Harley-Davidson's prototype XR 1200:Harley-Davidson is world-famous for producing bikes for a coast-to-coast road trip across commitments such as the Electra Glide, or like the Fat Boy for turning heads whilst cruising down city streets But there is another side to Harley-Davidson. It's not so familiar or as instantly recognisable but it's a part of the Milwaukee story.
Harley-Davidson's unique, long standing and record-breaking association with the high-adrenaline world of professional Dirt Track (also known as Flat Track) racing is a result of the introduction of the XR 750 in 1970.
Since then the machine has been honed and developed but still retains the same essential, raw look of the very first machine to roll out of the Harley-Davidson factory race shop. Dutchman Peter Zylstra, racing project designer, played a lead role in the development of the XR 750. He used to race a Manx Norton in Belgium and Holland, but in 1969 he got recruited by Harley-Davidson to work on the XR750 project.
Dirt Track racing is a peculiarly North American pursuit and is one of the most thrilling and rider focused spectacles in motor sport. The level of rider commitment and skill in Dirt Track racing has helped develop the technique, skill and racing expertise of many of the world's most famous and successful road racers.
Motorcycle racing rarely gets any more gritty than the elbow-to-elbow business of flying around oval dirt tracks at speeds of up to 130mph - riding machines without front brakes and sliding through 180 degree corners just a matter of millimetres away from the inner Armco and other riders.
There are no electronic control aids in Dirt Track racing - it's just the rider, a bare-essentials bike and a substantial measure of courage. No quarter is given and none is expected.
Spectacular crashes are part and parcel of life on the dirt, but this form of racing still endures. This raw, competitive racing world might be far removed from the custom scene but it has long been an essential part of the Harley-Davidson story.
Harley-Davidson motorcycles, especially the all-conquering XR 750, have been the dominant force in Flat Track for many decades.
Since 1970 they have captured a record 26 championship titles with the legendary XR 750. They have now decided to tempt the buying public by unveiling a prototype street motorcycle inspired by the spirit of Flat Track racing and the XR 750. This XR 1200 prototype, they claim, comes DNA from the XR line. The XR 1200 Prototype aims to offer the vision of a new dimension of street bike.
The stripped-down appearance provides a firm clue as to where this bike has come from and underlines that this Harley is definitely not for cruising. The XR 750-inspired styling and livery, wide flat track handlebars and a host of other performance features are intended to suggest that the prototype has been inspired by the pit lane rather the custom shop.
The sport-tuned suspension is by Showa and includes inverted front forks. Nissin has produced the high-performance brakes. The XR 1200 Prototype also has unique lightweight cast wheels, specially designed Dunlop Qualifier tyres and a generous lean angle, offering fun in the twisties. Right at the heart of the XR 1200 Prototype is possibly Harley-Davidson's most powerful European spec, regular production, air-cooled V-Twin power train to date.
The performance target for this high torque 1200cc engine is 85-90hp. It features downdraft fuel injection and an electronically controlled active air intake system.
The XR 1200 Prototype is meant to signal that Harley-Davidson is serious about bringing even more European riders into the Harley-Davidson family.
The prototype was shown at Intermot in Cologne in October, and attracted considerable interest.
The XR 1200 Prototype is the result of a close collaboration between the Motor Company's Milwaukee-based product development team and Harley-Davidson's Product Planning Europe (PPE) team.
An example of their earlier work is the recently introduced and currently sold-out VRSCDX Night Rod Special.
John Russell, vice-president, Harley-Davidson Europe explains: "We are experiencing strong growth in Europe and we anticipate that the XR 1200 Prototype will appeal to new customers, including younger riders currently using competitive brand standard and sports motorcycles.
"They probably like and admire the Harley-Davidson brand, but are not currently in the market for a more traditional custom or touring Harley-Davidson motorcycle. If the reaction to the prototype is favourable, and the prototype is brought to market, it is expected to have a similar effect to the highly successful V-Rod models. These have been particularly successful at bringing in new customers and broadening the appeal of Harley-Davidson."
Factfile
As the Harley-Davidson is a prototype, final specification has not been decided, nor has the price. XR 1200 Prototype features include:
XR 750-inspired styling and livery
1200cc high performance power train finished in as-cast silver powder coat
Downdraft fuel injection and electronically controlled active air intake system
Specially developed Dunlop Qualifier tyres (front 120/70ZR18; rear 180/55ZR17)
Unique lightweight cast wheels with dirt track-inspired design
Specially developed sports tuned Showa suspension including 43mm inverted front forks
High performance Nissin brakes
Ergonomics designed around the average height European customer
As Harley-Davidson will be evaluating public reaction to the XR 1200 Prototype they hope to be in a position to bring the XR 1200 to the production line in 2007.