The XR-1200 is a race-inspired urban assault weapon that is designed to cut through corners and obstacles like a well tuned destroyer. This bike calls to all those who want to attack the road rather than amble down it. I recently was given the opportunity to try one of these nasty machines and took one through my daily paces to see if she could hang as a daily commuter. Since most of my driving is aboard a motorcycle, I am used to taking a couple of really nasty industrial roads to work, and I have become accustomed to dodging the pot-holed covered streets that can swallow most bikes like a landmine. These were the first roads I aimed the front tire of this XR-1200 towards, hoping to discover if the hype was worth it.
The first thing I noticed about the bike was the very wide flat-track styled bar. I know this bike was designed in reference to the XR-750 flat track racer, but I hadn’t anticipated the bars to feel as wide as they were. I was a little shaky taking off as the forward seating position is aggressive and the rear-set foot pegs make you feel as if all your weight is distributed forward. After 5 miles or so, the awkwardness of the new position started to fade, and I began to take advantage of this little machine. If anything, the wide bars combined with the sporty suspension and flat track bars amplify your control over the whole motorcycle. Once I got used to the change of my regular position, I really began to take advantage of what this machine can offer!
Speaking of machine, this bike appears much larger when you are riding her, barely even recognizable as a Sportster. The low end grunt of the Sporty is definitely there, but the smoothness with which the machine devours the asphalt clearly alludes to a much more refined machine than Harley’s 50-year-old model. As I exited the freeway, I started to see where the racer styled suspension came into play. I was able to corner as deep as I was willing to take the bike, which is to say this bike’s engineering is more than my skill level per-say. I could not out ride this bike…well, at least not in the first three hours. With an American pedigree dating back to the early 1900’s, this bike reminds me why Harley once stood at the top of the peak!
The digital speedometer mounted next to the analog RPM gauge takes a short while to register in your brain, but once it does, be careful; this bike will run! On more than one occasion I would discover I was going 20 miles an hour over the speed limit and this bike didn’t fight me in the least bit. Whether I was flying down the freeway hitting speeds up to 90 mph, or slamming her through some back road twisties, this bikes ergonomics and engine are designed for all out riding with reckless abandon. Having a bike that can handle everything you throw at it makes the ride that much more enjoyable, and the XR-1200 was every bit of that word; enjoyable!
I was really impressed with the braking of this beast as I experimented with both the dual front caliper and engine braking while avoiding several would be collisions out on the road. Nobody ever accused Houston of having rider-friendly roads or drivers….you gotta have your head on a swivel in this town. Many times I found myself in stop and go traffic, of which I was able to escape with some finesse and lane splitting. Although lane-splitting isn’t legal in Texas, sometimes you have to get where you are going, quick. This bike took it all in and asked for more, never once getting hot or appearing to stumble in the least.
The heads are revolutionary when it comes to the daddy or air-cooling big twins as this engine has oil cooling flowing through the engine’s heads. The oil flows around the heads to an oil cooler that resides curiously along the left of the bikes’ engine. I was intrigued as to the flow of oil and looked online to discover a few resources for the flow pattern. It seems I’m not the only one interested in the technology that is behind the agile marvel
The swingarm is a beefy departure from the normal Sporty and appears strong enough to take the jumps Evel Knievel was famous for. I did take the bike off road for a short while just for kicks and can honestly see this bike attacking the jumps as well as dirt track corners. It was just a pleasure to ride a mean machine capable of raising the hair on your neck, while getting the adrenaline pumping through your veins.
The overall fit and finish of the bike is second to none, as has become one of Harley-Davidson’s trademarks over the years. No part of the motorcycle appears cheap. Every bolt on the bike seems to have been touched with Harley-Davidson class. I liked the way this bike looked coming or going. The inverted front end to the sporty sharp rear, a beautiful machine that brought as much admiration at the gas station as in the showroom. If you want to take the XR to another level check our Steve Storz Sportster conversion article: http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=8681
If I could afford a second bike, I’d love to take one of these little nasties and emulate the 1977 Café Racer. I wonder if the guys in my motorcycle club, Vindicta M/C, would mind a Sporty slamming through some of the rides with them. Honestly, I think the XR-1200 is a wonderful platform that could be the start of a very unique motorcycle that you would never have to worry about looking for in the parking lot, as it would be the one with the crowd around it.
