Just moved to Japan, been looking for an FXR. In the States I own a '92 FXRS-LR, bought brand new at Fullerton HD. Buying a bike here is pricey, I just found an '86 FXR that's kinda rough for a million yen. That's $12,593. and change! ****, I paid $12 grand for my '92 brand new! Here, a new Dyna or Softail will run $25 grand (plus).
I guess the choice between buying a new one or paying that much for a 26-year-old motorcycle would be clear, if I had $25 grand.
Question is: under these circumstances, that old FXR, any FXR for that matter, is rare in Japan. $12 grand is a lot to throw down on a bike that's rough, with no idea of how it was ridden, actual mileage, or if the '86 model year had problems from the git-go.
I loved my '92 and would ship it here in a heartbeat if the guy I took the motor to for rebuilding hadn't disappeared with it. 1340cc "A" motors are impossible to find it seems. I refuse to pay 4-5 grand for a motor!
Maybe if I knew what was happening here before I came, I would'a done something different. Too late now. The FXRS is extinct and probably the best HD the factory ever built (my opinion).
So, take a chance on an old FXR, or sell my soul to the devil and buy a new one...what's the answer?

 

Dunno if it helps:
Brand new motor from HD West Virginia - 3K shipped within states, black n chrome - 3.5K

 

Back in 1992 Harley was rationing bikes in all markets, as they couldn't make enough! By the mid-90s here in the UK there was a decent market in imported secondhand ones from the USA and I wouldn't be surprised if the same happened in Japan. That bike may have started life in the USA.

Frankly if it is rough I suggest you move on. It sounds as if that bike will take a lot of money and elbow grease to turn it around. What are prices like for more recent models?

 

If an FXR floats your boat then you will feel cheated if you spend 25K on a new Dyna......look at it this way....you probably won't lose money when you sell it to go back to the States (assuming you will be at some point) so a few rattle cans of matt black and some chrome polish won't hurt as much as riding a bike that is a pale imitation of an FXR.

 

I bet a FXR2, or FXR3 would float yer boat! And they have all the upgrades

 

Isn't there someone in the States you know and trust could get you a good one and ship it over to you ?

 

Heres a few to look at.

http://www.hogs4sale.com/Inventory_FXR.htm

 

Hell man, you're on the Evo section... yes! you must buy an Evo at all costs and if you buy correctly (ie no higher than average price and low miles) you will/can get your money back. Buy new and you're screwed. IMHO.

 

Neither. You ship what's left of your '92 FXLR to Japan, buy a new motor for $3K and ship it to Japan, and you have a great bike for the fraction of the cost of some beat to **** '86 model, or a grossly overpriced new bike.