Some Changes to the 2019 Freewheeler

[MDO]

They have some colors I really like. Denim red & pearl.

The big changes are both trikes getting the M8 114 cu. in. motor.

Along with traction control, hill hold & ABS. Looking at the pics, it looks like they went to 4 piston calipers up front, a change from 6.

You can see the details here:

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/index.html

 

[Free Bird]

Nice.....

 

[MDO]

Nice.....

Unless it's raining, I am going to try & make it to the dealer & check out the new models this weekend.orag:

 

[Old Road Dog]

I dig the Bonniville Salt Pearl. The motor too.I undig the ABS,traction control,and hill hold??? WTF-that works well on a semi truck but an ittybitty tri-cycle? 3 more things to go wrong.

 

[MDO]

I dig the Bonniville Salt Pearl. The motor too.I undig the ABS,traction control,and hill hold??? WTF-that works well on a semi truck but an ittybitty tri-cycle? 3 more things to go wrong.

I hate to say this, but I have to agree with you. I like the brakes on my Freewheeler. I don't like that they changed the front to four piston. The 6 work well.

 

[Jack Klarich]

They have some colors I really like. Denim red & pearl.

The big changes are both trikes getting the M8 114 cu. in. motor.

Along with traction control, hill hold & ABS. Looking at the pics, it looks like they went to 4 piston calipers up front, a change from 6.

You can see the details here:

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/index.html

I wonder if HD changed the engine cases? HMMMMMMM

Hope they solved the oil migration problem but I doubt it

 

[1dn5up]

Still not with the IRS program. Oh well, another wasted year.

 

[MDO]

I wonder if HD changed the engine cases? HMMMMMMM

Hope they solved the oil migration problem but I doubt it

Maybe that 114 cu. in. is a modified design? I know 1 thing, 122 ft. lb. of torque is a beast!

 

[Jack Klarich]

Maybe that 114 cu. in. is a modified design? I know 1 thing, 122 ft. lb. of torque is a beast!

I think the 114 has bigger barrels and pistons than our 107

But yeah that torque is crazy

 

[MDO]

Jack, I think the new bonneville salt pearl color was made for Florida.

I actually like the denim white I have seen at the dealer. IMO, it would be great looking on a FW.

I cant tell on the website what changes, if any were made to the suspension. It says it was enhanced.

 

[Jack Klarich]

The 114 has a longer stroke also hmmmmmmmm

 

[Jack Klarich]

From Cycle World

On the hardware side, the 2019 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra and Freewheeler get new front and rear suspension. The new front suspension features dual bending valve internal technology for more linear damping performance, smoother ride, and better feel. Emulsion technology rear suspension feature a single-knob preload adjustment.

In addition, select 2019 Touring and trike motorcycles are powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. Harley says the Milwaukee-Eight 114 delivers up to 5 percent more torque than the Milwaukee-Eight 107 (123 pound-feet versus 117 pound-feet) and up to 5 percent quicker 0-to-60-mph acceleration than Milwaukee-Eight 107.

 

[floridaguy]

The suspension change will be most likely not even be that noticeable but the bump in power is nice and its a shame they decreased the brake calipers to four instead of six.. To me the price increase to $28,000 for the freewheeler is starting to get to point where its not a good deal and not worth buying it.. i can buy rushmore tri glides with less then 10k miles on them for less money then a new 2019 freewheeler

 

[Free Bird]

Doc's (in St. Louis) just sent out a "The 2019's are here!" advertisement and are showing the Bonneville Salt Pearl as an option for the Freewheeler. Not sure if that is just a link from the MoCo or if they are a available nation wide

 

[Free Bird]

The suspension change will be most likely not even be that noticeable but the bump in power is nice and its a shame they decreased the brake calipers to four instead of six.. To me the price increase to $28,000 for the freewheeler is starting to get to point where its not a good deal and not worth buying it.. i can buy rushmore tri glides with less then 10k miles on them for less money then a new 2019 freewheeler

Yeah.... when I saw the price up $3k since I thought that the MoCo is going to cross the edge of the envelope on what people will pay for these machines. Not sure that all of the new add-ons to the standard are needed and just add to the base sticker price..... just sayin

And if you do want to lay out the coin, the HD trike is a bit of a dark horse for the aftermarket "stuff". It is really hard to trick out one of these machines and that is a turnoff for some. There are LOTS of goodies for 2017+ bikes, but when you say "trike" they say...not enough volume to justify the investment. Keep jacking the price $1500/yr and they might start saying that about the Trike itself...

