Models
FXRS Super Glide II / Low Glide / Low Rider
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.
Overview
The FXRS launched with the FXR for 1982. It had cast wheels, two-tone paint and a backrest (Hot Bike, "Separating the Men From the Boys"; Wikipedia, "Harley-Davidson Super Glide"). Cycle World's December 1981 road test of the FXRS is the best period data we have for the first FXRs (spec table below).
For 1984 it got the Evolution engine and became the FXRS Low Glide, with lower suspension and a single front disc (Rider, Sep 2017; shovelhead.us, 1984). Belt final drive came for 1985 (Rider, Sep 2017; Cycle World, Sep 1984).
In 1986 it was renamed the FXRS Low Rider (Rider, Sep 2017; Wikipedia, "Harley-Davidson Super Glide"). For 1988 Harley built 850 numbered 85th Anniversary FXRS models in black and gold (Rider, Sep 2017).
Rider and Wikipedia say the FXRS Low Rider was dropped for 1993, when the Dyna FXDL took the Low Rider name (Rider, Sep 2017; Wikipedia, "Harley-Davidson Super Glide"). Moto Gallery's guide lists it through 1993 (Moto Gallery FXR overview).
Years made
1982 to 1992 (some guides say 1993).
| Model year | Units built | Notes | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 3,190 | Launch, Shovelhead | Reported | shovelhead.us, 1982 |
| 1983 | 1,413 | Little changed | Reported | shovelhead.us, 1983 |
| 1984 | Listed as 1,079 and 1,731 | Evo; renamed Low Glide | Reported | shovelhead.us, 1984 |
| 1985 | unverified | Belt drive | Needs source | None yet |
| 1986 to 1992 | unverified | Renamed Low Rider | Needs source | None yet |
| 1988 | 850 anniversary models | Numbered, black and gold | Reported | Rider, Sep 2017 |
Identifying features
- Cast wheels and two-tone paint in 1982 (Hot Bike, "Separating the Men From the Boys")
- Fat Bob tank with center console, flip-up seat over the oil tank and battery (Hot Bike, "The Saga of the FXR")
- 1984 to 1985 Low Glide: lower suspension, single front disc (Rider, Sep 2017)
- Air cleaner trim rings still read "Super Glide II" on 1984 bikes (Rider, Sep 2017)
- VIN model code EB (Rider, Sep 2017)
Specs
Period road tests: 3 magazine tests with measured figures. See the Period Road Tests →
1982 FXRS as tested by Cycle World, December 1981. Figures are from one magazine test bike and may differ from factory brochures. Factory figures for the 1985 Evolution FXRS are in the second table. Harley's 1987 and 1990 owner's manuals list the FXRS Low Rider together with the FXR; those figures are on the FXR page.
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Shovelhead overhead-valve V-twin, air-cooled | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Displacement | 1339cc (81.6 ci), sold as the 80 ci | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Bore × stroke | 88.8 × 108.0 mm | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Compression | 7.4:1 | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Carburetion | One 38mm Keihin | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Claimed output | 71.5 lb-ft at 3800 rpm (power not listed) | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Transmission | Five-speed | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Primary drive / clutch | Duplex chain / dry multi-disc | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Final drive | 530 chain | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Suspension travel | 6.9 in front, 3.5 in rear | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Wheelbase | 64.7 in | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Rake / trail | 32° / 5.7 in | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Seat height | 29.5 in | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Ground clearance | 6.0 in | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Weight (as tested) | 605 lb with half a tank | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 gal per Cycle World; Hot Bike says 3.8 gal Conflict | Cycle World, Dec 1981; Hot Bike, "The Saga of the FXR" |
| Oil capacity | 3.5 qt | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Tires | Dunlop K181, MJ90-19 front, MT90-16 rear | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Brakes | Dual 10 in front discs, 11.5 in rear disc | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Tested performance | Quarter mile 14.26 s at 91.46 mph; 60 to 0 mph in 123 ft; 50 mpg | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
| Period list price | $6,990 | Cycle World, Dec 1981 |
1985 FXRS, factory figures from the 1985 FLT/FXR owner's manual
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1340 Evolution, 45° V-twin, 8.5:1 compression | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Bore × stroke | 3.498 × 4.25 in (88.8 × 108.0 mm); 81.6 ci (1338.6cc) | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Claimed output | 69 hp at 5000 rpm; 82 lb-ft at 3600 rpm | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Wheelbase / overall length | 63.13 in / 91.65 in | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Overall width / height | 31.0 in / 48.0 in | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Road clearance / saddle height | 5.25 in / 28.10 in | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Dry weight (as shipped) | 575 lb | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| GVWR (front / rear axle rating) | 1085 lb (390 lb / 695 lb) | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Fuel | 3.8 gal total, including 0.4 gal reserve | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Oil / transmission / primary | 3.0 qt with filter / 1 pint / 1.5 qt | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Fork oil | 6 oz per leg | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Tire pressures (cold, Dunlop K181) | Solo 26 psi front, 30 psi rear; with passenger 26 psi front, 32 psi rear | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
Known issues
Common problems across the FXR family, by model year: Known Issues →
1984 to 1985 Low Glide clearance
Rider says the lowered FXRS Low Glide got poor magazine reviews because the reduced ground clearance hurt handling and braking. That is why the FXRS-SP package appeared (Rider, Sep 2017).
1984 dry clutch
Early 1984 bikes had a dry clutch; later 1984 bikes got a wet clutch (Rider, Sep 2017; Cycle World, Sep 1984). Check which one a bike has before ordering parts.
Early 1985 transition parts
Some early 1985 bikes still had a dry clutch with a Shovelhead-style release, tapered shafts or even chain drive, so parts may not match later bikes (Hot Bike, "The Saga of the FXR").
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 photos here yet. We only publish photos that are free to use or that owners send us with permission. Have one?
Sources
- Cycle World, "Harley-Davidson FXRS" road test, December 1981. Link
- Harley-Davidson Motor Co., 1985 FLT/FXR Models Owner's Manual, part no. 99465-85 (specifications pages 77 to 80, tire pressures, and vehicle identification). Scanned copy hosted by Ratbike Service. Link
- Hot Bike, "Separating the Men From the Boys: The History of the FXR" (photos from the Harley-Davidson Archives; interviews Bob LeRoy). Link
- Hot Bike, "The Saga of the FXR" (includes an interview with Erik Buell). Link
- Kip Woodring, "Motorhead Memo: The Gentleman's Express", Rider Magazine, September 20, 2017 (year-by-year FXR history and VIN model codes). Link
- Cycle World, "Long-Term Test: Harley-Davidson FXRS", September 1984. 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
- shovelhead.us, "1982 Harley-Davidson" model year history page (enthusiast site; production figures). Link
- shovelhead.us, "1983 Harley-Davidson" model year history page (enthusiast site; production figures). Link
- shovelhead.us, "1984 Harley-Davidson" model year history page (enthusiast site; production figures). 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.