2009 Harley-Davidson Road King
Harley-Davidson styling heritage meets long-range riding comfort in the Road
King. The large, detachable windshield and hard-shell saddlebags make this
a versatile motorcycle suitable for touring or commuting. Classic styling
touches include the chrome Hiawatha headlamp and clear-lens auxiliary passing
lights, chrome engine covers, a deep-skirted FL front fender and white-stripe
tires. The seat has been restyled for 2009 with chrome accents and a new low-mount
license bracket locates the plate below the tail lamp, with new LED license
plate illumination.
A new chassis designed to deliver precise responsive maneuverability, increased
capacity and greater comfort for rider and passenger underpins the seven-model
Harley-Davidson Touring family for 2009.
Incorporating an all-new frame, swingarm, engine mounting system, wheels
and tires, the new chassis forms the foundation for what are truly all-new
motorcycles. The key styling elements of these motorcycles, however, are essentially
unchanged so that the distinctive character and mechanical beauty of each
Touring model is preserved.
“In 2009, Harley-Davidson will mark its 15th consecutive year of leading
the touring segment in market share,” said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson
Vice President, Core Customer Marketing. “Harley-Davidson takes pride
in this leadership of an entire touring experience that includes great motorcycles,
along with the activities of the Harley Owner’s Group, the philosophy
of riding with customers while attracting new ones, and producing high quality
items like Genuine Motor Accessories and MotorClothes Merchandise. Our dedication
to constant improvement of Harley-Davidson motorcycles brings the new chassis
and other upgrades for 2009 to deliver a new level of agility and responsiveness,
rider and passenger comfort, and cargo capacity.”
The 2009 Touring models continue a series of product innovations that can
be traced back to a research study conducted by the company in 2002, and to
face-to-face interaction with customers who rode an estimate 50 million miles
during the Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary event in 2003. Armed with this
feedback, Harley-Davidson launched a program to maintain its touring leadership
through the introduction of the Twin Cam 96 engine and 6-speed Cruise drive transmission, 103ci and 110ci Big Bore kits through Genuine Motor Accessories,
the Isolated Drive System, electronic throttle control, Brembo brakes with
optional ABS, a six-gallon fuel tank, reduced clutch lever effort, the Advanced
Audio System by Harman-Kardon, GPS navigation with Ride Planner downloads,
a high-output charging system to better enable new accessory heated seats
and grips, and a two-year warranty with extended service intervals.
Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles, the Kings of the American road, have
been tested by time and millions of highway miles in the hands the most demanding
long-distance riders in the world. All 2009 Touring models are powered by
the rubber-mounted 1584cc Twin Cam 96 V-Twin engine with Electronic Sequential
Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), mated to the 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission
for outstanding performance and economy. All models also feature air-adjustable
rear shocks to accommodate variable passenger and luggage loads.
The All-New Touring Chassis
New from the tires up, the Touring chassis is based on a single-spar, rigid
backbone frame that supports an increase in load capacity of 70 pounds. This
allows for a five pound increase in each saddlebag and the Tour-Pak. A new
swingarm contributes significantly to the overall system. The engine-isolation
system has been revised to reduce engine and vehicle vibrations at idle speed.
The wheel-and-tire package is updated, with front wheel diameter increased
to 17 inches from 16 inches (except for the Road King Classic) while the width
of the 16-inch rear wheel is increased to five inches from three inches. All
Touring models will be equipped with new Dunlop D407 Multi-Tread rear tires
that offer up to 25 percent more rear-tire tread life. The wider rear wheel
accommodates a new 180/65-16 rear tire. The new front tire is a 130/80-17.
Front and rear suspension has been recalibrated to match the dynamics of the
new chassis, wheels and tires.
Powertrain revisions include a new 2-1-2 exhaust system that reduces heat
exposure to the rider and passenger, and a lower final drive ratio for improved
acceleration performance. Rear styling is cleaner, with a wider fender and
the elimination of the rear “hoop” over the fender on models not
equipped with a Tour-Pak. (Please see the separate Touring Chassis Tech release
for more detailed information.)
