Harley-Davidson XR 1200 to Hit Europe,
U.S. Market Left Empty-Handed
Take a good look at this shot of the new Harley XR 1200 (and click for a larger view), because unless you live in Europe you probably won't get to see it in person. The first bike in the company's 104 year history to be released exclusively outside of the United States, the XR 1200 is based on race-winning XR 750 dirt trackers that were popularized, ironically, on U.S. soil.
The XR 1200 was first unveiled as a prototype in October 2006, and should be available to European consumers in the Spring of 2008. Though off-road inspired, the Sportster-based bike is configured for spirited on-road riding and includes:
- A 1,200cc high-performance V-twin powertrain finished in as-cast silver powdercoat
- Satin Chrome-finished exhaust system
- Downdraft fuel injection and electronically controlled active air intake system
- Specially developed Dunlop Qualifier tyres (front 120/70ZR18; rear 180/55ZR17)
- Lightweight cast wheels with dirt track-inspired design
- Specially developed sports-tuned suspension with 43mm inverted front forks
- Agile handling and ample cornering clearance, with wide handlebars and semi-rearset footpegs
- High performance brakes
- A large white-faced tachometer and digital speedo
Harley-Davidson press materials state that its ergonomics are designed to fit the average height European customer, but we can't help but wonder if this market-specific model would ever be modified for sale in North America.
Does this Sporty capture your envy like certain other Europe-only bikes, or are you content with Harley's current U.S. lineup? Check out Harley's XR 1200 microsite, and share your thoughts on this departure from the American company that is apparently beginning to take the global nature of the motorcycle business very seriously.
Photo © Harley-Davidson
Comments
Not my type of bike, but interesting product and marketing concept nonetheless. Though not as radical departure from the retro design as say the Victory Vision, it’s at least not another retro. As I’ve said in the past, you’re not going to find a bike that says American Classic more than the FLSTC, but that’s been done and copied by every other company, so it’s time for a new idea like this.
Retails only 7655 gbp (over $15,000.00 us). Even if it comes with a free t shirt, i doubt anyone will be lining up for it, unless their dopey tourist from the u.s., no offense…
I’d ride it, but I don’t have $15,000, and I’m not a European.
Signed, doepy American. Guess I’ll just have to go buy Japanese.
For those of us who buy Harley’s, $15k ain’t no big thing. I know a lot of people don’t understand. But if you have to ask, It’s called; “This is what I like. Not some imitation!” And I assume that part of that $15k is shipping and import tax’s. I notice that MV/Agusta hasn’t gone out of business and that other Harley models selling at over $25k don’t sit on the showroom floor. Ride to live!
Looks like Harley crap to me. Not new technology, just same old stuff over and over, and too highly priced compared to its competitors.
Same old Harley CRAP–over priced and over rated. Now they will try to sucker in the Europeans—They Harley needs something NEW. The old gray haired and gray beards will not live forever–OLD AGED HIPPIES AND WANT_A_Be`S.
I’m a dopey Canadian…close enough. I’ve never been a Harley fan…never will be – HOWEVER – if you’ve never been to a Mile event … San Jose for instance, Go! If for no other reason, to hear the unbelievable sound that comes out of the factory XR’s. If – and this is a BIG IF – they have managed to give this XR1200 a little bit of that magic, it just might be worth the price of admission. If nothig else it looks cool………
I can’t wait to buy one in the U.S.!
This is the first and only HD I would consider owning. I’ve been following the story for the last year and am sad to see that it’s going to be non-US only.
This bike is very cool. I don’t understand why the Harley company desn’t lauch it in domestic markets. I meet many friends on a site called bikerkiss. We usually talk about Harley togehter. They have the same question with me.
Harley fans do not care about the price but the motorcycle itself.Some of my ride buddies on BikerSter com have discussed about XR 1200 and post lots of pictures there. Some of them even want to buy it.
I have put 50,000 miles on BMW bikes (45,000 on a naked R1100R) in the last 26 months, and would really like to find something in Harley’s lineup that I could ride.
The Big Twins have clutch housings where their footpegs ought to be (even with mid-mounts), and they’ve discontinued the bikes that come closest to matching what I like in a riding position and other specs(XL1200S, FXDX and VRSCR).
I like the idea of the high ground clearance and lean angle, as well as the semi-rearsets.
