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What is so great about FXR's?

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What is so great about FXR's? - 5/4/2008 12:48:06 PM   
Springer95

 

Posts: 9
Joined: 6/20/2007
Status: offline 		Whoa, calm down everybody...this isn't a rip on FXR's. I'm asking seriously. Evrybody that owns one LOVES it. Many people say they're the best HD ever built. I have never ridden one. Owned a FXD for awhile. What is different about the FXR from the FXD? They look great, btw.
Post #: 1
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/4/2008 1:18:53 PM   
Y2K


Posts: 715
Joined: 6/11/2005
From: SW WA.
Status: offline 		Great handling and light,I had an early '84 and loved it,wish I still had it but I had to move on to a bagger for the OL and I to tour with.
While still an engineer at Harley Erik Buell designed the unique frame which helps explain the great handling.
My E '84 had a dry weight of only 575lbs,not much more than a Sportster.

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RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/4/2008 1:47:26 PM   
BG Weasel


Posts: 1614
Joined: 5/29/2006
From: St Louis
Status: offline 		Better handling due to a stiffer frame. (Notice that "V" design?)  When it was introduced it was the best of all worlds--a rubber mounted big twin with a sportster front end.  I miss mine.

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06 FLTRI
Not affiliated with rodents or other critters with the same name.


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Post #: 3
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/4/2008 3:08:16 PM   
sqdealgeorge

 

Posts: 279
Joined: 12/26/2007
Status: offline 		HD dropped the fxr because the frame was too expensive to mass produce Over the years I've installed 96/113 S&S motors in these frames What a great sport bike  The dyna frames were cheaper to mass produce but not friendly to big stroker motors Say goodbye to a great frame!!!

(in reply to BG Weasel)
Post #: 4
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/5/2008 3:05:25 AM   
Buddy WMC


Posts: 165
Joined: 4/13/2007
Status: offline 		All you have to do is look at my baby, isn't she beautiful? Fastest and best handling Harley I've ever owned and had my first Pan chopper in 1966. Unless I wreck this one so bad it can't be repaired this will be my last Harley and this one goes to my grave with me.

Soon as the 85" cylinders and ported SE heads are installed tomorrow, we'll see what she has got. We did the clearancing on the .595 lift cam and buttoned up the cam chest on Saturday. There will be a quite a few surprised Twin Cams in a week or two, I can tell ya that !

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1993 FXLR S&S Super E, Andrews EV-27, SE Chrome Lifter Blocks/Lifters, SE Ignition,SE Pushrods. WFFW!!

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RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/5/2008 2:05:19 PM   
nutmagnet



Posts: 52
Joined: 11/2/2007
Status: offline 		Bought a 92 fxrp at an auction a couple years ago and love it.Makes it tough to get on the old 70 flh sometimes.

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Post #: 6
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/6/2008 4:43:28 AM   
grbrown


Posts: 186
Joined: 6/29/2007
Status: offline
grbrown's photo gallery 		The FXR frame is very similar to a Colin Seeley racing frame in layout, which also used that large V shape for the side tubes. So it is very stiff which is where its excellent handling comes from.

Harley decided it was too expensive, but they also wanted to change the look of that range of bikes to more retro, like my 70s SuperGlide. That bike had a hinge in the middle....

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Graham - 1990 Bright Candy HiFi Blue FLHS/2008 S&S V107T, 2007 XB12R, MG ZT V8, England.

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Post #: 7
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/6/2008 10:54:09 AM   
ksscooter

 

Posts: 126
Joined: 7/8/2007
Status: offline 		I had a 1985 FXR and it was a great bike.  Handled wonderfully, had the EVO motor, and was trouble free.  The only thing I didn't like about it was the two tone silver gray and maroon paint.  Golly it was ugly.

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Post #: 8
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/6/2008 11:08:32 AM   
DeJavu


Posts: 2824
Joined: 6/29/2007
From: Bellville, Tx
Status: offline 		The star in the movie "HD and the Marlboro man" was a chopped FXR w/rigid struts, flat seat and brushed bare steel tank. Loved the look of it!

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Post #: 9
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/6/2008 1:49:02 PM   
89FLHT

 

Posts: 840
Joined: 10/26/2005
Status: offline 		Lowered my FXR 2.5" in the rear, raked it 6 degrees and went 3" over on the forks with 6" risres and Drags.  Built a decent 80" motor and upgraded the brakes front and rear.  Bottom line, the speed, hadelining and performance were excellent.  Had zero problems haulin' ass in the twisties and ripping on back roads.  Was it a ZX-11 no, but it sure as hell would give most non sport bikes one hell of a run.  I rode and wrenched on many Dyna's, they looked more nostalgic and that was nice, but they simply could not handle as well as the FXR frame.

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Post #: 10
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/6/2008 8:23:12 PM   
wallster


Posts: 3
Joined: 4/22/2008
Status: offline 		I owned my '91 FXR for seven years, wish I still had her. Rubber mounted motor and a great handling bike,(very nimble). I added ross racing pistons, crane cam, screamin eagle ignition, and a bunch of other goodies.
Here's what she looked like when I sold her.

