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Harley-Davidson confirms XR1200X for U.S. in 2011

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST

2011 Harley-Davidson XR1200X - Click above for high-res image gallery

Harley-Davidson's sportiest Sportster is about to get a wee bit sportier for the 2011 model year, as The Motor Company has just announced that it will begin offering the XR1200X here in the States for the 2011 model year at a price of $11,799. Although originally announced a year ago, the model has so far only shipped to customers in Europe - odd for a brand that celebrates its American heritage so passionately, but whatever.

In any case, we're happy to welcome the XRX to the fold, as it combines the air-cooled and fuel-injected 1200cc V-twin engine and its 74 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm with a suspension worthy of its 40-degree lean angle capabilities. Included in the springy bits are Showa's well-regarded Big Piston front forks with adjustable rebound, compression and preload along with dual Showa rear shocks with 36mm pistons and piggyback nitrogen-charged reservoirs.

Up front, a pair of Nissin 292mm full-floating rotors are clamped by four-piston calipers. Seat height comes in at 29.2 inches and rear-mount pegs couple with dirt track-style handlebars to offer a relatively sporty posture. Color choices consist of either black or white in H-D's matte denim finish, both with blacked-out powertrain, exhaust and wheels. Those wheels are highlighted by an orange stripe that matches the rear springs. It's certainly a looker. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below and click past the break for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Harley-Davidson XR1200X

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson confirms XR1200X for U.S. in 2011

Harley-Davidson confirms XR1200X for U.S. in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We Smell a Ringer: Vance & Hines XR1200 spec series set for 2010 debut

Devon Brozek — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Motorcycle, Racing

If you're into going too fast on two wheels, chances are the name Terry Vance has crossed your radar a time or two. The pilot of Need-for-Speed Duo Vance & Hines spread the word recently from Daytona International Speedway that a new spec series featuring the Harley Davidson XR-1200 will run this year along with select AMA road racing events.

The Vance & Hines XR-1200 Series, as it is officially being called, will kick off at Road America this June in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, coincidentally, very close to Harley Davidson's headquarters. Hmm. Question: How can one guarantee a Harley clad in Vance & Hines goodies will win races this year? Answer: You guessed it, the above-mentioned series is born. Looking on the bright side, at least the current economic state was taken into account when pricing the race kit.

For a mere $3,500, potential racers will get full exhaust and fuel management systems and race body work that includes a number plate, solo-seat and tail section, as well as the belly-pan valance. But wait, that's not all. A 17-inch front wheel and matching front fender, steering damper, oil cooler relocation package and race graphics is also on the menu. Now that's what we call a deal! Of course it will be available to the public as a street legal kit as well. The claim to fame is that anyone with an XR and a dream can get involved without significant investment.

Fact is, some top talent has made its way through the ranks as the result of spec class racing. Add to that, who doesn't like to watch a good Boxer Cup from time to time? It can be fun when the playing field is leveled a bit. Let's hope the action is strong and the series spreads beyond it's slated current boundaries (east of the Mississippi only) to give everyone a chance to hear the ever pleasant sounds of a big twin bouncing off the rev limiter at race-track near you.

[Source: AMA Pro Racing]

We Smell a Ringer: Vance & Hines XR1200 spec series set for 2010 debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter the Rumormill: Harley-Davidson quietly launches XR1200 in US?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle, Rumormill

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Harley-Davidson XR1200

We haven't yet gotten any official word from Harley-Davidson regarding the imminent U.S. launch of its XR1200, a thoroughly modern take on the old XR750 made famous on various dirt tracks across the United States. Oddly, despite this profound racing heritage in America, HD at first decided to send the revived XR to European dealerships only while suggesting that the U.S. may also get the bike at some point if demand proved strong. It seems that enough Americans were interested for the company to investigate its home market further, as rumors now indicate that an initial run of 750 XRs are being set aside for U.S. consumption. If you want one of these first XRs, you'll need to have your order in by December 15.

We have not been able to confirm this launch with the powers-that-be at HD, but at least one dealership in Westminster California is taking deposits for orange XR1200s with a price of $11,179 and a due date before the end of the year. Black and silver models will apparently be made available early next year. We made a quick call to Westminster Harley-Davidson and got confirmation that an email was sent just yesterday informing dealers of the news. Still, until we see an official announcement from Harley, which certainly wouldn't be entirely unexpected, this one's not quite officially official. Stay tuned... we may finally get the chance to ride the Sportster as God and Mr. Davidson himself intended.

Gallery: Harley Davidson XR 1200

[Source: Chopper Daves]

Enter the Rumormill: Harley-Davidson quietly launches XR1200 in US? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley buys U.S. rights to XR1200 name, rumormill turns

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:04:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Tuners, Motorcycle, Rumormill

Click above for more shots of the Harley-Davidson XR1200

Last year, the collective hearts of dirt track Harley lovers all across the United States dropped when The Motor Company announced that its XR1200 model was destined only for markets outside the states. It's not that a dirt track Harley couldn't be done, it's that the conversion was priced way out of the market for many riders. One company which offered just such a conversion is Storz Performance. According to Motorcycle.com, Harley-Davidson has just purchased the rights from Storz to the XR1200 name in America, which offers more than a glimmer of hope to the HD faithful.

Of course, no announcement has been made by Harley regarding a new Sportster model, but why else would the company go to the trouble of securing the name? As for us, we're pretty hip to the idea of bringing the sportiest Sporty to the market where the Harley XR originally made its name in racing.

Gallery: Harley Davidson XR 1200

[Source: Motorcycle.com]

Harley buys U.S. rights to XR1200 name, rumormill turns originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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