2009 Harley-Davidson XR1200 Sportster

Just posting this to share. I actually receive most of my praise for this bike on the main forum I play on.

The album is kept on imgur.com at this URL: http://imgur.com/a/QYsub#0

Here are some of the highlights of the transformation from new in 2009 to its current state:

One Day Old:

http://i.imgur.com/VNEqOl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/JxTixl.jpg


A few basic mods (exhaust, tuner, windscreen):

http://i.imgur.com/FOQ2gl.jpg


Added Paint - Marine Corps theme (I served from 1988 to 1992):

http://i.imgur.com/rosDPl.jpg


Started experimenting with Exhaust styles next.

This pipe I built out of stainless (quick release windscreen stays off for pictures because it looks like ###):

http://i.imgur.com/4FDK8l.jpg

It sounds great, but is not the best for power.

This exhaust system is actually really good for power and not as loud as the other two:

http://i.imgur.com/NCz5dl.jpg


And, to wrap it up, here's a pic of my bike and me with an old Sherman tank at a local WW2 Memorial:

http://i.imgur.com/NkCLYl.jpg

I also like it, looks much better than stock.

Nice bike. I don't like the look of the stock exhaust. It defiantly looks better without the mullet. (The stock plate/lights/fender)

Hi Joe
I really like the changes to the bike.
That green looks great on there.
Did you build the exhaust systems yourself?
Did you notice much power differance with the pipe wrap. (I have never wrapped a four stroke engine, only two strokers)

The exhaust was built from the stock exhaust. I really have no idea how to make bends like that. Even if I had the right machine, I'd likely bend the pipe a hair too much, and it would not look right.

Here's a page I made on my website to show the work I did on it:

http://www.jp2code.net/xr/CustomExhaust.aspx

One of these days, I'll get back to it and finish writing the results.

The wrap did not make much of a performance difference (nothing noticeable, at least). It was good at keeping the noise level down a few decibels. Mostly, I just liked the look! :)

Joe, Very nice bike. I always liked the look of wrapped pipes, reminds me of the old school dragsters. I followed the link to your xr webpage, if I'm every lucky enough to own one, I'll probably be bending your ear a bit on some of the mods.

This bike has some very loyal owners known as the XR1200 Owners Group where I go by JoeP. It is definitely not your typical Harley-Davidson and H-D owners are not typically happy to ride along side you.

Also, it is not the fastest sport bike out there, but it is one of the best at cornering and low end take off after making just a few basic changes (basic being $2k to $4k, depending on the brands you go with and if you can find used stuff).

Wow what an improvement!! really like the marine corp theme, suits the bike!

Really cool bike. I didn't even know Harley made something like that. Looks good man.