This is Kenny Sagawa, I’m a motorcycle journalist.
This time I have test ride “Softail FXDR 114″of Harley Davidson.
First, it’s given a new look.
Hurley has had a strong image of a good-old classical heavyweight motorcycle so far.
On the other hand, FXDR has a different aura.
It becomes a modern drag racer style while it’s to follow the form of traditional Harley style which is low & long.
I felt that it didn’t seem like riding a cruiser. I could enjoy sporty riding with this motorcycle.
Among all the new type of Softail, this model can be said to be a modern model in particular.
It’s cool even in town and I can enjoy powerful riding.
I think that this motorcycle can be categorized in the genre of “performance cruiser”.
Even when looking at details, it has become a boldly aggressive design such as a new aluminum swing arm, a small screen, a newly designed steel tank, and a solo seat.
For FXDR, a composite material heavily using aluminum is used.
The weight is the lightest 303 kg in a Softail series.
Since it’s Harley’s motorcycle, 300 kg will be exceeded even if it is lightweight.
Speaking of Harley, remarkable part is engine.
The displacement of the traditional air-cooled V twin engine is 1886 cc.
The exhaust volume is almost 2L.
It is like a car.
I could feel a huge torque that huge displacement produced.
And explosive acceleration is showing FXDR’s true worth.
A sense of beating deeply touched my soul.
This feeling is unique to Harley.
However, a dual balancer is installed in FXDR.
Therefore, I only feel a few vibration while riding.
Since the engine is a rigid mounting type, I could feel the sense of beating vividly.
It is hard for me to get tired even if it is on a long riding because the vibration is few.
Let’s straddle on it.
A low & long riding position is characteristic of Harley.
Since it is a sports model, the position of handlebar is low and it makes a forward leaning posture.
The steps is located at the forward.
The seat height is very low.
Also, the shape of the tank is narrowed down the width of its body, and my feet can easily to touch the ground.
It can be said that this riding position embodies the sports model in Harley-style.
Handling is full of dense.
Because of its long wheelbase and weight, I could feel a sense of stability very much.
This motorcycle not only runs fast in the straight line, but also turn smoothly at the corner.
Because fat tire is installed at the rear, it feels like the tire rolls sideways at the corner.
The turning performance is high.
Handling is full of dense and its response is good.
This heavy handling can also be said to be an element that enjoys a motorcycle.
FXDR is the most sporty motorcycle among the new type of Softail series.
The position of the step is high, and the exhaust has a tri-oval shape, so that it is possible to lean the motorcycle more sharply at the corner.
The inverted fork and double disc brake are installed at the front, it can be said to be a sporty motorcycles.
In other words, FXDR can be said to be a model pursuing a sports mind of Harley-style.
Recent bikes are becoming lightweight, compact and easy handling in general, but this model overturns that common sense.
■You can shop FXDR114 part’s from below URL!!
https://japan.webike.net/HARLEY-DAVIDSON/FXDR114/14092/mtop/