Looks like the XR1200 will command a premium of about 10% over the XL1200N in the UK, which means the XR1200 would likely be around $11,500 in the US if the price ratio holds. A bit pricey for a Sportster, I think, but still not up into Night Rod or Super Glide territory.
In summary, looks to me like this is aimed squarely at the BMW R1200R market in Europe (at a slightly-lower price), and as such, this is I bike I’d look at very carefully if I were replacing my R1100R.
Bring it to the USA MOCO.
Some of us “dopey Americans” will buy it.
It’s what Harley does best, marketing. You allways want what you can’t have.
I’d buy this today if it was available at the Chicago Harley-Davidson dealership. Well, it’s not, so I’ll stick with Japanese.
I do not understand why H-D is afraid to sell this bike in the USA. I would not touch any of their other heavy, unweildly, unreliable, unattractive, and extremely over-priced motorcycles. I would seriously consider this one, however.
This is the second Harley I’d consider owning, and I’m still kicking myself in the ass for not buying an XR1000 when they came out 25 years ago. It looks far more like an XR750, though the fuel injection and other niceties on more recent Harleys would be welcome for those of us spoiled by Japanese or Italian sportbikes.
And while some squids like GB might call me an old fart, I’d be happy to show him a thing or two with my R6 at a trackday.
If they put a 103 HP Buel Engine in it, then they would have one hell of a bike worth paying their asking price. Harley just doesn’t get it. The Sportster is their most popular bike but they support it the least with upgrades compared with their other models. I guess they feel the Sportster is a stepping stone to their “Big Bikes”.
I would buy one if I could..
its about time they upgraded the sportster BUT NOT FOR THE U.S.A.
so harley davidson strikes out again!!!!!
This is exactly what I was looking for. I love the bike. I think it needs alittle more race styling, alittle less rake, a single shock swingarm….and I dont care what HP its putting out, I will always want just alittle more. it would be great if they were able to bump the redline up, make it sing alittle like an old XR…
Harley really needs to bring this bike to the states, there is a big hole in their performance lineup..like, they dont have one. this bike could fill the gap, if they would listen to what the consumer wants…a harley that can handle and get down. this could be a sweet bike.
guys over here in europe a harley t shirt costs £20 on holiday at woodstock hd same shirt cost 20bucks get it?? this bike would cost 7 grand in england or the usa
You can (once again) spend that money MUCH better elsewhere! Hardley Ableson
Sounds like most of you are pretty bitter. Ya’ll can stay in the market your in. However, about power, the 1200 sportsters have the best power to weight ratio in their class. It will dust any other 1200 cruisers out there. Regarding reliability, harleys are as dependable or more so than any bike in the market. And for “Harley struck out again”…Harley has been stomping the market for the last 20 years and still TRYING to be imitated. Sounds like home runs to me!!!!!
Say WHAT?? The Splurtster is the laughingstock of Harley haters AND lovers, specifically BECAUSE it has nowhere near the power-to-weight ratio of competing cruisers! And don’t get me started about reliability and Harley. The only way those things are reliable, is if they’re operated only 50 miles a year. Otherwise, they’re in the shop, costing the rider more harley dollars.
Probably the reason that bike is only being offered in europe, is because THAT’S WHERE IT’S BEING MADE, BY THE ITALIANS. I’ll bet they decided to have the timing cycle match their bikes’, so that it would run better and actually HAVE some power.
And don’t start with how harley’s supposedly ’stomping the market.’ More folks buy Honda VTX1300s than ALL HARLEYS COMBINED. That’s raw numbers, with no crap filling. If they’re just imitations, they seem to be doing better than the real thing.
Guess they aren’t imitating harley at everything…including the LOSING MARKET SHARE part.
Hey, I jest bought my first HD and have owened many Japanese moto’s. BUT, my new HD, XR1200 beats the rest to hell. Well I still injoy my on & off road bikes though. The reason I picked the XR1200 is first the ram air look as it reminds me of my first car witch had ram air. Then the “70″ look of the XR1200. I jest had to have one. I like the way the XR1200 handles totally on streets, gravel roads, and great on the hwy conners. I also found out that my XR1200 keeps right up with the Japanese crotch rockets with no problems and if I was better on take off, I’m willing to bet I’d get a jump on’em. I totally Love The XR1200.
See Yea In The Dust LOL !!!!