A Harley Lands in America, by Way of Europe

THE 2009 Harley-Davidson XR1200 took me by surprise. Sure, I knew about its unveiling in 2006 at a European motorcycle show. But even that unusual setting for the debut of a prototype by the most American of bike makers did not prepare me for how different this Harley would be.

Now a production model as part of the Sportster model line, the XR1200 was developed to appeal to riders across the Atlantic, where Harley has been trying to expand its sales. Its focus is on performance, rather than the company’s usual emphasis on relaxed cruising, and the ergonomics of its seating, foot pegs and controls make it what the industry calls a standard motorcycle these days. It feels quite right.

The XR1200 went on sale in April of 2008 — but not in the United States. It was offered only in European markets, where the company expected to find the riders who would most appreciate a Harley with good handling and brakes. Of course, plenty of us Americans like those traits, but we have not gone shopping for them in a Harley showroom.

For 2009 Harley’s

management took note of the clamor from American dealers and rolled out the XR1200 in the United States. At $11,099, it costs roughly $1,000 more than any other Sportster; if you want orange or silver paint instead of black, that’ll be another $280.

source: nytimes