How The FXDR 114 Became The Fastest Harley-Davidson Ever 

Summary

• The Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 is an unapologetic power cruiser that brings a new level of all-out performance to the lineup.
• The FXDR 114 combines the Milwaukee Eight 114 engine with lightweight components and premium suspension for exceptional acceleration and power delivery.
• Despite its flaws, the FXDR is a step in the right direction for Harley-Davidson, as the brand moves towards a more nimble future with improved performance and handling.

Talk about making tall claims, and we’re going to point to Harley-Davidson, especially when it comes to the FXDR 114. This brutal drag-style cruiser from Harley-Davidson looks the part and performs well, too, but did Harley really have to compare it to a fighter jet? We may not agree with this comparison, but we agree with one thing Harley-Davidson claims about the FXDR 114;

This bike is an unapologetic power cruiser that brings a new level of all-out performance to the Harley-Davidson lineup.

The FXDR 114 combines the unrelenting torque of the Milwaukee Eight 114 V-twin with lightweight composite and aluminum components and premium suspension. The result is a motorcycle that amplifies the Harley-Davidson experience, giving exceptional acceleration and power delivery. It’s the tenth Harley-Davidson based on the Softail platform, and while it may not be as quick as the Ducati Superleggera V4 — it’s not even as quick as the Ducati Diavel V4, to be honest — it still deserves a place in the history of motorcycling history. One reason: it is the fastest thoroughbred Harley-Davidson ever produced, and here’s how HD got to it.

Step 1: A Few Tweaks To The Milwaukee Eight 114 Engine

Torque Output: 119 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM

The Harley-Davidson FXDR 114 uses the same Milwaukee Eight 114 engine that’s already present on many Harley-Davidsons, but in the FXDR, the engine needed to produce more performance. So, HD set out to give it more boost by adding a few nifty upgrades that would allow for a higher compression ratio, stronger torque delivery, and thrilling acceleration. And to bring out even more performance, Harley-Davidson offers Screamin’ Eagle performance upgrades, from Stage I to Stage IV that push the performance even further without voiding the factory warranty.

To be honest, if you ride the Fat Bob 114 and the FXDR 114 back to back in their stock forms, you’re unlikely to notice the difference. The acceleration surge is strong, and the engine has a lot of character — there’s no denying that the FXDR is the fastest Harley-Davidson ever, but to actually experience it in all its glory, get at least a Screamin’ Eagle Stage I system. The FXDR is still no V-Rod or V-Max, but it’s an excellent stoplight-to-stop light special with immense acceleration on demand.

Engine Highlights

• The FXDR Milwaukee Eight 114 V-twin uses an advanced four-valve cylinder head, dual knock sensors, and precision oil cooling for increased compression ratio
• The rigid-mounted engine uses dual counter-balancers to cancel the primary vibrations at idle
• The forward-facing intake is inspired by the World Champion Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines drag bikes for optimal airflow
• The exposed air filter uses a synthetic medium that doesn’t require oiling
• The 2-in-1 exhaust system is tuned for performance and shaped for a lean angle

Engine And Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson and Motorcycle News)

Step 2: Fasting For Not-So-Intermittent Fast Acceleration

Power to Weight Ratio: 0.157 HP/LB

To make the fastest Harley-Davidson ever, engine tweaks only tell one side of the story; the other side is weight — the power-to-weight ratio is what makes a bike fast; otherwise, the Rocket 3 would eat superbikes for breakfast. This is where FXDR makes the biggest sacrifices that pay off, giving the bike incredible on-road performance and acceleration. Unlike other Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the FXDR feels light and athletic.

Here, weight-saving comes in many forms. For example, the FXDR uses an aluminum swingarm instead of the steel swingarm present on other Softail models; the former weighs 13.8 pounds and the latter is 24 pounds, saving 10.2 pounds or 43% in weight. The forged aluminum Ace wheels are also lightweight and use thin spokes, and the rear aluminum disc is made of aluminum, too, to reduce unsprung mass on the rear end. Although, we’d like to have a word about the massive 240mm rear tire — why?

