2019 Harley Davidson Fxdr 114 0 60

2019 Harley-Davidson FXDR 114, By the Numbers

Price (as tested): $21,349 ($21,749, Rawhide Denim paint adds $400)

Powertrain: Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin, 119 ft-lb of torque, horsepower unknown (H-D doesn't release official power figures, but estimates put this engine right around 100 hp), six-speed manual transmission

Fuel Economy: 46 mpg

Weight as Shipped: 637 pounds

Quick Take: The recently unveiled Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 "power cruiser" is a strong performer, but it's pretty expensive and just plain awkward to sit on.

What is it?

The Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 is an all-new bike for 2019. It's a sort of spiritual successor to the recently discontinued V-Rod, serving as a muscular cruiser with a focus on performance. It has drag-bike-inspired aesthetics, a big fat rear tire, and an attitude that refuses to be ignored. I was recently in Milwaukee where Harley-Davidson invited me to check out its latest wares as the brand celebrated its 115th anniversary. As part of that celebration, I had an early opportunity to throw a leg over the newest Softail. Its goal is to pack in modern performance without losing any Harley-Davidson character, so how did it do?

The Pros

Strong engine. As its name implies, the only engine you can get in the Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 is the 114 cubic inch Milwaukee Eight V-twin, making it the only Softail that you can't get with the smaller 107 ci unit. This engine makes a lot of sense in a muscular, more performance-oriented bike.
This thing looks the business. I especially like the front end with its LED lighting, a decidedly modern move for a brand that's usually hung up on heritage. The tail is a little under-designed and the bike just kind of stops once it gets behind the rear cowl, but I think it's a good looking motorcycle overall. Oh, and it sounds as good as it looks.
Harley-Davidson has a great little instrument cluster that it uses on this bike. Big, gaudy gauges can ruin the look of an otherwise clean design, but H-D's little customizable digital display shows you everything you need and nothing you don't. Simple digital gauge pods like this one are hit or miss and this one is a hit. It's the best kind of moto minimalism.

The Cons

The ergonomics of this motorcycle are absurd. The big drag-bike-inspired intake sticking out of the right side of the Milwaukee Eight looks cool, but it pushes your leg way out. This puts your right leg in a totally different position than your left, making you look and feel awkward. There was a guy in front of me riding the same bike and I laughed out loud in my helmet when I noticed the goofy position of his legs at no fault of his own. It makes me wonder if anyone actually sat on this bike before it was approved for production.
Speaking of ergonomics, even if you ignore the asymmetrical width between your legs, it has forward foot controls and sporty clip-on handlebars. That means you're kind of stretched out with all of your limbs forward like a clam. It's actually not as uncomfortable as it sounds, but I was surprised that H-D went with forward controls rather than mid controls.
Man this thing is expensive. Sitting at the very top of the Softail line, the Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 starts at $21,349 putting it right in the same territory as the Ducati XDiavel, arguably its only direct competitor. There are a few questionable details that don't make this seem like a premium bike. There were a few sloppy-looking welds and a few cheap-looking pieces of hardware that seem out of place for a bike in this price range.
Handling is good, but only when you get used to it. It has an unconventional steering geometry due to its massive rear tire and normal-sized front tire. It has a pretty steep lean angle, especially for a Harley, but the way that it leans is...different. You kind of have to twist the whole bike with your hips while your legs are in a weird position. Once you get past the learning curve though, it's an agile cruiser.

Value

The Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 is a strong, showy bike that unfortunately has downsides that are all-too characteristic of the H-D brand; too heavy and too expensive.

I can see this bike having a sort of cult following like the V-Rod does, but it's pretty cost prohibitive for now. I think it would make more sense if it was more affordable, but the FXDR is going to be bought by riders who already have a few Harleys in the garage and want to add this unique piece to the collection for occasionally blasting around town.

H-D added lightness to this Softail and it is fairly skinny for a Harley (I hate how often I have to say "for a Harley"), but it's still kind of a heavy bike at 637 lbs—about 100 lbs more than an XDiavel. If the price tag and the curb weight of the FXDR were both a bit lower, it would be easier to recommend.

To Harley's credit, the FXDR 114 is another Harley-Davidson that its chief domestic competitor Indian Motorcycle doesn't have an answer to...yet.

Eric's Gear

Helmet: AGV Sport Modular

Jacket: Harley-Davidson FXRG Triple Vent System Waterproof Leather Jacket

Gloves: Harley-Davidson FXRG Dual-Chamber Gauntlet Gloves

Jeans: Dainese Charger

Shoes: Alpinestars Faster

2019 Harley Davidson Fxdr 114 0 60

Source: https://www.thedrive.com/motorcycles/23337/2019-harley-davidson-fxdr-114-first-ride-review-strong-performance-ridiculous-ergonomics

2019 Harley Davidson Fxdr 114 0 60