Harley's Forgotten Sport Bike - Sportster xr1200 The Original Bronx 

Have you ever heard of the xr1200? Drop a comment below!

I'm a proud owner of an xr1200, love the combo of a nice chassis, "sportish" suspensions, and that huge, over compressed, super torquey 1202cc sportster engine. It really shines on twisty roads, thanks to the short gear ratio

I actually own a 09 xr 1200 just bought it a few months back my buddie actually texted me a pic of it and said it had been traded in recently I didn't wait I headed there within the hour got approved for the loan and it was mine I couldn't believe it , I am 25 years old and I am not a bandwagoner I have always wanted this bike since it came out and I now have one it runs great , and handles amazing I have other sport bikes and I had to keep looking down to make sure it was still a harley , obviously bike is great ,It dosent quit handle with a zx or gsxr stock and it's a little old school feeling but i love it never getting rid of it , my best way to describe it is a 1980s superbike but refined with modern technology and suspension.

First and only Harley I own! 2011 XR1200X, with some minor mods, Runs superb and gets a lot of attention! A Blast 2 Ride!

The xr1200 stood in the shaddow of the buell. Forever forgotten & under rated bike

Jon makes me smile when he pops a wheelie on the H.D. Way to go Jon.....

I bought a black 2009 XR1200 today, it has 33k recorded miles and is in excellent condition. I live in the UK, I paid £4800 for the XR.

I just bought a 2009 with 3000 miles on it. So far, so good.

I have just purchased one a few weeks ago. It goes hard and rev,s like crazy, goes round corners. Got heaps of twisty bits where I live in NZ. Super happy with it's and different to dyna's and v rods everyone else has.

The Xr1200 is a great bike. I've owned my '09 for many moons. Upgraded the front forks to the Showa X BPF with Racetech valves and springs, A pair of Ohlins in the rear, italian Race spirits tracker exhaust, wave rotors and so much more. Many of these upgrades (like the exhaust) scrub major weight from the bike. Uncorked, and properly tuned these bikes are a blast and really handle great. Many miss the fact that the engine is what would have been the new Buell XB12 engine. Lighter flywheel, .550 lift cam, oil cooled heads, higher volume oil pump, beefed up crank to handle extra revs. Frame is setup with beefier gussets over the standard sportster. The XR feels like a completely different bike on the road than, say a modern 1200R or the outstanding 2004-2006 1200r's. Top speed is about 125-130MPH depending on the mods, tune, and where the rev limiter is (re)set to. Power delivery comes on quickly, with the shorter '883' gearing in the primary keeps the engine on the pipe much like 4.10 gears in a muscle car. Much more eager to rev than the regular sportster engine. Brakes are Japanese sport bike spec Nissin pieces I remember right. With the suspension upgraded (and I mean upgraded, not just the x suspension) and setup properly (+2" in the rear) handling is unreal for a bike like this. Really the ultimate HD hooligan bike with legit race credentials. On the flip side, the performance envelope is much like that of the '85 Nighthawk 700-750 and any modern liter class Japanese naked will run circles around the XR in a straight line but that isn't the point. There is nothing else quite like the Xr1200 on the road with the large displacement pushrod engine, the looks, and overall capabilities. Fun stuff for sure!

I love my 12 xr1200x, it's a really fun bike

Since watching your channel, our knowledge of Harley has grown 1,000%. They're not really what we're into but hey, you never know someday. 👨‍👩‍👧 ❤

The XR was the first thing I thought of when I saw the Bronx.

I remember seeing one of these at my local Harley dealer about 10 years ago and I guess I never realized how different it was because Harley’s lineup was so diverse. Back then they had just released the N line with all the blacked out trim, they had V-Rods and Dynas - all of which were super sporty and appealed to the younger crowd. If it weren’t for the 2008-2010ish lineup I probably wouldn’t be in to Harleys today! Hopefully with the addition of some new diverse bikes, they can start to grow and add new customers.

Hi from the uk, I got my XR1200 in 2008 from Warrs Harley Davidson. Always wanted a sporty Harley. Love this bike!! its not a Buell but handles quite well on the twisty roads for a Harley Never sell it.

i sure didint forget the XR being a sportster fan boy and cafe racer lover its at the top of my list haha... also of all the crazy stunt you did for me the most hilarious is you knee dragging the goldwing in front of your house....for some reason it made me laugh alot

I think it’s a cool bike 👍🏻 Think I first heard of it on a Shadytree surgeon video

I used to work the races when they raced the XR in the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series. They took stock XR's and with a specific spec'd out race kit that was reasonable to buy for the teams, you had a Harley you could race! And they went pretty well, man! It was awesome when the whole pack would thunder by on the start. Pickin' 'em up was kind of a bitch, but it was pretty cool nonetheless! Great way to warm up the crowd before the Superbikes got on the track. Somehow I don't put the XR on the same level as the new Bronx though. I think the Bronx is gonna be much more sporty and nimble. And it's a middleweight so the experience will be different. Just my take on it. Great video, man!