 

[MDO]

Yeah.... when I saw the price up $3k since I thought that the MoCo is going to cross the edge of the envelope on what people will pay for these machines. Not sure that all of the new add-ons to the standard are needed and just add to the base sticker price..... just sayin

And if you do want to lay out the coin, the HD trike is a bit of a dark horse for the aftermarket "stuff". It is really hard to trick out one of these machines and that is a turnoff for some. There are LOTS of goodies for 2017+ bikes, but when you say "trike" they say...not enough volume to justify the investment. Keep jacking the price $1500/yr and they might start saying that about the Trike itself...

Around our area, (Doc's & Gateway) the dealers I have checked with can't keep the Freewheeler in stock.

 

[52edub]

Since they have the 114 in the trike, does that mean 2017-18 owners can do stage 3/4 upgrades without affecting warranty?

 

[RedOregon]

I cant tell on the website what changes, if any were made to the suspension. It says it was enhanced.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/premium-ride-hand-adjustable-shocks

 

[Jack Klarich]

Since they have the 114 in the trike, does that mean 2017-18 owners can do stage 3/4 upgrades without affecting warranty?

I dunno, the stage 2-4 are having oil sumping and oil migration problems more so than stock

 

[dannymax]

That color caught my eye on the Freewheeler also, really sharp IMO.

Not sure about the 4 pot brakes tho, probly a 'unit cost' thing.

 

[Gorilla]

I dunno, the stage 2-4 are having oil sumping and oil migration problems more so than stock

There is a article in American Iron Magazine the last 2 issues with a 3rd issue having the conclusion on this very subject. It appears that the need to prevent blow-by from even accruing because of EAU 4 standards is causing pressure build up in the motors. This is aggravated by high RPMs. The pressure is causing the oil pump to cavivtate (sp) and this causes oiling issues. Also they think the added pressure is causing the transmission oil migration.

 

[Jack Klarich]

There is a article in American Iron Magazine the last 2 issues with a 3rd issue having the conclusion on this very subject. It appears that the need to prevent blow-by from even accruing because of EAU 4 standards is causing pressure build up in the motors. This is aggravated by high RPMs. The pressure is causing the oil pump to cavivtate (sp) and this causes oiling issues. Also they think the added pressure is causing the transmission oil migration.

Interesting article

This would be a good reason not to pump up these engines

So much for HD testing these engines over 1 million miles

And now they want the public to buy a new and bigger engine?

I sure hope they have the bugs worked out

That said are the 17-18 owners just flat out stuck?

 

[MDO]

https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/premium-ride-hand-adjustable-shocks

I'm not sure why, but those shocks are listed for the triglide only

Here is a link to the shocks for the Freewheeler:

https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/premium-ride-hand-adjustable-shocks-pa-03-54000166--1

 

[MDO]

That color caught my eye on the Freewheeler also, really sharp IMO.

Not sure about the 4 pot brakes tho, probly a 'unit cost' thing.

I was thinking that. If they are just standardizing the 4 piston caliber for all touring models.

It just seemed to me with the extra weight of the trike, the extra braking power was justified.

I have to admit, when you get on the brakes hard on the FW, you don't get that weight transfer like you do on 2 wheelers, but that may be due to those massive car rotors on the rear wheels. They really grab.

 

[dannymax]

I was thinking that. If they are just standardizing the 4 piston caliber for all touring models.

It just seemed to me with the extra weight of the trike, the extra breaking power was justified.

I have to admit, when you get on the brakes hard on the FW, you don't get that weight transfer like you do on 2 wheelers, but that may be due to those massive car rotors on the rear wheels. They really grab.

I thought the flat stopping might be due to the linked brakes but don't really know if the 2 wheel Harleys have linked brakes or not. Certainly impressed with the FW's stopping power tho!

 

[MDO]

I am wanting more information on the new linked braking system. The old system was hydraulic & I understand it.

Looking at the photo of the 2019 FW, there is only 1 hydraulic line going to the caliper The write up says the brakes are now electronically linked. My initial reaction is they are over complicating the system.

As far as the front suspension, it seems they upgraded the trikes to the same front end they put on the rest of the touring models in 2017.

 

[MDO]

I just got this video from John Maxwell & it has some great trike info from the dealer show at the beginning.

 

[MDO]

1 thing that caught my eye in the video, when he gets to the part where he is showing the hand controls/switch packs, the "R" on the left hand control is gone and it has a "T/C" for traction control. Where's the reverse?

I also like the fact that he states that the new adjustable rear shocks are backwards compatible for the 15-18 FW's & the 14 and later Tri's.

UPDATE: I think I answered my own ?. If you go to the 2 minute marh on the video, it looks like they combined the reverse butten with the start button on the r/h side.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Michael, did you notice the tiny round horn on the FXDR model?

It is on the front side of the down tubes near the top

It is cheesy looking unlike the traditional cowbell horn cover we have