In 1995,
THERE were NO MORE FXR's the line was stopped.....
I would say that as you read the above information that there is enough reason to say now that even in trying to keep up with the maze of changes in names or modifications of the FXR model throughout the birth and generation of the FXR from 1982 - 1994 one would perhaps like to know that without excluding the value of any Harley-Davidson model or year...that the birth and reemergence of the FXR as an FXR2, FXR3, and FXR4 during the calendar years of 1999 and 2000 has more validity than to simply be described as opportunity by the MOTOR COMPANY to recapture more dollars based upon only "bling". What you are offered is perhaps the best that the motor company could offer one with this particular FXR framed bike....<~~~Is this opinion....perhaps only you can decide.
To me it will always stand that HD's effort was to provide a FINAL clear cut opportunity to truly own an FXR framed bike featuring at the time of 1999-2000 the latest "technology" (and I use that term with tongue in cheek) or perhaps the latest advancements on a particularly wonderfully spectacular framed bike.
There is always going to be something faster, something different....but the future will show that the historical reasoning for leaving something behind because perhaps this particular frame while initially perhaps rejected by the market as being too import oriented will wonderfully prove to be one of the finest frames to ride that H-D has ever produced.
To all of you that own an FXR from 1981-1994....(perhaps originally) I salute you.....and I am not attempting to discredit anyone's ride.....all I am attempting to say is that there "perhaps" is enough validity to support the "value" indeed of the latest version of an FXR as seen in the FXR2, FXR3, and FXR4 models and that such a purchase would also "perhaps" be more than just about paying for over priced "bling"......
While in part it's worth mentioning again, that in some form of logic the reason the FXR2, FXR3, and FXR4 were brought back to the market place, besides the desire of H-D to start a "CVO Program" was H-D's observance during this 5 year absence of the FXR, that the frame/chassis was being continually modified and being used to become a "custom ride" by many in the after market. Thus as was stated previously, while H-D perhaps saw an opportunity to capture this market that obviously was being missed by making their own version of a "custom" look at a more affordable price than could be reproduced in the after market and seeing that this project was successful, perhaps it indeed points to the fact that the FXR team of engineers were correct, that the "market" did require something of value as perceived in the handling, comfort and overall positive riding experience provided within the FXR chassis. Perhaps, indeed that the initial thoughts that the "market" was rejecting the chassis/frame because of an "import" look was simply a more limited view instead of a widely held purchasing view, of course in the end, the FXR frame also has become widely accepted that to produce the frame required too many "hands" to create it verses the more easily created frame of an FXD model when using robotics to make production easier and yes, perhaps even cheaper. But just maybe as Harley Davidson has learned throughout their course of history, that the HD consumer is slow to accept anything new and even slower to accept changes.....maybe just maybe as one looks back, perhaps history will prove over time that the FXR chassis was indeed Harley Davidson's best.
Some may ask is the frame of a Dyna different from that of an FXR, the answer is, yes. In 1991, Harley Davidson started the emergence of the "Dyna Chassis". So there is a difference in the Dyna Chassis and the FXR chassis......as the FXR's were phased out, the "DYNA" family grew which actually started in 1991 with the FXDB, which was considered the "second" Sturgis, a limited edition model. When the factory introduced the FXD frame they called it the "internal frame" because what H-D's marketing determined was that people didn't like seeing those "triangular" rear tubes found on the FXR frame. Imported motorcycles had frame tubes extending from the seat back to the shocks or fenders, THUS "rear frame" tubes didn't look like HARLEY, and because of that people surveyed said they wouldn't buy an FXR, which is one small reason why the FXR frame was given a quiet goodbye. The FXDL began it's production in 1993.