Key Touring Family Features
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS): Offered as a factory-installed option on
all 2009 Touring models, ABS is designed to help the rider maintain control
during braking events, especially those that happen in less-than-optimal conditions.
The components of the Harley-Davidson ABS have been designed and packaged
to be virtually invisible, preserving the uncluttered styling of the area
around the wheels. Unlike many motorcycle ABS, Harley-Davidson ABS is not
a linked system, meaning the rider maintains full, independent control of
both front and rear brakes.
Electronic Throttle Control: Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) replaces mechanical
cables on all Touring models. All wiring from the throttle-grip sensor is
routed through the handlebars. The ETC enables an easy upgrade to a cruise
control system, and unclutters the handlebar area for cleaner styling.
Factory-Option Cruise Control: Available for all models that do not come
equipped with cruise control as standard equipment.
Isolated Drive System: The Isolated Drive System compensator is now integrated
into the rear wheel hub, eliminating the bolt-on bowl for a cleaner look.
The Isolated Drive System reduces noise and vibration to the rider for improved
ride quality under acceleration, shifting and cruising.
New Features:
The new chassis that underpins the 2009 Touring motorcycles from Harley-Davidson
improves comfort and functionality of these legendary machines, while preserving
the timeless character that makes a Harley-Davidson Touring bike the King
of the American road.
The Touring frame, triple clamps, swingarm, engine mounts, exhaust system,
rear fender, wheels and tires have been redesigned, and together provide the
foundation for what are truly all-new motorcycles. Key styling elements –
including the front end, fuel tank, saddlebags and Tour-Pak – are essentially
unchanged, so that these Touring models are visually similar to those distinctive
motorcycles that precede them. Ride quality remains smooth, while maneuverability
is precise and responsive.
The Frame
Forming the core of the 2009 Touring chassis is a new frame with a single-spar,
rigid backbone designed to sustain the demands of long-haul touring riders
and today’s powerful engines. The new frame provides a strong foundation
that supports a 70 pound increase in carrying capacity. The storage compartments
have a 15-pound increase in rated cargo capacity (five pounds per saddlebag,
and five pounds in the Tour-Pak).
The frame is engineered to be manufactured with the latest coordinated motion
robotic welding process, which offers outstanding dimensional accuracy and
weld quality. The frame design results in a 50 percent reduction in parts,
and a 50 percent reduction in the total length of welds. T-studs have been
eliminated, and the components of the new frame are joined with cast and forged
node-tube joints.
A separate bolt-on tail section isolates the main frame from the tail frame,
providing better quality-control during manufacturing and more product-design
flexibility. The new tail section improves the fit-and-finish of the rear
area of the motorcycle through more-precise alignment of the rear fender over
the rear wheel.
A new swingarm is formed with a two-piece, deep-drawn shell with a forged
pivot section. The new swingarm contributes significantly to the overall system.
The engine-isolation system has also been revised, resulting in reduced engine
and vehicle vibration at idle speed. The new system replaces a single front
isolator with twin front isolators with a single tie link. The front and rear
mounts are designed to provide optimal balance between stiffness and isolation,
and are intended to be very durable. Finally, new asymmetric snubbers provide
improved control of the clearance between the engine and frame during extreme
bump events.
Wheels, Tires and Suspension
A new wheel-and-tire combination plays a key role in the responsive performance
of the 2009 Touring chassis. Front wheel diameter is increased to 17 inches
from 16 inches (except for the Road King Classic, which has 16-inch Laced
chrome steel wheels front and rear), while the width of the 16-inch rear wheel
is increased to five inches from three inches. New 28-spoke cast aluminum
wheels were designed using finite element analysis for maximal stiffness with
minimal weight. The Street Glide has restyled Slotted Disc cast aluminum wheels
that have also been engineered for maximum stiffness with minimal weight.
All 2009 Touring models will be equipped with new Dunlop D407 Multi-Tread
rear tires designed specifically for the new Harley-Davidson Touring chassis.
The construction of the tires and the distribution of a longer life center
tread compound and more aggressive shoulder compound enhance straight line
performance and will deliver up to 25 percent more rear-tire tread life than
the previous tire. The wider rear wheel accommodates a new 180/65-16 rear
tire that is wider and has a lower aspect ratio than the MU85B16 tire it replaces.
