2022 Harley-Davidson Freewheeler

Summary:

Fabulous, but a WORK IN PROGRESS

Faults:

I do NOT LIKE the suspension. It is SO STIFF. There is NO PLAY. No room for the shock to actually work as a shock. When you hit a bump or pothole, watch out. You don't get to stand up like on a two wheeler to absorb some of the shock. I don't see how a lift kit is going to help any, and I don't see any room if you put a longer shock in it to get any more play. I have to talk to someone about what can be done.

On a personal note, the power of that 114, OMG, it moves.

I had most of the bike powder coated a gloss black, and then the 23 model comes that way.

I had to pay for an LED headlight. Why you gave it a Halogen light is beyond me.

I did upgrade the grips. I also had the seat diamond stitched, and also both driver and passenger backrest diamond stitched.

Added new LED mirrors.

Added a rack on the trunk and had to get that powder coated black because they only came in chrome.

Added a rear bumper.

My motor has an LED light show around it that changes colors.

I hate that cheap little front fender. Having a custom fender made for me, all metal. I hate those rear fenders. I want to have skirts for them and have not figured out how to make a design to fit these fenders that looks decent. I looked into putting fenders from a different model, but they are different widths and don't fit my tires. Grrrrrrrrr.

OK, so, my biggest complaint is the suspension. You guys really goofed on this, but darn, I do love this bike.

Oh, one more complaint: I love the black 16 inch removable windshield, but they only come in light grey/smoke, NOT in CLEAR. The 20 inch comes in clear, but I don't want it that tall.

Gary Michael Willens/Los Angeles

General Comments:

I still love it.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th October, 2023

2015 Harley-Davidson Freewheeler

Summary:

TERRIBLE TO RIDE due to heat and rear suspension buck board ride

Faults:

The bike is terrible to ride compared to the previous 15 Harleys I have owned. Two major design problems.

1. The heat coming off the right side makes the trike impossible to ride. Your leg becomes so hot at a traffic light you have to take your foot off the brake and place it far out to the side. I installed the seat deflectors, but the heat is terrible. The heat is radiating horizontally off the front jug and heater pipe, so that stopping is impossible. At speed it is far less of a problem. This is a design issue they should have solved before selling the bike.

2. The ride is terrible due to the solid axle on the rear. If you hit a bump with either tire, the bike will rock back and forth. Hold on, it is a bumpy ride. For the money Harley should have installed independent rear suspension; coil over shock half shaft suspension.

Knowing what I know today and because of health reasons, I would have found a set of training wheels for my FXSTC.

General Comments:

See above - 2 major design issues that were both preventable through engineering design.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 18th July, 2019

19th Aug 2019, 03:38

The Freewheeler is a good bike, once it’s broken in. Own a 2016 and have never had a problem. 17,000 miles on it. Bumpy ride. Depends on the road.

20th Sep 2019, 03:18

The Freewheeler is no different than any bike I have ridden. You get some heat in hot weather. Never stopped me from riding coast to coast last year in July. I do have the typical heat deflectors above the cylinder. Been riding bikes since 1958. Honda, BMW, Yamaha, Indian, Velosolex, BSA, Victory, HD. Most all motorcycles will heat your legs in hot summers. YOU'RE SITTING OVER THE CYLINDERS.