Harley-Davidson has pulled the cover off an all-new flat-track race bike, its first new pro model since the early 1970s.

Over the past 44 years Harley-Davidson has relied upon the venerable XR750 to help sustain the sport of flat-track racing. But with the sport now regaining popular attention (and now that Indian has perhaps announced plans for its own race-only 750cc twin), it appears Harley-Davidson is eager to push things forward.

Harley-Davidson Unveils New Pro Flat Tracker, First in 44 Years

“After decades of flat-track racing success behind the Harley-Davidson XR750 flat track motorcycle, we knew it was time to develop the next-generation Harley-Davidson to compete in one of the best spectator racing sports out there today,” said Kris Schoonover, Harley-Davidson racing manager.

The new XG750R is powered by a sexier version of the liquid-cooled V-twin found in Harley-Davidson's Street 750 motorcycles. The bike will make its official competition debut this weekend at the AMA Pro Flat Track Springfield Mile in Illinois.

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Harley-Davidson Unveils New Pro Flat Tracker, First in 44 Years

Harley-Davidson says the new XG750R motorcycle is strictly for race competition and will not be offered for sale "at this time." Those of us wishing for an American upright/standard will be pinning our hopes to the last part of that sentence. After all, "not for sale at this time" doesn't mean never.

The race-modified "Revolution X" engine and racing frame for the XG750R were developed by longtime Harley-Davidson partner Vance & Hines Motorsports.

Harley-Davidson Unveils New Pro Flat Tracker, First in 44 Years

The XG750R will be raced this weekend by Harley-Davidson Factory Team rider Davis Fisher. In his first season racing with the team, the 18-year-old racer from Warren, Oregon, won the 2015 AMA Pro GNC2 championship.

“We wanted a young rider with plenty of raw ability for the XG750R program," said Schoonover. " proved himself in the GNC2 class. We are excited to have the opportunity to bring an emerging talent up to the GNC1 series to develop the new bike alongside an experienced champion like Brad Baker.”

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Harley-Davidson Unveils New Pro Flat Tracker, First in 44 Years

Twenty-three-year-old Baker is the 2013 AMA Pro Grand National Champion and will continue to race aboard the XR750, while Fisher serves as guinea pig to work out any of the XG750R's kinks.

“The XG750R has shown great potential in testing and the first few races this season,” said Schoonover. “But as with any new racing motorcycle, there will be work to do. We’re excited to continue testing the XG750R in real world competition, and as we make our way through the season, we will evaluate the performance of the bike and our factory riders to see if Baker might switch to the new bike.”

Harley-Davidson Unveils New Pro Flat Tracker, First in 44 Years

Fisher will also be competing at next week's ESPN X Games in Austin.

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