Puts Power Behind Attitude

Nostalgic Harley-Davidson fans sometimes wax nearly poetic about the late 1950s and 1960s when the aggressive XLCH models ruled the asphalt. While the most recent line of Sportsters has been a fine machine, some have felt they lacked the attitude of earlier Hogs. The new Sportster XR1200 has changed all that, say reviewers.

A descendant of the Harley-Davidson XR-750 racing bike, the XR1200 reflects that heritage in its engine and chassis, according to online product reviews. Where the XR-750 is a powerful track monster, and not for the faint-hearted, the XR1200 combines the best of its ancestor's power with the more refined traits of the newer Sportster line. The result is blend of ergonomic design with raw muscle.

The XR1200 was originally designed for the European market, but it garnered enough US interest to convince Harley-Davidson to roll it out for its American customers. One reviewer noted that hundreds of the XR1200 model were ordered before they were even offered to the U.S. market.

Designed to be a performance machine, the XR1200 boasts new features such as rear-set foot controls, along with a rear swing-arm, a new intake system and an oil cooler, necessary since airflow over the cooling fins isn't as good as on a standard Sportster version. That's because the rider's legs no longer hang over the engine. One reviewer who put the bike through its paces up through the mountains outside San Diego, California, found that the motorcycle had more ability to take the mountain switchbacks that did its rider. While this may be daunting to less experienced riders, a performance machine with that kind of maneuverability invariably challenges the driver to raise the bar on his or her own piloting skills.

Bikers will be pleased to know that the XR1200 proved to be stable and predictable in turns without much, if any, wallow. At the same time, the bike gives a solid ride on highways; in fact, it likes to go fast. A well-balanced suspension coupled with a precise frame geometry added to the motorcycle's performance.

Meanwhile, up front reviewers noted that the inverted 43mm front forks absorbed bumps with ease and dispersed the momentum quickly at the same time they provided good control through tight turns. Twin preload adjustable rear shock absorbers combined with the rigid-but-light swing arm to keep the bumps to a minimum in the back of the beast. The difference appears to be in the swing arm's new construction of cast aluminum, which is 3.3 pounds lighter and 40 percent stiffer than previous steel versions. This combination relieved some of the unsprung weight of the bike, which translated into smoother handling.

When it's time to stop, the XR1200's dual four-piston calipers and 292mm rotors in front brought the machine to a quick halt. The XR1200 really flexes its muscles when it's time to go. The bike has a standard displacement 1200cc motor with a 3-13/16-inch stroke and 3-1/2-inch bore. Its 10:1 compression ratio makes for a model that loves to push the redline, which is 7000 rpm. Reviewers reported being surprised that felt like a regular Sportster turning at 3000 rpm when the tach said the engine was pushing 5000 rpm.

Altogether, the Harley-Davidson XR1200 has strength, speed and style – everything that any biker desires in a truly fine machine.