With what went down as the biggest shift in the company’s corporate stance, Harley Davidson has gone on record showcasing its future plans over the next five years in great detail. As part of its brand new “More Roads to Harley-Davidson” growth plan through 2022, HD has showcased multiple concepts under electric motorcycles, adventure-tourers, streetfighter, and Customs being the prominent ones.

But Harley has definitely taken care not to forget about its past nor the present. After releasing nine new Softails earlier this year, the Milwaukee brand has unleashed a brand new one, and this time, it gets the biggest of the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engines with 1868cc. It’s the FXDR 114, and it comes built around the new platform with 240-section rear tire and lightweight aluminum swingarm.

STYLING

“Like a drag racer crossed with a fighter jet” is how Harley called this new FXDR 114 and they might not be all that wrong. Strikingly new design elements inspired at the drag strip showcases the FXDR’s commitment for being an all-out performance cruiser.

The raked USD front to the massive intake and exhaust and the clipped tail section is all purposefully made to stand out from the rest of the Softail lineup. That stubby rear end comes with a small trunk even (nothing big though) to throw in some trash for your cruising needs. At the front, a swanky set of LED Daymaker setup at the front gets surrounded by a minimalistic cowling that hides a functional digital dash.

Harley has recently started ditching so much chrome for blacked-out engines and matte finishes, and they don’t look half as bad. This FXDR is no different. This power cruiser comes with a handful of weight-reduction elements including an aluminum swingarm and plenty of carbon-fiber bits including the front and rear fenders.

A stretched 4.4-gallon fuel tank exclusive to the FXDR 114 lengthens the profile of the motorcycle while a race-inspired chin fairing conceals much of the oil cooler. The rear tire is a massive 240-section hoop, matched to a 19-inch front that is hooked to an Ace thin-spoked alloy rim. The rear fender is tethered to the massive tire which moves with it through the range of the suspension, making it almost invisible on the move.

The front and rear wheel are finished in contrast Gloss Black and Satin Black paint and detailed with bright “bolt heads” and laser-etched orange graphics in the rims that proudly reads Harley Davidson.

Overall Dimension

POWERTRAIN

The FXDR 114 combines the unrelenting power of the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, the biggest put out on any of the current Softail models. The 1868cc DOHC motor pulls out a commendable 90 hp and 119 lb-ft peak torque to lug around 668 lbs.

That strong torque output is courtesy the 10.0:1 compression ratio that is achieved by the advanced four-valve cylinder head design, dual knock sensors, and precision oil cooling. World Champion Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines drag bikes inspire the forward-facing air intakes and allow enhanced airflow into the engine. The exposed air filter utilizes a new synthetic media that does not require oiling.

You can be assured of a richer exhaust note pouring out of the neat looking 2-1-1 staggered edged pipes due to the fewer mechanical noise of the powertrain and optimized cover designs and driveline improvements for that aural glory. A 6-Speed Cruise Drive Transmission and a slip and assist clutch provides the rider smooth shifting of gears that help in maintaining fatigue-free long rides.

You want more power, then Harley will kit you with the optional Screamin’ Eagle Titanium Performance slip-on muffler, Screamin’ Eagle Air Cleaner Kit and the Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner. Stage I is the foundation for available Screamin’ Eagle Stage II, Stage III and Stage IV kits.

Engine Specification

RIDE AND HANDLING

Weight reduction is Harley’s secret weapon here for the FXDR. Making it obvious is the brand-new aluminum swingarm seen here, making it the first in the Softail line-up. It shaves a decent 10 pounds compared to a steel Softail swingarm accommodating a 240 mm rear tire. Then there are these aluminum 18”/19” wheels carrying a light-weight design that features very thin spokes. Front and rear fenders are again lightweight carbon fiber material.

The spec sheet indicates the FXDR is more raked out than the Fat Bob and has a nearly 5-inch-longer wheelbase. The FXDR 114 also offers more lean angle than any other Softail model – 32.6 degrees to the left and 32.8 degrees to the right. The same reason why the exhaust muffler is shaped with a staggered surface.

Featuring adjustable Softail monoshock rear suspension, it comes with the internal free-piston technology and is situated with an optimized angle between the frame and swingarm for enhanced travel and response. An externally adjustable knob allows to dial up/down the settings on the fly. 43mm USD forks are stiffened for improved response to steering input.

Braking is handled by dual 300mm front discs clutched by dual piston calipers, and the rear sees a 292mm single disc with a single piston caliper provide strong braking performance with less lever effort. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is standard equipment on the FXDR 114. The rider grips aluminum clip-on handlebars sitting on a deep solo saddle.

Chassis Specifications

PRICE

Pricing for the new machine will start at $21,349, with paint options adding extra, making it also the most expensive Softail yet. ABS is standard, as is a security system, keyless ignition, and a USB charge port.

The FXDR 114 is available in six color choices: Vivid Black, Black Denim, Industrial Gray Denim, Wicked Red Denim, Bonneville Salt Denim, and Rawhide Denim. Official HD Accessories lists will give you options to customize your FXDR 114 with Screamin’ Eagle parts, footpegs, hand grips, mirrors, tappet covers, fuel cap, and more.

COMPETITION

Ducati Diavel S

First showcased at the EICMA motor show in Milan 2015, the xDiavel took all eyeballs for a trippy show. Long and low, with sleek and sexy lines, forward controls and a low seat height, this bike was something totally new from the Italian company known the world over for blending impeccable design and high-performance machines. Something like putting purists into a realm of more content and less bitter.

The premium ’S’ model elevates things further with its contrast-cut machined timing belt covers (similar in appearance to the Scrambler) and wheels, DRL, forks with DLC coating, Brembo M50 front brake calipers, a special seat, parts with machine - finished highlights and a lot more which really give the X a polished look.

The DVT setup gives the best of both worlds: a flatter and more linear power character without sacrificing performance. It charges at a peppy 95 pound-feet of torque arriving at 5000 rpm and peaking at 156 hp @ 9500 rpm where the red line is near the 10000 rpm marking. Mated to a slick-shifting six-speed gearbox, top speed is claimed to be above 160 mph and is capable of a 0-60 under 2.5 seconds. It makes use of a conventional belt final drive instead of the typical chain assembly.

It is electronically packed with the brutal Ducati Power Launch (DPL) system, individual engine power maps (Urban, Touring, and Sport), 8-way adjustable traction control and the Ducati’s Panigale style IMU allows total control of the bike in every possible riding situation you can think of getting onto with this bike.

The Thrilling Black x Diavel S currently retails at $ 23,495 and the ’not-so-evil’ Iceberg white will cost you $ 23,795.

VERDICT

Harley-Davidson promised to give us 100 new models in the coming decade and has already showcased 12 new ones this year. Nine new Softails, the Street Rod, and two from the Sportster series – Iron 1200 and Forty-Eight Special. With 88 more to come, Harley has gone ahead and registered three new names for their new motorcycle models: ‘Bronx’ ’48X’ and ’Pan America’.

The latest one to hit the streets now, however, is a brand new Softail model that gets a new engine and chassis architecture – The FXDR 114. With the most powerful motor amongst its siblings, the FXDR also looks like the fast kid. Swooping lines, massive rear tires, longer rake, all of it makes it the best amongst the handlers in the Softail line-up.

An all-new lightweight cast aluminum swingarm, USD forks, and the mono shock are all dialed in for quick response and agility. On paper, it all looks good for now. Hope it does so even after it hits the streets in a months’ time from now.