I have an 09 XR1200 and it is a blast to ride, it was great before it's time, but I got one and it is what the Roadster should have been.

I went to one of my local motorcycle dealers and saw an xr1200x for sale. It was nice but I wasn't looking for anything sporty. I kind of resemble a sported out Sportster with the ergonomics of a Naked Bike. I kinda liked it. Didn't know it was discontinued. I should've taken it. But like I said, I was looking for a cruiser more than anything. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.

4:25 wow thats a smooooooth landing sir

Hey Jon great channel !! Really enjoy your content and Jackie's channel also. Ok enough kissing up. LOL.. I've had a lot of bikes ,big four and Harley Davidson in my 45 yrs of riding. I just bought a 2012 XR1200X and my opion this bike rocks !! Every time I take it out makes me feel like a kid again. I can only compare it to my 2015 Suzuki GSXS 750 and even though it's apples to oranges there are a lot of similarity. Yes it is a Harley Davidson sport bike !!! Ride Hard ! Ride Free !

I own an XR1200X, definitely fun to carve the twisties for what it is. Also, definitely score points from guys who ride baggers. This bike is so rare people often ask me if it’s a new bike from Harley, lol. I recommend trying it when you get a chance.

I would love to have one as a second bike as they look like fun 🤙

A buddy of mine has that exact bike.. xr1200.. rides it up to Port Jefferson👍👍but don't think he's going to be parting with it anytime soon...

I love them bro! best handling and performing sportster ever! unless you include buell into the conversation lol

Got my 09 xr1200 2 years ago for 4 grand. I don't think I can ever bring myself to get rid of it

I own 3 XR's....2 mirage orange pearl and one black. The best most fun bike H-D ever built and a crowd pleaser. They're extremely rugged and pleasant and fun to ride. What else do you really need in a bike?

Harley has already tried with both platforms being street fighter and on/off road bikes with the Buell's. Of course most Harley purists hate Buell but for those ignorant to their existence, it'a a one off from Eric Buell's designs, not to mention the amount of torque and HP he pulled from the 1203 air cooled engine. In fact, many older sportster owners would take the Buell engine and throw it into a sportster frame, doubling the power for a quarter of what harley would charge you to upgrade the XR platform to compete with Buell's numbers. Also when Eric tried convincing HD that liquid cooling was the only way to be competitive in today's market he was forced to try to use the V Rod engine which wasn't going to work with his engineering. Now HD is trying to capture a market Eric saw 20 years ago...hope all is well with August bud and Jackie a safe recovery.

Fucking love mine! ✊👊great ergos for corner carving and tops out at almost 150mph. Has some buell internals, the oil cooled heads, 10:1 comp ratio, 180 rear tire and alot of upgrades for suspension and performance. Love mine and will never sell it!!

I've got a 2009 XR orange just like in the video only mine has black heads. Ive also straight piped it with a K&N filter. Front tire wont stay down after 5000 rpm. To its 7000 rpm red line. Only 122 top speed but it'll get there quick.

what Dyna and exhaust system are you running?

Bike looks fun 😁

I bought the first XR1200 that my local dealer got in 2008. It was okay, handled decently and power was just okay. Seat was awful after an hour or so, I only kept it for 6 months and traded it in on a road king. wish I still had it now though. :)

I saw one of these yesterday at Cowboy Harley in Austin. It was in mint condition.

I always wanted a xr1200, but i got a Nightster that I lifted 3 inches and different gearing.

Owned one for the last 3 years now. Traded in my Buell for it. Bartell's did me a solid deal. Use the bike almost everyday, with a commute of 60 miles a day. Only let down has been a punctured tire! Extremely smooth bike with a lively engine. Even in 5th gear, going from low speeds to 70 (sorry whatever the speed limit indicates) is a breeze ;) Did not like the original headlamps, so have converted mine.

As a guy who only rides Royal Enfields... the XR1200 is hilariously fun to ride and handled great. The Roadster is a good ride too.

I have had a XR1200X for a year, it was a good bike but heavy and quite high. It's more the king of the Sportsters in term of power, handling and braking. And again, like all Harley, you have to customize it and buy nice pieces to improve it, like a stage one and such. It's a shame that Harley don't make them anymore and forgot their flat track history, contrary to Indian with the FTR1200. The XR1200 was the best Harley for Europe though... Hope to get one again later !

I have an 09 XR1200. I put tons of money into it, suspension, braided lines, exhaust etc. trying to make it something good...better. Low n behold, I was trying to create something that Indian came out with; the FTR1200. Sooo...I bought one too. Now my XR is in the garage sobbing.

Hey bro just a local follower here I currently have the roadster I’ve actually had two roasters I saw my first one and I missed it so much I bought it again and as far as these Forgotten bikes they look sexy as hell I ve seen a couple here locally in Phoenix in fact in one of the last motorcycle events here in Phoenix there was one that was on sale I believe they’re asking like seven grand or something like that and look pretty mint.

