HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDR (2019 - on) Review

Highlights

Dragster styling
Great V-twin soundtrack
Expensive and compromised

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating:	4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£490
Power:	91 bhp
Seat height:	Low (28.3 in / 720 mm)
Weight:	High (637 lbs / 289 kg)

Prices

New £19,855

Used N/A

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes

3 out of 5 (3/5)

The drag-style FXDR looks great, is the most powerful Harley big twin yet and has performance brakes and forks – but it also has just 5bhp more than a Fat Bob, is uncomfortable, has compromised handling yet costs a full £4000 more than the Fat Bob, too.

Latest news: 2021 Harley-Davidson models unveiled

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine

2 out of 5 (2/5)

Harley-Davidson shout about the FXDR’s 43% lighter alloy swingarm, lighter wheels (including rear solid disc deliberately reminiscent of the V-Rod) and the best lean angles of any Softail.

But this is no sharp sportster: the drag bike kicked-out forks and comedy 250-section rear tyre make steering unnervingly slow and laboured; that rake compromises the USD forks and twin discs while bumps uncomfortably jar the bike’s – and your – rear end.

Yes, once acclimatized and confident the FXDR will carve a curve but it’s nowhere near as nimble as H-D’s own, 114-powered Fat Bob and a Diavel will destroy it.

Engine

Next up: Reliability

4 out of 5 (4/5)

Inlet tweaks and a new two-into-one exhaust help boost this bigger, 114ci version of the 'Milwaukee Eight' from 85bhp to 91 ponies. But, to be honest, I couldn’t tell the difference.

So, though decent and delivering familiar Harley rumbling and lumbering, on this evidence it’s not really deserving of the performance 'R' tag. It’s no V-Rod, certainly no 150bhp+ V-Max or Diavel, and if you want the true 'stop light to stop light acceleration' Harley promised, you'd best go and buy a Stage two or three tune (which, considering the hefty base price, is a little disappointing…)

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value

4 out of 5 (4/5)

There's nothing wrong with the FXDR here. The Milwaukee Eight engine debuted two years ago on Harley’s tourers with no complaints, mechanically it’s quite simple and the cycle parts are better than most. Solid it is – and should remain so.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment

2 out of 5 (2/5)

Geometry and styling aside, the FXDR has a similar specification to Harley’s Fat Bob but that bike, even in 114ci trim, costs over £5000 less. Nor does the FXDR have particularly impressive clocks or even a pillion seat. Overall, the fact it costs so much is something of a mystery.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Starting at £19,855 the FXDR is not only the most powerful (just) of Harley’s Softails – but the most expensive, too, so it’d be reasonable to expect to get a few posh bits.

There aren’t many. True, there’s the uprated engine, twin discs, fancy wheels and USD forks, but the better-handling Fat Bob gets most of those for around £5K less.

What’s more, the FXDR's clocks are basic (with only a small, switchable LCD panel with a strip of idiots underneath) and there’s not even a pillion.

Specs
Engine size	1868cc
Engine type	Four-stroke, 45-degree, pushrod V-twin
Frame type	Tubular steel
Fuel capacity	16.7 litres
Seat height	720mm
Bike weight	289kg
Front suspension	43mm inverted forks, non-adjustable
Rear suspension	Single shock, adjustable spring preload
Front brake	2x300mm discs four-piston calipers, ABS
Rear brake	220mm disc, single-piston caliper. ABS
Front tyre size	120/70x19
Rear tyre size	240/40x18

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption	55 mpg
Annual road tax	£117
Annual service cost	£490
New price	£19,855
Used price	-
Insurance group	17 of 17 How much to insure?
Warranty term	Two years

Top speed & performance
Max power	91 bhp
Max torque	118 ft-lb
Top speed	115 mph
1/4 mile acceleration	-
Tank range	140 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

Although a new model for 2019, the FXDR sits as part of the existing Harley soft tail range. There is the possibility for more variants of the FXDR to appear, however no details have been released at this time.

Other versions

This is the sole variant of the Harley-Davidson FXDR.

