Although not nearly as radical as its planned 2020 liquid-cooled models, Harley-Davidson announced a 2019 power cruiser model called the FXDR 114 that, according to Harley “brings a new level of all-out performance to the Harley-Davidson line-up”. Boasting 119 foot/pounds of torque at just 3,500 rpm, the big Softail also saves weight with aluminum components and improves handling with premium suspension.
Here is the full press release from Harley:
MILWAUKEE (August 21, 2018) The new Harley-Davidson® FXDR™ 114 motorcycle delivers moto-aggression with a technical edge. Like a drag racer crossed with a fighter jet, this unapologetic power cruiser brings a new level of all-out performance to the Harley-Davidson line-up. The FXDR 114 combines the unrelenting power of the Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine with the liberal use of new weight-saving aluminum and composite components. Every aspect of handling and performance is amplified.
“This motorcycle is really a blast to ride,” said David Latz, Lead Product Manager at Harley-Davidson. “The FXDR 114 surrounds the very capable Softail® chassis with Milwaukee-Eight 114 power, premium front and rear suspension and a host of new weight-saving components and materials. This is a power cruiser that delivers exceptional ride and handling characteristics.”
Less than a month after announcing plans for future product in new-to-the-brand categories and a commitment to advance its heavyweight Touring and Cruiser models, the Motor Company introduces the FXDR 114 as the 10th Harley-Davidson model based on the Softail® platform.
Focus on Weight Reduction
The aluminum swingarm achieves a 10.2-pound weight reduction (13.8 pounds vs. 24 pounds, or 43 percent less) over a steel Softail swingarm accommodating a 240 mm rear tire. Because the unsprung weight (weight located below the suspension) it has a significant impact on rear suspension performance, enhanced further by a lightweight 18-inch-diameter aluminum disc rear wheel. The 19-inch forged aluminum Ace front wheel is a light-weight design that features very thin spokes. The FXDR 114 seat and tail section are supported by a sub-frame of welded aluminum tubing, and the tail section is composite. This replaces a steel subframe, steel rear fender and aluminum fender supports used on other Softail models, for a weight savings of about seven pounds. Front and rear fenders are lightweight composite material.
Styled at the Strip
The FXDR communicates its commitment to all-out performance through visual design inspired at the drag strip, where the application of torque to pavement is sophisticated in its execution.
“The look of the FXDR 114 expresses its performance potential and highlights the technical features that set it apart from the rest of the Softail line-up,” said Brad Richards, Vice President of Styling and Design. “The drag-bike influence is strong with the raked and inverted front end, massive intake and exhaust, proportional contrast between the wheels, and the clipped tail section. But we made sure that purely technical elements like the aluminum swingarm, fully integrated digital instrumentation within the rider controls, and exposed external suspension adjuster are highlighted as well and help define this bike’s mission, which is pure performance, not just straight-line performance.”
A speed screen frames the LED headlamp and helps breaks the wind, while a stretched 4.4-gallon fuel tank exclusive to the FXDR 114 lengthens the profile of the motorcycle. A race-inspired chin fairing conceals much of the oil cooler. The tail section is clipped short in drag bike/stunter style to expose the 240mm rear tire. A solo seat flows seamlessly into the tail section. A cover on the top of the tail section can be removed to reveal a storage compartment within the subframe.
A molded composite rear fender is shaped to hug the tire and moves with it through the range of the suspension, so it becomes almost invisible when the FXDR 114 is in motion. A rear lighting module and license plate fixture is secured to an aluminum spar mounted to the left side of the swingarm, leaving the right side of the rear wheel dramatically exposed. The front and rear wheel are finished in contrast Gloss Black and Satin Black paint and detailed with bright “bolt heads” and laser-etched orange graphics in the rims.
Dynamic Chassis
A strong-and-rigid Softail chassis tuned to deliver responsive handling will reward assertive riders with thrilling agility when riding through twisting backroads and navigating congested urban traffic. The FXDR 114 features the Softail monoshock rear suspension with a single coil-over shock with internal free-piston technology and optimized angle between the frame and swingarm for enhanced travel and response. The shock is equipped with an external hydraulic pre-load adjustment knob to allow the rider to quickly and easily dial in optimal suspension performance for the prevailing load and conditions. Inverted 43mm forks stiffen the front end for improved response to steering input. Single-cartridge internal fork damping technology and a triple-rate spring respond quickly to inputs to help keep the front wheel planted for improved braking and handling performance. The FXDR 114 offers more lean angle than any other Softail model – 32.6 degrees to the left and 32.8 degrees to the right.
The dual 300mm front disc brakes provide strong braking performance with less lever effort. A confidence-inspiring Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is standard equipment on the FXDR 114. High-performance Michelin® Scorcher® 11 front (120mm) and rear (240mm) tires contribute to optimized handling and braking performance. Secured by the deep solo seat, the rider grips aluminum clip-on handlebars in an athletic position over the tank. Information is presented by a compact digital display located within the speed screen.
