Official Car Thread :: Vol 2 :: Now with More Bikes!

[Advocate]

Well that's what I mean, Kev. Next years income tax ... ughh.

ALSO: Masarati GranTurismo S:

(which do you prefer: white, red, or black?)

[Advocate]

Also for the Bike heads ...

Harley Davidson XR1200:

Harley-Davidson, that most quintessentially American Motor Company, has gone and released a bike in Europe before releasing it in America. What is the world coming to? The XR 1200, based on the Sportster model range, is a streetbike that's inspired by the XR750 dirt track racing bikes that Harley has been campaigning so successfully -- on racetracks in America. This is the first time that Harley-Davidson has ever released a bike first in any country other than America. In fact, the bike will be available in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, starting in the Spring of '08.


Here in the States, the best selling bikes are cruisers, and the XR 1200 is a bike that's being marketed towards the sporting standard crowd -- a popular one in Europe. We like the idea of a nice, solid handling bike with the classic "sit up and beg" riding position. If there is one brand that could make a positive impact on the slow-selling standard genre in America, though, it is likely Harley-Davidson. Here's hoping that the XR 1200 does not stay a European import forever.

Reason for the post:

Last year, the collective hearts of dirt track Harley lovers all across the United States dropped when The Motor Company announced that its XR1200 model was destined only for markets outside the states. It's not that a dirt track Harley couldn't be done, it's that the conversion was priced way out of the market for many riders. One company which offered just such a conversion is Storz Performance. According to Motorcycle.com, Harley-Davidson has just purchased the rights from Storz to the XR1200 name in America, which offers more than a glimmer of hope to the HD faithful.

Of course, no announcement has been made by Harley regarding a new Sportster model, but why else would the company go to the trouble of securing the name? As for us, we're pretty hip to the idea of bringing the sportiest Sporty to the market where the Harley XR originally made its name in racing.

[Tones]

That looks pretty damn nice. That ups my total count of current HD bikes I would own to two, which also includes the XL1200N:

[MarkRyan]

I'm not really interested in riding cruisers, but the sounds Harleys make melt me.

[Tones]

My favorite motorcycle noises are sporty twins; Italain Vees and Japanese parallels

[Tsubaki]

2. The taxes your dad will have to pay, since it was a contest will be a bitch.

It's standard procedure though.

And if you object to paying $3k for an IS350, then send your prize my way.

[Advocate]

It's standard procedure though.

And if you object to paying $3k for an IS350, then send your prize my way.

I'm not objecting, I'm just stating.

[stormy]

Edmunds reviews the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..1.*

Sounds a little disappointing. 6.6sec to 60 is slow and the thing costs close to $30g's. It should be <$25g's or perform better. Evo seems totally worth the difference.

[MarkRyan]

Edmunds reviews the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..1.*

Sounds a little disappointing. 6.6sec to 60 is slow and the thing costs close to $30g's. It should be <$25g's or perform better. Evo seems totally worth the difference.

Wow, all the speed of a Civic Si for only $29k! Is it a Mugen?

What!? Why is that thing so slow? AWD and 237 hp should be good for 0-60 times around 5.5 - 5.8 seconds. I have to think that once mags like Car and Driver and Motor Trend get hold of it, it'll be doing 5.8 - 6.0 seconds.

That kind of scratch will buy you a fully loaded Mustang GT, which is much faster (0-60 in 5.1), better looking, and makes better noises. The Lancer may out-handle the Mustang, but for that kind of speed sacrifice I'm not interested in an ugly sedan with no clutch.

[Tones]

Question: Lancer Ralliart?
Answer: Mazdaspeed3.