The bronx was the only bike that actually looked like I would ride it. Buells are pretty awesome though, and what a mistake that was letting Erik go.

I went to the local HD dealer when the XR came out and got good reviews in the non-Harley bike magazines and took a test ride. I liked it a lot and after riding for for a while I went back to the dealer to seal a deal,....well. When I got back the "salesman" told me that a "Sporty" was a "Chick's" bike and what I really wanted was this springer with fringe on the bars and soft bags. It hit me right there that along with buying the bike I will have to buy the HD image. I walked out and never went back. That dealer went under not long after.

I’ve had my 09 XR1200 for a few years and I love it. I just don’t understand why they haven’t updated it to directly compete with the Indian FTR1200 instead of reinventing the wheel with bikes like the Bronx.

The XR is the best Harley EVER

I own an ‘09 XR. Best un-Harley Harley. Absolutely love it Turns heads and confuses the old Harley guard. Goes like hell and works the corners like no Harley ever has off the showroom floor. Have no intention to give it up. Ride in 12 months a year up here in Canada 🇨🇦

BUELL, just thought id mention it.

Love my XR1200! And every time I ride it people always ask me what it is. Especially when I fly by them or drag knee in the corners! 🤘🏻 getting harder to find and they have so much character!!!

I drove it for a couple of weeks in Singapore and Malaysia. It‘s right to say it‘s the unharleyist Harley. Nice handling, nice engine output, sound and look.

Enjoyed the video. Just my opinion, the best Harley performance bike, was a buell. An xb12s spacififly. Eric buell took the 1200 evolution engine, and basically made it full stage 4 , using a much better and stronger crankshaft than Harley ( to this day it's a common mod to put a xb12 bottom end in a sportster) , they used there own custom rods, pistons, cams , thunderstorm heads, a better oil pump, all of which you can use on any sportster. It made over 100hp at the tire, and about 87 ft lb tq, and it revved happily to 7k. It weighed about 400 lb, and with some carbon fiber and some mods, removing the heavy exhaust for an aluminum aftermarket piece. Get rid of the heavy tag / tail mount, it came in at about 380 lbs, ( I know I own one ) , with a few more mods and a tune, you can get tq to real close to 90 ft lb, and about 105 hp. The bike is amazing, it handles like it reads your mind, its ztl ( zero torsional load front brake and 6 piston caliper) , makes the bike stop like it had anti gravity. Its comfortable, it gets about 50 mpg when you baby it, has incredible aftermarket, and parts availability. It uses almost all ford parts , ( you can easily cross reference the part numbers) it uses all ford sensors, air temp, tps, the fuel pump etc. I can go to any local parts store, and should I need to service the fuel system. I can get what I need, it's in stock , and it's cheap. The buell xb was a Harley, and I'm surprised it doesn't get more appreciation. It's an amazing bike, even after 15 years. I've never lost a stoplight race. It had so much tq off the line, if you master launching it, and get comfortable with holding the front end in the air through 2 gears, it's very intimidating from a light. I've raced a few r1s from a light, and had they stayed in it, for sure they would pass me, but I wasted them so hard at launch, they must think it's a super bike or something lol, because they give up , after pulling some 4 car lengths from the light. It's the most fun I've ever had on a bike. I love snatching second gear, down low in the revs, and sending the front end up after the shift. Its intoxicating. Almost no one knows what it is. People think it's a Ducati all the time. The belt drive is amazing, ( I use the free spirits aftermarket spring loaded tensioner) , it drastically improves bearing life, as it keeps constant tension on the belt, and doesn't cause the belt to tighten and loosen through suspension travel, it has consistent tension over bumps, when you stop hard, or wheelie it. I think the bike deserves much more attention, and Eric Buell did an amazing job building it. It was the fastest bike Harley ever put there money into back in its time. Just my opinion, but the best Harley, was a Buell.

Test rode an XR1200 a few years back and was astounded how good it was. The midrange punch was huge, the chassis stable, and the brakes surprisingly strong.

I just bought one with 3000 miles on it. Fun bike!