Milwaukee-Eight Muscle
The FXDR 114 is equipped with the most-powerful engine offered in the Softail chassis, a Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin tuned to pound out up to 119 ft. lb. of torque at 3500 rpm (U.S. model). The shape of the forward-facing air intake is inspired by the World Champion Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines drag bikes and designed to enhance the airflow into the engine. The exposed air filter utilizes a new synthetic media that does not require oiling. A new 2-into-1 exhaust is tuned to emit a throaty rumble and shaped to maximize lean angle. Advanced four-valve cylinder head design, dual knock sensors, and precision oil cooling permit a 10.0:1 compression ratio for strong torque output – and thrilling acceleration – from off-idle to wide-open throttle. The engine is rigid-mounted to further stiffen a Softail chassis engineered to deliver precise response to steering and braking input. Dual counter-balancers cancel primary vibration at idle for improved rider comfort.
Riders craving even more power can upgrade the FXDR 114 with street-legal performance parts from Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Accessories, including a Screamin’ Eagle Titanium Performance slip-on muffler that weighs 50 percent less than the stock muffler and produces an appealing, aggressive tone. Installation of the muffler achieves a Screamin’ Eagle Stage I performance upgrade when combined with a Screamin’ Eagle Air Cleaner Kit and the Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner. Stage I is the foundation for available Screamin’ Eagle Stage II, Stage III and Stage IV kits that can take Milwaukee-Eight 114 performance through the roof, with the assurance of an intact factory warranty when installed by an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.
Complete LED lighting, including a Daymaker™ LED headlamp with LED signature halo plus LED rear lighting and LED turn signals, make the FXDR 114 more conspicuous in traffic and offer optimal lighting performance. Keyless ignition, the Harley-Davidson Smart Security System and a USB charging port are standard equipment.
The FXDR 114 is available in six color choices: Vivid Black, Black Denim, Industrial Gray Denim, Wicked Red Denim, Bonneville Salt Denim, and Rawhide Denim.
In 2019, the FXDR 114 will provide inspiration for the bodywork of the racing competition motorcycles campaigned by the world champion Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines racing team in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.
See more of MD’s great photography:
Dave, I do have an idea what great performance is! I own several sport bikes and have raced ,I rode endures for many years did moto-x and do track day’s I have been riding and competing for 47 years although I admit performance means different things to different people, go ride one of the new Harley’s you might be pleasantly surprised.
Why is anyone comparing this bike to a sport/sport touring bike? Not even in the same world. Compare it to similar bikes and the lean angle/performance are pretty decent. I never owned a Harley (or any cruiser) but that doesn’t prevent me from being open-minded. I like it and I hope this bike sells very well.
I love all the haters and very immature comment’s based on zero knowledge this is a very good motorcycle I rode one twice at Harley ‘s 115th anniversary party in Wisconsin GREAT performance.
It is more likely that many on this board have a different idea of what “GREAT performance” is, and with only a little bit of knowledge (long wheelbase, slack head angle, heavy weight, feet-forward riding position) they can see that it is impossible for this motorcycle to deliver what they would define as great performance.
Wow, the whining about this motorcycle.
I attended the HD 115th Anniversary events in Milwaukee this weekend. There were HD demo trucks at multiple locations throughout the Milwaukee area. The longest waiting list was to ride this motorcycle. It is beautiful, far, far more attractive in person than in the photos here.
People coming off of it after their demo rides were uniformly happy – some far beyond happy – with the motorcycle and the riding experience.
This motorcycle will be a success for Harley Davidson.
Nothing about this bike says performance. Large rake, feet forward, high bars, 240 rear tire. How much does it weigh? And for that kind of money they have more competition than they can handle.
Any word where it will be built?
Damn that’s one ugly motorcycle!
Harley Davidson should never have dropped the VROD.
The rear on each side is beyond awful, terrible styling if you call it that. Nice idea but wow is it ugly.
why the hell do MC companies keep doing that weird ass hung on useless fender/license plate thing? Put a damn fender on and close up some of that yardage between it and the tire, it would be way better looking.I’ll gladly give up some performance to not look so stupid.
That stuff is selling well.
Apart from US
There should be a thought bubble coming from the helmet on the pic of the left hander saying ” I think I’m gonna crash! “
The rake is close to comical. The chopped rear looks like they ran out of material to finish the build!
The 114 motor is awesome with plenty of grunt and far less vibration. I like the intent to lighten the platform and make it look more drag-strip worthy, but the bike will be positioned between the Fat Bob and the Breakout. I don’t see it setting any sales records and it will likely simply cannibalize sales of existing models. Will it bring in non-HD riders into the fold? Hard to tell at that price range. I never liked the Rocker-C design which this reminds me of, so I’ll pass.
