New Road King
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 504
From: Northern WV
New Road King
Decided to replace my FLHT and FXDXI with a new Road King which I picked up last week. It's just a base model Morocco Sand with no ABS, security, or spokes. I let the dealer install heated grips. They gave me a T-shirt and pump for the air shocks too! 
Some observations. The seat will have to be replaced as it scoots me too forward and the shield will need cut down or replaced but I knew this up front. I'm trying to adjust to the high bars but I'd really like them a couple inches lower, especially for riding w/o the shield. Studying all the bars in the P&A catalog I don't see they make them lower with the same distance between the clamps. The ones on my FLHT were perfect but the base of the bars is wider.
The bike runs and handles nicely and even though I'm still taking it fairly easy I can tell it'll have a little more power than the 96. I recall these engines start running better with more miles on them too. One thing I have noticed is either it runs hotter or Harley has changed the ETMS to engage at a lower temp because it comes on pretty often even though the temps are in the 50's and 60's. It seldom engaged on the FLHT and never at these temperatures.
I was concerned about buffeting but it's not bad, less than the EG. Lifting myself up off the seat a couple inches it didn't change so I think a lower shield should not be a problem. Looking for a seat that moves me back an inch or two and is at least as high, no lower. Tall Boy seat looks kinds massive for the bike but it'd probably be comfortable. Corbin's usually work for me if they're not too low. Thinking of eliminating the cat with a set of headers leaving the mufflers and intake alone. Probably something to richen it up a little because it seems to have a lean surge at light throttle. I don't think I want to go to the trouble or expense of a TTS on this bike though.
Some observations. The seat will have to be replaced as it scoots me too forward and the shield will need cut down or replaced but I knew this up front. I'm trying to adjust to the high bars but I'd really like them a couple inches lower, especially for riding w/o the shield. Studying all the bars in the P&A catalog I don't see they make them lower with the same distance between the clamps. The ones on my FLHT were perfect but the base of the bars is wider.
The bike runs and handles nicely and even though I'm still taking it fairly easy I can tell it'll have a little more power than the 96. I recall these engines start running better with more miles on them too. One thing I have noticed is either it runs hotter or Harley has changed the ETMS to engage at a lower temp because it comes on pretty often even though the temps are in the 50's and 60's. It seldom engaged on the FLHT and never at these temperatures.
I was concerned about buffeting but it's not bad, less than the EG. Lifting myself up off the seat a couple inches it didn't change so I think a lower shield should not be a problem. Looking for a seat that moves me back an inch or two and is at least as high, no lower. Tall Boy seat looks kinds massive for the bike but it'd probably be comfortable. Corbin's usually work for me if they're not too low. Thinking of eliminating the cat with a set of headers leaving the mufflers and intake alone. Probably something to richen it up a little because it seems to have a lean surge at light throttle. I don't think I want to go to the trouble or expense of a TTS on this bike though.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
Congrats on your new King, is it a 14 or 15?
I adjusted my bars on my 14 King as low as I could so they just miss the tank when turned all the way to the side, made a big difference and feels just right for me.
I have over 8000 trouble free miles and love her. Ride safe.
I adjusted my bars on my 14 King as low as I could so they just miss the tank when turned all the way to the side, made a big difference and feels just right for me.
I have over 8000 trouble free miles and love her. Ride safe.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 504
From: Northern WV
Thanks GPHDXLC, it's a 15. I looked at a red 14 but when I went back to buy it was gone so I ordered this one. You're right my first thought is to pull back/down the bars and I think this will help, I need to pick up a set of extended reach allen sockets. Nice to hear you're pleased and with 8,000 trouble free miles, these are nice motorcycles.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,196
Likes: 4,133
From: Michigan
2014 RK here, as far as the windshield goes you can easily cut it down to what ever height you want, the seat you can send to Mean City Cycles to be reworked however you want for a lot less than the price of a new seat.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 4
From: Kansas
Congrats on the new ride, great choice!
The windshield on mine was too tall also with the stock seat. I added a Mustang super solo with passenger seat, and this seat set me back a little over an inch, and raised me enough my the windshield isn't bad now.
This also made the bars lower relative to seating position.
The windshield on mine was too tall also with the stock seat. I added a Mustang super solo with passenger seat, and this seat set me back a little over an inch, and raised me enough my the windshield isn't bad now.
This also made the bars lower relative to seating position.
Last edited by RushKing14; Oct 12, 2014 at 08:41 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton
I'd at least try rotating the bars back. I did this on my '14 because I also thought they were a little tall and found it made a nice difference in height. Its not perhaps ideal by maybe an inch but not enough of an issue to bother changing the bars over.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 504
From: Northern WV
Thanks RushKing. I like having the clear windshield instead of the batwing for a change.
Is that the Super Solo on your bike in the picture? It looks good and it'd have to be comfortable. I guess similar to the Tall Boy sold by Harley.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Driggs, Idaho
Congrats. Picked mine up on Saturday. Had to go with Tall boy seat. Stock seat was cramping my legs. Also got a backrest, detachable sissy bar, luggage rack and a tour pac. Tour pac had to be ordered to color match. Bassani pipes and stage 1.