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BIKES: 2009 Harley Davidson XR1200 Goes Sideways
Written by: Neale Bayly   
09/08/2009
Charlotte, NC
 
Available in Vivid Black, Pewter Denim or Mirage Orange Pearl, there is only one color choice I would be able to make, the one you see pictured here. (Photo: Neale Bayly) ยป More Photos

Arriving everywhere on the bright orange and black Harley going sideways with smoke peeling off the rear tire is not the most responsible social behavior, but it’s just so much fun that I couldn’t quit. Blame it on the XR1200’s wide bars, dirt track inspired styling, and ease of operation. Blame it on a misspent youth reading Mark Williams’ warped motorcycle journalism; personally, I think its Harley Davidson’s fault for making such a fun motorcycle so easy to ride.

Designed to mimic the XR750 flat track racers that have been thundering around America’s dirt track ovals and winning more races than anyone can remember since 1970, the all new XR1200 is the first factory built motorcycle to pay homage to this chapter of Harley’s long and involved racing history. Sure, purists will mention that the original bike has pipes exiting to the left-hand side, and the street-going version has way too much weight and too little horsepower when compared to the racer. But this XR is not designed
for the racetrack; it’s intended as a slick, stylish, posing tool and it’s one that happens to be styled after an American dirt track racing icon.

Any notions of the bike being a fire-breathing, dirt-spitting monster are dispelled as soon as you thumb the starter button and the highly civilized 1200cc Evolution V-twin fires smoothly and quietly to life. Granted, it has more muscle than the stock engine, thanks to a higher compression ratio and large 50mm down draft throttle body, but claimed number is around 80 horsepower at the rear wheel. There is a very healthy 74 lb-ft of torque available at 4,000 rpm, and this arrives smack in the middle of the XR’s power band. Revving to a little over 7,000 rpm at the upper end of the rev range, as with all Harleys, this machine is not about high rpm.

Check out the XR1200 Photo Gallery

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