Honest and unbiased review as one knows and appreciates your channel for. Thank you and keep 'em coming! You and Brooke take care and have fun with the T7!

This is another great video! You rode it and gave an honest opinion. I think that’s all most of us ever ask for.

There was also a problem with the plastic gas tank swelling, so the outer cover didn't fit back over it. XRs that were modified for the racing series look fantastic.

I was stopped at an overlooking on some very twisty road in North Carolina.... when I heard this wailing growl of an exhaust note getting closer and closer. The rider whipped in where we were stopped on an XR1200. We talked a bit, I don't remember what about, but I knew, no matter what, he was leaving first so I could hear that snorting beast rip away 😎

Mine was orange. Seven (!) previous owners 5,000 miles. Great engine. Great looks and image. Terrible handling. Front end much too heavy. Very difficult to control when at very high speeds. Considered putting the engine in a Norton Featherbed frame because I loved the engine. Currently I have a year 2000 Hugger, 14,000 miles. No electronics, carburettor and a first gear select problem. A very common Sporster fault. H-D missed a trick with the XR. Should have made a Cal Rayburn copy road racer for the streets here in the U.K. My all time favourite bike which I should never have sold? Laverda 3CE 1000 bought new in 1976. I rode it for 30 years.

Give a 2007 HD Vrod or newer a try. Big horsepower, awesome handling, and very comfortable. Plus, you will kick a lot of ass on the road straight or road courses. 3 of my friends bought V rods , so they could stay with me.

I test rode one while my Dyna was being serviced. It was a nice bike.

I live in England, 90% of HD's I see are XR1200s.

Best Harley ever.. The one you traded off for a truly reliable TRIUMPH.

Nice video, thanks! I think HRD/Vincent might have something to say about the original Sporster being the first superbike though. 👍

I am a very happy Sportster owner and rider. Have owned my '04 Sportster since new and have put over 55K miles on it so far. It is a VERY reliable bike. I am saying this having come from Honda (I owned and rode an '83 Magna 750 V4 for years before Sportster). It is trivially simple and inexpensive to maintain. Yes, it's old tech, yes, it's not super fast, yes, it leaves some to be desired in handling. But it puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. And that's almost every day it's nice out for the past 16 years. I am in my 50's and get just enough fun out of my 883 Sportster to enjoy it a lot. However, I do want for better handling and a bit more power and those brakes are kind of pathetic. So, I test rode the XR1200 when it first showed up in my dealership. I absolutely loved it! But was not in a position to buy a new bike at the time. I really wish HD developed the XR1200 idea further, but alas, they are all about bloated couches on wheels with loud pipes and loud radios. For me Sportster is the only Harley even worth considering, but that's me. Lately I have been really interested in finding a used Buell to try. It would be so awesome if some Buell models got some love on this channel. A tube framed one and the later versions with the Sportster engine. Eric Buell is a genius that comes around rarely in humankind. He performed magic with the limitations of these engines and created motorcycle platforms worthy of note. I would love to see videos about some of the Buell models. Thank you for great content!

I have two XRs a 2009 and a 2012 XR1200X,have both kind of by accident, but also have a Ducati 999S a BMW R1200GS Rallye, a Suzuki SV1000S. I will tell you the brake performance is dependent on pad selection, the suspension on the X is lightyears better than the 2009, but the brakes on the 2009 are a one finger pull, despite the 2012 X model having full floating rotors. They are not fast, the 2009 is a little soggy for my weight, but they sure are fun. The irreverent bouncing around at idle is what makes them cool.

I think the XR1200x is the best Harley ever built. I thought my super duke was a hoon bike but the XR is something else. Especially when you have a power commander, pipes and a carbon fiber clutch. Only Harley I will ever own

I owned an 09 XR. My first day on it was murder. The seat is hideous. I replaced it immediately with one from Saddleman. Totally transformed the bike. I rode it everywhere. I am a bit bigger than your wife but I found it very comfortable. In a moment of insanity I traded it for a Road Glide. Nothing wrong with the Road Glide for long distance riding but that was only about 5% of my riding. I'm shopping for another one now.

