The 10 Best Harley Davidson FXR Models of All-Time

Die-hard Harley-Davidson aficionados undoubtedly remember the famous and sometimes infamous FXR models. After all, these bikes which first appeared for the 1982 model year, meant to compete with many of the European motorcycles that were essentially taking over the market at that time. They were definitely successful in their quest, yet production of all FXR models ended in 1995.

Their demise was largely because the people who are most responsible for the very existence of Harley-Davidson, those who are best described as Harley-Davidson purists, couldn’t stand the bike. Why, you ask? They thought the bikes neither felt nor looked enough like a Harley Davidson. As it turns out, the company was so good at creating a motorcycle designed to compete with the European models that it ended up feeling just like a European model.

Eventually, the company discontinued them due to lack of sales. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still find one for sale now and again. In fact, here are 10 of the best FXR models that Harley Davidson ever produced.

10. 2020 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S

Perhaps the single thing that really sets this bike apart more than anything else is the inverted fork which is set at an astonishing 28 degree angle. To make it look even more menacing, it’s an astonishing 43 mm, giving the bike a look that says it’s ready to go to battle with virtually anything else on the road.

It’s also got a 6-speed transmission which gives it more than enough power to get you anywhere you want to go in style while also reminding you how much fun it is to ride a Harley in the first place.

9. 2005 Harley-Davidson FXDL Dyna Low Rider

This bike seems to have it all. It comes with a windshield and even a built-in alarm system. On the road, you’ll notice that it has an engine which has more than enough power to get your attention, even if you are a seasoned rider. Despite the fact that it has plenty of power to get you where you want to go and then some, it’s not especially difficult to control. In fact, it’s easy to handle even in challenging situations, and it doesn’t necessarily require a two-wheeler veteran to do so.

8. 2000 Harley-Davidson FXDL Dyna Low Rider

The 5-speed transmission that comes standard on this particular motorcycle helps it produce enough power to roll your teeth back under the right circumstances, but in the best way possible. In fact, it’s capable of producing 67.8 horsepower at just 5500 RPM.

7. 1997 Harley-Davidson FXDL Dyna Low Rider

This particular example has the classic Harley-Davidson look along with the V-twin engine that the motorcycle manufacturer has become so famous for over the years. While a lot of the Dyna Low Riders had a tendency to shake, a lot, this one really doesn’t. In fact, it’s one of the smoothest running motorcycles that the company ever produced.

6. 1994 Harley-Davidson 1340 Dyna Low Rider

This bike was largely billed as the motorcycle that could do it all. It is considered by many to be equal parts touring bike, racing bike and even dirt bike. That’s quite a lot to pack into a single motorcycle, but the big engine and the excellent handling characteristics associated with this motorcycle allow it to fill all of these roles equally well.

5. 1988 Harley-Davidson FXRS 1340 Low Rider

This was considered by many the motorcycle that would end the sales slump that Harley-Davidson was experiencing through much of the 1980s. It was designed to look much more like something that came straight out of the 1960s, only with more power and better handling. It was an almost instant hit. As it turns out, it was indeed largely responsible for getting Harley-Davidson back on track with sales and helping them regain their reputation as one of the most storied motorcycle manufacturers in history.

4. 1984 Harley-Davidson FXSB 1340 Low Rider

This bike represented a lot of milestones for the company. For starters, it was the very last model that incorporated the Shovelhead 1340cc engine with both kickstart and electric features.

It also had a belt drive that ran the rear tire, something that had never been done before or since. The bike was capable of producing plenty of horsepower, 64 horses at only 5000 RPM to be exact. That was largely accomplished thanks to the V2 4-stroke engine, an engine that would go down in Harley-Davidson history.

3. 1981 Harley-Davidson FXS 1340 Low Rider

On top of looking like one of the nicest bikes ever produced by the company, this one was also one of their faster creations. Capable of generating roughly 67 horsepower and only 5800 RPM, it didn’t have a tendency to wait around for lesser motorcycles to try and catch up. That’s precisely what people loved so much about it. It’s also why it’s still popular today, even after all these years.

2. 1979 Harley-Davidson FXS 1200 Low Rider

This bike introduced the V2 4-stroke engine, capable of producing 58 horsepower at 5150 RPM. Provided you had a clear road where you could ride safely without getting in a ton of legal trouble, you could easily break 100 mph on this motorcycle and still have power to spare.

1. 1977 Harley-Davidson FXS Low Rider

People love this bike for a number of reasons, not the least of which included a seat that was only 27 inches high. That particular feature made it easy to ride while the Shovelhead engine made it a blast to operate.

They’re not exactly easy to find these days, but if you are lucky enough to find one that’s available for sale, you’d be doing yourself a favor to pick it up before someone else gets ahold of it.

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