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The reason the XR 1200 doesnt make a full 100 horsepower was explained to me by one of the Milwaukee engineers as being down to a lower volume air box and different exhaust system. Harley-Davidson would never completely sacrifice style over performance and that is the reason.

The XR 1200 sure seems to have a different presence than most other motorcycles. Its unique from the Motor Company and the only other motorcycle on the market I can find for some sort of comparison would be the Yamaha MT01!

At the same time, if it hadnt been for the 1970 launch of the 90 horsepower XR750 for Flat Track racing we would never have seen the XR 1200. That the new 1200 makes the same horsepower as a 38 year old bike will have to be forgiven as the modern noise and emission regulations doesnt allow for much more.

This early morning in April, I have the privilege of following Wrecking Crew member No. 1 Scott Parker into the mountains on the XR 1200. Parker is nine-time AMA champion and the most successful rider on the most successful Flat Track race bike ever.

Not long after Scott Parker and stunt-monkey Craig Jones were doing monos worth a gold medal up in the mountains. Theres no doubt in my mind after doing some of my own that the XR 1200 is the most fun Harley-Davidson I have ever ridden! So it wheelies, but even more impressive is the ability to go fast through the tight corners in the Spanish mountains. True, the XR 1200 is much heavier than any other European brand motorcycle it is supposed to compete with, but once on the move it handles brilliantly and the monstrous torque curve is a delight to use.

This Harley has got tires to match its abilities fully in the Dunlop Qualifiers. Using an 18-inch Flat Track style front wheel, the Qualifiers have been specially designed for the big Harley. With a 551 lb. dry weight the XR is probably a little bit heavier than what the Qualifiers were intended for in the first place. But never mind, they stick like glue to the tarmac and only the foot peg feelers touch the ground. To me, those foot pegs and feelers are the most annoying thing about the XR 1200 package. At stand still I hit the feelers with my ankles and getting back on the move I drag the foot pegs up and they havent got spring action to bring them back down again. The Harley engineers that I spoke with told me that this was the first issue that they would address ahead of mass production, which began May 12.

The seat is quite thin and sporty and the seat height is a low 29.2 in. The handlebars are very wide and make it easy to wrestle the XR to its sides. The lean angle is very good, but despite the fact that it looks like the right exhaust side will touch ground first its actually the typical Harley side stand on the left that will touch first. The clutch cable looks fairly exposed - as if it will start grinding when leaning the XR to its extreme left. It shouldnt and it didnt, it just looks that way. The whole mid-placed exhaust cover will grind on the right hand side. Despite the fact that the XR 1200 is the sportiest Harley ever, it still has got plenty of styling compromise.

Harley aficionados will frown upon the fact that theres a plastic tank and rear fairing sides on the XR 1200. The headlight is a standard Sportster item and the double rear shocks remind me of a Sportster too. The travel is a short 3.5 in. at the back and 4.9 in. from the 1.7in. USD fork. That aluminium swing arm, which looks technical and light, does not remind me of anything found on other Harleys.

Mounted on the 18-inch front wheel is a pair of four-piston Nissin callipers providing plenty of stopping power. I cant help it, but I am really glad that Harley-Davidson kept the Harley clutch and brake levers as they feel really good to use. The five-speed gearbox was brilliant and not heavy to use at all.

Riding the XR 1200 as hard as I dare through the mountain passes and valleys was a very pleasing experience. I had to keep reminding myself that I was on a Harley launch and not a Buell launch! Not that the XR 1200 feels anywhere remotely like a Buell. Its too big for that, but still handles so well. With the XR 1200 working hard under you it should be much easier to keep up with your friends on sportsbikes. You wont go faster, but certainly as fast in many places.

On my way back from the mountains and into Valencia I got to test the city riding qualities too. The XR 1200 filters like no other Harley, apart from maybe the Nightster. One of the major differences that make the XR 1200 is the fact that it has top-end tires that gives you the extra safety to go a little bit faster everywhere the town included. A little bit too much heat radiation is my only town-riding complaint.

Finally, I asked Scott Parker which he preferred, the XR 750 or the XR 1200? Of course, Parkers a company man so didnt give any clear answers to that one. What was evident during our ride was that pretty much everyone enjoyed the XR immensely.

Conclusion

The Harley-Davidson XR 1200 is a solid piece of work. The whole aura of the bike and the XR 750 heritage is pleasing. I feel owning one of these would be no problem at all, Id be satisfied on all sorts of roads and youre not stuck through a hair-pin corner dragging a 240mm rear tire (XR 1200 features a 180/55-ZR17) after you. The XR 1200 cant really compete on the edge with other European streetfighters, but its a huge step in the right direction should Harley ever wish to do so.