FXDR 114: This is the main Harley-Davidson innovation for 2019. Based on the new Softail 2018 range, this sporty custom is also a transition model for the Motor Company.
Be careful, the new FXDR 114 is not a Harley-Davidson like the others. First of all, it's a power cruiser, a custom with a very sporty philosophy. A kind of genre in its own right of the custom genre. If the American giant has already accustomed us to this kind of motorcycles since the first V-Rod, the Fat Bob or the excellent Low Rider 110 S, it is venturing this time further towards modernization and this translates into choices. uncommon manufacturing for the brand.
I like, I do not like the FXDR 114
What was our surprise when we discovered the new FXDR 114. Undeniably, the new power cruiser Harley-Davidson has a line a hundred leagues of stylistic codes known within the brand. And that did not escape you on the Moto-Station page or the Facebook page. Critics have rocketed ... And especially on the fact that this new style is similar to that of Japanese manufacturers.
Like (very) often, the bike appears much more successful live than behind a screen. Its proportions are more harmonious and the FXDR exudes a silhouette all in muscles and to say it all: "she has a certain mouth". Obviously, she is very typical, and in fact, we like it or not.
Plastic, It's Fantastic
Another curiosity, and not least for a Harley-Davidson, its manufacture. Indeed, we find a lot of plastic at the level of the dressing (back shell, mudguard front, flank) against metal most of the time at Harley-Davidson. Here, only the tank stays true to the steel. Composite matter, as Harley-Davidson points out, was chosen for the creative freedom it offers and also to contribute to the desire to lighten this model from the usual production.
The imperatives, both creative and technical, have imposed these new construction choices and for a Harley-Davidson, it's not nothing. However, we must recognize the high level of perceived quality of these new elements. The FXDR 114 is absolutely not cheap, quite the opposite. But we expected no less given its rate frankly "premium". In addition, some unfortunate finishing details tarnish a flattering picture, such as a rough weld at the steering column for example.
Abs-buttocks program!
The Power-Cruiser family often reveals a rather typed ergonomics. The new FXDR 114 is no exception to the rule, with controls at the hands and feet far removed from the driver. Therefore, despite the low seat located only 720 mm from the ground, it is better to reach 1m75 minimum to feel comfortable on board and not to suffer from elongation of the vertebrae ... (Your servant will be left for s franking it because it misses about 5 cm).
In the custom sports genre, we have already experienced better, with the low rider 110 S with low median controls, but also worse with the V-Rod Muscle, almost impossible to drive without modification if you measure less than 1m70. In short, if you flash on this new FXDR and you are of average size, take care.
A gargantuan couple, almost overflowing!
The sun shines in the north of Greece near Thessaloniki and our little troop (sorry, chapter in language Motor Co ...) is preparing to test the FXDR off the previous group. The contingent of the French press arrived in the middle of the night as a result of a problem of air transfer ... (end of the slice sequence of life of the writing!).
Exaltation is rapidly gaining ground, erasing the traces of a shortened sleep. The reason is in these few words: Milwaukee Eight 114. The big twin air-cooled 1868 cm3 is not praying to dump his 160 Nm of torque on the huge rear tire. The remarkable strength of this engine is therefore especially in the way it delivers the torque that projects spontaneously with each rotation of the handle.
On this subject, note that the last adjustments made have further improved: it has never been so lively while still being very flexible and devoid of jerks or hollowness. Compared to the twin 107, it is really more efficient everywhere and if the big twin 110 S versions already had a phenomenal torque at low and mid revs, the 114 adds length. A real engine typed Harley with its sound so marked, but almost without vibration or klong the passage of the first because of the developments applied by engineers.
All the feeling ...
The couple XXL therefore, suave, available and fortunately dosable because the FXDR ignores electronic assistance. Some will congratulate it on the pretext that it does not prove vital on a Harley-Davidson. Certainly, there is some truth, especially that the feeling between the accelerator and the tire is very good, but such a couple very easily causes a phenomenon of slippage of the rear wheel.
On the outskirts of Thessaloniki, it's frankly fun to draw long commas on the shiny and ultra-slippery bitumen, but on the wet pavements of our cities during the winter, you'll have to redouble your attention. Nevertheless, the oversized wheelbase helps keep the wheels aligned in the direction of the road ...
More muscle, less fat
While the Milwaukee Eight 114 V-Twin has been fitted with a new air filter and exhaust system to improve responsiveness at all speeds, the new FXDR 114 features a much stronger aluminum swingarm than the classic steel rear arm that is usually found at Harley-Davidson. Without being a revolutionary argument in itself, it shows the will of the brand to lighten and especially improve the behavior of these motorcycles, via increased rigidity.
