2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster XR1200 Review
The flat-track replica finally comes to America
By Pete Brissette, Dec. 11, 2008, Photography by Fonzie

You patriotic types may feel pretty gutted hearing this, but it seems we’ve our Euro friends to thank for the U.S. being graced with one of the most iconic motorcycles to ever be built. What constitutes an icon? Howz ‘bout the XR750? If that doesn’t say ‘Muhrica, nothing does.

Did the Euros get an XR? Yes and no. What they had built especially for them (but you already know this) was the Harley-Davidson Sportster XR1200. What you may not know is that, according to Bill Davidson, VP, Core Customer Marketing for Harley, is that our moto-loving broheims overseas allegedly have a greater passion for naked bikes, in particular, those influenced by American flat-track racing. Also, it seems that most of Europe likes our bikes, as opposed to one county in particular, over there.

The naked, or standard, means a lot to Europe, more than the U.S. market, if you can believe that. Want proof? Witness the apparent death of Kawasaki’s Z1000 in the U.S. after only one year’s worth of revision? In ’06, the first-gen Z1000 outsold all other sport brands and models combined in Europe according to Kawasaki. In the U.S. it was more or less a loss-leader, so it was dropped from American dealerships for ’09.

Regardless of the seeming disdain for practical, sensible, upright-but-sporty unfaired standards in the U.S., Harley heard the uproar in the Letters-to-the-Editor, chat rooms, forum feedback and straight-up complaints from U.S. riders after the XR1200 being a Europe-only model, and decided it was time to bring the XR1200 home! TO READ MORE click here

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If it wasn't for that archaic lump they call an engine, I'd be all over it. They need to go the way of Buell's Rotax twin, but I guess it would cease to be a Harley at that point. Which might be good...

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Weighs how much ?

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i just dont get it. that bike looks like a pile of dookie. It looks like they took a sport bike of the 80s or early 90s and used that as their "muse", if you will, and said gee we need to take this ancient design and call it revolutionary. its like a bunch of garage mechanics made a frankenstine bike out of an old sport bike, a sportster 1200 and a couple race take offs and called it art. look everyone we are harley! we make shit that isnt that special and sell it for twice what really modern and innovative bikes are going for!! woohoo we suck

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Nick - One of the old timers...

+1, american made, piece of shit!

look what they made for a headlight, a damn led flash light. roflmao.

honestly this kind of crap is the same reason that the big 3 american automakers are in trouble. crap product for premium price.

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Nick - One of the old timers...

i agree, if they made better shit, like honda, nissan, toyota, audi, mercedes, bmw, and vw..... they wouldnt have problems. i mean look at the "jap" cars compared to the american, they have so much style, calss and comfort. the american cars are thrown together and called good. even caddillacs are junk, me and my girl test drove a fewof the suvs and compared to the honda pilots they are way more and have alot less?! so im in a union, all they talk about is buying american. i fuckin hate that shit, im not buying a piece of shit, air cooled harley for 30,000 bucks. or a fucking dodge faggot ass hemi and have them break down in a year. THE SHORTSTACK HAS SPOKEN.

I am thinking we need to put a multibillion dollar bailout package together to save Harley too.

I'm pretty sure they're in relatively decent financial condition compared to the Big Three.

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2005 Suzuki Hayabusa Limited Edition - lots of mods
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http://www.gleno.net

I dig it.

pile of junk.

what do you think is faster...that or this?

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Nick - One of the old timers...

this!

Was that supposed to be serious?? I thought Harley was putting out a comedy campaign..

Idk..id ride it

would be fun to try in on the track for a few laps

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Josh
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saw a streeted XR750 at the auction today, sex on wheels

good thing I did not take my check book

i take it if it was given to me... (then id sell it and get a cbr or piano)

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i like it, but then again i like and ride naked standards.

Would make a great anchor at 580 pounds dry. So over 600 when gassed up.


Looked at the pic again. That seat looks like a piece of black plywood, bets that real comfortable.

I'd rather has a nightster instead

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I love the flat-track reps.

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2005 Suzuki Hayabusa Limited Edition - lots of mods
2007 Suzuki GSXR600 - wifebeater and flip-flops optional
2000 Honda CBR600F4 - outfitted with the NRC case cover of invincibility
http://www.gleno.net