There must be something in the water, because this is the second Harley XR1200 street tracker that’s popped up on our radar in as many weeks. We’re not complaining though. Even though it wasn’t a big sales hit, we’re fans of Harley-Davidson’s sportiest Sportster—mainly because it was such a hoot to ride.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why the Harley XR1200 didn’t stick around longer, but we have our theories. One is that the market simply wasn’t ready to accept a Harley that actually handled well. The other is that the styling was a mish-mash of too many influences.
The Motor Co. pitched the XR1200 as a flat tracker for the street—and gave it an XR750-inspired livery and upright seating position to match. But the XR’s tail section and goofy split-spoke wheels felt like 90s sportbike throwbacks. Still, it was nothing if not bold, and its awkwardness was arguably part of its charm.
This custom Harley XR1200 comes from Fever—a custom workshop based in Taoyuan City, just outside of Taipei in Taiwan. Their take on this cult classic is refreshing because it pushes the styling in one clear direction instead of trying to ride the line between multiple genres.
The bike’s owner is a big XR fan, so he initially just wanted Fever to tweak the shape of the fuel tank. But the more they went back and forth on ideas, the more the idea of building a modernized street tracker came to the fore.
High on the list of priorities was fixing the stock bike’s disproportionate (and disjointed) tank and tail combo. Fever scrapped the OEM parts altogether, opting instead to hammer out a new tank and tail from sheet metal. Not only does the tail section now sport a far more distinctive flat track aesthetic, but the whole arrangement feels more cohesive too.
The slight dip between the tank and tail recalls the XR’s original silhouette, but the two parts now flow neatly into each other. Fever designed the tailpiece to work with the stock oil tank and side cover, and built a hidden (and removable) subframe to mount it to.
An LED taillight and custom-made license plate mount sit at the back, with a slim race-style seat pad perched up top. Further forward, a flush-mount filler cap keeps the fuel tank looking tidy.
The XR’s wheels had to go, so Fever replaced them with new alloy units in a classic nine-spoke design. Measuring 18” at the front and 17” out back, they’re shod with Shinko Adventure Trail tires. A new set of Racing Bros shocks props up the rear.
Keen eyes will notice that the Harley XR1200’s unique downdraught air intake is gone. The job called for a more traditional Sportster look, so Fever converted the bike from fuel-injected to carburetted, leaving them free to install a classic side-mounted air cleaner.
The two-into-two exhaust system is new—handmade from front to back. Fever worked tighter bends into the header design for a more aggressive look, and built a new heat shield to protect the rider’s foot from the twin reverse cone mufflers. A tidy sump guard underscores the bike.
The cockpit wears a new set of flat track-style handlebars, fitted with Brembo controls, micro switches, and under-slung mirrors. The OEM headlight and its signature cowl are both still in play.
An incredibly well-judged black, silver, yellow, and white livery finishes this handsome Harley XR1200 street tracker off nicely and displays Fever’s exquisite taste and sharp eye. We’re left with just one question; is this the motorcycle that Harley-Davidson should have built sixteen years ago?
Fever Taiwan | Images by Dong Lin
