Models
FXRT Sport Glide
The faired sport tourer of the family, with a frame-mounted fairing and hard bags that started life on Harley's cancelled Nova project.
Overview
The FXRT arrived for 1983. Its frame-mounted fairing and hard saddlebags were designed for the Nova, a liquid-cooled V-four Harley shelved for lack of money, and the scoops on the fairing sides were developed in a wind tunnel to feed the Nova's radiator (Hot Bike, "Separating the Men From the Boys"; Hot Bike, "The Saga of the FXR").
Rider says the first-year bike was called the FXRT Super Glide II and got the Sport Glide name for 1984 (Rider, Sep 2017). 1983 was its only Shovelhead year (shovelhead.us, 1983).
Cycle World's 1983 test found air suspension with true anti-dive: a solenoid wired to the brake light switch locks the fork air valve under braking. The chain ran fully enclosed, and the bike covered a 6,500-mile test without leaks (Cycle World, Aug 1983).
Evo power came for 1984 and belt drive for 1985 (Rider, Sep 2017). Rider and Wikipedia say the FXRT was dropped for 1993 (Rider, Sep 2017; Wikipedia, "Harley-Davidson Super Glide").
Years made
1983 to 1992.
| Model year | Units built | Notes | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 1,458 | First year, only Shovelhead year | Reported | shovelhead.us, 1983 |
| 1984 | Listed as 834 and 1,196 | Evolution engine; Sport Glide name | Reported | shovelhead.us, 1984 |
| 1985 to 1992 | unverified | Belt drive from 1985 | Needs source | None yet |
Identifying features
- Frame-mounted fairing with side scoops, and hard saddlebags (Hot Bike, "Separating the Men From the Boys")
- Fairing and bags made of ABS plastic per Cycle World; Rider calls the 1983 fairing fiberglass Conflict (Cycle World, Aug 1983; Rider, Sep 2017)
- Air-assisted suspension with anti-dive (Cycle World, Aug 1983)
- Enclosed chain in 1983 (Cycle World, Aug 1983; Rider, Sep 2017)
- Dual front discs (Cycle World, Aug 1983)
- VIN model code EC (Rider, Sep 2017)
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Specs
Period road tests: 3 magazine tests with measured figures. See the Period Road Tests →
1983 FXRT (Shovelhead) as tested by Cycle World, August 1983. Factory figures for the 1985 Evolution FXRT are in the second table. For the stock Evo power curve, see the Dyno & Performance page.
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Shovelhead overhead-valve V-twin, 80 ci | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Compression | 7.4:1 | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Carburetion | One 38mm Keihin | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Claimed output | 65 bhp at 5400 rpm; 67 lb-ft at 3600 rpm | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Transmission / clutch | Five-speed / dry multi-plate | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Final drive | Enclosed chain | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Suspension | Air-assisted, 6.9 in front with anti-dive, 3.5 in rear | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Wheelbase | 64.7 in | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Rake / trail | 32° / 5.7 in | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Seat height | 28.9 in | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Ground clearance | 6.2 in | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Weight (as tested) | 668 lb | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 gal | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Wheels | Cast, MT2.15×19 front, MT3.00×16 rear | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Tires | Dunlop Touring Elite, MM90H19 front, MT90H16 rear | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Brakes | Dual 10 in front discs, 11.5 in rear disc | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Electrics | 370 W alternator; 55/60 W halogen headlight | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Tested performance | Quarter mile 14.44 s at 89.02 mph; top speed 101 mph; 60 to 0 mph in 150 ft; 47 mpg | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
| Period list price | $7,595 | Cycle World, Aug 1983 |
1985 FXRT, 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 | 64.7 in / 94.2 in | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Overall width / height | 34.5 in / 59.5 in | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Road clearance / saddle height | 6.0 in / 28.0 in | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Dry weight (as shipped) | 621 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 | 7.2 oz per leg | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Spark plug | HD 5R6A, gap 0.038 to 0.043 in | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
| Tire pressures (cold, Dunlop K291T) | Solo 26 psi front, 36 psi rear; with passenger 28 psi front, 40 psi rear | Harley-Davidson 1985 FLT/FXR Owner's Manual |
Known issues
Common problems across the FXR family, by model year: Known Issues →
Missing fairing and bag parts
Buyer's guides note that FXRT and FXRP fairing, bag and trim parts are often missing or swapped on used bikes (Moto Gallery FXR overview).
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.
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.
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
These photos, and the side view at the top of the page, show one FXRT from the FXR Archive collection, used with permission. Backgrounds on the studio views were replaced with a plain backdrop. Read one FXRT's story.
We only publish photos that are free to use or that owners send us with permission. Have one?
Related models
FXRD
A one-year luxury touring version of the FXRT, with a trunk, stereo and floorboards.
FXRP
The factory police FXR, based on the FXRT. It became a familiar sight in films and TV.
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.
Sources
- 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
- Cycle World, "Harley-Davidson FXRT" road test, August 1983. 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
- Kip Woodring, "Motorhead Memo: The Gentleman's Express", Rider Magazine, September 20, 2017 (year-by-year FXR history and VIN model codes). 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
- 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
- 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.