Harley-Davidson 1915 KR Fast Roadster

The idea of a race bike on the road has always been attractive to motorcyclists. Modern bikers relish the power, handling, and brakes of competition-developed machinery and pioneer motorcyclists were no different. Harley’s Fast Roadster was based on the boardtrack racer but fitted with mudguards, a chainguard, and conventional handlebars. Who needed a gearbox or lights? One of the civilizing features which the Fast Roadster acquired from its conventional road-going stablemates was a set of pulled-back handlebars. These offered a combination of comfort and control on the road. Racing handlebars would have been suitable only for short trips to the osteopath.

Harley-Davidson 1915 KR Fast Roadster

It was built for amateur racers at a time when Harley-Davidson’s factory race team was starting to taste success; the K-series won a number of 100- and 300-mile (161- and 483-km) races for Harley in 1915. The “close coupled” frame on the KR was shorter than that fitted to other models such as the F because no gearbox was fitted. A short wheelbase traditionally offers better handling at the expense of comfort and stability. With just over 100 built, this model is now very rare.

Harley-Davidson 1915 KR Fast Roadster

SPECIFICATIONS
Harley-Davidson 1915 KR Fast Roadster
• ENGINE Inlet-over-exhaust, V-twin
• CAPACITY 61cu. in. (1000cc)
• POWER OUTPUT 15bhp
• TRANSMISSION Single-speed competition gearbox, chain drive
• FRAME Tubular loop
• SUSPENSION Leading-link front forks, rigid rear.
• WEIGHT 325lb (147kg)
• TOP SPEED 80mph (130km/h)