Thanks to Craig Slovak, GM at Republic H-D for allowing me to test this bike. It was a pleasure and I look forward to the next ride review. If you get the chance, go by and see Craig, Minda, and Oscar over at Stafford’s premier dealership. Tell them Johnny from Bikernet sent ya, I’m sure they’ll treat you just like family.
XR1200 XR1200™
* MSRP starting at $10,799
DIMENSIONS
U.S. Units
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Length |
85.4 in. |
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Seat Height
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Ground Clearance |
5.8 in. |
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Rake Steering Head |
29.3 ° |
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Trail |
5.12 in. |
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Wheelbase |
59.8 in. |
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Fuel Capacity |
3.5 gal. |
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Oil Capacity |
2.8 qt. |
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Weight
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Luggage Capacity
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POWERTRAIN
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Engine 3 |
Air-cooled, Evolution® |
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Displacement |
73.4 cu. in. |
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Bore x Stroke |
3.5 in. / 3.812 in. |
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Engine Torque |
J1349 |
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Engine Torque 4 |
73.91 ft. lbs. @ 4000 rpm |
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Fuel System 5 |
Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) |
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Compression Ratio |
10.0:1 |
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Primary Drive |
Chain, 57/34 ratio |
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Fuel Economy
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Gear Ratio (overall)
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WHEELS/TIRES
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Wheels
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Tire Size
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ELECTRICAL
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Instruments |
Handlebar-mounted tachometer, electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock on odometer, dual trip meter, low fuel warning light, low oil pressure light, engine diagnostics readout |
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Indicator Lamps 8 |
High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, low fuel warnings, low battery, security system (optional) |
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Reverse Function |
N/A |
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CHASSIS
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Brakes |
Dual 4-Piston, fixed front, single-piston floating rear |
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Parking Brake |
N/A |
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Lean Angle |
39 / 40 ° |
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Exhaust System |
Brushed, straight-shot, high-performance exhaust with dual mufflers |
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COLOR OPTIONS
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Color Options |
Vivid Black |
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PRICING1
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MSRP
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Security |
$370 |
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Wheel Option |
N/A |
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ABS Option |
N/A |
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Reverse Option |
N/A |
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Cruise Control |
N/A |
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California Emissions |
$100 |
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Freight |
$305 |
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Prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices. Options such as color are available at additional cost. Prices exclude dealer setup, taxes, title and licensing and are subject to change. Dealer prices may vary.
Measurement reflects 180 lb. (81.7 kg) operator weight.
Recommended 91 octane or higher fuel (R+M)/2.
Values shown are nominal. Performance may vary by country and region.
Standard and optional fuel systems may vary by country and region.
Estimated from fuel economy tests on a sample motorcycle from the corresponding family conducted by Harley-Davidson under ideal laboratory conditions. Not all motorcycle models undergo fuel economy testing. Fuel economy and mileage may vary among motorcycle models within a family. Your mileage may vary depending on your personal riding habits, weather conditions, trip length, vehicle condition and vehicle configuration and other conditions. Break-in mileage may vary.
Standard and optional wheels may vary by country and region.
North America security system includes immobilizer; outside North America the security system includes immobilizer and siren.
Vehicles depicted may differ from vehicles manufactured and delivered. Specifications and prices listed may differ from specifications and prices of vehicles manufactured and delivered. All product descriptions (including depictions, specifications, dimensions, measurements, ratings and competitive comparisons) are based on available information at the time of publication. Although such descriptions are believed correct, errors and changes can occur and complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Harley-Davidson may make changes at any time to prices and specifications, and may change or discontinue models, without notice and without incurring any obligation. Attention: Vehicles in the configurations shown and many of the accessories described in this catalog may not be available for sale or use in some locations. Please check with your dealer for complete product details and the latest information. All models feature 6-speed transmission (VRSC™ models and Sportster® models are 5-speed) and carbon fiber belt final drive; multi-plate clutch with diaphragm spring in oil bath; and 2-year unlimited mileage warranty.
