Rockstar Formulated Harley Sportster XR1200

Rockstar states that its energy drinks are the world’s most powerful, providing an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles, from athletes to rock stars. Rockstar sponsors a lot of events like Surf, Skate, Snow, MX, BMX, Off-Road, MotoGP, Rally, Wake, MMA, Bull Riding, Bands, DJs, Live Music and has already collaborated with several custom builders to create energy themed custom motorcycles.

Their most recent collaboration with the custom motorcycle industry is with UK based Shaw Harley-Davidson. The company commissioned the HD Dealer to build “something really cool that would appeal to all audiences, from the younger generation to those who have been around motorcycles for many years.” Steve Willis, Team Principal of Shaw Speed & Custom, the Harley dealership custom division, was in charge of this project.

Up to the challenge, the crew pulled apart a 2011 stock XR1200, the Harley model inspired by the legendary XR750, the king of the gritty American Flat Track Scene, and took inspiration from Motocross and BMX to produce the Rockstar MXR featured here. Shaw Speed and Custom is very familiar with restyling all Milwaukee models because being an official HD dealer, it’s the only thing they do… and they do it very well.

Engine and transmission were kept stock but standard belt drive set up was dropped for a Renthal chain and sprockets with the cast metal tensioner pulley replaced by a skateboard wheel. Rear suspension assembly was removed and replaced with a trick set of 70mm longer Yacugar rear shocks. Morad anodized alloy rims were laced up to standard hubs, fitted with race style brake rotors and dressed with Metzeler Karoo tires, the fattest looking off-road rubber they could find.

Rear of the bike was re-profiled to give it an aggressive stubby look with tail lights provided via Kellerman indicators. Seat area was modified for a more sporty position. Exhaust was created using a Remus header with a Yoshimura end can. Renthal Fat bars have a Motogadget speedo mounted in the cross bar pad to keep the front end clean and minimalistic. Rockstar theme paint job by Image Design Custom

My readers in Europe will be able to see the Rockstar MXR in France at the Eurofestival in St Tropez (May 9th-13th), then in England at the Custom Bike Show in Beaulieu (June 15th-16th) then at several Rockstar events around Europe. Shaw Harley-Davidson

13 Responses to “Rockstar Formulated Harley Sportster XR1200”


  1. 1 Henry May 7th, 2012 at 9:18 am

    I would prefer it without the Rockstar paint job.

  2. 2 Carter May 7th, 2012 at 9:20 am

    Like it, but the Rockstar paint job/logo have been seen so much, is so flashy that we no more “see” the custom work done of the bike.

  3. 3 reyn mansson May 7th, 2012 at 9:38 am

    Why?

  4. 4 Custom Metal Products May 7th, 2012 at 10:13 am

    This is a great looking rockstar bike. I never really realized how much custom metal work it takes to build a bike like this.

  5. 5 Jonestown May 7th, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    Like the paint job. Not the selected hardware…

  6. 6 Jim Gianatsis / FastDates.com May 7th, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    It’s pretty cool. I understand they wanted it to tie-in to their BMX and motocross markets as well, but enduro knobbies on a sport bike / dirt track racer replica is a little foolish.

  7. 7 The Supreme Team May 7th, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    I like it! I’d take this for a ride around the neighborhood to show off to all the other kids, then stop for a drink of water outta the hose!

  8. 8 RUB May 7th, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    “Metzeler Karoo tires, the fattest looking off-road rubber they could find” , this statement sums up the whole project . and this is where the “custom bike” industry is heading ? very sad .

  9. 9 Nobody May 8th, 2012 at 12:06 am

    I think the pain job needs to be more busy.. Maybe use some yellow duct-tape and tape a few sparklers and roman candles to it…

  10. 10 nicker May 8th, 2012 at 12:12 am

    RE: “…build something really cool …”

    And that they did.

    RE: -reyn mansson “….Why?…”

    Well, because some of us know how to actually “ride” a bike (as opposed to just profiling) and this custom begs to be ridden.

    -nicker-

  11. 11 Lorne Cheetham May 8th, 2012 at 6:19 am

    The Custom Motorcycle Show is actually at Beaulieu from 16-17th June (not 15-16 as published).

  12. 12 Wahl E. Gator May 8th, 2012 at 9:16 am

    I like the turnsignals.

  13. 13 Flavio Melo Jul 29th, 2012 at 9:32 pm

    As the owner of a XR 1200 myself, I totally love this bike and all it’s mods!

    If you have access to Pinterest, have a look at http://pinterest.com/exploranter/great-machines/ and you’ll see the infinite possibilities of Knobbies and Big Bikes.

    Can’t wait to wear my set of tyres out and put knobbies on my XR!

    And yes Nicker! You are totally right. It takes a real rider to get those machines going.

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Cyril Huze