Apart from aluminum components, this might be one rare Harley-Davidson to use composite fiber instead of metal all around. For example, the entire tail section is composite, and it is supported by a welded aluminum subframe that supports the seat. Gone are the gorgeous metal fenders found on other Softail models, and you may complain, but this saves seven pounds in weight. Overall, this gives FXDR one of the best power-to-weight ratios in the history of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Dimensions And Weight Specifications

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson)

Step 3: Garnish The Chassis With More Flavors And Spice

While the FXDR is known for its brutal acceleration, the drag-inspired cruiser also boasts excellent handling — or so Harley-Davidson claims. This comes thanks to various adjustments and additions to the frame and other handling-related components. For starters, the frame is the same Softail chassis but is paired with an aluminum swingarm with an optimized angle for precise response and handling.

Harley-Davidson claims that the FXDR is not only about straight acceleration, and it can handle its own weight on twisty back roads and congested city traffic, too. But be warned, it is not so nimble. Sports bike riders may be drawn to it, but it’s still a quintessential Harley-Davidson in the way it handles. The raked-out front end and comically large rear tire make the bike unnervingly slow to turn in and the suspension setup doesn’t work as hard as your spine to soak up bumps.

To the uninitiated canyon carvers, the FXDR will feel lazy and labored, but if you understand the dynamics well, you can push this bike to its handling limits. It is a rewarding experience nonetheless, but unfortunately, if you want a quick canyon carver with an HD badge on it, the Fat Bob is a better buy. And the Ducati Diavel will still swipe the floor with these 114-powered muscle bikes.

Chassis Highlights

• The engine is rigid-mounted to the frame for improved response
• The rear mono-shock with a single coilover features internal free-piston technology and is paired with an external hydraulic preload adjustment knob
• The front end is weighted on inverted forks, featuring a single cartridge-internal fork damping tech and a triple-rate spring
• The lean angle is better than any other Softail model at 32.6 degrees to the left and 32.8 degrees to the right
• The bike uses high-performance Michelin Scorcher 11 tires for optimized handling and braking performance
• The aluminum clip-ons push more weight into the forks

Chassis and Suspension Specification

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson and Cycle World)

Step 4: Follow The Function With Form

Harley-Davidson nailed the first two steps but did a boo-boo in the third step. But that’s alright because the fourth step is where HD redeems itself in making the fastest-ever Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The visual design of the bike follows function, and unlike many other Harley-Davidson, the FXDR does not prioritize form over function. It’s the other way around. Spoiler alert: the FXDR design is sophisticated and looks ravishing.

The Harley-Davidson FXDR is a power cruiser that takes more than just cues from dragstrip racers. This dragster borrows various elements, including a raked-out front end, massive intake and exhaust, a clipped tail section, an exposed suspension adjuster, and a stretched 4.4-gallon fuel tank. The bike also gets race-inspired chin fairing that conceals much of the oil cooler. And lest we forget, a massive rear tire! All these elements not only make the FXDR a thoroughbred dragster, but also aid in terms of performance, handling, and acceleration.

The FXDR also gets other goodies that you’d expect from a modern Harley. For instance, the bike gets all LED lighting, including a Daymaker LED headlamp, keyless ignition, Harley-Davidson Smart Security System, and a USB charging port.

Design Highlights

• The speed screen that frames the LED headlights is aerodynamically designed to break the wind
• The tail section is chopped, and the rear fender is shaped to hug the tire and become almost invisible when the bike is in motion
• The rear lighting module and license plate holder are secured on the left side, exposing the right side of the wheel
• The wheels are finished in gloss black and satin black paint, detailed nicely with laser-etched orange graphics

Congratulations, The Fastest Ever Harley-Davidson Is Ready

Production Years: 2018 to 2021

We have one complaint about the FXDR, and you should too. If you are planning to snatch up the fastest Harley-Davidson motorcycle — reconsider your decision. The FXDR has performance forks and brakes, but it has only 5 horsepower more than the Fat Bob, and it is a lot less comfortable, too. So, consider getting the Fat Bob instead; it’s a terrific new-age Harley-Davidson that may not be as fast as the FXDR, but it is a more everyday motorcycle nonetheless.

Harley-Davidson went a long way to making the fastest motorcycle in its lineup ever, and it has paid off. The FXDR is an excellent dragster-inspired cruiser that’s all about muscular acceleration. And while it has its flaws, you can’t deny that it is a step ahead in the right direction. Finally, Harley-Davidson is moving toward a relatively nimble future where performance and handling take the stage, too. The brand has a long way to go, but we’re not complaining.