Article By: Big Joe Mielke
Photos Courtesy of FXR SHOW And Ryan Clayton Photography
Originally Published In The May 2016 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine
For this month I’d like to give a shout out to all the FXR owners who responded to my “What Gives?” request for more reader submissions for the FXR Spotlight. I’ve got about eight new Spotlights in the works. Submissions came in from Alaska to Europe. The FXR Spotlight shall live on once again! This month’s spotlight comes from my home state of South Dakota, #southdakotaproud. When I first announced that I was going to be putting on the first FXR Show in 2013 one of the first people to come back with questions about the show was Pete Johnson of Rapid City South Dakota. Not only is Rapid City a short ride from Sturgis it’s also a short ride from the Sturgis Dragway. Pete is not only an FXR owner, he is also an FXR Drag Racer. The FXR spotlight is no stranger to FXR drag bikes. It’s a beautiful combination. Pete’s main concern on that day was if he would be able to catch that day’s races and still be able to get his FXR into the show. Lucky for me Pete did get his FXR to the show which added to the first year’s success. And just like Pete answered the call for the first FXR Show, Pete answered the call again when I needed submissions to keep the FXR Spotlight going. So here we go with the FXR Q&A!
CS: How did you get exposed to motorcycles? (Who, When, Where)
PJ: My dad got me into bikes when I was a kid on a dirt bike then got me onto street bikes in MN when I was 14 in the late 90s
CS: What was your first motorcycle?
PJ: I had a Yamaha 50cc when I was a kid then a 650 Honda nighthawk when I was a teenager. I spray painted it flat black so I wouldn’t stand out in the pack. Then I had a shovelhead chopper basket case we bought from a friend that we rebuilt.
CS: When did you get your first FXR?
PJ: Probably 04ish my dad did a frame swap and left a Kenny Boyce frame under the bench in my garage.
CS: What led you to the FXR?
PJ: I grew up with it. The Kenny Boyce was my dad’s street bike back in the day. We named it the R model. In 2000 he rebuilt it and put in a 113 S&S bullet. That was the big one in its day. I used to take it to the car wash for him then bomb Main St until it was out of gas.
CS: What was your first FXR?
PJ: I stole my dad’s when he did a frame swap and built a snail tail chopper
CS: What FXR/s do you currently own?
PJ: Still have the same old R model my dad had since 99ish. It’s been rebuilt 3 times since then. It has been used as a drag bike for most of its life now.
CS: What other motorcycles do you own?
PJ: My old shovelhead chopper and I just picked up an X ProGas Harley drag bike so I can retire the R Model and rebuild it for the street again. I also have a Buell, sportster both for drag racing , a road King, springer and a wide glide.
CS: What do you think makes the FXR such a great motorcycle?
PJ: It was originally designed by Eric Buell and was the sport bike of the big twins known for its good handling for its day.
CS: Why FXR?
PJ: Mostly because it was a bare frame sitting under my work bench and I wanted to build a drag bike for my sister. But the bike keeps ending up with me. I guess it was meant to be
CS: If the Factory were to bring back the FXR platform would you buy one?
PJ: If the factory made it cool and fast- heck yeah
CS: Where is your favorite place to ride?
PJ: Sturgis Dragway and Oahe Speedway or anywhere that takes me to Mexican food
CS: Is there anything you would trade your FXR for?
PJ: Nitro Harley’s? Ha ha! Most of my spotlight interviewees have said they wouldn’t trade their FXR for anything. I have to say, trading up for a Nitro Harley wouldn’t be a bad deal at all! God knows I love motorcycle drag racing!
Thanks again to Peter for sharing his FXR story. If you would like to be featured with your FXR in a future issue, please contact me via email at joe@fxrshow.com!