Models
FXRS Low Rider Convertible
An FXRS with a quick-detach windshield and soft saddlebags, so one bike could tour and cruise.
Overview
Rider says the FXRS Convertible launched in 1989 with a quickly removable windscreen and soft saddlebags, with only about 300 made that first year (Rider, Sep 2017). Hot Bike says a Low Rider Convertible was offered in 1990, and Moto Gallery lists 1990 to 1993 (Hot Bike, "Separating the Men From the Boys"; Moto Gallery FXR overview).
Harley's own owner's manuals help a little. The 1989 all-models manual does not list the Convertible, while the 1990 and 1993 manuals do (Harley-Davidson 1989 Owner's Manual; Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual; Harley-Davidson 1993 Owner's Manual). A mid-year 1989 launch would not necessarily appear in the 1989 manual, so the start year stays marked as a conflict.
Wikipedia also says the Convertible was still sold in 1993 (Wikipedia, "Harley-Davidson Super Glide"). Whether any were sold as 1994 models unverified.
Years made
1989 or 1990 to about 1993.
| Model year | Units built | Notes | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | About 300 | Launch per Rider Conflict | Reported | Rider, Sep 2017 |
| 1990 to 1993 | unverified | Listed in the 1990 and 1993 owner's manuals | Needs source | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual; Harley-Davidson 1993 Owner's Manual; Moto Gallery FXR overview |
Identifying features
- Quick-detach windshield and soft saddlebags (Rider, Sep 2017)
- VIN model code EM (Rider, Sep 2017)
Specs
Period road tests: 1 magazine test with measured figures. See the Period Road Tests →
Factory figures from Harley's 1990 owner's manual. The overall height includes the windshield. The manual does not give rake, trail, tire sizes or brakes unverified. Cycle World's September 1989 road test printed rake, trail and performance figures; see the Period Road Tests page.
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1340 Evolution, 45° V-twin, 8.5:1 compression | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual |
| Claimed output | 69.5 hp at 5000 rpm; 80 lb-ft at 4000 rpm (lower for California bikes) | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual |
| Wheelbase / overall length | 64.70 in / 93.20 in | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual |
| Overall width / height | 31.00 in / 59.50 in | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual |
| Road clearance / saddle height | 6.00 in / 27.50 in | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual |
| Dry weight (as shipped) | 615 lb | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual |
| GVWR (front / rear axle rating) | 1085 lb (390 lb / 695 lb) | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual |
| Fuel | 4.2 gal total, including 0.4 gal reserve | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual |
| Oil / transmission / primary | 3.0 qt with filter / 1 pint / 1.5 qt | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual |
| Fork oil (per leg) | 10.5 oz wet | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual |
| Tire pressures (cold, Dunlop) | Solo 30 psi front, 36 psi rear; with passenger 30 psi front, 40 psi rear | Harley-Davidson 1990 Owner's Manual |
Known issues
Common problems across the FXR family, by model year: Known Issues →
Rubber mounts and stabilizer links
The whole design depends on three elastomer mounts and two adjustable stabilizer links (Rider, Sep 2017). Buyer's guides suggest checking them on any used FXR (Moto Gallery FXR overview). Typical wear symptoms and replacement intervals unverified.
1992 to 1994: caged cam bearing
Rider notes that 1992 Evos switched to a caged needle bearing for the camshaft and calls a full-complement bearing a required swap when changing cams (Rider, Sep 2017).
Photos
No FXRS-CONV photos here yet. We only publish photos that are free to use or that owners send us with permission. Have one?
Related models
FXRS
The dressier twin of the first FXR. It later became the Low Glide, then the Low Rider, and was the most common FXR of the early years.
FXRS-SP / Sport
The FXRS with the FXRT's taller suspension and twin front discs, but no fairing. Many riders see it as the best handling FXR.
FXRT
The faired sport tourer of the family, with a frame-mounted fairing and hard bags that started life on Harley's cancelled Nova project.
Sources
- Kip Woodring, "Motorhead Memo: The Gentleman's Express", Rider Magazine, September 20, 2017 (year-by-year FXR history and VIN model codes). Link
- Hot Bike, "Separating the Men From the Boys: The History of the FXR" (photos from the Harley-Davidson Archives; interviews Bob LeRoy). Link
- Harley-Davidson Motor Co., 1989 All Models Owner's Manual (model list and specifications). Scanned copy hosted by Ratbike Service. Link
- Harley-Davidson Motor Co., 1990 All Models Owner's Manual (FXRT specifications page 18, FXR, FXRS, FXRS-SP, FXRS-CON and FXLR specifications pages 50 to 51, tire pressures page 52). Scanned copy hosted by Ratbike Service. Link
- Harley-Davidson Motor Co., 1993 Owner's Manual, international edition in English, French, German and Spanish (model list includes the FXR, FXRS-SP, FXRS-CON and FXLR). Scanned copy hosted by Ratbike Service. Link
- Wikipedia, "Harley-Davidson Super Glide" (FXR section), and the sources it cites, including Andy Hornsby, "A Potted History of Harley-Davidson", American-V. Link
- Moto Gallery, "1982-2000 Harley-Davidson FXR" resource guide (secondary buyer's guide). Link
About the unverified flag: it marks a detail we have not yet been able to confirm in a published source, such as a factory document, owner's or service manual, or period magazine test. Where a table cell shows only the flag, we have not found a reliable figure. We keep these details visible so they can be checked. If you have a source, please tell us.
Full bibliography and image credits: Sources & Credits. Magazine pages are linked, never copied or hosted here. Spot an error? Tell us.