The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Harley Davidson XR1200 Backflip – Kain Saul of Australia Does it First

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Kain Saul backflips a Harley Davidson XR1200
Kain Saul backflips a Harley Davidson XR1200

By now you may have heard that Kain Saul of Australia backflipped a Harley Davidson XR1200. There was a bit of a race going on, he wanted to beat American Chuck Carothers who was scheduled to do the same thing the next day. Carothers did a flip the next day though it looks like he fell off shortly after landing.

Saul had a practice backflip the day before into a foam filled pit which went just as planned and the actual jump the next day, came off without a hitch.

Watching the video it was immediately clear this was not a showroom stock XR1200. Josh Kennedy from Firestorm films sent some details of the modifications to the bike which were not extensive, mainly it was changes to the suspension to handle the landing.

The XR1200 Sportster was supplied by Harley Davidson Australia and prepared by Gavin Walker and co from Quick Fix Harley Davidson Mildura, The bike tips the scales at 257 kilo (566 pounds) and has around 100 horsepower. Here are the modifications they made: -STD Harley Street rod rear shocks -Tag handle bars -Strengthened triple trees -WP front forks with heavier springs and valving -Chain drive with the standard swing arm -KTM front master cylinder the rear brake pedal was removed -Knobby tires

The jump took place Tooradin in Victoria, Australia at fmxruss’ compound (one of Cam Sinclair’s practice compounds). Cam Sinclair is the first person to throw a double backflip into a freestyle run. He was there to give a hand, he is pretty handy at flipping things.

After backflipping a 566 pound XR1200, those off road Sportsters are looking a lot more reasonable. I’m wondering how many modified Sportsters we’ll be seeing running around off road now on long legs and knobby tires. If Harley doesn’t jump on this and offer some sort of suspension package, they’re missing the boat, of course, any aftermarket suspension company could do the same thing, there’s an opportunity just waiting.

OK, now, who’s going to flip a Softail?

Link: Firestorm Films
Related: Off Road Sportsters

Videos below:

This is the successful jump by Kain Saul:

This is the practice jump the day before into the foam pit:

Comments

  1. modified or not. That is downright impressive. And who says harleys are just for cruising. Phah!

  2. I just deleted a couple of comments because they began by ripping into the bike. What is it about Harley Davidson? C’mon guys, a guy backflips an XR1200 and the best you can do is criticize the bike? If you don’t like the bike, keep it to yourself. As a general rule, both here and elsewhere, telling the rest of the world what you don’t like does not qualify as an “interesting thought or idea.”

    And yes, Tim Tom, Harleys aren’t just for cruising anymore and I think that’s cool!

  3. Kneeslider, my comment was based entirely upon watching kain saul riding the bike around in the field. Even for a jump bike the suspension looked ridiculously hard.
    Though it does look kinda sexy for a Harley.

  8. When I was young I found my DT360 a bit heavy for Dirt work, I stand in awe of the guys who manhandled Sportsters and Triumohs before the era of modern Dirt Bikes. To back flip a bike holds no appeal to me, But I must admire the streangth and skill of those who can do it. Congrats Mr Saul, Heavy on the Mister.

  9. Kudos to Kain and to the crew that prepped the M/C. It’s one thing to do a back-
    flip on an M/X quite another on a modified street bike. The lad has nerves of steel.
    You can practice all you want into the foam pit ~ but there is still that first time
    when you line the bike up to perform the stunt without a safety net ! ! !

    I’m with you Mr. Kneeslider ~ too many folks instantly slag and bad mouth
    anything built by Harley ~ I suspect that most if not all of them have never
    taken a Harley for a test spin ~ if they do they will come away quite surprised.

    No, I don’t own a Harley right now but have in the past and will again.
    Currently I’m riding a KLR650 with just shy of 100,000 kms.

    Every M/C has it’s good and bad points, period ~ none of them are perfect ! !

    With all the regulations and restrictions governments are trying to put in place
    to restrict where we can ride ~ it’s high time some folks realized that we are
    all in this together ~ I don’t care what anyone rides, if it gives you a thrill and
    satisfies your motorcycling needs ~ that’s G-R-E-A-T ! ! !

  11. Congrats to Mr Saul for having a pair big enough to try this, and for being skillful enough to succeed at it. That’s pretty impressive, any way you look at it.

    Paul, I’m with you — Harley needs to offer some sort of off-road suspension package for this thing. It’s just screaming “turn me into a dirtbike”, even if it is kinda heavy and doesn’t have the range of a real adventure tourer.

    cl

  12. so i’m thinking he’s holding it wide-open for the extra CF of the spinning rear wheel? and removing the rear brake lever so he wouldn’t accidentally hit it…I an loving the look of this bike it looks like it would be a mean hillclimber

  13. That’s a great looking bike. And that thing just sounds like it has unlimited GRUNT. Wouldn’t Harley attract another nitche with very little investment? GWorks already did the R and D.

  14. Chris, what about a small OEM jerry can that clips low on the bike? Y’know the Auzie road-warrior thing…

  16. Quite an accomplishment. The XR1200 hasnt been well received by folks in general much less the HD crowd. With the demise of Buell it would be interesting to see if HD management has the vision to offer the bike in a dirt versions or as an adventure style bike. Great job by the rider Kain, definitely great skill involved in looping a bike of this size and weight!

  19. Jim, the GoldWing I could see before the Softtail. Softtail riders wouldn’t want to risk getting their matte black (excuse me, denim!) “dark custom” dirty.

  21. Backflips, schmashflips, has been done a lot lately, this time just with a slightly heavier bike. Do it with a cruiser or – better still – a dresser, and it’ll be something to write about. (No point in telling me to do it; I once did a 2-inch wheelie and that was enough).

  22. I’ve seen them do this with snowmobiles and couldn’t believe it. This isn’t too much of a stretch for my oh, so jaded self.

    First to do a back flip with a bus wins 🙂

  24. I’m a guy who encourages and respects the bending of limits …. That being said …. if I’ve learned ONE thing in my 57 years ……it’s that just because you Can do something does not mean it’s a GOOD idea to do it.

    I’m inclined to include back flips on motorcycles in that category.

  25. On behalf of the crew at Quick Fix Harley and Kain Saul, thanks for all the positive comments.there has been a hell of alot work and thought put into these projects and alot more work to come! it isnt going to stop here so keep a close eye on Quick Fix there are even bigger plans in the pipes! Kain Saul had the balls to pull it off and our hat comes off to him!

    re: Gworks + my work with gworks is independent and they had no input on the flip bike or the long distance bike. but they are grate mates and remain my frame builder for one off projects

  27. Based on this video, I am going to try buiding one as adventure bike up here in Canada. This bike appears to be great for medium trails and then can get out on the road. XR1200 is one cool bike.