Harley® made a lot of upgrades for 2019. New this year is the FXDR™ 114 and the manufacturer says it's "like a drag racer crossed with a jet fighter." When you go on forums you encounter what you'd expect with a Harley® product. People who understand the lifestyle fall anywhere between curious and fired up. People who don't are full of skepticism.
At Dallas Harley-Davidson® in Garland we saw the FXDR™ 114 at the dealer show before it was available to the general public, so we knew it would be a hit. Still, we were curious what the feedback would be from residents of Dallas, Mesquite and Forney. Here's what you need to know.
FXDR™ 114 -- THE DRAG BIKE WITH HARLEY® ATTITUDE
Younger motorcycle enthusiasts prefer sport bikes. Until now they've admired Harley®, but they felt like some models didn't look and handle like they were made for racing.
One of the things we love best about the FXDR™ 114 is that Harley® didn't copy Ducati or Honda. They packed in modern performance and retained Harley-Davidson® character when they created something entirely new.
Yes, you can get entry-level sport bikes cheaper, which may be a deterrent to some younger buyers, but this is too much machine for a high school kid.
FXDR™ 114 PRICING AND PERFORMANCE
The FXDR™ 114 has an MSRP of $21,349 when you buy it in Vivid Black. It also comes in Black Denim, Bonneville Salt Denim, Industrial Gray Denim, Rawhide Denim and Wicked Red Denim. Click here to see our Dallas FXDR™ 114 page where you can swap out your color options.
The bike comes with a powerful 114 cubic inch Milwaukee-Eight V-twin engine. Its high torque comes from the forward-facing air intake and new synthetic air filter. The air filter is inspired by World Champion Screamin' Eagle drag bikes. The 2-into-1 exhaust is Stage 1 tuned and has an aggressive rumble.
The curb weight is a lean 668 pounds due to an aluminum swingarm a lightweight aluminum disc rear wheel and forged aluminum front wheel with thin spokes and composite materials in the tail section, front fender and rear fender.
With its refined suspension and exhaust, FXDR™ 114 provides more lean angle than any other Softail with 32.8 degrees on the right and 32.6 on the left. The solo seat positions the rider over the tank for aggressive riding. It's possible though to add a passenger seat and accommodate two much more comfortably than on a regular sport bike.
The bike has a 4.4 gallon fuel capacity and gets an estimated 46 miles per gallon.
FXDR™ 114 DALLAS REVIEWS
But what's it really like to ride the new FXDR™ 114? It looks mean and agile, but does it handle as good as it looks? We talked to Plano resident Taylor Gates, who recently purchased one of the first ones sold in the Dallas area.
Taylor describes himself as an adrenaline guy. He works almost nonstop and when he's not working, he spends his time riding fast bikes and fast cars. His Alfa Romeo was fun, but he hadn't had a bike for a while and he was starting to feel the itch. He never dreamed he'd end up with a Harley.
He visited a Dallas Harley-Davidson® dealership with his dad, not really expecting to find anything. He talked with a brand ambassador about his riding style and motorcycle preferences and went home. Then the 2019 bikes came in.
He researched the FXDR™ 114 extensively and was impressed by the rave reviews. It was when he saw it, though, that he was hooked.
"If I dreamed up everything I wanted in a bike, this was it. Harley® knocked it out of the park." He was surprised by the power and responsive handling. The sport bike guy says FXDR™ 114 has more than enough heart-pounding action with a Stage 1 upgrade, and he's still taking it easy during the break-in phase.
What he repeats over and over is how he wishes other people could experience the bike. Seeing it in person made him a convert, and test riding far exceeded expectations. The motorcycle has the speed and agility of a sport bike, but everything about it has the feel of Harley® quality. There's no cheap plastic or fake leather. The bike feels both beefy and crisp.
WHERE TO BUY FXDR™ 114 NEAR DALLAS
So are you up for the challenge? If sport bikes are your thing and you think there's no way a Harley® can measure up, why not check it out? Stop by Dallas Harley-Davidson® in Garland or schedule your free test ride today.