Local indy dealer has 2009 XR 1200 for sale. Has around 12,000 miles on it. Asking 6900$ for it. I really like the look and was just wondering if anyone has any experience with this bike.

Happy New Year!!
Ride safe and have fun

 

The 2009 is a XR1200R and had better suspension than the later XR1200X models. Not a bad bike but not competitive with the japanese standards it was up against, Bandit, FZ1 and the like. It's one of those bikes that everybody said "if you build it, we'll buy it", then 11 people actually bought one. (I'm exaggerating but you get the idea) Destined to live as a cult bike like the XLCR but not a bad handling Harley. Bear in mind, we're talking about a Harley now. It's heavy and underpowered when compared to other bikes in it's class; because they aren't Harleys. That, in my opinion killed Buell. A Harley cruiser is heavy and underpowered but "its a Harley, speed and handling aren't what the bike is about". When Buell trotted out their products as a performance bike then it was invariably compared to other performance machines where it fell short. It didn't have the "but it's a Harley" trump card because it wasn't a true Harley model and it wasn't a cruiser. Some will argue but facts are facts, they didn't sell well compared to japanese sport bikes and now they're gone. Yeah, EBR is back but he's fishing with a rod and reel and the japanese are using ships and nets.

If you wanted something that handles well and it has to be a Harley you're in. I'd look at the fuel tank/cover. They have a plastic tank that typically swell and pop the back edge of the tank cover off. They replaced some under warranty but I don't think it really causes any trouble, Ducati had a plastic tank debacle as well so it isn't a Harley thing.

 

The 2008 XR1200 was sold first in Europe where most riders flat tracked it. In 2009 It was sold in the US. Again it was for flat tracking in a class of its own.

HD used the parts from the Buell XB motor with 103 hp at the crank. However HD did not use the Buell air box and strangled the motor so that it produced 90 hp at the crank with the same heads, cams and downdraft throttle body. I got the XR because I had an 08 Buell XB12XT with that engine. I liked the motor so much that I added the HD version.

They also made it about 100 lbs heavier. It was still a box stock 12 sec 1/4 bike. When the XL1200 runs out of steam at 5,500 rpm the XR comes alive until 7,000 rpm.

It does not use the Delpi ECM but Buells program so many tuners do not make one for it. V&H has a tuner and exhaust system that improves the bike's performance.

Some of the power comes from having oil cooling around the exhaust valves. Very much like the twin cooled Rushmore's only with oil.

A great handling bike, strong performer and bullet proof. They had an inverted front fork and dual disc front brakes.

The tank swelling was a vent issue. Most of the vehicles on the road today have abs tanks. They are impervious to gasoline and do not swell from it.

I have an 09 and I will never part with it. The last model year was the 12 XRX which added rear shocks with a reservoir. Not much of a change.

HD never promoted it and like this thread shows most HD and Sportster folks did not know what it was. Kind of looked like a naked sport bike.

Here is the schematic of the two oil pump system which one pumped to the standard cooler and then around the exhaust valve.


This is my 09 in HD racing orange. The only correct color for any XR variant.


Just for some posters information there was never a XR1200R. Just XR1200 and the final XR1200X which had an IMPROVED rear suspension. There were XL1200R's and XL883R's which were in the racing orange and had dual front disc brakes. Just a styling tribute to HD racing. They were not purpose built flat track bikes like the XR was.

 

Cool Springs Harley has a 2010 with 2619 miles for $8990. A little high but thats asking price.

http://www.hdcoolsprings.com/used/Ha...5fa863607f.htm

 

The XR1200 wasn't a flat tracker, the XR750 flat tracker is a completely different bike. There was an XR1200 race series but it was on pavement. It's gone now as well. As the second poster said, the air box strangled the bike down to 79 or 80 horsepower.

I do stand corrected about the "R" version. Indeed it was just XR1200 and the suspension upgrade came later with the X version. In 2009 I was also wrong about what Harley would do with the oil cooling that the XR has. I said HD was using it as a test bed for the big twins. I was wrong, they chose to add a radiator and pump with conventional coolant.

I'll make another prediction but I could be wrong on that too. In 20 years XR1200s will be selling for more than they cost new, just like the 1977 and 1978 XLCRs do.

 

So is their much difference in the performance of the XR over my 2013 anniversary sportster?
Thank you for all the replies.

 

Quick and easy answer is, yes.
My neighbor has had 2 XR1200 and also a Vrod and a standard Sportster. He says that the XR will run circles around all of them.

 

One thing to keep in mind about the XR, it was geared like an 883, but has a 1200 engine in it. So, the performance does feel great, but you running pretty high RPM's down the road.

Not sure if that matters to you, but it is the one thing that made me think twice after test riding a few years ago.

 

There is some misinformation in here! The XR1200 was sold elsewhere in the World for several years before it was sold in North America, just as the XL883R is still made for export and sold overseas today. While neither bike has been popular in the USA they do have a solid following. As for Buell they also sold well and the Firebolt was voted best handling sports bike here in the UK, against all the Jap sports bikes, Ducati etc. Buell failed IMHO because most of the parts for the later 1125 bikes were made overseas and the exchange-rate went down the sink.

As for tennispro1's original question, you will realise by now that the XR is a minority-appeal bike, but if you like the look of it and want it you'll own an interesting bike! Post photos when you get it home!!!!

 

I almost bought one and still wished I would've. I think they are cool and loved watching the v&h's racing series of these bikes. I think they sold much better oversea's