When the XR1200 was made available in the US market for the 09 model year, I jumped at getting one.

They were in Europe for the 08 model year and many bought them for flat track racing. V&H came out with an exhaust system, programmer and some other changes to make them super competitive.

The engine was mostly comprised of the Buell XB12 parts with oil cooled heads, wilder cams, down draft throttle body, two oil pumps and standard oil cooler.

It was rated at 90 crank hp with the XL1200 was 65 crank hp. The Buell was 103 hp. The Buell made more hp from the huge air box over the engine. The XR had a small air box and filter just under the tank.

The XR had the 24 tooth front sprocket used in the 883 were as the XL1200 used the 28 tooth front sprocket. With the 24 tooth front sprocket the XR would scream to 125 mph and hit the rev limit.

The cam had another characteristic. At 5,500 rpm it would charge ahead like it had a shot of NOS until 7K rpm. It was a blast to go through the gears that way.

The XR would hang right with the VRod until 125 when the Vrod would keep going.

I never understood why it didn't sell more bikes for HD to continue it. With the XL giving the TC bikes a run for the money the XR could destroy them.

The only thing that I can think of is that they weren't cruiser looking. More like a naked sport bike.

It rides over bumpy roads like a dream, brakes hard, tracks true and does the twisty's with finesse.

Why didn't the Sportster crowd gobble them up?

 

You already summed it up. It didn't look like a cruiser therefore Harley guy's didn't buy them...

 

I would have. I loved it.
It was my 1st pick, it if wasn't for the tank swelling like a pregnant bitch.

 

I liked mine but it required funds thrown at it to make it handle well. It also had the tank swelling that H-D would not fix.

 

maybe it had problems? wasn't advertised properly to the American Mkt? Or maybe it was ahead of it's time? Harley buyers as a whole still look down on the Sportster & buy large cruisers. And salesmen try to talk you up when you look at a Sportster. They're missing out on a lot of fun!

 

As much as I loved them, I didn't know about the engine upgrades until now. That could be a reason right there: if I'd have known how much more power they were putting out over the stock sportys, maybe I'd have one

 

I didn't buy one soley based on the tank cover/swelling action. Same reason I diene buy a Ducati Sport Classic, their plastic tanks have swelling issues aswell. Not sure why the manufactures can't do metal tanks on these bikes. Dealt with this on 2 of my S1 Buells, sucks when you have a poor designed bike.

 

Did they use a different frame? By the looks of them they are a tad different.

Somebody should hartail one because it would be pretty cool

 

The frame is identical. But a the swing arm is unique to the XR. Never had the tank swelling issue. I suspect it was simply a venting problem. Engine mount is a little different and it is much smoother than my XL1200.

Since I plan on keeping it forever, I only put a little over 1K a year. It just reached 5K. I do a full service on it at the end of each year. It sets with stabilizer in the tank and on a tender.

When it's turn comes up, it fires up the first crank. Never washed or waxed it yet as it hasn't been in the rain. A true garage queen ridden on sunny clear days.

 

I always wanted one but figured I'd rather have a buell if I wanted sport + harley engine.