Harley-Davidson initially only offered the XR1200 abroad, and the decision to exclude the U.S. market seemed to stoke envy and desire among U.S. enthusiasts.
Now that the flat-track inspired bike is available stateside (starting at $10,799 for the non-California version in black), we had an opportunity to sample an XR1200 on 150 miles of rollercoaster roads winding through North San Diego County. How did it perform, and does the XR1200’s personality make it truly lust-worthy?
First Glance
It’s hard to pigeonhole the Sportster-based XR1200. Inspired by the successful XR750 dirt tracker, the XR1200 boasts an air-cooled, silver powdercoated 1,200cc Evolution V-twin engine. The powerplant’s 10:1 compression ratio, performance cams, downdraft fuel injection, and oil-cooled heads yield 90 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque—more horsepower but less torque than other applications of this engine. An upswept, high volume 2-1-2 straight shot exhaust is finished in a nicely matte satin chrome, offering what is arguably one of the bike’s prettiest details.
A hollow cast aluminum swingarm promises better handling than the steel unit found in typical Sportsters, and attached to the swingarm are preload-adjustable twin rear shocks. Four-piston, dual disc Nissin brakes up front and a 43mm inverted Showa fork suggest that this Sportster is less laid back than past examples. A relatively wide dirt track-style handlebar lends the XR1200 a distinctive look, and its retro-influenced tank stirs nostalgia among those lucky enough to recall the golden age of dirt track racing.
A dry weight of 551 lbs won’t allow it to be confused with the featherweight Japanese sportbikes of the world, but then again if you are looking for an Americanized crotch rocket, you probably wouldn’t be comparison shopping an XR1200.
Throw a Leg Over
Photo © Harley-Davidson
It’s easy to clear the XR1200’s small, 30.5 inch tall seat as you throw a leg over, and the bike’s simple controls will feel like home to anyone familiar with Harley’s way of laying out hardware.
The ignition key sits on the right side of the steering head, and the big twin fires up with an unapologetic cough, then roar. The 1,200 cc engine is isolation mounted and its vibration level is high, though it does tend to smoothen up a bit when warmed up and revving above idle.
A large analog tachometer sits front and center just above the handlebar, and a small digital speedometer rests to the left of it. Both are positioned conveniently within the road’s sightline so you never feel like you’re looking away from the action too long. And speaking of ergonomics, the seating position is just slightly forward for most riders, with a feet back posture that might alienate die hard cruiser types, but enables most sporbike riders to feel at home.
Though there are plenty of great details on the XR1200, there are also a few disappointing ones. For instance, the plastic shroud around the oil reservoir feels, well, plasticky. The single bolt on the steering head looks cheap, and the welds around the exhaust tips are a bit messy. The kickstand is awkward to deploy, and having your right boot press against the rear brake fluid reservoir takes some getting used to. But as a whole, the XR1200’s design offers a pleasing balance of retro touches and modern details in a package that truly looks like no other bike on the road.
On the Road
The Harley-Davidson XR1200 holds a few surprises for those who don’t know what to make of it standing still. For starters, that small, unfriendly looking seat actually proved to be comfortable during over 150 miles of riding… not that we’d want to take this bike cross-country, but its ergonomics certainly exceeded our expectations.
The non-hydraulically assisted clutch requires a strong left hand, but the 5-speed transmission shifts cleanly, with a distinct “click” when gears are selected. Neutral is especially easy to engage when a four-fingered approach is taken with the clutch lever, enabling it to meet with the handgrip.
Cruise at highway speeds, and the XR1200 rides comfortably—if slightly firmly, probably since it was tuned for European roads which are smoother than our superslabs. Acceleration is strong, as is the growl of the V-twin which gives the XR a mean presence as it rolls down the highway, rising steadily to its indicated redline of 7,000 rpm. Though gearing is somewhat tall, it never gets in the way of spirited riding. Cruising at 65 mph in fifth gear translates to 3,750 rpm, incidentally. The Nissin brakes operate well, with excellent feel and stopping power; these binders are so effective they make it easy to forget you’re riding a bike in the Sportster family.
On the Road (Continued)
Photo © Harley-Davidson
When the road gets twisty, the XR1200 holds its own with solid grip and stability. Though the front wheel might feel a bit faraway and raked for most knee draggers, once the XR settles into a turn it feels fairly reassuring—save a bit of rear end wallow that might be aided by dialing in more preload stiffness. With a maximum left lean angle of 40 degrees and a right lean angle of 39 degrees (due to its large pipes), the XR can and will scrape footpeg feelers during hardcore cornering. But for the most part, the bike turns rather well, though it will never be confused with flickable sportbikes equipped with aggressive suspension geometry and a purely performance-oriented focus.
The Bottom Line
When asked which bikes they considered to be the XR1200’s competition, Harley officials seemed genuinely stumped; the XR1200 is neither fish nor fowl, sportbike nor cruiser, but rather a unique combination of dirt track inspired history projected onto a modern roadbike with decent performance. What I liked most about the XR1200 was that it couldn’t be compared to other bikes. Its distinctive personality makes it stand out on the road at a time when few bikes do.
What the Harley XR1200 offers is a great all-around, fun to ride motorcycle that’s as confident cruising at lower speeds as it is attacking a windy mountain road. If the day we spent on the bike is any indication, the XR1200 should be well worth the wait for American riders.
>>Click here to read Pricing, Specifications and Pros & Cons on Page 2<<
>>Click here for a Photo Gallery of the 2009 Harley-Davidson XR1200<<
