New Harley super cruiser sets its sights on Ducati Diavel
New FXDR performance cruiser set to be best-handling model yet
‘The gruntiest version of the V-twin engine’
Harley-Davidson’s new performance cruiser looks set to have the ‘go’ to match its dragstrip styling. The new, street fighter-style FXDR doesn’t just have Harley’s latest, most torquey Big Twin engine, it uses an updated, lighter version of its new Softail frame which should give it the best handling of any Softail. Harley have slimmed down the chassis with a lighter, aluminium swingarm, which knocks over 4.6kg off the bike’s unsprung weight. The forged aluminium, 19in front wheel is also light due to the super-skinny spokes (although we think that disc rear wheel wrapped in a 240 tyre probably evens things up again).
Nor does the diet stop there. The seat base and subframe are made from aluminium tubing while the tail unit is composite, saving over 3kg on the steel subframe of a standard Softail. The mudguards are composite, too. Mercifully Harley haven’t put the engine on a diet. In fact, they’ve fattened it up. It uses the bigger, 114 (1870cc) version of the MilwaukeeEight V-twin introduced two years ago but Harley have strapped on a huge air intake plus a whopping great exhaust which results in 119ftlb of torque at 3500rpm; the gruntiest version of the engine yet.
To further aid sporty handling, Harley have fitted Showa Dual Bending Valve USD forks as well as a set of clip-on handlebars.
And to cap things off the digital instruments are all hidden away behind a new moulded nose cowling. There’s no word from Harley on pricing yet but with all the bling we’d expect it to be around £18,000, which would pitch it right at the Ducati Diavel. A super-cruiser showdown is on the cards.