114 CI, I guess it should pull, that’s getting close to 2000cc!!! Come on man, this is a motorcycle, not a Dodge Challenger!
Love that they went to a racetrack for their photo shoot. Did it get around as fast as a properly ridden 250 Ninja?
Not a chance with that lean angle, highly mis-matched tire widths, and poor steering geometry. It’s a good thing it has so much brakes, it’ll really need to slow down to go around the corners.
I’m glad you agree Paquo ! (What ever I say)
Meh.
OVERPRICE AND UGLY
The LOOK of the bike would likely look better on a 750 Street. And sell better.
The Harley XR 1200 and 1200X was a great bike (I own one) and it is not over rated as Selecter says ,I have ridden it over 23,000 trouble free miles including powerlines and many miles of dirt roads it is a phenomenal cornering bike it is a little heavy but I prefer it over my Ducati’s as far as all the haters on here apparently you have nothing else to keep you occupied than reading through an article about something you despise, go ride a new Harley and see for your self.
sure dude whatever you say, lol
Thanks for the insightful, experience-based and thought-provoking comment, paquo. You’ve contributed a lot to this thread.
stream of consciousnesses writing.
haters??? there are many of us who want to see the updates HD has leaked. this is more of the same old.
Almost as good as my 1985 Vmax. Great job Hardley!
Randybobandy, thanks for the input. Have you ridden the new FXDR?
Paquo, Randybobandy, etc—I don’t even own a Harley, so I’m not here to defend the FXDR or any of their bikes. My ask is simple: Can we please have constructive (positive or negative) feedback? There are a countless other forums that allow and even encourage mindless trashing/trolling. I (and I don’t think I’m alone here) come to MD to get away from all of the BS and hatred that is teeming throughout the country, and enjoy learning about new bikes/races/etc, then peruse the forums for interesting, insightful, and even sarcastic/humorous commentary. But it has to have some substance in order to provide any value.
I’m betting (and hoping) you can do better. Thanks.
Antonio, I’m sorry your country is teeming with hatred. I compared this new bike to a 30 year old Vmax. Both are heavy and cumbersome motorcycles. In the future I will try to live up to your standards of sarcasm/humor.
I’m betting and hoping that in the future you will be a little less judgmental and inclusive of other peoples opinions and thoughts. Try to be more accepting of other people while you deal with your country filled with hatred, or as Paquo said, ” sure dude, whatever you say”. Or as Fonzie would say- Sit on it Tony.
Randybobandy,
I’ll restate my question: Have you ridden the new FXDR?
I’m attaching a link to a guy at Cycle World who has: https://www.cycleworld.com/harley-davidson-fxdr-114-is-more-than-power-cruiser?CMPID=ene082318
Seems HD made a cruiser that can handle fairly well.
All I read in that Cycle World article is that it handles better than other Soft Tails and some power cruisers. At least better than expected. I can pretty much guarantee it doesn’t handle as well as just about any other type of bike.
Tony, lay off the personal attacks.
I’m not a Harley guy, but this is the first Harley I’ve ever seen that I find appealing. If their goal was to broaden their market base, maybe it’ll be a success. Most of the dudes with the assless chaps and affinity for the buffet are gettin’ on in years.
please put a proper softail fender on this softail bike.
Rode the new 114 motor in the FatBob. Vibration at low and high revs. Just when you want more speed on the highway. the vibes start again. My hip was bothering me from sitting with my feet forward. It was ok but my one ride was enough. I liked my old VFR much better and would be fine with a REAL “sportster” chassis (which they have yet to manufacture) and the 1200 motor.
22K? Why?
I like the direction they have gone with the styling- modern, muscular, purposeful (as opposed to the same 1948 crap they have been rehashing since 1948)
I am still waiting for a standard style Harley . The ONLY harley I would buy (and will eventually buy on the used market)s the 09-11 XR1200/XR1200X. I hate the feet frward position of cruisers and my lower back cannot tolerate if for more than a few miles. Feet forward Lazy boy bikes feel Terrible to me, are silly looking and I wont own one
Love that XR1200 though
The XR was better in concept than practice. It looked pretty cool and was fairly well-built, but it steers like a truck, and was overweight for the power. I remember after riding the XR1200X, my buddy’s Buell XB9SX immediately coming to mind. The XB was over 150 lbs. lighter, handled better, was significantly quicker, had far more cornering clearance, and was substantially more comfortable, to boot.
The XR was definitely one I count in the top-10 Most Overrated Bikes of All Time.
Harley’s new all-out performance machine. Wow, look at that lean angle?
No wind protection. No way to carry a passenger. No way to store a couple of important things. No good way to pay for it unless you’re rich. Hey Harley Davidson designers you should contact me so I can help you sell motorcycles in this age. Nobody who’s riding is going to buy that bike. What the heck are you all thinking at HD?
