Harley-Davidson XL1200R problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
6,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 to 2007 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 20.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 2; Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2011: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10179076 · 2007-01-18 (January 18, 2007)
THE 2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER XL 1200R(AND MANY OTHER MODELS AND YEARS) HAS SHORT STEMS ON MIRRORS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE RIDER TO SEE BEHIND WITHOUT SHIFTING FROM SIDE TO SIDE TO KEEP FROM SEEING HIMSELF. WHEN RIDING DOWN THE ROAD IN A NORMAL RIDING POSITION, THE RIDER CANNOT SEE ANYTHING DIRECTLY BEHIND BUT CAN SEE ONLY HIMSELF WITH PROPERLY ADJUSTED MIRRORS. I BELIEVE THAT HARLEY-DAVIDSON MAY USE SHORT-STEMMED MIRRORS FOR STYLING REASONS AS THEY DO LOOK BETTER WHEN LOOKING AT THE MOTORCYCLE. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT HARLEY-DAVIDSO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10179076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10418639 · 2011-08-12 (August 12, 2011)
THE MOTORCYCLE I PURCHASED WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, THE ENGINE INADVERTENTLY STALLING WHEN RIDING. I THOUGHT IT WAS MAYBE FUEL RELATED. AFTER GRAPPLING WITH THIS SITUATION FOR 2000 MILES, THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A BAD ELECTRICAL HARNESS. I REFUSED TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE ANYMORE AND RELINQUISHED TO HD. IT WAS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200 SPORTSTER ROADSTER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10418639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10196932 · 2007-07-11 (July 11, 2007)
CONSUMER IS SEEKING ASSISTANCE FOR RECALL INVOLVING THE FRONT MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER ON HIS HARLEY DAVIDSON, THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *MC THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED MOST OF THE TIME. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS EVEN BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE DEALER WOULD MAKE SOME REPAIRS OR ADJUSTMENTS AND SAY IT WAS FIXED. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE DEALER DID RECEIVED THE KITS, THEY GAVE THEM ALL AWAY AND DIDN'T CONTACT HIM TO LET HIM KNOW THEY WERE IN STOCK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10196932 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
2003: 1; 2004: 0; 2006: 1; 2007: 3