Build quality H-D vs DUC

[Wack]

Apples and oranges. Both manufacturers have high build qualities. Ducs have a much higher horsepower to CC, to weight ration then HD's. As such they will require more PM's then a Harley. Late model Harleys have hydraulic lifters so they don't require adjusting, you just need to be able to live with 60HP. Other then the VRod there is no radiator, coolant or hoses to leak so there are no cooling system issues because you don't have one, of course the Desmodues have the same advantage.

 

[Papi-C]

I have the latest R6, to do an oil change, i'll have to remove one side of the fairing puzzle, and part of the rearset shift linkage. To me, that's insane. And what's with the inner fairings/tank covers/ram air covers that breaks so easily just by looking at them wrong?

Yeah its a pain in the ass I have to do it this weekend on my 07 r6

 

[louemc]

Yeah I test rode an XR1200 the other day. It was not what I expected from a harley. Seemed fast enough handled well and would make a good daily rider.

It would, It's a European concept (remains to be seen If Americans are wise enough to buy it). If it does follow you home...play hardball, and don't snag it, till you can snag the 2011 XR1200X.
(it's about real suspension)

 

[Papi-C]

Apples and oranges. Both manufacturers have high build qualities. Ducs have a much higher horsepower to CC, to weight ration then HD's. As such they will require more PM's then a Harley. Late model Harleys have hydraulic lifters so they don't require adjusting, you just need to be able to live with 60HP. Other then the VRod there is no radiator, coolant or hoses to leak so there are no cooling system issues because you don't have one, of course the Desmodues have the same advantage.

XR1200 makes a claimed 90 horsepower at 7.000 rpm and 73.8 ft-lbs of torque maxing at a low 3.700 rpm. .

More than enough power IMO for tooling around on the street and the highway.

 

[Caddywumpus]

the XR1200 is actually based on dirt flattrack, and the rights were owned by some dude in socal till HD offered him an assload of cash for the rights to produce it.

 

[Papi-C]

It would, It's a European concept (remains to be seen If Americans are wise enough to buy it). If it does follow you home...play hardball, and don't snag it, till you can snag the 2011 XR1200X.
(it's about real suspension)

Yeah I saw that. They sell the XR1200X's adjustable suspension as an $1500 addon to the xr1200.

 

[V4]

Harley Street Glide...

 

[gingerkid]

After working for HD the past 10 years I will admit that their build quality really top notch. I'm not a cruiser guy and probably would never buy a Harley but after working for Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha over the years they have the best warranty by far.

In terms of comparing the Harley cruisers to the Metric stuff there is no comparison. Go sit on a Vulcan or a Shadow and feel the quality of the controls and the finish on the machining. The Japanese just dont put the same amount of effort into their cruisers as they do the sport bikes.

I know this thread started about comparing Duc's to Harleys but they don't really compete in the same market. A Monster and a XR1200 in my opinion is a bit of a stretch to compare the two in my opinion.

 

[louemc]

Yeah I saw that. They sell the XR1200X's adjustable suspension as an $1500 addon to the xr1200.

Screw the addition, get it on there, on the new bike.

There may be some confusion here...Are you saying a Dealer will put the Big piston fully adjustable forks (and the shocks if they are different for the 2011) on a 2010 XR1200 to make it a XR1200X?

Did the source of this info say what the price of the 2011 XR1200X is?

The un-reliable source I have, said..the price of the 2011 XR1200X is only $100 higher than the 2010. and there is the little matter of resale value, and the little matter of people working on your bike that are of questionable skill, and of course acting like they are the best.

Just trying to steer you away from the horror stories that never get told (or admitted).

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

A Monster and a XR1200 in my opinion is a bit of a stretch to compare the two in my opinion.

I see the issue of Cycleworld that compared the Monster 1100 and Harley XR1200, right here... a number of months old already.

And it is weird to see it on motorcycle dot com, too..

Interestingly, they are indeed both just "naked bikes".

 

[Papi-C]

Screw the addition, get it on there, on the new bike.

There may be some confusion here...Are you saying a Dealer will put the Big piston fully adjustable forks (and the shocks if they are different for the 2011) on a 2010 XR1200 to make it a XR1200X?

Did the source of this info say what the price of the 2011 XR1200X is?

The un-reliable source I have, said..the price of the 2011 XR1200X is only $100 higher than the 2010. and there is the little matter of resale value, and the little matter of people working on your bike that are of questionable skill, and of course acting like they are the best.

Just trying to steer you away from the horror stories that never get told (or admitted).

Yeah the forks and the shocks http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/...4309149260&bmUID=1248955467915&bmLocale=en_US

 

[louemc]

After working for HD the past 10 years I will admit that their build quality really top notch. I'm not a cruiser guy and probably would never buy a Harley but after working for Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha over the years they have the best warranty by far.

In terms of comparing the Harley cruisers to the Metric stuff there is no comparison. Go sit on a Vulcan or a Shadow and feel the quality of the controls and the finish on the machining. The Japanese just dont put the same amount of effort into their cruisers as they do the sport bikes.

I know this thread started about comparing Duc's to Harleys but they don't really compete in the same market. A Monster and a XR1200 in my opinion is a bit of a stretch to compare the two in my opinion.

Your right...they shouldn't be compared (the 2011 around 800cc especially)Ducati Monster will spank the Sportsters ass. But they are two different experiences...in ownership. For two different types of biker.

