When Harley announced in late ’07 the XR1200 as a 2008 European-only model, the decision seemed confounding to Americans who couldn’t buy the Americana-infused XR.
First and foremost because it is, after all, a Harley-Davidson; secondly because its styling is directly inspired by the iconic XR750, Harley’s famous, purpose-built flat-track dominator.
As something of a cautious homage to the original XR750, the XR1200 saw an initial limited run of only 750 units. For 2010 the European market received the XR1200X: an XR with uprated suspension and some additional touchups. American XR owners could have the same suspension package, but only as an optional kit on the order of $1500. The X model trades the XR1200’s 43mm non-adjustable inverted fork for Showa’s fully adjustable 43mm Big Piston Fork, first seen in wide release on the ’09 ZX-6R. Although the XR-X still employs the same powerful dual, four-piston Nissin calipers from the previous XR model, the 292mm rotors are now of the floating variety.
The spirited 1200cc Sportster engine in the X model gets the black-out treatment, as does the dual upswept exhaust system that’s reminiscent of the XR750’s high pipes. The XR1200’s engine and exhaust were finished in a silvery color.
Recall that the same suspension that’s now on the X model was last year offered as a $1500 upgrade for the standard XR.Also worth noting, the XR1200X model will replace the XR1200 in 2011.
Harley-Davidson chose a street-only setting for the December 2008 press launch of the XR1200; but for the X’s launch it was wheels up on a famous American racetrack!
This track was also the first stop in a five-race schedule for the AMA Vance & Hines XR1200 Series.
We ran an abbreviated version of the 14-turn, 4-mile-long circuit, as there was little point in subjecting the XR and its 7K-rpm redline to Road America’s long front straight.
If you plan to take your X model to the track (or XR for that matter), a simple swap to race-compound pads should serve well to improve feel and power. If you’ll only ever ride the streets and canyons, then the XR-X has all the brake you could desire.
Something else Road America revealed about the XR was the bike’s limited lean angles. Transitioning from left to right required deliberate action, but leverage offered from the XR’s wide handlebar helped reduce steering input effort.
I seized the opportunity to ride an XR1200 back-to-back with the new X model. Although the new BPF front-end and improved shocks provided a moderately firmer feel, the standard suspension on the XR12 wasn’t far off pace in terms of stability and damping quality.
I did, and the turn went smoothly, but there was this surprising sound and feeling down by my right foot. I guess I'd have to spend some time getting familiar with this bike if I was riding one regularly. I'm sure there's a happy medium.
That said, I've seen plenty of people burning up long miles on them.
No one will be surprised that the seat height was low, 26 inches. Then with the grips a forward-reach away, and my feet out in front, the riding position was not what I consider comfortable unless I made a deliberate effort to sit very upright on the front part of the seat.
One thing this bike absolutely has is power. With 1200cc in that engine, on this small, light bike, you'd better believe it has power.
Lowered suspension, Fat Bob front tire, peanut tank, forward-mounted footpegs and forward-mounted short bars create a riding style without any big twin comfort compromises.
The low 26.8-inch solo seat sags almost an inch if you weigh 180 pounds (official H-D measurements). Adjusting my riding style a little, I was able to enjoy myself by braking late and accelerating early. As long as the tarmac isn't bumpy, the front suspension copes and the fat front tire helps with suspension duties, as long as the riding style is smooth enough.
The riding position gives you that "I'm much meaner than you are" posture, and with all that rubber on the road, it brakes well. The Harley-Davidson's tiny 1.6-gallon fuel tank won't take you far either, so the Forty-Eight is a bit of a big city poser. I see the Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight as a great alternative to bikes such as the Ducati Monster if the main riding is in the city.
The mirrors on this bike are worth a mention, as they are mounted underneath the handlebars. I really liked my time in the saddle of the 2011 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight. If you haven't got big biking ambitions and only ride a few miles every day then the Forty-Eight is perfect.