Choosing best Harley is like choosing least favourite tooth to have pulled out

My Ninja is from Two Wheel Motorsport in Guelph. Knew right away when I saw the red paint and the motorcycle parking spaces at the front door.

I was a co-op with HD while pursuing an engineering degree in general and a die engineer specifically. I learned a lot about the company, but they are circling the drain this time.

I have a 2010, black one. I like riding the bike it handles decent. I've put a Corbin seat on it, carrying rack on the back, skid plate and oil cooler guard other than that its stock. I replaced the front brake pads, stop good now. The off throttle is abrupt, and you better have both hands on the bars. The fuel tank is too small. It's a around town bike, i didn't find the slow speed handling a problem at all. The parts are hard to find now, but the prices on the bikes are a good value for what get, would i buy it again, sure, I've had a lot of fun on it. I've had zero problems with it for the 10 yrs. I've had it.

I have a 2009 and I agree with most points! It actually came down to it or the roadster for me specifically because of the suspension and brakes. I LOVE the sound of it, but the seat is appallingly bad (fixed) and my girlfriend has finally shown interest in riding pillion and I think its be easier to put her on a 600RR. It is heavy, a bit wallowy, and at low speeds and rpms the power jumps around like a Jack rabbit on crack, but on the right day on the right road, I prefer it to my old ZX6R

I got my Roadglide but want this as a bar hopper I’ve always loved sportsters but the XR1200 is one I’ve always wanted even for a collection bike lol

This video it’s one of your best review. That go pro made us a favor, your voice in of and narrative are quite interesting than try to be another motovlog

XR-1200 90 HP how did they get that much HP did Buell modify that engine for HD like he did for some of them ?

Less than a minute in... "Dominated the race tracks"... Er, in America. Not in Europe. Until the 50-60's. Then they made the AMA make rules up as they went along. 500 OHV vs 750 SV etc etc.

the only harley that ever caught my interest.but the price forced me to keep my old magna.those old magnas are hard to give up when they been nearly perfect for so many years.it runs like a deer with its ass on fire & can get 50 mpg when taking it easy.a good combo for my needs.

You should buy that white Adventure bike at the Harley dealer.

One word. Buell. Several words. The early S1 Lightnings with the tube frame were, and to this day, are, an iconic, stunning motorcycle. And one of the fastest back road scratchers, if you can keep them.in one piece. Which is half the fun...

Harley Davidson never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity. But the xr is the only HD I'd ever consider buying.

Not realy a HarleyFan. Just watched this because you’r an excellent storyteller.

i have a 2018 Roadster1200.. fun to ride,, before it i have an R1.. cheers from INDIA

Harleys rule. They don't scream at 12,000 RPMS to go 80, the HD don't break a sweat at 2400 rpms

Love these reviews of older bikes. Keep them coming.

I have a 2012 XR 1200X . Added Bassani road rage exhaust AND Dobeck AFR adjustable fuel programmer. Became a different bike! Then purchased my dream bike, a new 2017 Ducati Panigale 1299 S .. Now the XR is not acceptable, in my opinion. Forget the 120 horse difference. The XR does not stop or handle well , too the point, I feel unsafe. I love the XR ,, but do not ride it. Up for sale and a Ducati Street Fighter V4 S on it's way . As a former Harley Dealer, breaks my heart they can't get there act together. Purchased the XR 3 years ago with 3,400 miles , second owner , now 7,700 miles. The Ducati bought new February 2019 , has 21,000 trouble free miles . the 1299 is my everyday transportation, rain or shine. Ride safe everyone ..

My honest opinion owning an XR1200X is that: The sitting position is actually quite comfortable once you are used to it. The brakes are actually okay but not the best true that. The handling is really good compared to an XL or XLR (which I both owned as well) Remove the back seat you don't want to have somebody on the back of the XR or XR1200X. The original exhaust is actually really quite although very big and make the bike quite heavy. The top speed is actually quite high for an older Harley with it's 210 kmph The standard XR1200X produces 100 hp ;) The XR1200X has rear and front shocks compared to the XR. But It isn't a race bike if you want a race bike the XR is not for you, to be really honest I love my XR1200X and probably will keep it as long as possible.

This was a model which tempted me as second bike years ago. Then I purchased a Moto Guzzi Griso 1200, proposing issues of reliability and expensive... but some bikes are unique and you accept also issues... this Harley was great...

I always liked the XR1200, but looking at that market segment today, i'd go for an air cooled Ducati Monster 800, 1000, 796, or top 'o the range 1100. All day long Same class, better performance in every dept, and still an iconic motorcycle. The 1100 even out torques the XR.

The rider leaning opposite of the bike at 1:11 is the definition of Harley Davidson

I like your videos. This one is special because I own an XR. I also own a Ducati, Kawasaki and Honda. All sport. My XR is a very different bike for me. For the record, I generally hate Harley's. Maybe the culture more than the bike. I liked Buell, but, well there you go. So I agree with most things you stated. Except rider ergonomics and braking. The rear sets I have to say, at least for me are choice. Maybe my height and weight, (I have a smaller European frame) but it fits me quite perfectly so I disagree with your synopsis on the rear sets. My brakes? Well, this heavier than it needs to be bike stops on a dime with the full frontal floaters I have. Stock in back, but this keeps up and stops very well with my friends on liter bikes. Do I like it? Well, I love the darn thing. It's not Harley enough for my Harley peers. And my sporty buds? Well, they really don't know how I do it. They think I am that good of a rider. Which may be a tiny bit true since I raced in the 80-90's, but no way is it all me. This is the best Harley Harley ever made. The Bronx? I was looking forward to that. The Live Wire? Someday maybe. But for now, I just like it when people see the darn thing, and walk away scratching their heads.

I had one for 5 years seat filled with gell sold it for t120 Triumph lot better but every one has this bike, still fun and you don’t burn your leg on the exhaust!

I hemmed and hawed about buying the XR but the 3 gallon plastic fuel tank just doesn't make for appropriate fuel storage on any motorcycle.

The BEST modern Harley-Davidson I am obsessed with the XR1200

Great review. I love the Sportster 1200, the XR is really nice with the dual disk... I agree the setup should be mid controls with forward foot rest for cruising down the freeway

" this is an old bike", the narrator says 😳 two of the scooters,XL's, in my stable are 28 year old and run like a stripped ape,both customized and fun to ride! They might not be the most comfortable or the best handling but neither am I at 69 years old but they certainly are cool looking scooters! Maranatha, Greetings from Tampa Florida 😎

This moto is too high for a person 5’ 6” or shorter. You’ll be on your tippy toes or holding the bike up with one foot planted on the ground only. I agree with everything you said. Better to get a regular Sportster for the reasons you mentioned.

Getting really tired of people criticizing Harleys’ single front disk brakes. Check Bret Tkacs rider training videos. Here’s what he actually measured for stopping distance for various bikes from a set speed. BMW R1200GS. 116 ft Kawasaki Ninga 650. 116 ft Ducati 1098. 115 ft Harley Davidson Dyna Switchback. 114 ft. So the single disk Harley stopped better than all the other dual disk bikes. The Harley also pulled in excess of of one G in stopping force. Greater than any of the other bikes tested. If you have some actual data to back up your opinion on single disk brakes, please share it with us.

Owned one and loved it

Welcome to the area, we also live on the outskirts of the Ganaraska in a small town, it's a beautiful area to ride , maybe we'll see you on the backroads.

In a previous video I said it looked like the end for rural HD dealers. I learned today that HD of the Kootenays is closing: "Sadly, Harley-Davidson Motor Company has chosen a different path and our dealership does not meet their future vision."

It seems your either a Harley guy or your not. I have rode many different bikes over the years I enjoy my 02 Fat Boy the best. Since there are thousands of aftermarket products for most Harley models I, customized it exactly the way I wanted to. It’s never broke down on me, it goes easily fast enough to get me into a lot of trouble and it brakes a lot faster than most cars around me. That’s all I need.

