It's Goodbye HC Hello RKS
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 580
From: Ft Smith Arkansas
Comparison
I originally was looking at a Road King before purchasing the Heritage. That was until I saw the Heritage with mag wheels. I test road both before buying the Heritage to me the weight difference was very noticable and in stock form the Heritage suspension Is so much better than the Road King . But the worst thing about the Heritage is the vibration if it didn't have that it would almost be the perfect bike . I'm still impressed with everything else on it the new Softail frame is a huge improvement over the older one .
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 787
From: France
I agree with you, the Heritage is much easier to live with and the stock suspension is much better, but for my part, the vibrations don't bother me, I find that it's part of the old school charms of this model.
In the other hand I have always loved the Road Kings, they have a natural class and for me they are the emblem of American bikes and I love their silky smooth ride. I think that the RKS deserves a little adaptation effort, not that difficult to take advantage of its other qualities
In the other hand I have always loved the Road Kings, they have a natural class and for me they are the emblem of American bikes and I love their silky smooth ride. I think that the RKS deserves a little adaptation effort, not that difficult to take advantage of its other qualities
Last edited by Big Al 59; Sep 2, 2024 at 08:46 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 580
From: Ft Smith Arkansas
RK
I agree with you, the Heritage is much easier to live with and the stock suspension is much better, but for my part, the vibrations don't bother me, I find that it's part of the old school charms of this model.
In the other hand I have always loved the Road Kings, they have a natural class and for me they are the emblem of American bikes and I love their silky smooth ride. I think that the RKS deserves a little adaptation effort, not that difficult to take advantage of its other qualities
In the other hand I have always loved the Road Kings, they have a natural class and for me they are the emblem of American bikes and I love their silky smooth ride. I think that the RKS deserves a little adaptation effort, not that difficult to take advantage of its other qualities
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 580
From: Ft Smith Arkansas
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 787
From: France
I've only ridden short distances twice on Dynas and that was with the 96ci, and while I appreciated the smooth ride and lightness, the engine is still a notch below compared to the M8 .
I like my Heritage for its ease and also for its vibrations which contribute to the old school feeling of this machine, but I also like the Road King for its majestic look and the feeling of being planted on the Road and its smooth ride ...
In fact I like both, so it's hard to choose but for me, a Harley must have a windshield saddlebags and floorboards, so I'm right in both cases...
I like my Heritage for its ease and also for its vibrations which contribute to the old school feeling of this machine, but I also like the Road King for its majestic look and the feeling of being planted on the Road and its smooth ride ...
In fact I like both, so it's hard to choose but for me, a Harley must have a windshield saddlebags and floorboards, so I'm right in both cases...
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 972
Likes: 1,016
From: Knoxville
Just got a new to me Dyna with the 96, you ain’t wrong about the power compared to the M8, my M8 117 has so much more everywhere. What I found is the engine braking with the 117 is massive compared to the 96. At 70mph they both spin around 2.6k, the Dyna feels smoother the M8 feels like it’s buzzing a bit.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 580
From: Ft Smith Arkansas
Dyna
I've only ridden short distances twice on Dynas and that was with the 96ci, and while I appreciated the smooth ride and lightness, the engine is still a notch below compared to the M8 .
I like my Heritage for its ease and also for its vibrations which contribute to the old school feeling of this machine, but I also like the Road King for its majestic look and the feeling of being planted on the Road and its smooth ride ...
In fact I like both, so it's hard to choose but for me, a Harley must have a windshield saddlebags and floorboards, so I'm right in both cases...
I like my Heritage for its ease and also for its vibrations which contribute to the old school feeling of this machine, but I also like the Road King for its majestic look and the feeling of being planted on the Road and its smooth ride ...
In fact I like both, so it's hard to choose but for me, a Harley must have a windshield saddlebags and floorboards, so I'm right in both cases...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,301
Likes: 2,402
From: Florida
I originally was looking at a Road King before purchasing the Heritage. That was until I saw the Heritage with mag wheels. I test road both before buying the Heritage to me the weight difference was very noticable and in stock form the Heritage suspension Is so much better than the Road King . But the worst thing about the Heritage is the vibration if it didn't have that it would almost be the perfect bike . I'm still impressed with everything else on it the new Softail frame is a huge improvement over the older one .