Harley’s new FXDR 114 power cruiser seriously delivers on its fighter jet and drag racer brief
Harley has sexed up its best-selling Softail design and added a huge dollop of power, courtesy of its Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine
LET’S be honest, embarking on a love affair with motorbikes may not be the most logical thing you ever do.
In the middle of winter, when the rain is horizontal and the cold is freezing the tears to your face, you may start to question your decision.
But even then, nine times out of ten, I would still rather be on a bike than in a car. Well, no one ever said love was logical, right?
Which is why, despite some flaws, I’ve fallen for Harley’s new FXDR 114 power cruiser.
Hell, I do not even particularly have a thing for Harleys.
As a sportsbike fan, I always felt they were a bit too heavyweight and agricultural.
And the feet-forward-arms-stretched-out riding stance of your average cruiser takes some getting used to.
But Harley has sexed up its best-selling Softail design and added a huge dollop of power, courtesy of its Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine.
The design brief was to make the FXDR look like a cross between a drag racer and a fighter jet – and, boy, does it deliver.
The raked and inverted front end, the massive air intake and 2-into-1 exhaust, the outrageous 240mm wide rear tyre – the bike just screams cool. The unique stretched 4.4-gallon fuel tank lengthens the profile to give it a huge presence on the road.
And a speed screen frames the LED headlamp to provide some modest wind protection as you twist the throttle for that instant torque.
The FXDR offers more lean angle than any other Softail model – 32.6 degrees to the left and 32.8 degrees to the right – so you can really hustle it through the bends.
The huge back wheel offers massive grip, meaning you can really commit to the corners, Marc Marquez-style. Well, it feels like anyhow!...mostly because you’re so low down. And the dual 300mm front disc brakes and ABS provide strong braking.
So what are the flaws? Well, the biggest is the price, starting at a salty £19,855.
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The clutch lever is heavy and makes changing gear in traffic a pain. A quickshifter would transform that. And the tech on the bike is minimal compared to a rival such as Ducati’s Diavel.
Buuuuuut…
The FXDR makes you feel like a rock star. And what price would you put on that?
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