OK, so bottom line question is whether the 2020 XR1200 will outrun a 1968 Honda CB750 (which was the original rice-burner to put HD to shame IIRC)?

Loved this bike. They tried to make it a little more "track" ready with the XR1200X, but just couldn't justify the cost with Ducati Monster and Triumph Speedster as much faster and lighter competition. Still a very cool looking bike!

Just bought one yesterday. Mainly for the collectable aspect. Rare bike. Hard to find.

I wanted one of these so bad when they came out, i was too young then but I just knew I would get a used one day, and then they didn't sell...

I've a 2003 Z1000, light powerful-simple. But I have ridden about a dozen Harleys, and the only one that was good, that I liked was this XR1200. (It doesned a nice 2-1 pipe) It reminded me of a 1982 GS1100. Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

I own an XR1200. It is the only Harley I would ride. For me it is perfect South Florida bike. The roads are perfectly straight north to south and east to west because we live on top of a giant swamp. In turn we live with a series of canals. Unlike my old state of GA. The mountains of North GA is some of the best riding in the country. I can still do trackdays with my XR and I go to HD and sport bike nights. I ride with everybody. I have had top of the line supersports and a supermoto. They are easy to ride fast. The XR tops out around 130. But it pulls like train. The bike is not for novices and it likes to be ridden fast. Also my guy found out that my throttle was able to turn another 1/4 more. I think HD did that on purpose because if I do twist it all the way it really moves. I have problems with the plastic gas tank. The Harley dealerships near me suck ass. Horrific is a good description. I am never going to sell it because I will give it to my son.

You should get Brooke a Moto Guzzi V7lll. I just recently bought one to compliment my Audace. The V7 is a great bike, easy to ride and looks great.

I've had several motorcycles several brands and decided to buy a hd and must say they are amazing, I was surprised they are totally awesome

If you like the xr1200 check out the moto guzzi Griso 1200SE. Same basic idea with more of everything you want

I do love those sportys but you hit all good points - rock on

Like to see how xr1200 and indian ftr would compare

The XR1200 wasn't the first stock Harley-Davidson with rear set controls, the XLCR1000 "Cafe Racer" from 1977 was the first stock H-D with rear sets.

Just bought one 😃

I'm also moving, good luck brother

As a XR1200X owner this is fair review. I disagree with the pegs but that is personal thing. Brakes and suspension are much improved on the 2011 and 2012 X model. Your gripes are common for the 09/10 model. HD needs more bikes like this, character, in bucket loads. That choppy idle, revs fast to 7k! It's easily the most badass HD ever made.

Why do many sport bike or metric riders think that if a bike doesn't look, act, ride a certain way it isn't good? You don't see that in the car world well not a lot. I don't think cars that can't keep up with my AMG GTR with stage 3 Renntech or my Ferrari F12 are awful or outdated cars. I buy Harleys (and sport bikes BMW SS 1000R) because I can roll it into my home shop and make it my own. I get bigger jugs, better cams, better electronics, etc and if I do it right I end up I end up with squared Hp/Tq at around 140/143 and that is about as efficient as you can get. The new M8 motor is incredibly tough. with a bit of bottom end work and a turbo the HP is pushed to I think around 160. Not many people will hop on a 800 lb bike and go max speed with 140/143 or 160 HP under them. And with aftermarket suspension it handles really well plus with the air ride I pull up- drop the bike on the center pedestals that come out of the bottom and chicks dig it :) Get your wife more experience riding. My gal is a British lawyer Cambridge grad who is way more into fashion and looking amazing but she is 5'9 in great shape and she drives my rigid with the 120R and the BMW. We have a great time riding together. I have an old pre unit Triumph bobber I am building for her. And to really blow a Canadian mind she is a Brit in America with a concealed carry license and carries a Glock in 45ACP. :) Trust me when I say she is brilliant, loves to wreck maritime companies in court and looks really good doing it.

Thanks for another great video!

I’ve been saying this ever since the new Triumph Bonnies came out: Harley needs a liquid cooled Sportster. Looks almost exactly like the old models but with totally modern engine tech, like the new Bonnies. They would be more powerful, cooler, cleaner, and competitive.