Harley already sells bikes with wind protection, cargo capacity, and passenger accommodation. This bike is for those that don’t want that. And plenty of people don’t.
Was that 50 lb rear tire part of the diet plan? I need another piece of pie.
Harley does not do plastic well. Looks like a lego kit.
Laugh because it’s funny, cry because it’s true.
Ok…here goes…it feels like shark week in this comment section. This is another great choice for a rider. We live in the best of times and the choices for different kinds of bikes is incredible. Why all the hate.
HD sells more bikes in a week than a lot of manufacturerers sell in a year.
Combined with their massive accessories available and motorcycle gear they have a tremendous footprint.
They dominate the market in most of the U.S. and will continue to do so despite the haters lurking here.
This is just another choice for a rider. Instead of looking for the negative maybe one should go for a ride on whatever bike you like.
And thank you again to motorcycledaily for keeping us up to date. Good job!!
OK, so they are the most mass produced motorcycles. Shouldn’t that make them also the least expensive? Many people want exclusivity, something unique that you don’t see every day. You can’t get that in a mass produced motorcycle.
Apple makes a lot of smartphones, but they are not cheap. I’m OK with that, as I’m a shareholder. As for exclusivity, pull out your checkbook. As an example, Keanu Reeves would be happy to sell you one of his company’s badass bikes, but the prices are stratospheric. Maybe MD can take up a collection and we all can chip in to buy one for all of us 🙂 Alternatively, we have to work with what we have and add to (or take away from) to get that seemingly elusive “exclusive” bike you’re referring to.
No doubt HD can wear out the magnetic stripe on your credit card making a ubiquitous bike appear more unique, but that doesn’t make it exclusive.
Any of the many other mainstream bikes seem to be more unique. You can ride a Husqvarna 401 and not see another like it for years. Ride a Duke 690? Exclusivity. How about a Honda CRF250 Rally? There are countless others that are all completely different from the next bike. All cost MUCH less than (less than half!) a Harley which is just more of the same-old thing, over and over again. Imagine if everyone in the country had to wear the same clothes issued by some mega-corporation? $500 for the pants, $750 for the shoes, $400 shirt. Oh, and you can order them with any of 10 different colors stitching to show your individuality. Do you think people would all be happy about that and wanting change?
I don’t consider the Husky or the Duke 690 to be “mainstream” bikes. And you’re right, I probably won’t see another like them for years, maybe decades. That’s why they’re not mainstream. I don’t have a dealership that handles those bikes within 300 miles of me, maybe more.
The Honda CRF 250? You can get a CRF of some ilk with headlights or without and a variety of colors, such as red and white. There’s some exclusivity. Why would you compare Harleys to those types of bikes?
Some better pics here.
http://www.mcnews.com.au/harley-davidson-fxdr-114-power-cruiser/
Harley Davidson has jumped the shark!
Oh my! HD is in big trouble from the looks of it. More of the same just uglier.
I keep hoping they will make a bike that I can’t resist, but alas, I’m staying clear.
Harley needs new blood without deep ties to their beloved past.
I’ll buy a Harley when I can lean more than 15 degrees and not have to lift my heel from the peg like a dog taking a leak (like in the final action shot of this splendid article). Until then, it’s more show than go like (almost)every other Harley made in the past 40 years. I want to buy one so badly, I sincerely do. But a bike that can’t be ridden hard around a corner is like a – (insert your own euphanism).
BTW I do dig the styling. Hike it up about 2 more inches and throw in a full 4.5 inches of suspension travel and I’ll show you my money.
I believe HD’s nose is now under water and the bubbles will soon stop. How about something like, “Forgive us, we were stupendously stupid, would you please consider giving us some help here Mr. Buell?”
I’m confused… When the article about the Moto Guzzi V9 was released, a bike with 46 lb-ft of torque, 90% of you blasted everyone who said it wasn’t enough. Now, HD releases a bike with 119 lb-ft and suddenly it’s not enough. What gives?
I think the complaint with both bikes is the lack of power, not torque. I’m sure the H-D would pull a plow just fine.
The ability to pull a load at any rate is directly related to power. This bike has less torque at the crank than a person can achieve on a bicycle -literally. A person pedaling a bike, producing more torque, will not be able to move the plow – even standing on the pegs. The difference is that it makes more power than the average bicyclist.
It was meant to be humorous, not literal. I understand the difference between torque and power.
Sorry, I forgot my audience.
Wow, that’s an awkwardly proportioned bike… Why is it so raked out? What’s the idea behind that back end? I guess they’re trying to go retro-futuristic with that air cleaner, but it looks so awkwardly large. And the radiator is way overstyled. For a company that lives on design and marketing, this bike is not a good sign.
You really know how to spoil us Dirck 2 Harley stories in as many weeks talking about throwing red meat to your base. You’re going to wear out your dog whistle.
