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I have a 24 Road King, posting here as if it’s a 2023 :)
It did not receive the facelift the new other 24 Touring bikes did. Love the bike and at 64 starting to feel the need for a fairing, I don’t like the screens available for the Road Kings. I test rode a 24 Road Glide, didn’t do much for me, I think I prefer the feel of my King better, the 24 was almost too smooth, felt a little cramped but could have been my imagination. I can probably get a great deal on a 23 Street Glide but it would be less expensive if I can get a quality bat wing and just color match it, what say the group? I listen to music with my Cardo pack talk, so music is covered. I don’t like wind noise so I use a Shoei 3/4 helmet with the speakers installed. Just looking to get wind protection for cooler weather and to extend my riding season.
long story short trade it for a Street Glide or add an aftermarket Batwing and color match it?
Last edited by canyonwlf7; Aug 2, 2024 at 08:59 AM.
Condolences on your Road King.
I mean, congratulations!
There are aftermarket windshields. I personally like the Clearview, in no small measure because of it's built in vent. But there are others.
I’ve tried the vented CVO Wind Screen and it’s loud and too low and lots of buffeting and a Long Ride non vented 17” and the Road King classic screen, I hate them all, I’m odd I guess!
I recently purchased a low mileage 17 Road King Standard. The factory stock windshield works great for me and I love that I have an unobstructed view of the front end and the road ahead of me vs my previous bat wing. In my opinion, a windshield is pretty much mandatory if you plan to ever riding the Road King on a highway.
Before the Road King purchase, I also test rode a 24 Road Glide and the stock seat had me sitting practically on the tank. It also felt like the floor boards were mounted higher than previous years which put my legs and knees at a very uncomfortable angle. I suspect they are trying to make the riding position more "road racer" in support of their King of the Baggers program. All in all, I found the new Road Glide to be cramped and uncomfortable for my 5'11" frame and could not wait to return it to the dealer.
The Road King on the other hand fits my frame well and is comfortable for all day rides (once I changed the seat out for a Mustang Super Touring solo seat which moved my seating position back almost two inches).
I recently purchased a low mileage 17 Road King Standard. The factory stock windshield works great for me and I love that I have an unobstructed view of the front end and the road ahead of me vs my previous bat wing. In my opinion, a windshield is pretty much mandatory if you plan to ever riding the Road King on a highway.
Before the Road King purchase, I also test rode a 24 Road Glide and the stock seat had me sitting practically on the tank. It also felt like the floor boards were mounted higher than previous years which put my legs and knees at a very uncomfortable angle. I suspect they are trying to make the riding position more "road racer" in support of their King of the Baggers program. All in all, I found the new Road Glide to be cramped and uncomfortable for my 5'11" frame and could not wait to return it to the dealer.
The Road King on the other hand fits my frame well and is comfortable for all day rides (once I changed the seat out for a Mustang Super Touring solo seat which moved my seating position back almost two inches).
agree with all of the above, I guess I’ll keep looking for a shield, maybe the vented clear view as mentioned above!
I’m on a ‘24 police Road King with OE police seat so I can see well over the stock 22” windshield.
I don’t get quite the protection I got on my ‘22 Road Glide with fairing lowers. or my ‘20 Street Glide, but I run fork mounted wind deflectors (fork fangs) and I’m really happy with it.
Get your bars and seat you enjoy before purchasing a shield. You’ll save a lot of time and money. I use Freedom shields and had no issues. BTW, fork fangs work great with the shield.
Advan Black has different fairings available for the road king. I’m looking to go that route but will check out the Memphis Shades that had been mentioned.
I guess there’s always trade offs when trying to find that perfect ride that you can’t wait to get on and ride.
You can keep spending money trying to find exactly what you like to make your riding more enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing or, you can trade for a Street Glide, which seems by the way you’re already leaning that way. I had 2 Road Kings and loved them both but as I’m a little older I really love the fairing bikes. Don’t think I’ll ever go back. I have a bad left arm and shoulder, and although you keep a lot of wind off of you with remedies for a Road King, the SG is just different and works for me.
If you can get a great deal on 23’ SG and that’s what will keep you on the road and riding more, by all means go ahead and make the swap.
Not trying to start a debate about which bike is better. Everyone is different and needs to get what works for them. Again… I do miss my Kings but the SG fits the bill for me at this point. Good luck and keep us posted on what decision you decide.
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I have a 24 Road King, posting here as if it’s a 2023 :)
