‘H-D Forums’ Member Proves that Downsizing Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

Going back to basics isn’t a bad thing — sometimes it can help you rediscover your love of motorcycling.

Believe it or not, bigger isn’t always better. We spend a lot of time around here defending the Sportster, as some folks want a smaller, nimbler bike as opposed to a full-boat touring machine.

Even touring guys can become wistful for a smaller bike to eat up the miles. Don’t believe us? Check out this thread from H-D Forums member Huskers. He just traded in his 2016 Street Glide Special in on a Road King.

Now, there aren’t many folks out there who would call the Road King a “small” bike. However, it is the smallest touring model that Harley-Davidson currently sells. It trades a large fairing for a detachable windshield, and you can forget about Tour Paks.

As Huskers explains, “I missed the open view and riding experience that comes with the Road King.” We can see where he’s coming from.

Keep it Simple

The new Harley-Davidson touring bikes are simply fantastic. They offer a level of performance, comfort, and technology unmatched by anyone else in the business. However, all of that comfort, convenience, and tech can really insulate you from the riding experience.

There’s a good reason that Harley-Davidson still offers the Road King in this day and age. As far as the current touring lineup goes, it’s just as important as the Street Glide, Electra Glide, and Road Glide.

That’s not to say that Huskers bought his Road King in spartan spec. Quite the contrary — his bike is pretty well equipped. Leg shields bolt on to the crash bard to provide wind protection and additional storage. The detachable windshield keeps wind and bugs at bay, too. The hard saddlebags are every bit as versatile as those seen on the bigger touring bikes.

After checking out Huskers’ bike, we can definitely see ourselves on a bike like this. No stereo, no touchscreen, and only room for the bare essentials in our saddlebags. Just us, the bike, and the call of the open road. No wonder they call it the Road King.

Photos: H-D Forums; Harley-Davidson

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Cameron Vanderhorst

Cam VanDerHorst has been a contributor to Internet Brands' Auto Group sites for over three years, with his byline appearing on Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Corvette Forum, JK Forum, and Harley-Davidson Forums, among others. In that time, he's also contributed to Autoweek, The Drive, and Scale Auto Magazine.

He bought his first car at age 14 -- a 1978 Ford Mustang II -- and since then he’s amassed an impressive and diverse collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including a 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Mystic Cobra (#683) and a classic air-cooled Porsche 911.

In addition to writing about cars and wrenching on them in his spare time, he enjoys playing music (drums and ukulele), building model cars, and tending to his chickens.

You can follow Cam, his cars, his bikes, and his chickens at @camvanderhorst on Instagram.

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