bore stoke breakout bill davidson on the most underrated harleyWhen asked on episode 8 of the Bore and Stoke podcast to name the most underrated Harley-Davidson ever produced, Bill Davidson didn't hesitate. He pointed directly to a short-lived machine from the late 2000s: the XR1200.A Sportster with Track DNAIntroduced in 2008 for the 2009 model year, the XR1200 was a street-legal homage to Harley's dirt track racing dominance. Powered by a high-output 1200cc Evolution V-Twin engine, the machine featured a sporty stance and upgraded suspension that begged to be ridden aggressively. Its performance credentials spawned the AMA Vance & Hines XR1200 road racing series. Bill Davidson himself remains a fan of the model, keeping an XR1200 in his personal collection alongside his 1983 XR1000."I think the XR1200 was a pretty phenomenal motorcycle," Bill remarked. "It is a ball to ride. I think that bike had some life left in it, and I'm sorry that we had to get rid of it."Ultimately, the realities of product planning budgets meant the XR1200 had to make way for other projects, but it remains a certified cult classic for performance-minded riders.AdvertisementAdvertisementCheck out the Bore & Stoke episode with Bill Davidson here to listen to the full interview.Become a Motorcycle.com insider. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
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