2019 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDR
grips riding position. Then you register the lack of
handlebar risers and handlebar clamp, bold black top
nuts on the fork tubes with nicely detailed Harley-
Davidson text in white, no ignition switch on the
tank console, a digital speedo, fuel cap in centre
of tank and, on this bike, lots of black trim. Nice...
Fire up the Milwaukee Eight with the rocker switch
on the right handlebar and you’re greeted with a
satisfying bass note from the massive and visually
intimidating exhaust system and a whining sound
that’s reminiscent of a supercharger. This is a factory
114 and much better sounding than the almost total
silence of some newer Harleys I’ve heard.
The clutch is light, the transmission clicks into
gear easily and as you move off and touch the front
brake lever you find out how sensitive and powerful
the front brakes are, especially when cold. The motor
loves low RPM and begs for the short shift so as to
access the effortless grunt. This bike is brilliant at
blasting across three lanes and then back across two
to get around incompetent and slow cage drivers in
Melbourne traffic.
The FXDR is not a traditional biker Harley-
Davidson. It’s appeal is in the thrill of riding it and
it sure is a rider’s bike.
Next issue this FXDR gets a Screamin’ Eagle cam,
Screamin’ Eagle exhaust, a tuner and dynotuning
from Harley Heaven in Melbourne who assure us
the 114 will really start to put out some grunt!
Stand by for part two of this fast FXDR in the next
issue of HEAVY DUTY magazine.Ed’s note: On the day we went to print the FXDR came
back from Harley Heaven in Melbourne with all the
performance goodies fitted. See pics below. Without
spoiling the surprise we’ll just say it is a very different
beast to when it went in there.Screamin’ Eagle titanium/carbon
performance muffler (above) looks the
biz, gives a throaty rumble.