Buzz
The XLCR was discontinued after just two years as it failed to attract enough Harley enthusiasts to embrace the road-racing culture. Check out additional motorcycle images.Despite its sleek design, the 1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR struggled to gain traction in the U.S. market due to intense competition from Japanese motorcycle brands.
Motorcycle Image Gallery
Seeking to leverage the café-racing craze of the mid-1970s, Harley-Davidson re-entered the custom bike scene with the introduction of the XLCR.
It featured a compact "bikini" fairing, a minimalist front fender, a sharp-angled fuel tank, a solo seat paired with a fiberglass tail section, triple disc brakes, and unique "siamesed" two-into-two exhaust headers on a standard 1000-cc Sportster, all finished in a sleek black coating.
The issue was that while the XLCR was marketed as "the most powerful production motorcycle Harley-Davidson had ever produced," this claim didn't hold much weight; Japanese rivals were significantly faster and more affordable.
Additionally, the average Harley customer showed little enthusiasm for the road-racing scene, which led to lackluster sales.
Despite being a highly intriguing motorcycle—and soon a sought-after collector's item—it was discontinued after just two years.
Proceed to the next page to view additional images of the 1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR motorcycle.
Explore more fascinating motorcycle articles and images by visiting:
- Classic Motorcycles
- How Motorcycles Work
- Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR Pictures
Despite its menacing road-racer appearance, the XLCR was overshadowed by more affordable Japanese motorcycles of that era.Harley-Davidson re-entered the custom motorcycle arena with the 1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR, boasting it as "the most powerful production motorcycle Harley-Davidson has ever created."
The "siamesed" exhaust headers were designed to maximize the performance of the 1000-cc V-twin engine.
A clear and user-friendly tachometer and speedometer allowed riders to monitor the performance of what Harley-Davidson claimed to be their most powerful motorcycle ever.
The shift lever was repositioned on its shaft to enhance usability.
An advertisement for the XLCR acknowledged "Willie G." Davidson for his contributions.Discover more engaging motorcycle articles and images by visiting:
- Classic Motorcycles
- How Motorcycles Work
- Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
