FXRS-SP Review

[Uesque]

Road Test Cycle Guide 1986

There's something missing in the current crop of Japanese cruiservees, something that's slowly but surely vanishing as each new generation hits the streets.

Many of today's city-slick cruisers place a premium on low seat heights and ever more radical seating positions, often at the expense of cornering clearance and long-term comfort. Consequently, as these bikes get more specialized and streetwise, they arguably become better cruisers, but practically drop to their knees at the city limits. What's missing in today's cruiser class is versatility.

Meanwhile, though, Harley-Davidson, the company whose motorcycles play role model to nearly every Japanese cruiservee, offers a cruiser that's as unexpected as seeing Eddie Murphy open for Oral Roberts. That motorcycle is the Low Rider FXRS Sport Edition—now its own discrete model after a successful year as the standard FXRS outfitted with the Optional Performance Sport Suspension. What makes the Sport Edition so unexpected—and what made the suspension package sell well—is the RS's uncommon versatility. Thanks to compliant suspension, a moderate riding position and a motor as agreeable as a Cadillac salesman during a fuel crunch, the FXRS-SE is more comfortable and more versatile than many Japanese vee-twin cruisers. In that Milwaukee-replica context, then, the RS-SE stands out as a shining overachiever...


...What few rough edges the Sport Edition might have, however, simply cannot take away from the wall-to-wall grin the FXRS fosters after only a short time in the saddle. Here is a Harley-Davidson with its seams ironed nearly flat. More important, however, the corporate steam iron accomplished that successful marriage of components using tried-and-true Harley parts; the Sport Edition's difference is how the parts work together.

But there's more to the Sport Edition than its simply being a better Harley. The RS-SE not only represents the archetypal cruiser, it also affords its rider an unprecedented range of uses, and flies in the face of the notion that cruiservees need be narrow-focus, single-purpose motorcycles just to succeed in their own field. Quite simply, the FXRS is a versatile, multi-role player, one that bridges the gap between style and function with a straightforward kind of honesty. The Sport Edition is what every cruiser could be, and an example from which every cruiser manufacturer could stand to learn...

...It's no surprise to us, though; we've liked the FXRS for years. In fact, it's become our yardstick of comparison for other cruiservees, and it's arguably the best motorcycle in Harley's entire line.

All of which makes us wonder why all Harleys aren't this good. We know H-D can make smooth, comfortable bikes with compliant suspensions; we know how good they can be from the FXRS. But until they are, we'll just brace ourselves for the next salvo. Incoming!—Charles Everitt

Source Cycle Guide 1986

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...sport%2086.htm

[mongoose]

grrrrr... I bought too late, it seems.

[Sidecar Doug]

Very nice bike. too bad Harley is more interested in style than performance now a dayz.

[rangerider]

There have been two FXRs of varying vintage for sale around here the past year and a half. I do get tempted...but figure my FXD will do for now. I likes it plenty.

[Uesque]

There's an FXRP that just showed up on craigslist with a sidecar. It's thoroughly trashed or I'd be tempted.

[71baldboy]

Got a reveiw of the new 1954 Anniversary Hydraglide per chance lol?

[Sidecar Doug]

Originally Posted by Uesque

There's an FXRP that just showed up on craigslist with a sidecar. It's thoroughly trashed or I'd be tempted.

I got a friend that just sold his FXRP, it was one of the cleanest I've seen in a long time. The RLE sidecars are hard to find.

[Uesque]

Originally Posted by Sidecar Doug

I got a friend that just sold his FXRP, it was one of the cleanest I've seen in a long time. The RLE sidecars are hard to find.

He wouldn't split off the sidecar and honestly it would have needed body work in addition to paint. I have no desire to try to sell a basket case FXRP just to get a sidecar that I have to put a boatload of money into. Maybe just a nice Velorex...

[Sidecar Doug]

Originally Posted by Uesque

He wouldn't split off the sidecar and honestly it would have needed body work in addition to paint. I have no desire to try to sell a basket case FXRP just to get a sidecar that I have to put a boatload of money into. Maybe just a nice Velorex...

I searched that craigslist add. Looked pretty trashed from the pics, I didn't see anything worth saving on that bike.

[Bone Stockman]

Someday when I have the space and the money (and the time), I want an FXR.

Great looking bikes. I wanted to steal Mikey's at Vukfest.