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New Harley-Davidson® XR1200™ rolls off the production line today - (02/05/2008)

Harley-Davidson has confirmed production start-up for its dirt track-inspired, high performance streetbike developed specifically for European customers. The Motor Company® has announced that production of the eagerly anticipated new XR1200™ motorcycle started at its Kansas City, Missouri facility yesterday. All initial XR1200 production motorcycles will be shipped to the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.

The XR1200 was first launched as a prototype at the Intermot international motorcycle exhibition in Cologne, Germany in October 2006 to gauge customer and media reaction to a new kind of performance-oriented Harley-Davidson motorcycle with great style and character. Following overwhelmingly positive feedback, development work continued to convert the appealing prototype concept into a great handling, high performance streetbike designed to satisfy the needs of European customers on European roads.

Successful Press Launch

The success of the fully-developed motorcycle was put to the test in the hands of over 90 European expert journalists at the official press launch event based in Valencia, Spain earlier this month. Once again, the reaction was extremely positive, underlining Harley-Davidson’s confidence that XR1200 will be a hit in the European markets as soon as production motorcycles begin to arrive in Europe towards the end of May this year. Initial production will be reserved to fulfil existing future customer orders and to provide each authorised Harley-Davidson dealer with a demonstration motorcycle to enable prospective customers to try the XR1200 for themselves.

Several Hundred Customer Orders

To date, over 600 customer retail orders have been placed across Europe by enthusiastic customers who can’t wait to take delivery of their own Harley-Davidson XR1200. Their patience will soon be rewarded.



Harley-Davidson also confirms that the retail price of the XR1200 will be £7,655 which will see the model priced competitively in the premium Roadster category.

Developed for European Riders

Harley-Davidson’s European Product Planning Team was involved from the beginning of the XR1200 project, working in partnership with the Styling and Engineering team in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The result is a great looking motorcycle that is built for the twists and turns of European roads, and one that represents the company’s commitment to the needs and desires of customers in the European market.

“XR1200 is a new breed of Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was born out a fruitful collaboration between Harley-Davidson’s European product planning team and our Product Development colleagues in Milwaukee,” said John Lewis, Marketing & Product Planning Director of Harley-Davidson Europe. “We’re all very proud of the result - a great looking, fine-handling Harley-Davidson performance streetbike designed specifically to meet the needs of many European riders. Above all, it’s tremendous fun to ride!”

Michael van der Sande, Vice President and Managing Director of Harley-Davidson Europe Ltd, said: “The XR1200 clearly demonstrates the Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s commitment to the European market and our intent to attract new customers. We believe that XR1200 will appeal to performance-oriented customers who like the idea of owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and are seeking a Roadster with great performance and tremendous character. XR1200 is unmistakably a true Harley-Davidson but one that draws on Harley-Davidson’s exciting Dirt Track racing heritage.”

Key features & technical highlights

Styling and Ergonomics

Styling and livery inspired by the legendary Harley-Davidson XR750 flat track racer
Wide, black handlebars for dirt track looks and superb control
Semi-Rearset footrests for excellent cornering clearance
Seat height 774.7mm unladen (741.7mm laden with 81.7 Kg rider weight)
Ergonomics designed around average height European male rider
Standard pillion seat and passenger footrests


Powertrain, Intake and Exhaust

Isolation-mounted high torque 1200cc Evolution® V-Twin engine finished in silver powder-coat
Downdraft Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and electronically controlled active intake system
Upswept, high-volume 2-1-2 ‘Straight shot’ exhaust system finished in satin chrome
Precision oil-cooled cylinder heads


Wheels, Brakes and Tyres

Unique, lightweight cast wheels with a Flat Track inspired 3-spoke design, finished in black
Powerful Nissin® dual front brakes with 4 piston calipers and 292mm patented uniform expansion rotors
Dunlop® Qualifier D209 tyres developed specifically for the XR1200 (front 120/70ZR18; rear 180/55ZR17)
Sport-tuned Showa® suspension featuring 43mm inverted front forks and pre-load adjustable twin rear shock absorbers


Additional Features

Unique compact instruments with prominent white faced tachometer, digital speedometer, dual trip meter and clock
Aircraft style aluminium alloy fuel filler
Harley-Davidson® hands free Smart Security System
Hazard warning lights operated by turn signal controls
For more info contact your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson website at www.harley-davidson.co.uk