#FlashbackFriday Happy 50th to the almighty XR750! “The XR750 is the winningest motorcycle in AMA Pro Racing motorcycle history,” said Jon Bekefy, GM of Brand Marketing at Harley-Davidson. “Harley-Davidson is taking its 50th anniversary as a moment to reflect on the legacy and individuals who have designed, engineered, tuned, and raced the XR750 during its years of competition, and to celebrate Harley-Davidson’s 2020 racing efforts.”
The 2020 season marks the 50th year since the debut of the XR750, a motorcycle raced, wrenched on, and beloved among the American Flat Track paddock to this day. To celebrate the anniversary, Harley's Super Twins and Production Twins bikes along with the Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines NHRA Pro Stock bikes will feature the historic Jet Fire Orange livery, as will team haulers, uniforms, and branded accessories.
Back in 1970, the XR750 was created by Harley-Davidson’s Race Team Manager, Dick O’Brien, and team to replace the highly successful outgoing KR750. Using a Sportster-based engine, the XR750 featured cast-iron heads and cylinders, a magneto instead of generator, and improved oiling.
In 1972 a new, more powerful all-aluminum alloy XR750 engine was introduced. The XR750 dominated flat track racing for decades: Between 1972- 2008, the XR750 won 28 of 37 AMA Grand National Championships. In addition, Evel Knievel began jumping an XR750 at the height of his career from 1970 to 1976, and alongside the exploits of the racing versions of the XR750 inspired a generation to ride.
For 2020, the Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track team will continue to field production-based flat trackers. The XG750R is powered by the liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 750cc Revolution X based on the production engine designed for the Harley-Davidson Street 750 motorcycle.
