All Dyna owners really should....
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
I thought the first SuperGlide came out around 1971.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 16
From: New Jersey
no no no......
1977, the FXS Low Rider was introduced. The Low Rider had alloy wheels front and rear, two disc brakes on the front wheel, extended forks with a 32° rake, and a 26" seat height. [5] Unlike the Super Glide, the Low Rider was an instant hit; outselling all other Harley-Davidson models in its first full year of production.[6] All three FX models returned to using Fat Bob tanks, but with a special centre divider that included a tachometer.[3]
1977, the FXS Low Rider was introduced. The Low Rider had alloy wheels front and rear, two disc brakes on the front wheel, extended forks with a 32° rake, and a 26" seat height. [5] Unlike the Super Glide, the Low Rider was an instant hit; outselling all other Harley-Davidson models in its first full year of production.[6] All three FX models returned to using Fat Bob tanks, but with a special centre divider that included a tachometer.[3]
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 5
From: Batesville Ga
The 82 FXR and FXRS were an entirely new frame design using the 80" Shovel engine rubber-mounted with a 5 spd and basically the Sporty forks. It is widely regarded as the best-handling HD ever to that time.
While there were FX models prior to that with the SuperGlide name they really were totally different bikes. IMO, the 82 FXR is the true ancestor of today's Dynas.
Here's a link to more info, although I don't completely agree (based on the research I've done) with all this guys "facts" and conclusions, he does offer more than I've put here. http://www.hdfxr.dk/public/FXR/FXRHistory.aspx
When AMF still owned HD in 80-81 they believed that air-cooled bikes were doomed and worked on the NOVA project - a water cooled V4 that looks nothing like any HD you've ever seen. A group of business consultants HD hired recommended investing (IIRC) $75Million in this project. AMF balked and just after that the LBO occurred.
Naturally, the newly independent HD didn't have 75 mil, so they decided on another direction. They were looking to build a bike to compete with the metrics that were starting to take hold, but the existing FLH frame stripped of bags, fairing, and everything else was considered too ugly. So the FXR frame was designed, the Shovel was rubber-mounted, and the 5 spd was hooked up to make it different from earlier bikes. The FXR was never available with a kicker, even though other HDs of the time still offered them.
While there were FX models prior to that with the SuperGlide name they really were totally different bikes. IMO, the 82 FXR is the true ancestor of today's Dynas.
Here's a link to more info, although I don't completely agree (based on the research I've done) with all this guys "facts" and conclusions, he does offer more than I've put here. http://www.hdfxr.dk/public/FXR/FXRHistory.aspx
When AMF still owned HD in 80-81 they believed that air-cooled bikes were doomed and worked on the NOVA project - a water cooled V4 that looks nothing like any HD you've ever seen. A group of business consultants HD hired recommended investing (IIRC) $75Million in this project. AMF balked and just after that the LBO occurred.
Naturally, the newly independent HD didn't have 75 mil, so they decided on another direction. They were looking to build a bike to compete with the metrics that were starting to take hold, but the existing FLH frame stripped of bags, fairing, and everything else was considered too ugly. So the FXR frame was designed, the Shovel was rubber-mounted, and the 5 spd was hooked up to make it different from earlier bikes. The FXR was never available with a kicker, even though other HDs of the time still offered them.