Someone wanting a Harley...should be giddy happy with the XR1200X in every way it will be used on the public roads. And with the belt drive and Hydraulic lifters...that's some sweet stuff.

 

[V4]

i'd say the roadliner, stratoliner, vmax, warrior, raider, vtx1800f, m109r are built just as good or better than comparable harleys for cheaper price...

and none of them are "knock offs" of a harley...total performance cruisers that handles ..except for that 1800f but for it's bulk, it's okay if you like feeling like you came back from a gym instead of riding in the twisties..

i won't add kawasaki cuz i always hated anything by them ....

rode the dyna glide only to find the vtx1300c to do everything i wish the dyna glide would do ...and the dyna actually felt cheaper in quality than the vtx..

the latest vmax will bitch slap the vrod , give it an apron and tell the harley to stay where it's suppose to in the kitchen...

but cruisers are made for enjoying the ride and the Street Glide has some sorta magic to em ...

 

[flying_hun]

HD has about the same racing tradition as Ducati, except it ended in the 70s.

HD racing ended in the 70's!?!? Holy shit! Did anybody tell Scott Parker, or Chris Carr, or Kenny Coolbeth, or.......?

I mean, it looks like a Harley, and it looks like he's racing it, and Kenny wasn't even born until 1977.....

 

[louemc]

Yeah the forks and the shocks http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/...4309149260&bmUID=1248955467915&bmLocale=en_US

I have to believe (and the link doesn't mention) that "kit" requires the two (top and bottom) triple clamps for those big piston forks.

I (because I'm not involved with Harley now) don't know all the differences that the 2011 has...Are the wheels the same as last Year? Tires? Are the brake rotors?

Was the compression ratio the same last year? Did last years heads have oil cooling like the 2011 does?

I wouldn't trust anyone behind the counter to tell you the truth either.
(because I've experienced what BS they do say).

 

[Cereal KLR]

Can`t speak for Ducati, never owned one, but have had half dozen or so HD products over the last twenty five years. Three Sportys,two big twins and one Buell S-1. I found the biggest problem was with the dealer experience, not the product.

I never had anything fall off or even a major leak ( primary cases mostly). The Buell was the most fun but my rotundness dwarfed the thing. The XR series would be a great motorcycle, and I completely recommend Dudley Perkins as a dealer.

 

[Papi-C]

I have to believe (and the link doesn't mention) that "kit" requires the two (top and bottom) triple clamps for those big piston forks.

I (because I'm not involved with Harley now) don't know all the differences that the 2011 has...Are the wheels the same as last Year? Tires? Are the brake rotors?

Was the compression ratio the same last year? Did last years heads have oil cooling like the 2011 does?

I wouldn't trust anyone behind the counter to tell you the truth either.
(because I've experienced what BS they do say).

Oh I don't believe sales peeps ever. From my reading of reviews, the only difference between the XR and the XRX is the suspension and the blacked out engine & pipes. Also the XRX was sold in the EU for a year while the XR was sold here in the same way the XR was sold in the EU while the US got nothing.

2011 XRX:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactu...ydavidson-sportster-xr1200x-review-89633.html

2009 XR:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactu...eydavidson-sportster-xr1200-review-87709.html

 

[STIdevildog]

For daily commuting a Harley will be best unless you get a multistrada in my opinion. In regards to build quality they both are good.

My dad has a HD steet glide I have a 1198s and I can tell you the build quality on the HD looks really good. Requires just regular service and doesn't leak oil. Harleys stopped leaking oil for a long time now from what I've heard. My dads old 77' Harley when I was a kid leaked all the time and he was always working on it. Stuff would break or come loose since back then the engine was not rubber mounted. I do still clown on HD because they seem to have more Japanese and Chinese parts on their bike than a Japanese bike. Kind of odd for an American company to not use an American made front fork as it is a really simple design for a cruiser. They've been rocking the Showa forks for decades now. The only real Ameican bike in my opinion is a custom chopper since you will know where the parts come from.

The 1198s finish to me is top notch just like all the Japanese bikes I've owned. No leaking oil or any mechanical issues so far. Most service work can be done by yourself if you have any commonsense and have tools. Bodywork fits perfectly with no defects. Performance wise the torque is unreal and you don't have to worry about revs as much and the road feel is something that has to be felt on your own. When you twist the throttle you actually go somewhere and don't have to build revs or keep the revs high. Sadly most people that road test a Ducati only do so on a major city street and that is where it is at its worst. My only gripe is at a long light your right thigh will roast ( with or without cats) and I know this is why I've never seen a person with shorts on a ducati.

 

[Papi-C]

I was hoping this thread wouldnt have so many agressive posts against either brand. It really doesn't help for people to isolate themselves into brand camps. It invites a type of zealotry that bring out the worst in people. If you like your brand that's great, doesn't mean you have to bag on the other brands. You make a choice when you pick a bike. If others bag on you for picking an HD or a duc or a japanese bike that is their loss. I don't see a need to defend my choices to people and that kind of person is not someone I personally would spend time around. I'm not saying we have to kiss each others asses but we do have acknowledge that different brands and their products have different strengths and weaknesses.

 

[xgambit]

It really doesn't help for people to isolate themselves into brand camps.

this is why im happy w/ the fact that ive had multiple brands of bikes in my garage (honda, yamaha, suzuki, buell, kawasaki, KTM) its because it gives me the right to talk shit about more kinds of bikes and it will look like i know what the fuck im talking about