Dude, that’s too funny. This is legitimate news from a major motorcycle manufacturer on a significant new model release, and MD does a very thorough and respectful article on it, and you’re blaming MD because its readers take exception to the styling and engineering execution? Please. No doubt if MD didn’t report on it, someone else would call them out for bias due to the lack of coverage.
IF HD would have done a better job on the concept, it’s likely it would have gotten more favorable reader opinions here (granted that to some readers, HD can do no right, but from what I have read, those folks have legitimate gripes – similar to how some VW owners felt “betrayed” by dieselgate). Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing a ride review by Dirck, but don’t expect to be converted to the brand by it. HD would do itself well by spending more money on Engineering than Marketing, and let the hype live up to the product instead of the other way around (“jet fighter”, indeed. Maybe “for a Harley”).
Dude that’s your opinion and your entitled to it but it’s only an opinion and has nothing to do with the facts.
Half, 95% of the comments on this site are “opinion”, not hard facts (including yours). Nothing wrong with that, I’ve learned to pay attention to opinions from those people I’ve come to trust, and dismiss the rest with an eye roll. I’m sure you do the same. IMHO, MD has very knowledgeable commenters, and Dirck runs an exemplary site.
Half, 95% of the comments on this site are “opinion”, not hard facts (including yours). Nothing wrong with that, I’ve learned to pay attention to opinions from those people I’ve come to trust, and dismiss others with an eye roll. I’m sure you do the same. IMHO, MD has very knowledgeable commenters, and Dirck runs an exemplary site.
… significant?… new?…
Probably said in context of “for a Harley”
Got me, LOL
Oh my goodness, something this unfortunately awkward and colossally failed in its styling gimmicks would have only been expected from Victory or that Paul Jr. guy. There is no word in the English language to adequately describe how stupefyingly terrible it is. It’s too abysmally painted for even an April fools joke. Is Harley now cutting up marine ice chests for body parts?
Harley is in a bad spot, for them to survive, they’re gonna have to build bikes like the Germans, Italians and Austrians, something they aren’t capable of.
What makes you think they’re not capable of it? They offer a product no one else does and that’s their niche. Their design briefs are based on what their paying customers want, not what the non-paying customer thinks they should be building. They’re actually on their way to moving forward with everyone else. We’ll see what they bring to market in a year or so.
I’ve heard that for the last decade, what they’ll bring next year is 53 different paint variations and more interns writing their ad copy.
“Unrelenting power”. A power level that was acheived by the marketing department instead of engineering.
Feet forward. Heavy. Expensive. Vibes at low and high rpms. Ah, …no. These guys don’t know that it’s 2018. That’s Two Thousand Eighteen! The old farm tractor seat Harley was the way to go.
I don’t know about this big bore motor, but the Sportster motor in the XR1200 was really smooth above the bottom of the rev range. At idle, do glue in your fillings because they are not long for this world…………..
HD can’t even get through a model introduction without hawking their stage 1-4 mods to make it perform better. For $21K it should have peak performance stock.
“For $21K it should have peak performance stock.”
.
We can all say the same thing about any bike that comes off the showroom floor. The difference is, we don’t hear about Kawasaki or BMW or whoever advertising a stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 hop up kit that they created in house. But there’s no question that even the ZX-10R or S1000RR aren’t delivered at peak performance, even the H2 isn’t. You just have to go to a 3rd party for adding that extra HP.
.
Surprisingly, to you at least, the bike is configured in a manner acceptable to the majority of the people that will actually purchase it. If you’d never ridden a Milwaukee 8, you wouldn’t know that with a little rev and an overly eager wrist, it can put the front up in the air and even loop out, which has already been done. While most people, even HD riders, are better skilled to not do that, it’s actually a pretty good performance level for it’s intended purpose, which is launching hard off idle and cruising the interstates with ease and not needing to downshift to pass. Even the mpgs are pretty good for a bike of this weight and no areo aids.
There’s enough plastic on this Harley to shrink-wrap a CBR600RR!
“Like a drag racer crossed with a fighter jet” Some pretty creative writing for sure.
It will never sell. HD is so lost with their market. Losing market share as riders get older and Indian will bury them as long as they stop adding Victory elements to their bikes. HD will survive with the new line of bikes coming 2020 which is too far away. A power cruiser? It’s called a V-Rod.
Top this for irony: HD’s marketing manure, I mean text “Dynamic Chassis,” next to image of the bike leaned about 20 degrees with the rider’s left heel almost touching the tarmac.
Is it just me, or is does that rear wheel like custom tailored for a cartoon about a guy on a motorcycle?
Honest, I think I’d take Jim Bronson’s AMF Sportster over this thing. I know for sure I’d take his goil friend Temple Brooks over it, or the actress who played her.
