First Harley
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4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 8
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From: norcal
First Harley
I got my motorcycle license last year, looking to buy my first bike. I'm interested in the 2023 or 2024 Road King Special FLHRXS. Is this a good bike for me to start with or overkill? Is this a bad choice? I was also looking at the Low Rider S and Road Glide. My local dealership has 2% financing on 2023 models.
Last edited by fat_italian_elvis; Feb 27, 2024 at 11:49 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,152
Likes: 9,564
From: central NC
If this is your first bike (assuming this is, based on just getting your motorcycle license) I would start on a lighter bike than a Road King or Road Glide.
You mentioned your height in the police bike thread, so if it were me, Id be looking at the softail framed bikes. Lighter, lower ride height, easier to handle. IMHO.
You mentioned your height in the police bike thread, so if it were me, Id be looking at the softail framed bikes. Lighter, lower ride height, easier to handle. IMHO.
Last edited by gonemad; Feb 28, 2024 at 06:00 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
There are many threads like this. The older bikers are going to tell you to buy a smaller bike and start on that. Other people are going to say buy what you want. In the end, the OP usually disregards everyone’s advice and buys whatever appeals to them.
Personally, I’m in the buy smaller bike camp. My first bike was a Vulcan 750, it was 475 pounds. I had several times I almost fell, but I was able to get the bike upright because it was 475 pounds. If I started on a Harley touring bike, I would’ve gone down. Slippery surfaces like oily, wet roads, road paint, sand, gravel, tar snakes, grated bridges are all easier to handle on a lighter bike.
Personally, I’m in the buy smaller bike camp. My first bike was a Vulcan 750, it was 475 pounds. I had several times I almost fell, but I was able to get the bike upright because it was 475 pounds. If I started on a Harley touring bike, I would’ve gone down. Slippery surfaces like oily, wet roads, road paint, sand, gravel, tar snakes, grated bridges are all easier to handle on a lighter bike.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 343
Likes: 224
From: Viera, FL
As the post above said, buy what will make you happy. When it boils down, a touring bike is a touring bike. Meaning a Road King, Street Glide and Road Glide are basically the same bikes less the fairings. If you can handle the weight, jump om a Road Glide and be done.
TH
TH
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: USA
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 566
Likes: 472
From: Sapulpa, OKlahoma
Some things to consider:
If you're leaning more toward an around town cruiser style bike the Softail models are a good place to start. The Heritage Classic is a nice combination of cruiser and touring bike without the extra weight of the touring family. I've also known people that went straight from the MSF course to a touring bike like the Road King so it can be done but you'll need to be committed to practicing in a parking lot to build your skills.
- Do you prefer forward controls or mid controls?
- Do you prefer pegs or floorboards?
- Do you prefer windshields, fairings, or bare bones?
- Do you plan to ride mostly solo or with a passenger?
- Do you plan to ride mostly in the city, mostly touring, or a mixture of both?
- Do you want conveniences like stereo, navigation, cruise control, etc.
- Are you prepared to pick up an 800-950+ LB bike when (not if) you drop it?
- How much storage do you want/need?
If you're leaning more toward an around town cruiser style bike the Softail models are a good place to start. The Heritage Classic is a nice combination of cruiser and touring bike without the extra weight of the touring family. I've also known people that went straight from the MSF course to a touring bike like the Road King so it can be done but you'll need to be committed to practicing in a parking lot to build your skills.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 934
Likes: 677
From: Ohio
My Ultra was a big change coming from metric bikes
Dropped mine the first day in my driveway, live alone and it was all I had to get that thing up again.
Turned the bars in some gravel and hit the brake, down I go again. Things I had gotten away with for decades.
That's been a few years back and haven't been down since.
Love my bike and would do it all again if I had too, never want to go back to the small bikes
Dropped mine the first day in my driveway, live alone and it was all I had to get that thing up again.
Turned the bars in some gravel and hit the brake, down I go again. Things I had gotten away with for decades.
That's been a few years back and haven't been down since.
Love my bike and would do it all again if I had too, never want to go back to the small bikes
