Harley-Davidson Freewheeler 2021 — Specifications

How do you tame over 500 kilos of American metal without resorting to a sidecar? If you ask Harley-Davidson, the answer is the Freewheeler. This trike, which arrived in France in 2017 powered by the all-new Milwaukee Eight engine, isn’t a motorcycle to which a wheel has been grafted. It’s a machine conceived from the start to run on three rails, a bold compromise between cruiser tradition and absolute stability. With a price tag approaching €31,390, it positions itself as a more accessible and radical alternative to the Tri Glide Ultra, its touring big brother. Nearly €7,000 less and 57 kilos lighter on the scale, you can feel it: the Freewheeler breathes hot rod, not luxury liner.

The heart of the beast is a statement of principle. The Milwaukee Eight 114 twin, with a displacement of 1868 cm3, isn’t there to show off at maximum RPM. Its 87 horsepower seem almost timid on paper, but forget about them. The real music plays at 2250 rpm, where the torque of 165.4 Nm unfolds like a roller compressor. This visceral surge is the very essence of the Freewheeler pleasure. It is channeled by an impressive arsenal of electronics, especially since the updates applied to models like the 2021 Freewheeler. The RDRS pack, specific to trikes, finely manages traction, braking, and even torque in corners, transforming this behemoth into a rather civilized animal. For those looking for a used Harley-Davidson Freewheeler, verifying the presence of these aids is crucial; they completely change the experience.

Let's be frank about this weight. 507 kg at full weight is a figure that chills the blood of a two-wheeled rider. But that's where the magic of the trike operates. Once in motion, the mass seems to dissolve. The steering is surprisingly light, and the straight-line stability is hypnotic. The braking, with its two front discs gripped by six-piston calipers and ABS, inspires confidence. However, don't expect to trace hairpin turns: the Freewheeler likes wide, majestic curves. The 125 mm ground clearance and the 1.67 m wheelbase quickly remind you that you are piloting a building. It’s a cruiser that takes up space, not a sports machine.

So, who is this phenomenon for? Certainly not the purebred track rider. The Freewheeler trike targets a specific audience: the seasoned tourer looking for unwavering comfort and a stage presence, or the reassured beginner comforted by the inherent stability of three wheels. A standard B license is sufficient, and that’s a significant argument. The integrated trunk, capable of swallowing two helmets, even makes it a credible travel companion. After a Harley-Davidson Freewheeler test ride, you often leave with an ambiguous smile. You applaud the engineering, the sensation of raw power, and the unique character of the machine. But you can’t help but find the 5.5 L/100 km fuel consumption a little high for a motorcycle… which is no longer quite one. It’s an object apart, a declaration of independence on three wheels. Whether you are seduced or skeptical, one thing is sure: it leaves no one indifferent.