BTW, get and watch the uncut European version of the “Pilot” movie for the series. I just watched it a few weeks ago, and it’s better than expected. Filmed in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Martin Sheen’s suicide scene at Fort Point (been there several hundred times). Parks does some nice stunt scenes on the beach, in which the crew did a great job making a single look like the big Sportster. You gotta look really hard to see the differences between the two bikes.
RIP Michael Parks.
If ever a company went downhill trying to keep up it’s H.D. They were in the ballpark with the V-Rod. They should have nixed the Sportster and come out with a more diverse V-Rod line up to appeal to new clientele. The old school crowd knows what they like, but does Harley? Indian is in line to bury them, as are the major Jap. and Asian players. All making nice looking cruisers that can actually post respectable HP numbers, in stock trim. Beyond sad.
Haven’t the Sportsters always been (and remain) H-D’s most popular models sold to younger riders? I think they’d have done (and would still do) well to just build a better Sportster rather than replace that line of bikes.
Seems like Harley just wants to see what sticks to the wall.
Doesn’t the new Softail line already include two power cruisers, the Fat Bob and Breakout? In what way does this bike bring anything new to the table? Calling it a variation on a theme, like a previous poster did, is almost being too generous.
From the looks of the comments, Harley is losing ground fast. My friend has had two and disliked both, had mechanical trouble with both, and they were both purchased new, not used. Harley has survived on Marketing, not product.
I’m starting to feel sorry for HD.
When I see what people are standing up and cheering for in the custom industry I don’t see this bike. I see bikes on Bike EXIF that are minimalist. I see Born Free old skool stuff. I see FTR1200 from Indian. As a Harley owner I don’t feel great about their leadership.
Don’t get too excited about the FTR1200. Indian has already stated that they have to tone it down for the street. By the time they add cats, mirrors, signals, ugly exhaust, horn, street tires etc., you won’t even recognize it. Think Octane with a Flat Track paint scheme and that’s pretty much what you’re gonna get. Fool me once…
Extended forks? Weight? Guesstimate: 650. Will Harley offer a FXDX dress up kit? Remove the sleeze, replace with classic.
they killed the vrod for all this?
“Powerful” comment (no pun intended originally, but I’ll take it). Probably similar weight and cornering (or lack thereof for the latter), minus about 25hp.
But… but… torque!!!
Those of us who ride motorcycles have a difficult time understanding the cruiser market. We would think, “Why not take the already very good Vrod motor and just build a decent chassis around it.” To which H-D would answer, “Because this bike will sell better.”
And they are almost certainly right.
To say something nice, (for a change) those LED headlights work great.
Breeze and I discussing: Where would your girlfriend sit? (These new people don’t like girls.) Where do you put your stuff or stash your helmet? (These new people wear those backpacks and carry handbags everywhere.) Why did they put a VMAX muffler on it? (HD thinks the VMAX is the bike the new people worship – they think it tightens up their manbuns.) Whew, bring $$ when you put on a new back tire. (Eh, they just ride back and forth to Starbucks, so they’ll never wear that out.) I don’t see these new people or the old clientele buying this. (meh shrug).
There’s a HD dealership near Irvine Spectrum that I swung by recently. Took the Sport Glide for a spin (I must say that they treated me very well and were downright eager for me to take a test ride – if anyone’s shopping there I can put you in touch with my salesman). I’m a bit of an ATGATT weenie and usually ride with a full-face helmet with earplugs and a 2-piece textile suit with boots even on my daily commute on my S1000R. But I’d just dropped by here on impulse and didn’t have gear with me, so the test ride was in a borrowed beanie helmet and my T-shirt and jeans.
Anyway, all this is to say that almost any bike can feel very exciting with the wind blowing you about and your sneakers stuck way out scraping the pavement on every turn at every intersection and the handlebars nearly jumping out of your bare hands. And since this is how most of this bike’s riders will be attired, they will get all they excitement they need.
To think that your test ride was that harrowing in South County surely the outcome would have been much different had you gone to Huntington Beach Harley Davidson in Westminster or Los Angeles Harley-Davidson of Anaheim in Fullerton. But do you really believe that most Harley riders wear a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers because I typically see them in lots of leather from there beanie helmet to there feet.
Dunno, but where I live (MD), half the dudes I see on cruisers are literally in shorts, t-shirt, and a beanie.
It’s their life/skin, I guess.
I’m surprised there seem to be no passenger accommodations at all. The air cleaner also seems like it is in the way of the rider’s leg. I don’t think this will be a popular model.
Winner! Understated Post Award for this thread!
WOW! Almost 33 degrees of lean angle! Watch out for this Harley, boys! It will eat up the twisties!
Yeah, my Buell 1125CR is only slightly better at 48 degrees under full suspension compression!
Wow! HD discovered aluminum!
Make that WOW WOW holy bat shite, and composite ( Plastic ? ) too ! ! ! What is the world coming to ? Oh my heavens to betsy . Can a flat seat, and foot pegs where they belong be next ? Geeze Louise .
