Like a red-headed step child
Written: Jul 04 '05
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Pros: well, it is a Harley...that's about it.
Cons: A compromise that doesn't offer the best of either world.
The Bottom Line: -
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| carnut2k4's Full Review: 2000 Harley Davidson FXD |
A notch up from a Sportster
The 2000 Harley Davidosn FXD is one of two motorcycles that belong to a buddy of mine. Outside of the showroom the more common name is the Super Glide. The FXD is a member of the Dyna family and is in fact the entry level model in that line-up.
I look at the Dyna as a compromise. A place between the Sportster and the Softail. In my opinion the FXD is much closer to the Sportster side, while other Dynas are closer to the Softail.
What it is (and isn’t)
The Dyna frame is what I would describe as a ‘standard’. It has you riding upright with your knees bent at a 90 degree angle and your feet resting on the midship-mounted controls. The low rise bars and 28 degree rake gives you the same seated position as the Sportster. The external coil-overs holding up the rear of the bike provide a comfortable ride but visually just aren’t as smooth as the Softail’s lines with its hidden suspension components. The mag rims and skinny tires are a throwback to another era. But that’s a love it or hate it type of thing. Either way the tires are well matched to the bike and provide excellent traction. Paired with the rather steep steering angle, the FXD is far more agile around corners than the Softail is. One of the styling cues that doesn’t jive well with me is the narrow fork. It basically is a Sportster fork on a bike that’s trying to appeal to the cruiser crowd. There are Dynas offered with wider forks (such as the Wide Glide) and they look an awful lot better in my opinion.
When looking at a Sportster 1200 and an FXD side by side there are very few features that set them apart. Amazingly, the Sportster actually has slightly more rake – but not as much as the 32 degrees of the Softail (Standard). The pipes are different with the Sporty having the two pipes connected by a pipe running just north of the air cleaner cover. The oil tank and gas tanks are also slightly different. That’s about it for the obvious differences. The two employ different engines which wouldn’t be discernible to most.
When looking at the FXD next to a Softail the difference is obvious. While the FXD uses a similar gas tank, it does not have the gauge housing mounted on the tank the way the Softail does. That means the FXD uses bar mounted gauges and a side mount ignition switch. The forward foot controls and rake of the Softail are also immediately apparent. The Softail has cleaner lines all around.
How it runs
The 1450 cubic inch motor and five speed transmission are well matched. The model I’ve ridden is carbeurated (my Softail is injected) and runs very smooth. At first I thought the FXD was quicker than the Softail (with the only notable difference being that the FXD is ten pounds lighter) but I soon came to realize it was just perception based on riding position. On the Softail you’re relaxed with your feet in front of you and leaning back slightly. On the FXD you’re upright and a sense of purpose pervades the riding experience. I felt the FXD was quicker because the riding position inspired me to jump on the gas a little harder. Cornering is much more satisfying on the FXD and is quite similar to the Sportster – although neither come close to anything Japan sends over here. The FXD claims to employ vibration dampening motor mounts and in fairness the idle is nothing like the old days, however my Softail has the same motor – but counterbalanced – and the difference is huge. The FXD gets irritating on a full day ride. The Softail will never stop being comfortable.
Winding through the gears leaves me wanting for more. Save for the 27 inch seat height, it just doesn’t feel enough like a cruiser to justify the lack of oomph. The brakes bring enough whoa to the go and the clutch is quite user friendly. I’ve found myself hunting for neutral quite a few times on this bike and in true Harley fashion the neutral light hasn’t worked since the bike was new. All the other controls, indicators and gauges seem to work just fine. From the factory a Speedo / Tripmeter is all you get but my friend had a tach added on from the dealership before taking delivery. A fuel gauge would have been nice.
Last thoughts
The FXD certainly has its place, but that place will never be in my garage. It’s a middle ground between two bikes that I don’t think need a middle ground. If you’re drawn to it for its Sportster like qualities, go ahead and buy the Sportster and save a couple thousand dollars. The FXD isn’t faster or more comfortable than a Sporty. From that perspective you’re paying a bunch of money for the few ‘upgraded’ items. If you’re buying it to get an almost Softail (or cruiser-like) motorcycle for a few bucks less I think you’ll be disappointed in the long run. The difference in price is a couple of thousand to step up to the Softail but it’s a world of difference. I see the FXD as an unnecessary middle child. My buddy who owns the bike certainly doesn’t see it that way and takes jabs at my Softail any chance he gets – but I chalk that up to buyer’s remorse. If you’re considering the FXD as a possible purchase I would strongly encourage you to check out the models that it stands between and make sure this ‘compromise’ of a bike is really what you want.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 13000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2000
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carnut2k4
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Member: Jason
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Muscle Shoals has got The Swampers
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