Paul Lewis returns ‘home’ for XR1200 series

Former GP500 Skoal Bandit Suzuki works rider and Daytona Twins winner Paul Lewis is at the London Motorcycle Show at ExCeL today promoting the new Harley-Davdison XR1200 series, which he is racing in.

The 48-year-old, who ran several Harley-Davidson dealerships in his native Australia, says he feels like he’s returned home having come back to England a month ago with his family.

Lewis has spent 26 years living in England and is now back here based near Maidenhead and is working at Thames Valley and Dockgate Harley-Davidson dealerships, who he will race for in the series.

At the Celebrity Interviews at the London Motorcycle Show, Lewis said: “Although I retired from racing in 1990 I’ve never been far away from it and made a brief return in 1996. Motorbikes are in my blood and I can’t wait to get out on track again.

“It’s a really good way to get in to racing and it’s not too expensive either.

The XR1200 series is £12995 which includes the bike and a set of BKS leathers. Harley-Davidson have worked with Harris Performance to prepare the bikes for the eight circuits where they will appear as part of the British Superbike rounds.

Greg Willis, Marketing Manager of Harley-Davidson UK also appeared on stage with Lewis. He said: “Research has shown racing is what Harley-Davidson riders want to do so we have brought this bike out for that reason.

“We are really pumped up about this and are looking forward to getting started.”