Drag racer Chip Ellis playing road racer on the new Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XR1200. The bike will serve as a platform for a new AMA road racing series starting at Road America. (Larry Lawrence photo)
I got a chance to check out the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XR1200 at the Vance & Hines racing shop in Brownsburg, Indiana. The new AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series kicks off at Road America next month and after checking out the bike I have to say I’m looking forward to watching the bike raced.
The Vance & Hines modifications really make the XR1200 look a lot sportier. It’s a beautiful bike and the rumble the bike emits with the Vance & Hines pipes is stunning.
I was one who was a little skeptical about the series when I first heard about it, but with the modifications I love this motorcycle. I want one for the street! It’s going to be interesting watching the riders race these equally prepared bikes at Road America. Maybe like the 883 series of old, a whole new generation of road racers will come up through the ranks racing the XR.
The Vance & Hines modifications will consist of a Vance & Hines XR1200 exhaust system, a Fuelpak fuel management system, race bodywork including number plate, single seat tail section and belly pan, 17-inch front wheel with matching front fender, steering damper, oil cooler relocator and race decal package. The cost for the complete kit will be $3500. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Did I mention this motorcycle gave me goose bumps?
Drag racer Chip Ellis took the bike around the parking lot at Vance & Hines allowing me to get this photo. The parking lot had a little too much sand and loose pebbles for Chip to really lean the bike over very far, but the Vance & Hines XR appears to have ample ground clearance.
Former GP ace Jeremy McWilliams just won the debut of the series in the British series. I can’t wait for Road America.
Rider Files 
Is it just me, or does it seem a little backwards to have motorcycles racing that weigh 50 lbs more than the bikes that Baldwin and Klinzman were on 31 years ago? I don’t get it.
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Pat
Like the 883 series, it’s not about cutting edge technology it’s about racing motorcycles that are equally matched putting a premium on rider ability. I have a feeling it’s going to be a lot like the 883s but with a sportier looking bike. Check out the video I linked to the British series.
Larry
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When i 1st heard about this i thought it might be pretty cool,except for V&H putting a $3500 price tag on at best about 2-2500 worth of parts.
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I have a friend who is an ex pro road racer who bought a H-D XR 1200 last year. He has 2300 miles on the bike and likes it.
On a recent high speed street ride, the rear Dunlop blew out! He rode it home on the rim with only 3 rings of rubber flopping around. The average guy would have been seriously hurt or worse. He was very sore the next day.
Does anybody know if there is any warranty on this?
I think H-D and Dunlop should give him a new bike.
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Wow, I though that this bike was pretty great looking with the stock harley exhaust, but the V&H pipes look even better. Do they come in black…
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