Harley-Davidson FXRS, FXEF, FXDG...What the FXR is the FX Series?

1985 FXRS Low Glide

Introduction To FX Series

If you are new the HD scene, the naming system can be pretty confusing. Especially after you add in letters, numbers, limited editions and customs. Even die-hard motorcycle enthusiasts sometimes draw a blank when trying to remember what year a bike was introduced, improved, and discontinued. 

As we mentioned in an earlier post, our shop mascot is an FXRS Low Glide. That is a good enough reason to go into a little history on the FX series, from it's conception in 1971 until the FXRS Low Glide vanished from the factories in 2009. 

A Stroke of Genius

For over 50 years, Harley owners had been mixing and matching parts from small and large twin engine bikes to create custom rides. Finally, someone at HD took notice of that, and decided to create a Frankenstein model using the best parts from two series, namely, the FLH and the XS. 

This gave birth to the FX, or Factory Experimental line. The first baby was the Super Glide. The FLH Electra Glide donated it's rear suspension and drive train to the new model, and the XLH Sportster handed over it's brakes, headlight, and smaller forks. 

That was all well and good, except the new Super Glide also had the "boattail" fender from the Sportster line, a feature that was not widely popular. Still, the new Super Glide was popular enough that Harley-Davidson considered it a worthwhile endeavor to keep on improving the line. In 1974, a Super Glide with an electric starter was introduced. It also had a new one piece tank, that replaced what was known as the "Fat Bob" tank. 

The FXS Low Rider 

In 1977, HD introduced the FXS Low Rider. This new model was so popular that within a year it outsold all other HD models. A new and improved Fat Bob tank was reintroduced, with a dividing strip and mounted tachometer. 

The tank wasn't the only thing that grabbed people's attention. The new bike had alloy wheels on front and back, disc brakes on the front, extended forks, and a 26" seat. 

Special FX

HD kept pumping out the FX series and people kept buying them. Over the next few years the following models were introduced:  

• 1977 Confederate Edition with commemorative paint job. Only 228 of these were made. 
• 1979 FXEF Fat Bob
• 1980 FXB Sturgis Black Low Rider
• 1980 FXWG Wide Glide with wider forks
• 1983 FXSB Low Rider with belt Drive
• 1983 FXDG Disc Glide
• 1984 FXST Softail 

Parallel to these models, HD also introduced the FXR Super Glide II in 1982. This model was built on a Tour Glide chassis. The FXR range was expanded in 1983, and the FXRS Low Glide was presented, as well as the FXRT Sport Glide. 

Discontinuations and Re-christenings

In 1985, the FXE Super Glide was discontinued. FXEF Fat Bob style became the model base for the FX series. 

In 1987 the Wide Glide was also retired. This happened a year after the FX bikes switched to FXR base models. The FXR bases were too small to accommodate the Wide Glide forks. 

The Dyna Series Takes Over

In the early 90's, the Dyna chassis was introduced to replace the FXR. According to HD, this was due to more and more consumers feeling that the FXR series was too similar to import bikes. The first bike to use the Dyna chassis was the Limited Edition FXDB Sturgis, in 1991. 

The next year, the FXDB Daytona and the FXDC Dyna Glide Custom were presented. The FXDC was almost identical to the Daytona, but was available in only custom black and silver. The Dyna Low Rider moved in on the FXRS Low Rider, which was finally discontinued in 2009. 

Random Facts About The FX Series

• In 1984 the FXR series went from 5-speed shovel motors to 5-speed Evo motors
• In early 1985 "transition" models were still being shipped with any combination of the '84 and '85 features
• 1986 FXRD Sport was last Big Twin with chain drive
• 1987 First ball and ramp clutch actuator was added.
• 1988 39mm front forks were added to FXR models
• F means Big Twin engine, X means Sportster front end. R means rubber engine mounts. Thus, FXR.
• FXR bikes were designed to be ridden aggressively, thus the stiffer torsion in the design
• The triangular side-cover design was the least popular feature of the FXR bikes
• The FXRS model revived flagging sales. Customers liked the lower seat in combination with the stiff frame and Evo motor. 

Photo from Hot Bike Magazine

Read more about the FXR history HERE

See Cool Motorycle Pictures of the FXR series HERE

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Guest post by J. Kinsey 2013