I’ve been obsessing about getting an XR1200 for awhile. Ya be hard to sell just like my Guzzi’s . Also night get a bmw r1200r or a Street Triple

Great video ad awesome bike... But never, ever HD has dominated the racing world except in the US.

I've ridden a Harley Davidson Roadster and really liked it. Unfortunately if you're the same height as me, 5'6" or 170cm, when stationary, the pegs are right at your shins. It is already out of production in Australia. I have heard that in Australia you can't buy a Road King anymore. That's a crying shame. As you mentioned, it's big and it's heavy, it handles well for what it is, the suspension is mushy but it's retro and looks fantastic, as well as being terrific on long rides. I don't ride a Harley, not in the budget at the moment but if they kill the retro styles I wouldn't consider buying a new one.

If it’s got the right pipe like the one I had it was a lighter pipe that was made out of titanium and carbon fiber which is a great pipe

Thank you for the review. I'm interested in a 2009 Harley XR1200X with 29,000 kilometers, a Canadian bike at GP Bikes. I'd have to trade in my 2007 Kawasaki 650R Ninja with 6,400 kilometers. I don't know if I would want to do it. The 650R has been flawless.

I rode the BMW R1200R and and I still own the R1200RT year 2005. The engine and brakes work. Anyway the R1200R really might work for poeple that need some classic design.

To me... Harley is good because they stick to their root like Ducati still used their old unreliable desmodromic valve, but Harley push-rod valve is more robust and simple but, this is the future... Harley need to step up their game just like what triumph did....

Once In Algonquin park I read one cruel saying from the north american settlers "A good wolf is a dead wolf" So the best Harley is the one you do not buy...

They should have put the dual carbs on it and pipes coming out the left side like they did on the 1983 & 1984 XR 1000s street bikes . They should do it one more time but make it look like a real XR 750 but a 1200 for the street something like the Indian but better ! Yes dual carbs and then the pipes coming out on the left !

Wow 90 HP I had no Idea that HD put out a bike with an Evo motor with 90 HP my 2008 Buell has 103 HP ..with a 1203 Evo Based Thunderstorm motor .

Harley's are really a pleasure to ride

Judging the cornering technique, the rider at 1:12 should better not ever ride a sportbike 😉 Anyway, I don't really like the way the company is heading, but I don't think I'll be selling my souped up '04 FXDXi anytime soon. What a joy! Great video. Keep 'm coming.

할리데이비슨 1200xr매니아 입니다 브레이크 바꿔고 어느 모털이좋은지추천해주세요 시트고내리려 하는데 가능 할까요,?서스팬션 뒤 리어 교환 하려면 가스쇼바로' 바꿔야하나 궁금 하고 공냉식 여름에 갑인데 좀더안정적오로 보환 한다며어느부분 엡테이트해야 할까요 읽어주셔서 감사합니다

XL 883R also discontinued, also has dual disc brake

The brakes on that xr you ride must have been bad or glazed , mine work great 2 fingers and it will just about lock the front wheel, a touch more effort and i have locked it up, but it is a very stiff handle pull.

We don’t need performance when we have Haley stickers, socks, beanies and diapers.

Vrod could of been a absolute winner Harley FKd it up,chassis fwd controls ect ect .

Please do a video on the Roadster🙏

Congrats on the move man.

Absolutely correct , but I love it ,I call it , Cafe racer , Harley Davidson Lost it when they stopped making Cafe racer's ,and scramblers , Evil is turning in his grave.

My favourite looking Harley too👍Agree you shouldn't judge on figures alone. It's how the power is delivered and whether it's useable in the real world. Take the Royal Enfield 650s. Nice review and summation of where hd are.

Learned a lot! Subscribed!

Believed or not the best Sportster is the XL1200T unknown by the American 🤣, however a king in Europe. It have much better front and back suspension then any Sportster out there. It is beefy and a large bike, comfortable ride for sure. It hold all sportster character but with confort 😎 for a small price. 2 up is easy !