Alright, let’s talk about my time with the XR1200. I remember when these things first popped up, must’ve been around 2008 or so. Harley was pushing this whole flat-track inspired look, something way sportier than their usual stuff. It caught my eye because it just looked… different. Not your average Hog.
Took me a while, but I eventually decided I needed to scratch that itch. Finding one wasn’t like walking into any dealership; they weren’t exactly everywhere. Spent some time searching online, making calls. Finally located one that seemed decent, not too beat up. Went to check it out, liked what I saw, and made the deal. Felt pretty good finally getting my hands on it.
Getting Used to It
First time swinging a leg over, yeah, definitely not a typical Harley feel. Sat higher, felt more aggressive, less laid back. Fired it up – had that familiar V-twin sound, but maybe a bit sharper? Pulling away, the first thing I noticed was how it handled. This bike actually liked corners! Way different from the cruisers I was used to. It felt surprisingly eager to lean.
The engine was the real star, though. They claimed around 90 horsepower, and it felt pretty punchy. What really stood out was the torque. Felt like it kicked in super low, maybe around 3,700 RPM like the specs said. Made riding around town effortless, just a quick twist of the throttle and it just went. Didn’t need to rev it out constantly.
Living with the XR1200
I put a good few miles on it, mostly backroads and weekend trips. Here’s what I found:
- Handling: On twisty roads, it was a blast. Really felt connected to the road. Much more fun than I expected from a bike with the H-D name on the tank.
- Engine: Loved that low-end grunt. Always felt like there was power on tap without needing to scream the engine.
- Comfort: Not exactly a touring bike. The riding position was okay for shorter rides, but highway miles got tiring with the wind blast. Seat wasn’t the best either after an hour or two.
- Suspension: Mine was the standard model. The forks up front weren’t adjustable, and the rear shocks were pretty basic too. It handled smooth roads fine, but hit some bumps and you definitely felt it. Heard the ‘X’ model with the fully adjustable Showa suspension was a big improvement, but never got to ride one myself. That probably would’ve made a difference.
- Reliability: It was mostly okay. Had a few small, annoying electrical things pop up, but nothing that left me stranded. Heard folks say the 883 Iron was bulletproof, maybe rated higher, but the XR felt a bit more… temperamental? Just part of the experience, I guess.
Final Thoughts
So, the XR1200. It was a unique machine. Harley definitely tried something bold, taking inspiration from their racing heritage. Was it a perfect sportbike? No. Was it a typical Harley cruiser? Definitely not. It sat somewhere in between.
It had its flaws – the basic suspension on my model, not the most comfortable for long hauls. But the engine was great, it handled surprisingly well, and it had tons of character. It was just fun to ride in a raw, unfiltered kind of way. I ended up selling it after a while, just felt like moving on to something different. But I don’t regret owning it. It was a cool piece of Harley history, and a genuinely fun bike on the right roads. Definitely a memorable ride.
