Harley-Davidson succumbed to the buzz of blogs as well as other customer demands and have now decided to introduce the XR1200 to the U.S. market. I’ve previously posted articles about the XR1200 HERE and HERE.
The XR1200 was initially designed and launched only in European markets earlier this year. It received a lot of interest along with a positive reception from the European markets. Many (including this blog) ask why Harley didn’t launch the motorcycle in all markets because it was inspired after the XR-750; one of the most dominating American dirt track racing motorcycles of all-time. In fact, Harley factory rider Kenny Coolbeth won his third straight AMA Grand National Twins flat track championship on the XR-750 in 2008.
The motorcycle has many unique features and will provide the performance and distinct style demanded of the demographic the company wants to attract. North American MSRP is $10,799. This is a smart move.
Mac: This seems to in fact be a popular subject in the blogs. I’ve seen this bike show up no less then five times in my blog roll. It sure is a sharp looking bike. With the price that is listed and the limited production of just 750 units I don’t see them lasting long. You got to wonder with the economy the way it is if people will buy them thinking they can make a buck like in the mid 1990s? I guess time will tell.
Nice blog, I’ve added to my blog roll. I hope to some day have mine looking as nice as yours.
fasthair
I think it was all a bit of a marketing ploy. The idea was to give Europe an exclusive bike that could really ‘handle’ from Harley. It sort of worked, it defintely got enough coverage in the papers over here and I’m sure they always planned to sell it in the states as well.
Sam
Hi
The Motor Company had every intention of releasing the XR1200 in the US as soon as they were able to obtain rights to the XR1200 name, which had cheekily been registered by Storz Performance. Storz made an awsome XR750 look alike from a stock bike,
Despite owining a 103cube Dyna Wide Glide and a Screaming Eagle Electra Glide, I love Sporties. I was considering bying a 1200 sporty and putting some work in to make it look like an XR 750 (and go better). When I heard that Harley were bringing out the XR I went to see the ‘show only’ prototype at the big bike show in the UK. I loved the look and tried to order one but couldn’t, as this bike was a one off built to judge market response.
When I heard it was coming into the UK for real, I ordered one and started to ‘borrow’ demonstrators from the dealers for the odd weekend when they became available. Although not perfect (yet, I’m doing some work on it to make it better) it is a wonderful bike to ride. I find the XR a bit reminiscent of the British bikes of the 60s and 70s, tall and skinny.
This bike is great fun in the twisties and certainly goes quite well. The lack of tuning bits is a pain in the ass. With only a few hundred in existance, no one is going out of their way to make exhausts etc. But now it will get better as there will be a bigger market for the bits.
Anyway, lucky old USofA, you have it now too!
Steve H