You may be right,but I dont think a ROTAX engined Sporty is in the cards...at least for the US. The Buell and HD crowds are very different..the Buell guys will accept the ROTAX,but the "traditional"HD guy wont buy it and I dont think it wi ould attract a crossover base. The rumor mill has HD developing a water cooled pushrod engine for the Sporty. We'll have to wait and see.If you read the Erik Buell interview you'll get a sense of the on-goings of the 1125R. From what I've read, so far, it's a good bike with very few flaws. Not a 1098 killer, but a great step forward in American Sportbike production. It will find an audience and sell in the numbers that Buell and HD need to make it a successful model. In 2yrs I would expect the refined machine to push nearly 1098 numbers and the 1125r motor should find it's way into other models. Now, if HD were listening they could do a nice dumbed down version for an all-new XR Sporty. Better frame, obviously.
I don't think those two bikes are even comparable in style or function. I'ts almost like saying I put my GoldWing purchase on hold because of the new 1125R.Well I can tell you this, I ride a BMW K1100RS and was looking to buy a K1200S as its replacement. That is now on hold. The 1125R could be the American made bike I've been waiting for!
I'd say they're not too far apart. The GT is a different story. The Buell will be much quicker handling of course!I don't think those two bikes are even comparable in style or function. I'ts almost like saying I put my GoldWing purchase on hold because of the new 1125R.
They seem pretty different to me. One is a fully faired sport tourer and the other is a mostly naked backroad machine. One is a 500 lbs. and 90 inches long and the other is 375 lbs. and 78 inches long. To me they are two completely different mototrcycles designed for different purposes. I suppose if you were a masochist, you could tour on a Buell, but I think that is exactly why the BMW was produced. Shaft drive, heavy and long. The Buell is more of a race replica.I'd say they're not too far apart. The GT is a different story. The Buell will be much quicker handling of course!
Or get the Concours 14 and "split the difference!"They seem pretty different to me. One is a fully faired sport tourer and the other is a mostly naked backroad machine. One is a 500 lbs. and 90 inches long and the other is 375 lbs. and 78 inches long. To me they are two completely different mototrcycles designed for different purposes. I suppose if you were a masochist, you could tour on a Buell, but I think that is exactly why the BMW was produced. Shaft drive, heavy and long. The Buell is more of a race replica.
I have a feeling they will be testing that Beemer right along side that Concours.Or get the Concours 14 and "split the difference!"