steel tubing, with plentiful gusseting around the steering head. Compared with the old frame of the FX series, the new frame is five times stiffer, according to Harley's chief engineer." That MAY be an embellishment, but I'm inclined to take Mark Tuttle at his word. I have great respect for what his team did in the early 80's The previous FX, FLH, and XL frames were designed by trial and error. this was the first harley frame designed by certified engineers with CAD assistance. I don't have much trouble believing they made some progress. There is little structural difference between the 70's frames and modern frames of those series(exclude the XR and FLT series ). Mostly just mounting tabs. still all welded steel box.

Yes sure, it may have been the FIRST, but it's been THREE DECADES, The FL has received at least three frame changes in that time, the FXD at least 2, and the XL a MAJOR frame redesign in 2004, and it was made significantly stiffer.

Again, I'm NOT BAGGING on the FXR, they're great bikes, but they're ANTIQUES and time has marched on.

[koko64]

I like the older Buells like the '96 S1. What a nasty looking bike .
In 1996 I was at a crossroads with a choice to make between the S1 and M900. Nearly got the Buell, but a Sportrider comparison convinced me to get a 900 Monster. The Monster had the Buell covered in every category according to SR.  SR said, "Streetable power, sharp handling, intoxicating sound, the most entertaining ride in a long time"
Strange with a choice of bike my life took a different turn.

[Speedbag]

   

And I'll reiterate: if you want a sporting Harley, find yourself a VRSCR. 

[Betty]

I still haven't warmed up to the new gen Monster.

Is there an accepted forum term for the new-new-gen Monsters (beyond M1200 if & when that occurs)?

Is the new-gen Monster to be re-classified as the 'tween-gen?

I haven't warmed to the tweeny bikes either.

[kopfjäger]

   

And I'll reiterate: if you want a sporting Harley, find yourself a VRSCR. 

I'd kill humans for that bike. 

[Speedbag]

I'd kill humans for that bike.  

It would look mighty fine parked next to my pan.  

[ducpainter]

It would look mighty fine parked next to my pan. 

The lighting is wrong...

[Speedbag]

I know.....it's really hard to capture properly on camera.  

This side was a little better, but still doesn't do the flake any justice at all:

[Speedbag]

Stupid color-shifting beast! 

Best seen in person.....

[ducpainter]

...and in natural light.

[Speedbag]

...and in natural light.

Indeed. As only you and I here truly know, it's super funky out in the sun.  

Now back to our scheduled program.

[kopfjäger]

Shovels and Knuckles and Pans....oh my!!