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Well OB, all I can say here in response to that is that I would LOVE to own an XR1200, and thus actually hold NO dislike for H-D's wares(but don't me started on some of the PEOPLE who think that their wares are the "end-all and be-all" of motorcycledom ), the whole "chain vs belt" thing you're attempting to use as some sort of "benchmark" in regard to "modern motorcycle design" is entirely misplaced and irrelevant. Ya see, all of the world's motorcycle manufactures who build the latest and greatest and fastest AND the "most modern" motorcycles on the roads(read especially: Sportbikes) STILL use chains to drive the rear wheels on THEIR products, as you probably know.

And secondly, and in regard to your using the ol' "sales stats" thing to prove some point about the public's overwhelming appetite for The Motorcycle Company's product, all I can say to THAT is that McDonalds certainly sells a whole lot of hamburgers to a whole lot of good ol' Americans TOO, don't they?

(...but I don't think that says all that much about the issue of "Quality" in EITHER case, if ya ask me!)



I think the whole brand hate thing is a bit childish, I like them all some more than others though. Ironically the last time I ran into it was at a bar parking lot when a Harley owner stopped to compliment my bike and another Triumph owner I was talking to ripped into him about his old Harley. Really stupid.

About chains. A belt is cleaner and a lot less maintenance, until it has to be replaced. Sport bikes use them because they don't waste power like shaft drives and are stronger than belts...but last time I checked Bonnevilles hardly make belt ripping power. If it's good enough for the Thunderbird...

Comparing McDonalds to Harley might be appropriate IF a BigMac was made out of quality beef and cost $15.00 until then...no.

Oh and the vibration issue is a bit overstated, our 1200 Sportster isn't bad at all. If you want a balance shaft Harley pick one of the Softail models because they all have balance shafts. May I suggest the beautiful new Breakout.

2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014) 2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster 2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide