Harley-Davidson 1870 Freewheeler FLRT 2021 — Specifications

Who said a trike had to look like a chrome-plated cruise ship for Florida retirees? At Harley-Davidson, the Freewheeler FLRT takes the exact opposite approach to the Tri Glide Ultra by playing the three-wheeled muscle car card. Less plush, 57 kg lighter, and nearly €7,000 cheaper, this 2021 trike embraces an uninhibited hot rod temperament. Where its big brother cultivates bourgeois comfort with a top case and full fairing, the Freewheeler shows up bare-chested, clean-lined, with a Mini-Apehangar handlebar mounted high. The message is clear: we ride for raw pleasure, not for cruising.

Beneath that racy silhouette beats the Milwaukee Eight 114 V-twin and its 1,868 cc. Air-cooled only — no liquid circuit on the cylinder heads — but the engine lacks nothing with its 4 valves and 2 spark plugs per cylinder. The rated output of 87 hp at 5,020 rpm may seem modest on paper, especially against the 507 kg wet weight. But it's the torque that defines this machine's character: 158.9 Nm available from just 3,000 rpm, delivered through a 6-speed gearbox and a belt drive. In practice, every twist of the throttle produces a frank and immediate surge. The engine doesn't scream — it rumbles and hauls. Top speed caps out at 170 km/h, placing the beast firmly in muscular cruising territory rather than outright performance. The 102 x 114 mm bore-stroke ratio confirms this calling: a long-stroke engine built for reach and low-rpm roll-on power.

On the safety front, Harley didn't cut corners. The trike-specific RDRS electronics package combines linked braking with cornering management, adaptive ABS, traction control, and drag-torque slip control, all calibrated for the unique geometry of a three-wheeled vehicle. Up front, two 300 mm discs gripped by 4-piston calipers handle the job of scrubbing speed. A 270 mm disc completes the setup at the rear. The steel double-cradle frame houses a 49 mm telescopic fork with 117 mm of travel, paired with Premium suspension borrowed from the Touring range. Preload is easily adjustable — a welcome feature for adapting the ride whether you're solo or two-up.

Because the Freewheeler happily accommodates a passenger. The rear trunk, nestled between the two 15-inch wheels wearing 205/65 tires, swallows two full-face helmets. The low 700 mm seat height reassures shorter riders and makes stopped maneuvers easier. The 22.7-liter tank provides decent range for weekend rides without turning every gas station into a mandatory stop. An important point for the French market: this trike is accessible with a standard car license, which opens up the sensations of the American V-twin to riders who've never held a motorcycle license. An unexpected gateway into the Harley universe.

At €31,390, the Freewheeler remains a substantial investment, but it occupies a niche where direct competition is scarce. Against the Can-Am Spyder trikes — lighter and sportier — the Harley counters with mechanical charisma and custom culture. Against the Tri Glide Ultra, it offers a more visceral and financially accessible approach. Its audience? Enthusiasts of fine American machinery who want to ride differently, whether by choice or by licensing constraints. The Freewheeler doesn't try to please everyone. It owns its singularity with aplomb, and that's precisely what makes it appealing.