Owners' reviews for the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDR (2019 - on)

4 owners have reviewed their HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDR (2019 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDR (2019 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating:	4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5)
Ride quality & brakes:	3.5 out of 5 (3.5/5)
Engine:	4.8 out of 5 (4.8/5)
Reliability & build quality:	4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Value vs rivals:	3.5 out of 5 (3.5/5)
Equipment:	3.5 out of 5 (3.5/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£490

5 out of 5 King of the muscle bikes

19 April 2022 by Harley Hutchings

Year: 2019

Annual servicing cost: £500

King of the muscle bikes

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Good suspension for a Harley, but sub par if you come from sport bikes

Engine 4 out of 5

Great sound, amazing reliability, plenty of power for most, but could personally use more.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

never let me down, fuelpack tuner, bassani exhaust and screaming eagle intake. This bike has been on the 6300 rev limiter for minutes straight. Drag racing and a few sets of rear tires and after all the thrashing its never needed anything other then maintenance.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Equipment 3 out of 5

Abs is nice, but thats about all you get. Oh and the fuel range is nice as well.

4 out of 5 2019 M8 HD FXDRS 114

08 October 2020 by Craig black pearl

Year: 2019

Annual servicing cost: £475

Best features are duel front brakes, seat is comfortable, engine/power/speed, low/travel and ergonomics. Worst features are rear tail light/blinker position, no sissy bar available, not a trip bike, muffler too quiet and air intake is too large. (pushes leg out).

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Bike is best on cooler days, however, it performs regardless of temperature. Always hot when sitting at a traffic light which is expected. It is perfect for short to medium rides. I’d say I need a break between 100-150 miles. Not intended for long rides or across country! Great for around town, country roads or cruise around neighboring county’s.

Engine 5 out of 5

Fast! I dislike nothing. It obeys your command. I only have 2000 miles on it. Still learning it. I can say when in 6th gear at cruising speed of 60mph, if you twist the wick 100% without downshifting, I was at 90mph in seconds. Also 1st gear at 3k rpm is 30mph, 2nd gear at 3k rpm is 60mph and 3rd gear 3k rpm around 91mph. Don’t forget 4th, 5th and 6th! I haven’t gone faster. No windshield at 91mph your laying on gas tank. I upgraded to a Bassani 2 in 1, K&N air intake and a fuelpak. Wow. Fast!

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Purchased new. Very robust motorcycle.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

I will spend what I have to in order to ensure my safety!

Equipment 5 out of 5

PPE! The biggest feature to avoid is one up. Passenger. I invested for my wife to ride perhaps a few times a year. No sissy bar available. I purchased a passenger seat ($200.00) , foot pegs ($160.00) and mounting brackets ($190.00). Not including jacket, helmet and gloves ($750.00). Save your money.

Buying experience: Dealer. New.

5 out of 5 Looks are everything

06 August 2020 by Manic1

Year: 2019

Looks awesome

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Can be uncomfortable on a long ride

Engine 5 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Equipment 5 out of 5

3 out of 5 Onwer’s review

14 April 2020 by Rakan

Version: Europe

Year: 2019

I bought this bike because i loved the idea of it; drag bike which looks different. I had lots of fun driving it; drifting it, and going crazy on it. But the fact is; i hate the riding position on this bike; i hate that small screen that makes the bike look cheap. I hate the rear fender; i hate that this bike has no modifications out there. Harleys supposed to be modifiable; this bike has a very limited options out there. I bought another bike from harley (( streetglide special 114 )) along side my FXDR; since then i never drove my FXDR again and im gonna trade it or sell it. My advice; if you wang a softail; BUY A FAT BOB 114. Best softail i tried.

Ride quality & brakes 2 out of 5

Im 6’2 The bike is very uncomfortable; you’ll start feeling pain in ur hands and shoulders after one hour of riding; forward control and clip ons; not good. Although im tall; but i hate the riding position.

Engine 5 out of 5

Crazy fast; amazing torque.

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

AirCleaner breather was leaking oil into the aircleaner; causing the bike to smoke from the exhaust. First 300km of driving; the primary started making a very loud noise; the dealer replaced a piece of plastic in the primary. Noise gone.

Value vs rivals 2 out of 5

Equipment 1 out of 5

You got ZERO equipments on this bike; a small calculator like screen shows the speed and fuel and you can change views to see RPM and ODO. Go for stage one; get a fender delete to remove the hideous rear fender.

Buying experience: I bought this bike because i loved the idea of it; drag bike which looks different. I had lots of fun driving it; drifting it, and going crazy on it. But the fact is; i hate the riding position on this bike; i hate that small screen that makes the bike look cheap. I hate the rear fender; i hate that this bike has no modifications out there. Harleys supposed to be modifiable; this bike has a very limited options out there. I bought another bike from harley (( streetglide special 114 )) along side my FXDR; since then i never drove my FXDR again and im gonna trade it or sell it.