I’ll take it!
Not much thought went into selecting Harley Davidsons XR1200X after we were each allotted a small sum of money to buy a used motorcycle. It was absolutely lust at first sight. Those Vance and Hines Pipes clinched the deal and despite Séans sniggers and tardy comments about how stiff and sore the rider would be after an hour in the saddle, this flat tracker was ridden off the Bikeshop Rivonia floor to far flung places around Gauteng.
Harley Davidson XR1200X
Year: 2010
Mileage: 38000 KM’s
Price: R89,900
Unknown to us during the selection process is that, historically this model was a hit and miss for HD – largely due to the fact that, back then, they failed to get their target demographic bums into saddles.
Which is quite sad really because – man it’s a lot of fun!
The XR1200 project was revealed to everyone at the 2006 INTERMOT show, with the aim of boosting HD sales in the more sport-oriented European market.
To build the XR1200, H-D’s engineers started with the frame and motor combination from the 1200 Sportster, which was also upgraded in 2003 with an isolation-mounted engine and heavier, stiffer chassis.
The old pushrod 1200cc V-Twin received lots of changes, downdraft fuel-injection, hotter cams, higher compression and a 2-1-2 exhaust. This resulted in a loss of a few foot-pounds of torque, but a boost in claimed horsepower to 90 BHP. Not too bad for an old tech air-cooled engine.
Harley then raided parts catalogues and reworked the chassis with a cast-aluminum swingarm that holds a cast wheel. Inverted Big piston Showa forks steer the front 18-inch wheel. They mounted big four pot calipers on twin 292 mm rotors up front to slow everything down.
The old fashioned bodywork was restyled in a nod to the days of the old XR750 Flat-Tracker racer.
Hey! They even fitted a digital display. This was cutting edge stuff for HD at the time.
Sadly, Harley buyers were not tempted. Was the bike ahead of its time?
Fast forward to ‘25. Two days in the saddle, massive grins. This HD is slow compared to a genuine supersport, but it has its own personality that’s just… well it’s unique.
The seating position is quite sporty, but the rider took much glee in telling Sean that it’s still not uncomfortable.
The first thing you notice about the Harley is its weight. Full of fuel and oil it tips the scales at a rotund 260kgs. The long stroke engine lazily eats up the miles on the freeways. Around the track at full cry, this mill is probably revving at what a ZX10 revs at idle. Masses of torque make it so much fun.
Cruising through town, the vibrations at the stop streets and traffic lights make your eyes wobble, but it all adds to the bike’s enormous personality.
Running around the Mivaal track on this thing was just so much fun! The suspension is quite firm, as it should be on a bike like this, and thankfully the big brakes stopped the bike’s rather hefty mass without any fuss.
Would we buy one?
Flippen right we would. Granted, this It’s a little bit of HD magic, and we’ll tell you for free that it’s a head turner.
This one’s in perfect condition, it’s unusual, it’s fun to ride on the track and on the road…
What’s not to like?
By 2013, the XR’s days were done.
Why? You ask.
Here’s a quote from Oli Hulme:
“Harley folks didn’t like the XR because it was a sportsbike, while sportsbike riders didn’t buy Harleys.”
Such silly people! Their loss is your gain if you fancy a grunty, naked piece of history bucket loads of attitude…