Had one back in 2011. The xr1200x all denim black. It was cool but lacked the hp

XR1200 is on my hit list. Also same Dixon bro

The XR1200 is a remake of the first Buell Lightning with some subtle changes.

I have only seen 3 of these. Cool 3rd or 4th bike but expensive. The forgotten HD is the XR1000 with dual Del Orto carbs (ala Ducati) from around 1979 or 1980. Both are cool bikes but not what I would want to ride daily. Maybe once a month.

16 bikes, mostly Harley's and buells..including the livewire, wicked quick and solid handling...I have an xr and xrx 1200...very good Harley sportster for sport riding...however I enjoy my 2016 roadster probably the most of all 16!!!...feels like your riding much faster than your actually going!!@

The Sportster XR 1200 a sport bike... Hmm? I test rode one, I think it was in 2009. I never thought of it as a sport bike, I just thought is was a another "Sporty" 1200. To me it rode like any other Sporty I had ridden. Kinda fun, but the seat's just a bit too high for me and since the 6 speeds came out on the big VTwins, I like 6 better than 5. I much prefer the Dynas to Sportsters. They handle very similar, but Dynas are more comfortable and easier for me to control. Course I've ridden Dynas or their predecessors since the '70s.

There's one in socal for sale right now asking 6k 8k miles

John we have one in great condition at my dealership in Houston. It’s going for $7,400. Let me know if you’re interested

09 owner … it’s fast for a H Fun to ride and truly unique

I wonder watching all this if its possible to wheelie my 72 lol.

I'm gonna go ride my XR1200 now.

Actually stumbled upon the XR1200 while looking at used Harleys on my local dealer’s website. Definitely intrigued by the bike and did some research before thinking about buying one. All in all a cool bike, but a common problem with these bikes are that the plastics gas tank inflates, causing a gap with the metal cover that goes over the tank. Definitely put me off.

I have one for sale. 2009 XR1200 with full Vance and Hines Daytona Package. 10,000 miles. Also have hand crafted stainless steel exhaust to throw in. Race Tuned with SE Tuner

Never heard of it lol

Idk its a kinda dorky looking Harley. However the backflip was sick.

I have always wanted a xr1200x. I stunt sportys and never had the chance to find one.

I might as well be the first to say it. Buell 2.0

I had an XR1200 for a minute great bike I would have kept it if I wasn’t 6’4” and 280 lbs lmao same reason I got rid of the Buell X1 White Lightning I looked like a gorilla fucking a football lmfao

I have 3 off them

I own an XR1200. I have had it for around 7 years. It isn't a very good streetbike. That is why must of them went straight to the track. This bike is not for everyone. It is not for most Harley riders. I also own a KTM890 DukeR. That bikes is so easy to ride with all the electronics. So most sportbikes riders won't like it without ABS and traction control. The 5 speed and the torque is not friendly. They still race the XR in the Super Hooligan Class. Actually it competes against my KTM.

everybody wants SO much money for them.........maybe the value shot up, or increased popularity. Every time I look nearby, prices are high as fuck.

I think the new one should be much better than the Sporty versions. I never rode an XR, but just sitting on it, it felt like a top heavy HD. I have ridden Buells and aside from vibrating your fillings out at stop signs, the engine has too much power down low and not much at the top. I damn near flew off a Lightning when I hit a bump riding one handed and whiskey throttled the damn thing on a demo. Not my cup of tea. If you want a refined version of what those HDs are trying to be, find yourself a nice Ducati Monster Evo with the 1100 oil cooled engine. bazzaz.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/monster_1100_2013.jpg

Harley davidson VR1000 look it up. Harleys true sport bike and also a major bust. My buddy had a xr1200x and it was a blast to ride. He has since long sold it. I'm excited for the new bronx but Harley already fucked up by not putting the 1200cc 145hp engine it. You don't need that kind of power on an adventure bike.

Dont forget, Buell is even better

The new Indian blows it away

PS Harley also Had builll will happen to that

It is a wicked lookin bike, unfortunately it wasn't covered in chrome & lowered, so true hoggies didn't get it...! Shame it suits UK 🇬🇧 roads.

And then Harley dropped both new projects.

Xr1200s were alright. The worst foot position ever though. Seriously killed the fun for me..

yeah ..the harley 'adventure bike' ... lets go jump in the woods and trails with this 800 lbs overpriced bike hahaha. i know that they take those pictures to sell a dream but thats the kind of dream that end up in disapointement and broken hip and ankle

3 words. Buell. S1. Lightning.

Where I live these things are on sale everywhere and on sale cheap, but they look soooooo chinsy. The parts all look Fisher price, and hammered together by a fisher price hammer.

No offence mate. But while I would like to own this bike. The Harley name puts me off. Why? Because I don't want the old white guy association. Which is what Harley has cultivated over the years. So maybe it's a great bike. But Harley killed it before it got off the drawing board.