I see a Rocker C and some boat tail sportster mixed in there. I have only ridden the 107 and found it to be a excellent motor, vastly cooler running with the 4 valve head. I’m sure Harley-Davidson has plenty more on the way, this one isn’t done yet.
Thats about the most hideous thing, gosh could they have put a bigger black plastic thing around the radiator, to hide it more? Come on! … and the picture of the guy just tilting it a little and it looks like his heel will be the first thing to catch, gosh, cant imagine how that will make his knee feel when it hits his chin. Screaming eagle this and screaming eagle that, all extra to make its performance through the roof, about how much? 110hp? Yawn.
The answer to not only the question no one asked but no one really gives a Super Hero In Training about.
I like Harleys just fine but like other brands out there, the point of diminishing returns has long been reached.
There’s really not enough physical content in this or many other motorcycles to justify or even rationalize their asking price(s) let alone the total cost of ownership, i.e., maintenance, tires, insurance, etc. I just checked out the C.A.R.B site and HD is releasing a buttload of models across the board (“bored”?) designated “Stage I”. In other words, variations on a theme.
Fear not, Honda in it’s corporate wisdom looks to be giving “us” four (yup-4) versions of the Africa Twiin (who knows, maybe I had my eyes crossed and there’s just two of ’em!) for 2019. In other words, variations on a theme. Big friggen whoop.
Back to this model. PASS.
“Most powerful engine in a Softtail chassis”. Really Harley? 119 lb-ft of torque, versus 118 lb-ft for the existing Fat Bob. That 1 ft-lb is hardly noticeable. I rode both 107 and 114 models (both Fat Bob and Breakout, so 4 models total) back-to-back at a Harley’s Daytona test ride event, and couldn’t tell the difference in power. My KTM Superduke GT produces 106 lb-ft of torque with an engine 2/3rd the size. And horsepower? Harley 114: 90hp. Superduke GT: 173hp. I laughed in my helmet at how weak the Harleys felt. The engines sign-off after 5k rpm. I wanted to love the Fat Bob due to it’s styling. Also, several test ride units at Daytona were unable to find neutral (“yeah, we have problem with that” stated several Harley reps at Daytona), and I’m done considering Harley.
Do you always compare apples to watermelons? 2 bikes with completely different reasons to exist.
Bob K: I have room in my budget for one twin cylinder machine. After test riding the KTM Superduke GT and each model of the new Harley Softtail line, the KTM was the clear choice. Comparing a Harley to my Kawasaki ZX14R or my Yamaha MT-10 would be apples to watermelons. Comparing a Harley to a KTM is more like oranges to tangerines.
Looks pretty lean and mean for a Harley but the steering head angle doesn’t look suited for aggressive cornering.
Yes,
We want to see about 23.5 degrees of rake and 100mm of trail. Need to raise the rear end and dump the 240 tire for a 190 max. Something like the FTR1200 Indian
When will they do something other than forward controls? +1 on the lost thing. It has got the same look as the Bender adventure bike, all blocky.
yamaha warrior ; aluminium frame , fully adjustable suspension, 15 years ago
4 valve heads, as I recall, too.
I had a 2007 Yamaha Roadliner S that was chipped, piped and dyno tuned. At the rear tire, it made 117 foot pounds of torque and 95 HP. It was obnoxious as hell.
I think Harley will sell these quite well. It’s a nice looking machine, a bit too racked out and her arse is too wide, I’d prefer a 190.
Correct
This bike is only 10 lbs heavier than the Warrior and will likely sport an extra 15 hp give or take. The Warrior is a fine power cruiser, and this HD probably is, too.
Is AMF back in charge again? It’s stunning to see that people who run a motorcycle company can be the least qualified to design motorcycles.
Indeed Zephyr!
i don’t know what to say ….. they seem sooo desperate my yamaha warrior is a better bike , adjustable suspension, aluminium frame. nothing new
Remember the horrible grey vinyl cladding that “adorned” the sides of the first Chevy Avalanches? I see HD has found a use for the surplus. Take that away and use a more attractive muffler and there is a chance. I hope this isn’t the final release version.
Pontiac Aztec!
I threw up in my mouth a bit. Could they sell 100 of these? I doubt it. Good lord, they ARE lost.
Looks like a chopper without all that annoying style.
I like the front of it. Just wish the guy who designed it was also allowed to design the back of it.
Making improvements with the weight savings, decent brakes and adjustable suspension. I’m skeptical of the engine performance. I think I’ll keep my 2009 VMax for now.
I opine that this will neither appeal to the “faithful”, or anyone else.
I can’t help but notice that no figures are given for the bike’s overall weight, or it’s horsepower. That leads me to suspect that both numbers will be disappointing when compared to any of this bike’s competition.
