Is it normal for a 2002 Harley Davidson FXD Super Glide to be hard to downshift from 3rd gear to neutral?

To begin with, you can't downshift from 3rd to neutral. What about 2nd?? A 5 year old bike with only 4,000 miles on it I would check the tranny fluid, its probably never been changed or could be low. Clutch could also be out of adjustment.

You may have a worn shifter spring in your gearbox the spring sadly enough are worth about 4.50 Aust. To check this lift shift lever by hand up and down if it feels excessivly loose that would most likely be your problem. If it was clutch problem it would be hard to shift up not down. These springs have a bad habit of wearing out. Cost involved would be around 600 AUST dollars as the gearbox has to be removed.

Well, all bikes are different...but it usually doesn't take long to find the right pressure to apply to get it into neutral, it's just a matter of being one with the motor beneath your legs.

.....although, if the clutch was out of adjustment a little bit, that could make it hard too

it is common for the shifting mech to get a bit out of adjustment. I have an 02 fxdwg and it is a pain to find neutral. Every now and then I get it serviced and it shifts easily for a bit. I wouldn't really worry about it.

Been ridin' H-D for 40+ years & have owned 12. Each & every one was an SOB tryin' to find neutral while down shifting. Nature of the beast. You otta hear the clutch plates rattle in my '55 Panhead!

The bike has been sitting a lot. Lot of riders I know are using the synthetic oils - so far have heard of no problems - they claim it really smoothes out the changing of gears.

if possible try test riding a similar bike to see if it reacts the same. all brands have different traits, you may just be used to a different bike.

possible clutch adjustment inside the primary cover

hell to find neutral going down and you really don't need to always been that way always will

Don't know what's wrong with it but that isn't normal