Harley-Davidson Xr1200
HARLEY-DAVIDSON XR1200
BEST USED BIKES
YEARS SOLD: 2009-2012
MSRP NEW: $10,799 ('09) to $11,799 (’12)
BLUE BOOK RETAIL VALUE:
$7,125 (’09) to $10,440 (’12)
BASIC SPECS: The XR1200 is powered by an airand oil-cooled 1,200cc OHV V-twin with fuel injection and a five-speed transmission. It produced 84 hp at the rear wheel on the Cycle World dyno, a 30-percent increase over a standard 1200 Sportster. Weighing in at 583 pounds with its 3.5-gallon fuel tank full, this Harley has an inverted 43mm cartridge fork, triple disc brakes, and Dunlop sport radiais that help provide sure-footed handling performance.
WHY IT’S DESIRABLE: Voted Best Standard in Cycle World's annual Ten Best Bikes balloting when it debuted Stateside in 2009, the XR1200 has styling that paid homage to the fabled XR750 flat-track racer. We also found the XR1200 to be the best-performing production Sportster we’ve ever tested, with the X model introduced in 11 having improved suspension and brakes to further up the ante. At the time, we reported: “It’s an exciting, sweet-handling American standard that taps the soul of a winding back road."
THE COMPETITION: In 2010, Cycle World pitted the XR1200 against the Kawasaki Z1000 and MV Agusta 990 Brutale R. We concluded the test with this: “HarleyDavidson succeeds in delivering fans of the brand race-inspired styling and a broader performance envelope than ever offered by The Motor Company in one of the sweetest all-around packages out there. But there’s no slowing progress, and the standard has once again been elevated to new heights. Kawasaki has delivered a knockout blow...” The Z1000 took it on sheer performance, but the XR remains a great choice in the sport-standard segment.
