2019 Harley-Davidson FXDR review

The FXDR is the 10th member of the new Softail family, and was unveiled in August 2018 as part of Harley-Davidson’s 2019 range.

It’s also the most expensive of the Softails as the Motor Company chases the performance angle with a drag bike-inspired design that not only has plenty of lean angle, but also upside-down front forks, an aluminium swingarm and the excellent Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine – which we also revisited recently in Fat Bob guise during our Bike of the Year deliberations.

The FXDR also looks the part with the two-into-one exhaust and the new air intake – clear drag bike-inspired markers.

Does the FXDR take off where the now discontinued and sporty V-Rod left off? And is the comment by Harley-Davidson’s VP of product and design that the main customers the company is pursuing with the FXDR are those “who want performance ahead of just about anything else” relevant in the face of some fairly serious competition in the power cruiser ranks? Let’s find some answers.

The chassis on the $35,495 (plus on-road costs) belt-driven FXDR has most in common with the big-selling Breakout, although its front wheel is smaller at 19 inches compared to 21.

However, there’s still a mega wide 240-section rear tyre, as well as a 34-degree steering angle, which on the surface present quite a daunting equation.

However, once I had fully acclimatised to the ergonomics, that deep solo seat and the forward controls, the FXDR became very rewarding. There’s still a bit of effort required to tip it in – and that’s always going to be the case with that whopping rear tyre and the rangy geometry – but once that’s mastered it really is an impressive handler.

And’s it nowhere near as nerve-jangling as trying to turn the Breakout, with better suspension and tyres (Michelin Scorcher wrapped around five-spoke cast aluminium wheels) also adding to the more refined recipe. Weight is still up there, though, at 303kg wet, but the dual 300mm discs up front are impressive.

Preload adjustment on the hidden rear monoshock – as is the case for a major chunk of the new Softails – is via a hydraulic adjustment dial on the right-hand side of the bike. The front has 43mm, single-cartridge, non-adjustable upside-down forks.

The lean angle is the best of the Softail crop (close to 33 degrees on both sides), which only adds to the bike’s already adventurous flair. I tried my best to get it scraping during a photo shoot, but it only gave the terra firma a few little love taps. Impressive, and that’s the type of performance parameter which will appeal to the bike’s core market, alongside that bumper 160Nm (at 3500rpm) rigid-mount 1868cc powerplant.

Alongside other sharp-shooting cruisers like the Ducati DiavelX ($27,990 plus on-road costs), the FXDR’s strong engine performance keeps it in the same conversation, but not so when comes to electronics: there’s only ABS to hang its hat on.

In reality, the FXDR is more aligned with the Suzuki M109R ($18,790 rideaway) in terms of spec, but you're getting more with features like LED lighting and a keyless ignition.

If the ergonomics aren’t completely to your liking, Harley-Davidson has also included traditional mounts to fit standard handlebars.

The FXDR isn't about out and out performance: it simply doesn’t have the credentials to take on that halo. But it is a gem of a machine: it’s bold and brash, and it handles really well.

I’d still prefer the 114ci version of the Fat Bob to get my power cruiser fix, but the FXDR certainly adds some more grunt to the Softail family.

ENGINE
Type: Milwaukee-Eight 114
Capacity: 1868cc
Bore x stroke: 102mm x 114.3mm
Compression ratio: 10:01
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: Not given
Claimed maximum torque: 160Nm at 3000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed, including overdrive
Final drive: Belt
Clutch: Wet

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Front suspension: 43mm upside-down telescopic fork, 117mm travel
Rear suspension: Shock with remote adjustable preload
Front brakes: 300mm discs with four-piston calipers
Rear brake: 292mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Tyres: Front 120/70-19, rear 240/40-18

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 34 degrees
Claimed wet weight: 303kg
Seat height: 720mm
Wheelbase: 1735mm
Fuel capacity: 16.7 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $35,495 plus on-road costs
Colours: Vivid Black, Black Denim, Industrial Gray Denim, Wicked Red Denim, Bonneville Salt Denim and Rawhide Denim
Test bike supplied by: Harley-Davidson Australia & New Zealand
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres