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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:
Jacket: Harley-Davidson FXRG Triple Vent System Waterproof Leather Jacket
Gloves: Harley-Davidson FXRG Dual-Chamber Gauntlet Gloves
Jeans: Dainese Charger
Shoes: Alpinestars Faster
