1984 Harley-Davidson XR-1000 Sportster

The XR-1000 Sportster had an impressive output of nearly 70 horsepower. See more motorcycle pictures.

The 1984 Harley-Davidson XR-1000 Sportster motorcycle had power enough to impress any rider, but not enough of them were willing to pay its expensive price tag. Production of the Harley-Davidson XR-1000 ceased after its 1984 model run.

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Harley's XR-750 racing bike enjoyed such success on the nation's flat tracks that a street version was introduced in 1983 to capitalize on the notoriety.

Though based on the stripped-down XLX Sportster, the XR-1000 was fitted with special cylinder heads similar to those found on the racing version.

These had intake ports entering the rear of both cylinders fed by dual carburetors on the right-hand side, and front-exiting exhaust ports emptying into high-mounted dual mufflers that exited on the left.

By contrast, all other Sportsters had a single carb (also on the right) that fed to centrally mounted intake ports, with exhaust exiting on the right from outboard ports.

The modifications resulted in an output of nearly 70 horsepower, a figure only dreamed of for other Sportsters, and gave the XR-1000 acceleration unequaled by any other street motorcycle Harley had ever built.

Unfortunately, the race-bred hardware that made the XR-1000 quite fast also made it quite expensive. At nearly $2,000 more than the XLX, not enough riders appreciated the difference, and the XR would fade into the sunset after the 1984 model run.

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1984 Harley-Davidson XR-1000 Sportster Pictures

The XR-1000 Sportster's acceleration was unequaled by any other street motorcycle Harley had ever built.

The 1984 Harley-Davidson XR-1000 Sportster motorcycle was based on the stripped down XLX Sportster, but it was fitted with special cylinder heads similar to those on the racing version for more horsepower.

XR-1000 Sportster gauges were positioned just above the handlebars, within easy view of the rider.
The XR's twin carbs on the right fed into the back of both cylinders.
The exhaust exited on the left from the front of the cylinders.
The basic XR-1000 Sportster design originated with the XR-750 dirt-track race bike.
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