Pain in the Butt?
This touring seat is a big improvement over the FXDX's more sport-oriented saddle. It's wider, deeper and more amply cushioned. The only passenger we could rustle up thought the pillion was comfy and especially liked that it was wider than your garden-variety cruiser seatlet. If you're going to be doing a lot of two-up, you may want to explore backrest options since the T-Sport is not equipped with one. This would allow you to carry more goodies too, either in a sissy bar bag or on a rear rack. The T-Sport's attractively snug conformation doesn't leave many holes for bungee magic, so it's not too straightforward to throw a big bag on the rear seat.
Harley has made some widespread changes for 2001, some of which affect the Dyna Glide T-Sport. A new sensor within the turn-signal system has been added to more accurately and efficiently self-cancel the indicator lights (the old system would often cancel the signal before you actually reached a corner). This new gizmo uses a silicon-based accelerometer along with what amounts to a ball bearing rolling within an intelligent V-shaped housing to monitor speed, deceleration and lean angle. Its purpose is to cancel the indicator light once it judges a corner has been completed...or it believes you've changed your mind. So, once it senses lean and return to upright, the signal will stop. It will also shut off after 20 flashes if your speed or angle is consistent. However, the countdown is suspended if you decelerate, if your cruising speed is less than 20 mph or if you stop. Although it was rare, the turn signal did occasionally fail to cancel as predicted. So the lesson remains that we should not let any mechanical device do our thinking for us -- especially when it's a matter of safety.
This turn-signal system is part of a widespread electronic map on the bike, and linked to a new diagnostic system, which can be accessed by factory-authorized mechanics. Harley's trouble-shooting Scanalyzer software claims to be state-of-the-art, and this improved version allows dealers to record service records for the machine it's scanning and download them to a shared system maintained by the factory. Eventually any dealer will be able to upload your bike's history -- an asset when you're on the road. A related electronic option this year for all Dyna, Softail and Touring models is a new security system ($250). When the system is active, the same sensor used to detect lean angle in corners for turn signals alerts the system if someone lifts the bike off the sidestand. When such an intrusion is detected, a module disables the starter motor and fuel control system while prompting the turn signals to flash. The unit can be upgraded to include a siren or pager.
Harley also has changed the rubber on all 2001 bikes. Dunlop now supplies Harley-Davidson Series tires designed specifically for each application. The T-Sport treads on a dedicated high-mileage compound, so if you're keen on cornering performance you may want to consider tackier tires. Two-tone, 13-spoke cast aluminum alloy wheels are standard on the T-Sport and neither laced nor two-tone paint are offered. Our test unit was a dark suede green pearl, which met with mixed reviews. We think the T-Sport looks best in silver pearl, but also can be purchased in black, red, blue, jade or purple pearl. And yeah, it's expensive. The base price is $14,720, a grand more than the sport-specific FXDX. But you'd pay at least that much for the bags and Windshield.
But heck, there's nothing else like it on the road -- at least not yet. The T-Sport is more than a standard cruiser with a windshield and bags. It's an athletic hybrid that blends and balances two of motorcycling's perks: excitement and adventure. A touring cruiser will get you where you want to go, but the fun factor is somewhat limited. A sport machine is certainly amusing, but the giggles tend to peter out after a few hundred miles in one sitting. In our opinion, the T-Sport does it all, without compromising the basic cruiser style and visual attitude. Geez, and you get those groovy bags in the bargain.
IN BRIEF
High Points: Does it all, great bags, neat fairing.
Low Points: Rider ergos won't suit some, mild front-end oscillation, tank console trim still peels.
First Changes: More miles on the odometer, handlebar with a personalized bend, tackier tires.
RIDING POSITIONS
Art Friedman: Ha! All these years they have been telling you that you couldn't have your cake and eat it too. The T-Sport is sweet revenge. If you wanted touring comfort, supposedly you had to forego cool style and deft handling. OK, the T-Sport isn't a Ducati 916/Gold Wing/Wide Glide, but it hits the strong points of each of those bikes hard enough to qualify as a true sport-touring cruiser.