The new rear tire size contributes to the increase in cargo capacity. The
new front tire, a 130/80-17, also has a lower aspect ratio for a more modern
look and responsive handling. Front and rear suspension has been recalibrated
to match the dynamics of the new chassis, wheels and tires. Steering head
rake and fork angle are unchanged at 26 degrees and 29.25 degrees respectively,
but trail has been increased by 0.5 inch to 6.9 inches. Wheelbase is increased
by .556 inches, to 63.54 inches.
Powertrain
All 2009 Touring models are powered by the Twin Cam 96 V-Twin engine with
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) mated to the 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission.
A new one-piece welded exhaust header features a 2-into-1-into-2 design and
features new routing to enhance rider and passenger comfort. On models so
equipped, the exhaust catalyst is located in the collector. The rear pipe
is restyled and now curves forward of the transmission. A new single-piece
front exhaust shield replaces the previous two-piece shield and eliminates
a gap that exposed the exhaust pipe on the previous exhaust system.
Acceleration performance is improved on all 2009 Touring models due to a
lower final drive ratio, as a 68-tooth rear sprocket replaces the previous
66-tooth sprocket. The Isolated Drive System has been redesigned, and the
compensator is now integrated into the rear wheel hub, eliminating the bolt-on
bowl for more integrated design.
Styling, Comfort and Convenience
The increase in wheelbase allowed the saddlebags to be moved rearward a corresponding
distance (.556 inches) to increase passenger legroom in front of the saddlebags.
The elimination of the left-rear exhaust pipe, and the new routing of the
right-rear exhaust pipe, reduces the heat exposure to the rider’s thighs
and the passenger’s calves.
The rear fender has been re-shaped to accommodate the new 180 mm rear tire,
and is also designed to work with 18-inch custom rear wheels from Harley-Davidson
Genuine Motor Accessories. On models not equipped with a Tour-Pak, the license
plate has been relocated below the tail light and is illuminated by an LED
located in an eyebrow on the turn signal lightbar, except on the Road King
Classic. Finally, the rear “hoop” over the fender has been eliminated
from models not equipped with a Tour-Pak. The combination of these elements
results in a striking new look to the rear end, with perfect proportions that
are especially evident on Touring models that are not equipped with the Tour-Pak.
The new Tour-Pak support rack has no holes in the tubes for Tour-Pak attachment.
The new design uses fewer fasteners and hardware, and makes it easier to adjust
the Tour-Pak fore and aft for passenger comfort. Tour-Pak capacity is increased
by five pounds. Saddlebag capacity is increased by five pounds per side.
Shorty dual antennas replace the previous whip antennas. With no loss of
performance, both the radio and CB antennas now clear a seven-foot garage
door.
A new LED rear-fender tip light on the Electra Glide Classic and Ultra Classic
Electra Glide is brighter and more attractive than the incandescent bulb it
replaces.
The revised exhaust routing and other new features combine to deliver comfort
for the long haul in a variety of environments.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer,
produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts,
accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s
Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.
FLHR Road King features:
Rubber mounted 1584cc Twin Cam 96 engine with ESPFI
6-speed Cruise Drive transmission
Black powder-coated engine with chrome covers
Brembo triple-disc brake system
Six-gallon fuel tank
Electronic Throttle Control
NEW 2-1-2 exhaust system
NEW engine isolation system
NEW Isolated Drive System
NEW frame and swingarm
NEW 28-spoke cast aluminum wheels, 17-inch front/16-inch rear
NEW Dunlop D407 Multi-Tread 180/65-16 rear tire/white stripe
NEW Dunlop D407 130/80-17 front tire/white stripe
NEW license plate location with LED illumination
Large Hiawatha headlight and chrome nacelle
Auxiliary passing lights
Detachable windshield
Large tank-mounted speedometer
Two-piece Touring seat
Weather resistant and lockable GTX hard saddlebags
Optional ABS
Optional Electronic Cruise Control
Optional Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced wheels
Optional Smart Security System