Photos by Ted Bae

So, many of you might be thinking, "What is an avid superbike racer and sportbike enthusiast doing testing a Harley Davidson?" Harley is not exactly know for producing cutting edge sportbikes.

Well, I would be lying if I didn't say I also asked myself this exact thing. That is until I did some research on the Harley XR1200. Actually, even before getting to research my upcoming ride I was actually won over purely by the visual appearance of the XR1200. The design is one that is muscular, clean and sporty with just the right touch of dirt tracker nostalgia thrown in. Suddenly I found myself becoming more intrigued by this grey and silver motorcycle that is surely inspired by the highly popular XR750 racer. Throw in the fact that I witnessed my first AMA Pro Flat Track this year at Pomona and the whole concept of what Harley-Davidson was trying to achieve with this model was becoming much more clear.

My first real hint of the sportiness of this machine however was upon pickup. One of the fleet center employees mentioned to me how the XR1200 was actually being raced in Europe. Yes, you heard me right, I said Europe. The European version taking to the track with Ohlins suspension components, Termignoni exhaust and wave rotor brakes. Who would have thought this All-American machine would be making it's debut appearance on track in Europe and not over here stateside. Well, have no fear, the AMA has just announced the XR1200 will soon be racing here in the U.S., in the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Spec Racing Series. This will be a five race championship featuring specially modified Harley-Davidson XR1200 motorcycles.

Although I would not be taking the XR1200 to the track, and the version I was riding did not have the go-fast European modifications, I was still eager to swing a leg over the XR1200 and see just how good this bike was.

The XR1200 features a rubber-mounted 1200cc V-twin with a 10:1 compression ratio that puts out roughly 90 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and 74 ft-lbs of torque at 4,000 RPM. The XR1200 boasts performance cams, downdraft fuel injection, precision-cooled cylinder heads and a large capacity oil cooler. A high volume 2-1-2 straight shot exhaust finished in satin chrome does away with spent gasses and, in my personal opinion, does it in a very attractive manner.

In an effort to save weight and improve handing, the XR uses a hollow cast-aluminum swingarm, a break from the traditional steel units found on typical Sportsters. The XR also utilizes 3-spoke cast wheels and Dunlop Qualifier tires designed specifically for the XR1200. Sizes are 120/70ZR18 in front and 180/55ZR17 on the rear.

Suspension duties are handled via 43mm inverted Showa forks which are non-adjustable and dual coil-over shocks in the rear with preload adjustment.

The Harley-Davidson XR1200 weighs in at 580 pounds in running order and is brought to a halt with Nissin four-piston calipers and two 292mm discs up front and a single piston floating rear brake.

Simple probably best describes the controls and cockpit on the XR1200. Sitting above the handlebar is an analog tachometer with a slightly smaller digital speedometer. Harley-Davidson has gone with very basic controls and gauges to keep with the clean and retro look but I could not help being somewhat disappointed in this department. I think a little attention to detail and some added elements of design could have gone a long way towards adding some style to what is otherwise a classic beauty.