Designed by Erik Buell, the lead performance engineer focusing on balance and cornering stability, It's key features were:
A welded tubular steel frame designed with computer-aided geometry
Frame triangulated around the swingarm pivot and steering neck for torsional rigidity.
The transmission and engine mounted together as a single unit, reducing flex under load.
Before the signature Evolution engine came the Shovelhead, a raw mechanical heartbeat that defined Harley's grit through the '70s and early '80s.
It wasn't refined, but it was real, heavy, loud, and full of character. In the early FXR, the Shovelhead's familiar 1340cc rumble met a new kind of frame engineering, marking a turning point between tradition and transformation.
Then came the Evolution, Harley's clean break from the oil stained legacy of the Shovelhead. Lighter, cooler, and far more reliable, the 1340cc Evo traded cast iron for aluminium, leaks for longevity, and vibration for balance.
It didn't just power the FXR; it proved Harley could evolve without losing its soul. Becoming smoother, stronger, and built to last.
The first of its kind, a Shovelhead heart in a brand new frame. The Super Glide II introduced Harley's rubber mounted chassis and five-speed transmission, setting a new standard for stability and smoothness without losing the raw edge of the V-twin beneath it.
Introduced alongside the Super Glide II, the FXR Low Rider carried the same Shovelhead engine but with a lowered stance and two-tone paint that gave it attitude straight from the factory. It balanced style and performance, a smoother, more composed ride that still looked ready to tear up the street. A statement of Harley's new direction without losing its rebellious roots.
Built for the badge but born from rebellion, the FXRP took the FXR's sharp handling and Evolution power and turned it into a pursuit machine. Outfitted with fairings, hard bags, and upgraded suspension, it gave law enforcement the same stability and endurance riders loved on the street, a Harley that could finally corner, cruise, and chase without compromise.
A touring twist on the FXR formula, the FXRD Sport Glide added fairings, hard bags, and long-haul comfort without sacrificing the frame's sharp handling. Powered by the new Evolution engine, it showed that Harley's performance chassis could go the distance, smooth, steady, and built to cover miles as confidently as it carved corners.
A revival of a legend. The FXR2 marked Harley's return to the revered FXR frame after years away, hand-built by the new Custom Vehicle Operations team. It combined the precision handling of the original chassis with modern CVO touches, deep chrome, custom paint, and a Twin Cam 88 engine. A tribute to the riders who never forgot how an FXR was supposed to feel.
Released alongside the FXR2, the FXR3 pushed the custom aesthetic further, bold two-tone metallic paint, brushed finishes, and unique badging. It kept the same agile frame and Twin Cam performance but wore a louder attitude, bridging classic FXR engineering with late '90s custom culture straight from the factory floor.
The final chapter in the FXR story. Built in 2000 as the last of Harley's CVO FXR series, the FXR4 carried the same hand-assembled precision and rubber-mounted frame that made the original famous. It featured the Twin Cam 88 engine, upgraded suspension, and premium paint schemes that blended performance heritage with modern craftsmanship. A farewell to one of Harley's most respected chassis, the FXR went out exactly as it began: fast, focused, and unmistakably Harley.
