Low Rider / Super Glide (FXLR/FXR/FXRD/FXRS/FXRT/FXD/FXDC/FXDL/FXDX)

The Harley-Davidson Super Glide is a motorcycle model made by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Reputed to be the first factory custom motorcycle, it originated Harley's FX series of motorcycles by mating Sportster components, most notably the front end, with the chassis of their larger big twin motorcycles. Super Glide models from 1991 to 2016 were based on the Dyna Glide chassis which offers a wider variety of front ends and trim levels, and for a time filled the intermediate niche between the smallest and largest Harley models; the Dyna platform has since been discontinued for the 2018 model year in favor of the new Softail frame, with some models from the Dyna nameplate being carried over to the Softail line.

 

Variations of the FX Super Glide
 
Customized Shovelhead FX variant
In 1974, the FX was joined by the FXE, a version of the Super Glide with an electric starter. Both versions also got an exclusive one-piece tank instead of the Fat Bob tank used by the FL.

In 1977, the FXS Low Rider was introduced. The Low Rider had alloy wheels front and rear, two disc brakes on the front wheel, extended forks with a 32° rake, and a 26" seat height. Unlike the Super Glide, the Low Rider was an instant hit; outselling all other Harley-Davidson models in its first full year of production. All three FX models returned to using Fat Bob tanks, but with a special center divider that included a tachometer.

A 1977 Harley-Davidson Confederate Edition of the Super Glide that featured commemorative paint and tank and fender decals was produced but in such low volume numbers - only 228 units - as to make it one of the rarest of the company's motorcycles.

The base, kickstart-only FX was discontinued in 1979. In that year, the FXEF Fat Bob was introduced. The following year would bring the FXB Sturgis, an all-black Low Rider with primary and secondary belt drives, and the FXWG Wide Glide, a Low Rider with wide forks and a flame pattern painted on the tank.

In 1983, the Low Rider was converted from chain drive to belt drive and given the designation FXSB, at which point the FXB was discontinued. In the same year, the FXDG Disc Glide was introduced. This model had a disc-type rear wheel instead of the wire-spoked wheel of the Super Glide or the solid-spoked wheel of the Low Rider.

The FXE Super Glide was discontinued in 1985, with the FXEF Fat Bob becoming the base model. The 1985 FXEF was the first and last FXEF to have the Evo motor along with being the last year for the 4sp and chain drive.

In 1986, all FX-based bikes except the Wide Glide were supplanted by FXR-based bikes. The Wide Glide was discontinued the following year.

 

FXR
The FXR Super Glide II was introduced in 1982 and sold alongside the existing FX models. The FXR chassis was essentially an FLT Tour Glide chassis with lighter frame tubes and a more conventional design around the steering head. As such, it offered a rubber-mounted engine and a five-speed transmission, as opposed to the solid mounting and four-speed transmission of the original FX chassis.

The FXR range was expanded in the same year by the introduction of the FXRS Low Glide, which was the FXR equivalent of the FXSB Low Rider, and next year with the FXRT Sport Glide in 1983, a Super Glide variant with a fairing and saddlebags, and the . Upon the discontinuation of the corresponding FX-based models, the FXR Super Glide II became the FXR Super Glide and the FXRS Low Glide became the FXRS Low Rider. The Wide Glide was discontinued because the FXR frame was not suitable for the wide forks.

The 1984 Disc Glide as it was known was a very rare motorcycle it had the first offering of the "Chrome Package" meaning it came with chrome rocker boxes, nose cone, and primary cover. It was called the FXRSDG.

 

FXS Blackline

The Harley-Davidson Softail Blackline is a cruiser style motorcycle and was carryover for 2013. Power is provided by a 4-Stroke, 1687.9cc, Air cooled, OHV - Pushrod, V Twin engine with Electric starter. The engine is paired with a 6-Speed transmission and total fuel capacity is 5 gallons. The Softail Blackline rides on Aluminum wheels with a Dunlop MH90-21 54H front tire and Dunlop MU85 B16 77H rear tire. The front suspension is a Telescopic Fork while the rear suspension is a Twin Sided Swing Arm. Front Hydraulic Disc brakes and rear Hydraulic Disc brakes provide stopping power. The Softail Blackline comes standard with a Two-Piece, 2-passenger seat.