Sport Glide – 1986 Harley-Davidson FXRT

From this impressive FXR history comes a quick lesson in Harley’s naming scheme for the Harley-Davidson FXRT, also known as the “Sport Glide”:

F = Big Twin (80ci engine + 5-speed transmission)
X = XL Sportster front end – including one piece fuel tank, lighter front suspension, and small headlight
R = Rubber engine mounts of the new frame

The FXR, introduced as the Superglide in 1981, was supposed to be Harley’s version of a sport bike – obviously in the sense of a lighter cruiser, not an race replica. A few years later, Harley revealed the FXRT, which was an odd attempt to build a touring platform out of their ‘sport cruiser’. I say odd because Harley already had the FLT/FLHT touring bikes that were selling well, but a small amount of Harley riders fell in love with the idea of a lighter touring platform. Unfortunately, it really was a small amount of riders, and the bike didn’t sell particularly well. Here’s a rare original example – lots of these were eventually chopped up into custom builds.

This specific Harley-Davidson FXRT (VIN: IHD1ECL17GY121534) has 41,203 miles and is in good shape with the exception of minor cosmetic issues – minor scuffs on either side of the fairing and minor oxidation. The right bag key is missing and amusingly, there’s a tape stuck in the radio, and there’s a couple of other small issues, but it’s a decent example of a Harley that doesn’t get much love anymore.