Also, what’s with the Stage 1/Stage 2 garbage? Is there anyone who doesn’t want their bike to perform the best it possibly can? Why isn’t this stuff stock? It feels like HD is doing this to make more money on top of an already excessively expensive bike. And the bike will probably still be underpowered compared to any of its competitors after spending the extra money.
Harley has a long road ahead of them if they want to capture market share among performance minded customers.
Harley Davidson has only ever published torque claims. No point in claiming peak horsepower when 1) it isn’t going to be an impressive number, and 2) the typical cruiser customer cares nothing about peak horsepower claims. Same goes with weight.
119 lbft @ 3500rpms, which seems like high revs (snicker!) for a Harley torque peak, comes to roughly 80 horsepower. So it may be an engine that could potentially make something like 105 peak. Maybe that would work out to 90 hp at the wheel or so. That’s hotter than anything else in the cruiser segment i believe unless you count the Rocket III, Diavel and Vmax as cruisers.
Impressive? Certainly not, but average horsepower throughout the operable rev range is likely pretty satisfying. If we were to ride it, I don’t think “slow” would be the first thing to come to mind.
First thought in my mind would probably be “Why must my feet stick out like this?”
Jeremy, if I may?
To answer your final question: Because on a bike such as this, including the copycat models from the Far lEast, unless you are a midget, the seat is too low for your feet to be under you.
Yes, it is also a style and comfort thing (some people like it, just not you!). But really now. The seat is L O W, low. You are not going to get your inseam to contort that much with any degree of comfort to have your legs under you. Later.
My biggest problem with these kinds of ergonomics isn’t so much the feet forward, though I do find sticking my feet out to be uncomfortable and completely unnatural both with respect to how it feels and functionally controlling the bike. For me anyway, this riding position seems to out a lot of pressure on my lower spine. My back kills me after a while of riding like that.
It’s funny that they still think stuff like this is powerful (or are trying to promote mis-information). You’d still get owned by a SV650 in every situation.
The people that buy Harleys really don’t give an intercourse about getting “owned” by an SV650. No. Really. They do not care at all. To be totally honest, no one should care about that. Back to the bike at hand…
This newest special, created by dragging an ego-powered corporate magnet through a troglodyte era parts bin, is only slightly better than the stupid Spurt Glide or the bike it replaced, the Bitchswack.
I had more to say but apparently it’s awaiting approval.
That’s funny because all the ad copy and attitude coming from the fan boys is that their bikes are “bad ass”. Heck, I remember some of the earlier bikes that would get out-accelerated by a Ninja 250. Only after they realize their loud and outrageously expensive (for a mass produced) bike isn’t very fast, at all, do they say that they don’t care.
It is pretty darn powerful when you consider where there power is made. It’s a cruiser that does all it needs to do by 5500 rpm, it isn’t a tiny race bike. It’s also designed to fit into their luxo barge models and trikes.
.
As for power, how about this 13 liter engine in a Mack truck? The MP8HE only makes 415-505 HP. That’s only a max of 38.8 HP/liter. But it does make up to 1860lbs-ft of torque. Is that not power to you?
.
Basically, HD engines are designed to work similarly to a big-rig. To motivate large, heavy loads. And it does it well. So why the hate?
Torque isn’t power. So no, neither this bike or a Mack is particularly powerful, especially in the context of power:weight ratio.
To your point though, both are designed for a specific mission, neither of which is remotely similar to that of an SV650.
I know some people with 2.5 liter Subarus that are making more power than those Mack trucks. So yes, with the right gearing and enough weight on the wheels they can out-pull a Mack truck. The Subaru wouldn’t last very long under those conditions but how’s that for cross-shopping comparisons?
Looks nice but I don’t do forward controls.
+1
Unavoidable when you’re stuck on having a sub-30″ seat height. Patdep’s comparison to the Warrior was better than what I was thinking (I was comparing it to the 1986 V-Max). I also noticed they didn’t include MSRP.
Why are we still forced to say, “That thing is fast (for a Harley)” or “It sure does have a great lean angle (for a Harley)”, or “It’s really light weight (for a Harley)”. I remember a guy at work referring to Harleys with “They may be slow, but they sure are expensive”. Maybe with the advent of this model, he’d cut the statement to “They sure are expensive”.
119 ft. lbs. at 3500 rpm equals about 80 hp at peak torque, and maybe what, 93 HP at peak HP, and that’s at the crank? Yeah, she’s a real fighter jet – Harley, please stop embarrassing yourself, stick with what you do best (pure V-Twin cruiser with a long pedigree with nice paint and chrome and lots of torque), keep production in the USA, drop your production numbers back to 250,000 per year, and learn to live within that budget, you’re never going to be able to compete with Honda in Honda’s ballpark. You’re only going to hurt the brand you’ve worked so hard to build if you do. Sheesh.
Pretty cool. Nice to see an emphasis on weight reduction.