The 2019 Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 is the latest addition to the Softail family. With drag bike-inspired styling, a big 114ci V-twin, sport-tuned components, lightweight materials and generous cornering clearance, it’s one of the sportiest Harleys in the lineup. (Photos by Kevin Wing)
The V-Rod is dead, long live the V-Rod. Well, sort of. When Harley-Davidson overhauled the Softail platform for 2018, it created an all-new chassis to accommodate the Milwaukee-Eight V-twin in different sizes (107ci and 114ci) as well as a wide range of body styles. Capitalizing on the flexible design, Dyna models were folded into the Softail line, creating one big, happy family, like the Brady Bunch.
The FXDR 114’s swingarm and subframe are made of aluminum and its tail section and fenders are made of composite, which helps it achieve a curb weight of 668 pounds (claimed). Joining the Softail lineup for 2019 is the FXDR 114, a long, lean, dragbike-inspired power cruiser that channels the spirit of the VRSC V-Rod, which quietly exited the stage last year after 17 years of production. Like the V-Rod, the FXDR has a raked-out front end, a lower cowl attached to the frame?s downtubes and a wide 240-section rear tire wrapped around a solid-disc rear wheel.
With 33 degrees of available lean angle, the FXDR 114 offers more cornering clearance than any other Softail. In corners, the first thing to drag will be your boot heels.
To enhance the FXDR?s performance potential, Harley-Davidson ga...