Walt
'92 flstc

(in reply to Springer95)
Post #: 11
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/7/2008 2:14:25 PM   
hotrod351

 

Posts: 278
Joined: 9/22/2005
Status: offline 		whats so great about a fxr, nothing. step up from a sporty.

(in reply to Springer95)
Post #: 12
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/7/2008 9:45:50 PM   
sc08

 

Posts: 22
Joined: 5/3/2008
Status: offline 		my buddy's got a 82 1/2 fxrs that is a blast to ride. just redid the motor. shovel, 5 speed. runs like a champ. damn fun bike to ride to say the least.

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Post #: 13
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/8/2008 11:22:43 AM   
EVOrider


Posts: 1191
Joined: 2/13/2007
Status: offline 		The Dyna may have the "desired" Harley look.....

However, the FXR series were a blast to ride anywhere. In my opinion, an EVO powered FXR was the best line of bikes Harley ever manufactured. I honestly belive they should have kept the FXR lineup though.

Magazines loved the FXR, but riders didn't like the look because it didn't have that Harley look. So, Harley eventually came out with the Dyna series and also it being rubber mounted.

Ultimately, the Dyna frame was less expensive to manufacture and riders loved it. The FXR was gone for several years until 1999-2000 when they made the very last FXR series.

1984 FXRT was the best Harley I ever owned and rode!

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1998 Electra Glide Ultra Classic EFI
1998 Electra Glide Classic
1998 FXDL Low Rider
1999 FXDS-CONV- SOLD http://www.hdtrader.com/56805

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Post #: 14
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/10/2008 8:02:43 AM   
notlost_nc


Posts: 521
Joined: 9/24/2006
Status: offline 		At the end of the 8th day God created the FXR,    right after he built the FLT.     Hasn't been a decent ride built since      

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Post #: 15
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/11/2008 5:22:08 PM   
hdtwice

 

Posts: 224
Joined: 7/5/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: ksscooter

I had a 1985 FXR and it was a great bike.  Handled wonderfully, had the EVO motor, and was trouble free.  The only thing I didn't like about it was the two tone silver gray and maroon paint.  Golly it was ugly.


LOL   You know the color!!   My 85 fxrt was that color, so I had it painted candy apple red.  I try to tell people how bad the original color combo was and they just don't understand.

(in reply to ksscooter)
Post #: 16
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/14/2008 1:41:22 PM   
BlackAngus

 

Posts: 16
Joined: 2/14/2008
Status: offline 		I had a 1992 FXRS-sp (Lowrider Sport) which was by far the best Harley that I have ever owned. I traded it for a 1997 FLHTC which was the worst Harley I had ever owned. Currently have a 1998 FXDL. It is nothing like the FXRS-sp. I don't believe I am going to keep it very long. It is mediocre at best, compared to the FXRS-sp.

(in reply to hdtwice)
Post #: 17
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/14/2008 3:50:29 PM   
Franko92


Posts: 31
Joined: 4/27/2008
Status: offline 		My first Harley is a 92 FXRS lowrider, I guess I lucked out. I have never heard a bad thing said about these bikes.

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1992 FXRS Lowrider

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Post #: 18
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/20/2008 6:57:34 AM   
roofer

 

Posts: 173
Joined: 10/18/2007
Status: offline 		They are very cool bikes some day I will have one

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2005 Springer Classic
Rush 2.25" slipons
Chubby Beach bars

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Post #: 19
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/26/2008 3:57:30 PM   
bigjohn1percenter



Posts: 427
Joined: 6/6/2007
Status: offline 		one of the best bikes i owed, wish i still had it..........................



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Post #: 20
RE: What is so great about FXR's? - 5/29/2008 12:41:33 PM   
big mahk

 

Posts: 17
Joined: 11/22/2007
Status: offline 		I've heard that Eric Buell designed the FXR frame. Maybe so. I don't know but for sure the frame is a total stretched out copy of a Norton Commando, one of the finest handling street bikes ever built. Depending on what specs you use an FXR is between 40lbs and 60lbs lighter than a comparably equipped Dyna and you can feel it. The FXR also has a 32 degree rake in the front end compared to 29 degrees on a Dyna. That should make the FXR slower turning into a turn but that is not the case, probably because of the lighter weight. A good FXR that has enough ground clearance (not the Lowriders) is both nimble and rock steady in fast sweepers. I have a pumped up 2000 FXR4 and I love it but I think a good Dyna is not so far behind. You have to remember this "handling" stuff is secondary to the skills and cajones of the rider. Also your pipes and pegs will be dragging long before you're really able to fully appreciate the handling of an FXR.

Harley tried to recapture some of the appeal of the FXR with the FXDX, hyping it as a sport handling Dyna. I think it had an even steeper rake on the front end and you find a lot of their owners putting on aftermarket steering stabilizers to counteract a slight twitchiness at high speed.

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Post #: 21
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