Better safe than sorry - adding crash protection

Just like I always wear my protective gear, I wanted the XR1200 to have the best chance of surviving a crash. I added GSG Moto axle sliders front and rear. While I was at it, I also added the GSG Moto swing arm spools so that I could easily use my rear stand. (Helpful for rear wheel removal and for using tire warmers at the track). The oil cooler sticks way out on the left side - a disaster waiting to happen. For the Vance and Hines XR1200 race series, the race kit relocates the oil cooler behind the number plate. Out of the way in case of a crash. I ride mine most days to work and wanted to keep it as a street bike, so this wasn't feasible for me. The Evotech crash bobbins is a bar which goes across the whole front of the bike, providing protection for the upper part of the bike and particularly for that oil cooler.

New front fender for 17" front wheel

After replacing the stock wheels with the Marchesini's, I was a little embarrassed by the front fender. It was like having floods - you know, the pants that were just a little too short when you were growing up? That's what it looked like.. Before....

and after ($292 replacement fender from Vance and Hines XR1200 race kit)

Race seat more comfortable than stock?

I was happy with the stock seat and have done 500 mile days in it without pain (well, OK, without much pain....500 miles is still a long day). I replaced the stock seat with a Saddleman. The Saddleman is more comfortable than the stock seat and even better looking. The stock seat pan is heavy, though, and I wondered if the racing seat would provide a better connection with the motorcycle and still be comfortable. I ordered the race seat from the Vance and Hines XR1200 racing website. It comes with a seat pad that you glue on. Looks thin and hard, but it is amazingly comfortable. I felt better on the bike right away and for track days it's a huge improvement. I've done some long days but nothing like a 500 mile day. It feels just as comfortable as the stock seat. For overall looks, the stock seat pan in orange is still cooler looking; but, I'm liking the rough and ready look of the flat black race seat. I'm keeping the old seat just in case I decide to switch back.

XR1200 finds its voice with the sexyTermignoni 2-1-2 race system exhaust

The stock exhausts are heavy and really strangle the amazing music the XR1200 is capable of making. Adding these Termignoni pipes makes an amazing difference in the sounds and saves a huge amount of weight. Of all the pipes available for the XR1200, I think these are the best looking of all. (If you don't believe me, check out the competition on the XR1200 Forum). Mine have the carbon fiber cans and the removable db killer. I like db killer because I can ride around town and my neighbors don't wince at the sound. At track days, I take them out to let the full power loose. (With my Zippers ThunderMax EFI controller with autotune, the fueling automatically adjusts to the change). I've had lots of people at track days comment that the sound from my XR1200 is amazing; and I'm usually doing track days that have lots of exotic machinery from Ducati, Aprilia and MV Augusta. Hearing is believing. And it's not just the sound. The power increase and throttle response is amazing. I haven't had mine dyno'd but lots of comparison graphs are available on the XR1200. For me, it wasn't really the power increase, but the responsiveness to the throttle. The bike was smoother and responds immediately to input from my right hand. It was another of those modifications, like the rear sets from Sato, that increase the feeling on connectedness (is that a word) to the motorcycle. The price was steep, but well worth it.

Svelte feet with SATO RACING XR1200 Rear Sets

Added Sato Rear Sets which provide adjustable location for the foot pegs and lots more ground clearance over the stock foot pegs. The shifter and brake controls on these rear sets provide amazing feedback and much better control. The serrated pegs provide great grip for my boots and a much more connected feel to the motorcycle.