Harley Sport Specials

When you think of Harley Davidson performance bikes don't readily spring to mind. Even if the motor company is known for their cruisers and tourers they have managed to sneak a special model in here and there. In the past Harley's Sportster was actually thought of as a higher performance machine. But as other motorcycles progressed the Sportster didn't. So Harley fell into its ways, where it remains today. But here's some shining examples of (somewhat) faster Harleys.

At the end of the 1970s Willie G tried his hand a cafe racer. Nevermind the whole cafe scene and come and gone years ago and motorcyclists were interested in Japanese superbikes, Harley runs on Harley time. Anyway Harley put together some bits and pieces and came up with the mean looking XL1000CR, CR is for cafe racer. Unfortunately the bike didn't do too well. A few years later Harley tried again with the XR1000. The XR wasn't really an XR (Harley's racing chassis), rather it was a dressed up XL with a neat intake and exhast. Like the cafe racer the XR1000 didn't last long.

1977-79 XL1000CR

1983-84 XR1000
By the 1990s Harley Davidson had returned to profitability. Finally once again the company could afford to make special models. The following models are "sport" models. Now sport in this instance is a relative term. Most of these models are standard issue Harley gear, but with some "sporting attitude".

1999 FXDX Dyna Glide Sport1996-98 XL1200S Sportster Sport
XL1200R Sportster RoadsterXL1200N Sportster Nightster
Now the Harley-Davidson V Rod is arguably the most legitimate sporting Harley. It is easily the closest Harley has come to a regular production performance motorcycle. The basic V Rod was more about show than go, but its the Street Rod that was the real performer. A one year wonder the Street Rod. Its awkward mix of feet back-cruiser rake never really connected with the buying public, sadly the Street Rod was not here to stay. It was replaced with the Night Rod, a darker more sinister version of the original V Rod.

2006 VRSCR Street Rod
2007 VRSCDX Night Rod
Last but certainly not least is the brand new XR1200. The XR is a long over due homage to the XR750 racing bike. After many after-market XR kits, the factory has finally stepped in and made their own. The new XR is little more than a dressed up XL, but it does have a bit more power. Sad thing is the bike isn't for sale in Harley's core market, the US. But hopefully things will change and more hopefully still maybe we'll see more bikes like the XR1200.
2008 XR1200

Then there's the real racing bikes, like the XR750TT, and the VR1000. But I'll leave those for another time.