After being repeatedly frustrated by the Convertible, which seemed to be mostly unrealized potential, the FXDXT is a welcome addition to Harley's line, and the perfect bike for someone who only gets to have one bike but still wants to do everything with it.
E-mail is now the only mail Friedman reads:Art.Friedman@sorc.com.
Andy Cherney: I was parking the T-Sport on a side street when a stoner dude ambled up to me exclaiming, "Wow, brudda, izzat really a Hawrley?" When I nodded in the affirmative, he inhaled (his breath) and continued, "I thought for a minnit that wuz a friggin Beemer, with all those gizmos on it."
The gizmos my pharmaceutically enhanced pal was referring to were the removable soft bags and adjustable windshield. I'll admit I didn't think this bike fit the traditional Harley image either, but after a long weekend with it, I'm hooked. The T-Sport bridges the sometimes huge gap between utilitarian and cool very neatly, and with little sacrifice to the performance gods (as I was tersely reminded by the California Highway Patrol one night). Will the next Harley I ride have heated grips?
Jamie Elvidge: Three years ago I would have thought twice about taking off alone on an extended trip aboard a Harley-Davidson, new model or not. I stopped counting breakdowns in the early '90s, and starting counting ways to get out of riding American bikes all together. Things have changed. I was halfway up the highest paved pass in the Rocky Mountains, 60 miles from the nearest pay phone or Porta Potti, in the pouring rain, before I said to myself, "Whoa, I'm riding a Harley in the middle of nowhere..." My next thought? Damn, this is fun
SPECIFICATIONS
2001 Harley-Davidson Super Glide T-Sport
Designation: FXDXT
Suggested base price: $14,720 ($15,010 CA)
Standard colors: Black
Extra cost colors: Blue, green, jade, purple, silver (add $240)
Standard warranty: 12 mos., unlimited miles
Recommended service interval: 5000 miles
ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
Type: Air-cooled, 45 degree V-twin
Valve arrangement: OHV; 1 intake, 1 exhaust valve, operated by pushrods, hydraulic adjusters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1450cc, 95.25 x 101.60mm
Compression ratio: 8.9:1
Carburetion: 1, 40mm Mikuni CV
Lubrication: Dry sump, 3.0 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 92 octane
Transmission: Wet clutch, 5 speeds
Final drive: Belt, 70/32
The T-Sport was discontinued...
The T-Sport was discontinued after the 2003 model, shown here.
CHASSIS
Wet weight: 683 lb., 54.9% rear wheel
GVWR: 1085 lb.
Wheelbase: 63.9 in.
Overall length: 91.4 in.
Rake/trail: 28 degrees / 4.1 in.
Wheels: Cast aluminum, 19.00 x 2.15 in. front, 16.00 x 3.00 in. rear
Front tire: 100/90-19 57H Dunlop H-D series D401
Rear tire: 130/90B16 73H Dunlop H-D series D401
Front brake: 2, four-piston dual-action calipers, 12-in. discs
Rear brake: Four-piston, dual-action caliper, 12-in. disc
Front suspension: Cartridge-type, 39mm stanchions, 6.1 in. travel, adjustable for spring preload, compression, and rebound damping
Rear suspension: 2 dampers, 4.3 in. travel, adjustable for preload and rebound damping Fuel capacity: 4.90 gal., (0.50 gal. reserve)
Handlebar width: 32.0 in.
Inseam equivalent: 33.4 in.
Seat height: 28.0 in.
ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION
Charging output: 360 watts
Battery: 12v, 20AH
Forward lighting: 55/60-watt
Taillight: Single bulb
Instruments: Speedometer, tachometer, LCD odometer/tripmeter, fuel gauge; warning lights for high beam, turn signals, neutral, oil pressure
PERFORMANCE
Fuel mileage: 42 mpg avg.
Average range: 206 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top-gear: 2500
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 71.6 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 13.68 sec., 94.3 mph
Additional motorcycle motorcycle road tests and comparison tests are available at the Road Tests section of MotorcycleCruiser.com.