XR1200 Sportster gets Green light for Production

[Rincewind]

BUT - Will it be available in the US?  



World Exclusive: Harley-Davidson XR1200 gets go ahead for production

By Chris Newbigging

New bikes

10 July 2007 08:12

Harley-Davidson has just announced that the XR1200 sports bike is to be made a full production bike.

The XR1200 is based loosely around the XR750 race bike that dominates US flat track racing, but set up to give a sporty road ride. Quality suspension, sporty geometry and sticky road tyres make this the best handling Harley yet, according to development rider and nine-time AMA flat track champion Scott Parker. He told MCN earlier this year:

“When we test rode the bike it was able to corner and drag the foot pegs like any sports bike – on twisty and bendy back roads is where this bike is most fun at. It accelerates real fast when you come out of corners – it just goes.” John Lewis, Marketing Director for Harley-Davidson Europe said:

“We are delighted to announce that the XR 1200 will go into production in Spring 2008, having worked closely with our colleagues in the U.S. to create a great handling, high performance Harley-Davidson street bike that looks great and is fun to ride.  Feedback from European customers and the motorcycle media has been overwhelmingly positive so we think the XR 1200 will be well received in Europe.”

The best bit is that Harley expects the bike to cost no more than £6000 when it arrives in the UK - less than a supersport 600.

[1KPerDay]

S
W
E
E
E
T~!
 

[garry]

That's pretty cool. Not sure I'd own one, but I like that classic XR look. A local acquaintance has an XR1000

[Shhted]

If we don't get it here in the U.S., HD has their heads up their collective arse.

[bomber]

If I hadn't bought a Buell MaDeuce, I'd be lusting after this bike, BIG TIME

here's hoping they bring it stateside

[Mookie]

THAT is the only newish Harley I'd consider buying.  

[JamesG]

Its an awesome bike. Didn't get a chance to ride it, but got to look it over. It has extremely clean lines and the arrangement of the rear frame, swingarm, and footpegs are very clever.

If a sportster had its way with a GSXR this would be the offspring.  

[bizarro]

Very, very cool.  

[Boxerdawg]

Tre cool.  This will be the first HD bike -not a Buell- that will get me into a harley dealership and wanting to pull out the checkbook.

[kendenton]

That is very sweet looking.

Now just have to get the forward-controls relocation kit.....

[1KPerDay]

That is very sweet looking.

Now just have to get the forward-controls relocation kit.....

*cough*splutter*choke*


I just about fell out of my chair until I saw your smiley. *whew*... them's fightin' words...

[kendenton]

*cough*splutter*choke*


I just about fell out of my chair until I saw your smiley. *whew*... them's fightin' words...

Ah, my job here is done.  I wish they made 'rear control kits' on some models!

[1KPerDay]

Exactly... the standard sporsters have needed "rearsets" for years. That's why I'm so excited about this model. Finally, a comfortable sportster!

[jschmidt]

I hate to be the one to say it, but I've ridden the entire Harley product line and the Sportster was by far my least favorite. Going in, I expected to like the Sporty best, but it didn't turn out that way. This one looks cool, but it doesn't seem far enough away from Sportster DNA to be a nice ride. I hope I'm wrong.

[kendenton]

I hate to be the one to say it, but I've ridden the entire Harley product line and the Sportster was by far my least favorite. Going in, I expected to like the Sporty best, but it didn't turn out that way. This one looks cool, but it doesn't seem far enough away from Sportster DNA to be a nice ride. I hope I'm wrong.

I haven't ridden the entire line, but have ridden a Sportster 1200 Custom, Street Bob, Low Rider and a Road King Custom.  Like you, I had high hopes for the Sportster but liked it by far the least.  Engine really didn't have the power I expected.  I liked the Street Bob the most, except for the insane apehanger bars.  The Sporty looks soooo good though.

I'm heading out to Gettysburg Bike Week on Friday to do some more demos.  I want to try the Sporty Roadster if they have one.  

[jschmidt]

I had almost the exact same experience. My favorites were all Dyna variants.

[kendenton]

I had almost the exact same experience. My favorites were all Dyna variants.

My most-wanted ride is going to be the Super Glide, regular or Custom.  Pretty much the Street Bob with normal handlebars.  The Low Rider I rode was some years ago, and that was only up and down the block, so my memory on that is pretty fuzzy.

I wish they still made that FXDX Super Glide Sport, with the twin discs up front.  I could be tempted by a Dyna with sporting pretensions I think.

[jschmidt]

I remember that bike, it had adjustable shocks.

[keystonejenks]

HEY, you read my mind (keep some of those thoughts to yourself or I'll have to kill ya!   )

This is cool. I was hoping they'd bring this bike stateside. What triggered this thought was the whole ABS thread. This is a Harley I'd consider owning!

And I totally agree. If Harley doesn't bring this bike to the US, that would be stupid. Their demographic is aging and this could bring in a younger crowd.

[Playinthestreet]

I don't remember who, I think it was/is Storz, made rear sets that a friend had on his Sportster in 1986!  GP shift pattern too!

I put 25,000+ miles on an FXDX-T with fully adjustable front and rear suspension and, for what it was, was a damned good bike.