Harley-Davidson XR750 – 1970
While the typical Harley in your mind’s eye may feature ape hangers and a Hell’s Angel, the 1970’s reality was far from the case. Throughout the sixties, Harley-Davidson dominated the American Grand National Flat Track Championship with the KR750, until a rule change in 1969 threatened to level the playing field for foreign manufacturers. However, the Americans weren’t ready to give up their national championship that easily, and developed the XR750 in response.
Homologation rules dictated that two hundred examples were built, which could be bought by the public for $3,200, or £2,346 ($21,067, or £15,445, in today’s money).
Powered by a 748cc air-cooled V-Twin, it was a roaring success, winning the most races in the history of American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) racing and becoming the bike of choice for legendary daredevil Evil Knievel. From 1972 to 2008, riders on XR-750s won 29 of 37 AMA Grand National Championships, earning it the title of the "most successful race bike of all time".
An XRTT road racing edition (this one featuring brakes) was also developed, and in 1989 a modified model won the AMA hillclimb championship.