FXR: What years are best?
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 272
Likes: 5
From: pomgolia
1990 had bad cases that tended to crack
92-93 had inferior camshaft bearings
both the above should be fixed by now
early evos had 5 piece crank, later evos 3 piece crank
there is a school of thought that the earlier cranks are better and made of better quality material - but others will think other wise
personally I'd by pre 88 and get the earlier crank, but then I'm biased and have a 86 glide that's been around the clock a few times and the bottom end has never been apart
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 589
From: Michigan
I've always been impressed with the FXRs. Best handling chassis MoCo ever built. Be aware, the FXR models came in different flavors, with different rake angles, depending on the model. If I remember correctly, the FXR had a steeper rake than the FXRS. Among the many models were: FXR, FXRS, FXLR, FXRP, FXRD, FXRT, FXRS-CONV, and the CVO versions, FXR2, FXR3 & FXR4. (I may have missed a couple in there somewhere).
Put over 90 kmi on my 1991 FXRS that ended up more an FXRT than an FXRS by the time I got done changing things up to get it where I liked it.
Put over 90 kmi on my 1991 FXRS that ended up more an FXRT than an FXRS by the time I got done changing things up to get it where I liked it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 36
From: Round Rock, TX
A couple of points about earlier posts.... The P model didn't have floorboards instead of mids, it had boards WITH mids. And all the models had the same rake, but the geometry varied with suspension height. Shocks and forks.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 589
From: Michigan
I could be wrong, but I remember HD specs of 29 degrees rake & 31 degrees rake for different FXR models. Kinda like these specs in the attached. I know suspension parts are different lengths, so (I'm understanding) those rake angles are strictly suspension related and not due to differing frame geometry? Never looked at it that way before, but I hear what you're saying.
Last edited by Hammz; Nov 3, 2013 at 08:39 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Real good info here guys' thanks for your posts. That's exactly the kind of information I was hoping to get. Many thanks, and keep them coming in. I did a search prior to started this thread and wasn't able to find anything specific to the differences in FXR's. So I'm sure others will benefit from your input as well.
Thanks again, it's appreciated!
Thanks again, it's appreciated!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 36
From: Round Rock, TX
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
Stage II
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: lodi ca
If you buy an fxr buy a later model they have a better transmition splined shaft. Is the best I own a 1990 fxlr and a 1992 fxrs-sp both are bad *** and I cant complain the LR I raised in the back put 13 inch shocks in the back +2 in the front changed the wheals to 9 spoke mags put p bags on it and a full fairing and put a 88 inch S&S motor in it bike is a beast I love it the sp is mostly stock minus the bars seat and pipe I love them both u cant go wrong with either fxr is still the best bike around oh I got floor boards on the sp and mids on the LR. IF U GET ONE U CANT GO WRONG
Stage II
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: lodi ca
If you buy an fxr buy a later model they have a better transmition splined shaft. Is the best I own a 1990 fxlr and a 1992 fxrs-sp both are bad *** and I cant complain the LR I raised in the back put 13 inch shocks in the back +2 in the front changed the wheals to 9 spoke mags put p bags on it and a full fairing and put a 88 inch S&S motor in it bike is a beast I love it the sp is mostly stock minus the bars seat and pipe I love them both u cant go wrong with either fxr is still the best bike around oh I got floor boards on the sp and mids on the LR. IF U GET ONE U CANT GO WRONG
1990FXLR