- The Harley-Davidson XR1200 is a great all-round, fun to ride motorcycle that’s as confident cruising at lower speeds as it is attacking a windy mountain road
- The bike has an air-cooled silver powdercoated 1200cc Evolution V-twin engine
- It has a dry weight of 250kg, produces 90hps and just over 100Nm of torque
- The ergonomics of the XR1200 are excellent. The seat is small and easy to get on and off, the instruments are simple to read and the controls are comfortable.
- The Sportster-based XR1200 is inspired by the successful XR750 dirt tracker
The XR1200 has an air-cooled silver powdercoated 1200cc Evolution V-twin engine with a compression ratio of 10:1, performance cams, downdraft fuel injection and oil-cooled heads. It produces 90hps and just over 100Nm of torque. The bike also has an upswept, high volume 2-1-2 straight shot exhaust, finished in matte satin chrome and hollow cast aluminium swingarm and preload-adjustable twin rear shocks.
Four-piston dual disc Nissin brakes are up front and a 43mm inverted Showa fork give the impression that this Sportster is less laid back than past examples. A relatively wide dirt track-style handlebar lends the XR1200 a distinctive look, and it has a retro-influenced tank.
The XR1200’s small 775mm-tall seat makes it easy to get on and off, and the 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 1200cc engine is isolation mounted and its vibration level is high, though it does tend to smooth out once you get going.
A large analog tacho sits front and centre, just above the bars, and a small digital speedo rests to the left of it. Both are sitting pretty within the road’s sightline so you’re never looking away from the action for too long.
The XR1200’s seat is comfortable even after a solid day of riding. The non-hydraulically assisted clutch requires a strong left hand, but the five-speed tranny shifts cleanly, with a distinct “click” when gears are selected. Neutral is especially easy to engage.
Cruising at motorway speeds, the XR1200 rides comfortably. Acceleration is strong and grunty, 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 7000rpm. Cruising at 110kph in fifth gear translates to 3750rpm. The Nissin brakes operate well, with excellent feel and stopping power.
The Harley XR1200 holds its own in twists and turns with solid grip and stability. Once it settles into a turn it feels pretty reassuring – save a bit of rear end wallow that can probably be fixed 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.
The bike is a unique combination of dirt track-inspired history projected onto a modern roadbike with decent performance. Its distinctive personality makes it stand out on the road at a time when few bikes do.
To read in-depth bike reviews, see the latest issue of Motorcycle Trader magazine, on sale now at all good retailers.