Retro bikes, comparison.

[pearsonm_imp]

Oooh, the XR1200 is an excellent bike. A buddy in Slovenia has one and loves it. Sadly, sold like old sardines on a hot day over here.

When it comes to the 'standards don't sell in the US' debate THAT is the bike that stumps me. What a cool little bike with modern performance. The AMA even gave it its own class to race in.

Identifying the problem with Japanese bikes is easy - they're typically parts bin specials. Even so they can be lovable and sell if the price is right, like the Bandit and first SV650. There are bikes with good performance, like the 3rd genration Z1000, but don't sell because the look is just off. Way off as in the case of the Z1000.

But with the XR1200, that bike should have sold. The timing had to have hurt it - released right when the economy took a dump.