It should be super fine driver to corroborate the additional rigidity mentioned by the American giant, but the fact is that the overall behavior of the FXDR is really successful. The wheelbase (1738 mm) and the steering column angle (34 °) disproportionate contribute to the stability of the machine. The FXDR also reveals a satisfactory braking given the weight to slow down (303 kg all full facts, manufacturer data) while the brake discs remain of a moderate diameter (300 mm at the front).
On the FXDR 114, Harley-Davidson has worked on the geometry and also on the implementation of various bodies to raise the ground clearance. And that's convincing! With more than 32 ° of angle, she bends a lot more than most of her sisters. Certainly, the lugs of the front footrests end up scraping, but rounding the trajectories, it does not happen so often.
A bold road book ...
Convinced of the dynamic qualities of their novelty, the leaders of the brand took us on a very winding route, almost ideal for an average displacement and on which it was difficult to pass the third report. The bet was daring and, to be honest, a daring nothing. Indeed, even wanted lighter, the FXDR remains a "heavyweight".
In addition, it also suffers from the presence of its huge rear tire of 240 mm which involves a behavior sometimes reluctant to put on the corner, while, at the same time, the big couple seeks to raise the bike as soon as the 'we open the gases in turns ... We understand better why it is not homologated for A2 licenses (like all 114) because it takes a minimum of experience not to be trapped.
However, on the continuation of the course, which was more rolling with bends galore but more open, the FXDR has unveiled excellent potential. As soon as the driving is meant to be less "improvised", the turns are chained with a really satisfactory precision for this kind of motorcycles. Then we take advantage of the good braking, the grip of the Michelin Scorcher 11 and ... Raises enjoyment of the two-cylinder that gives the impression that the bike is towed by the most powerful Hummer ... Great!
The good and bad sides of the sporty custom
Mogul field in sight! And we went through more than one during this test! And to say that we often complained about the French road network partially abandoned ... And you can imagine that Greece is not bad either ... Let us salute the courage of Harley-Davidson who did not choose us take only on "billiards" unlike other manufacturers to better hide the flaws of their novelties.
Inevitably, with very short deflections (as often in the category) - 130mm front and 86mm rear, the FXDR can sometimes shake your skeleton. But, quite honestly, the suspensions do their job with some brilliance.
With these kind of bikes, we attack the time of three turns and we return quickly to a more peaceful pace. Here, we particularly appreciate the remarkable approval of the engine to legal look. Thanks to its flexibility and its maousse couple, the engine invites to cruiser, to look at the landscape and from time to time, to take advantage of the ultra muscular recoveries put on orbit.
Note that the Milwaukee Eight 114 engine (long-stroke like any good twin HD), agrees to ride at 80 km / h in sixth (1750 rev / min approx.), But he still prefers a small 95 km / h cruise to express themselves fully. To stroll and revive handsomely on the couple, it is much more suitable than the modern and more powerful twin of the Ducati XDiavel, another dragster of the category.
The FXDR is far from being an example of homogeneity or versatility, as often in Power Cruisers. But, like a Chevrolet Camaro V8 convertible, it offers inimitable driving sensations and ultimately quite adapted to current traffic conditions; enough to constitute a considerable argument, even if this kind of motorbikes presents, from a rational point of view, many more defects than qualities (cf our strengths and weaknesses).
Balance sheet: Revolution? No, rather a transition
Exuberant, surprising, innovative (especially for a Harley-Davidson), invigorating, the superlatives are not lacking to qualify the new FXDR 114. With this bike, the giant Harley-Davidson advances a step towards modernity, towards an aggressive line trend, which distinguishes it from what we have known until now within the catalog.
While the FXDR will not be as important a milestone for the brand as the first VRSC V-Rod, it still represents a transition to more innovative models by 2020 or 2021, such as the Pan America 1250.
Successful on the dynamic level (within the limits of the genre), quite powerful, the Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 is certainly a motorcycle passion that delivers a max of sensations, a toy for adults ... For affluent adults, because it appears at from € 24,790. For this price, the passenger kit could have been provided in series.
The equipment focused on this test: Helmet Helmets Helmet Helmets
Photo credit: Staff Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 2019: To remember
Price: € 24,790
Color: matt brown, matt black, glossy black, white
Warranty: Two years, parts and labor, unlimited mileage
Homologation: Euro 4, license A, single seat (optional passenger kit, necessary modification of the registration card)
Availability: October 2018
Location of manufacture: USA
