road king to dyna?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
85% of my riding never involves an overnight stay, but a couple of times a year I'll go out for a long weekend or even a full week sometimes. I find the Dyna easily comfortable enough to sit on all day for back-to-back days. I have a set of quick detach Leather Pros bags which hold enough for me to travel alone for a week, or me and a girlfriend to travel together for a weekend. I've rented a Road King for some touring out west, and it was a great experience. But... I found the greatest advantages were increased luggage space, a usable windscreen, and a cushier passenger seat. None of that is important enough that I would live with less performance, less cornering clearance, less "hot rod attitude," and less of my personal style for the 85% of the time that I don't need any of that. I would much rather make an adequate light touring mount for the other 15% of the time... And I honestly didn't fine the Road King to be much more comfortable from the riding standpoint at all (not that it isn't comfortable, but mine is too)...
Unless you're going to spend more time touring than local riding, I would get the Dyna, get some detachable bags, and two seats. Detachable windshield if you think you would miss that touring. Two full bikes in one.
Unless you're going to spend more time touring than local riding, I would get the Dyna, get some detachable bags, and two seats. Detachable windshield if you think you would miss that touring. Two full bikes in one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 5,562
Likes: 4,759
From: Albuquerque, NM
I'd say, with the right handlebar/seat/footpeg position, ANY bike can be "comfortable", so just get the Dyna, since you like the "nimbleness", and get the rest of the parts for it that will MAKE it "comfortable" and have enough "storage" for your needs. Then, you have the best of both worlds!
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,581
Likes: 8,408
From: Inland NW
85% of my riding never involves an overnight stay, but a couple of times a year I'll go out for a long weekend or even a full week sometimes. I find the Dyna easily comfortable enough to sit on all day for back-to-back days. I have a set of quick detach Leather Pros bags which hold enough for me to travel alone for a week, or me and a girlfriend to travel together for a weekend. I've rented a Road King for some touring out west, and it was a great experience. But... I found the greatest advantages were increased luggage space, a usable windscreen, and a cushier passenger seat. None of that is important enough that I would live with less performance, less cornering clearance, less "hot rod attitude," and less of my personal style for the 85% of the time that I don't need any of that. I would much rather make an adequate light touring mount for the other 15% of the time... And I honestly didn't fine the Road King to be much more comfortable from the riding standpoint at all (not that it isn't comfortable, but mine is too)...
Unless you're going to spend more time touring than local riding, I would get the Dyna, get some detachable bags, and two seats. Detachable windshield if you think you would miss that touring. Two full bikes in one.
Unless you're going to spend more time touring than local riding, I would get the Dyna, get some detachable bags, and two seats. Detachable windshield if you think you would miss that touring. Two full bikes in one.
I went with the Laminar Lip on my 1/4 this trip. I don't care for it. I will put the Road Dawgs on next year when we go long distances, or just rock the 1/4
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
That said, I've ridden my Dyna on multi-week trips and I've ridden my Road King like it was sport bike (so to speak).
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Nov 10, 2017 at 08:52 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 518
Likes: 244
From: Tucson Arizona
Dyna Super Glide for me...
I have no experience and thus no opinion on a Road King but flat out love my Dyna SG. For me, it is the perfect bike doing lots of things very well{check out my profile pic}.
Even with the smallish Leather Lyke bags and Topcase, my bride and I can pack enough for a 4-day trip. With the Memphis Shades Batwing Fairing and the Sundowner cruising seat it is amazingly comfortable, just finished my first {18.5 hour - 1,071 mile} Iron butt last month. It is a blast in the twisties and with the Stage One tune, it really scoots! Not too shabby for this old {66} guy.
Even with the smallish Leather Lyke bags and Topcase, my bride and I can pack enough for a 4-day trip. With the Memphis Shades Batwing Fairing and the Sundowner cruising seat it is amazingly comfortable, just finished my first {18.5 hour - 1,071 mile} Iron butt last month. It is a blast in the twisties and with the Stage One tune, it really scoots! Not too shabby for this old {66} guy.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 647
Likes: 47
From: Loudoun, VA
It's def a case of riding "in" the bike versus "on top" like the RK. I enjoyed test driving a RK, made me feel better about my confidence riding a bigger bike, but surely not as nimble as the FatBob is. RK falls in a curve it seems while the FatBob seems to hug or stick the turn more. Like many others mentioned, if I could have 2 for sure, both hands down, easy answer. When most of my riding isn't long trips sadly and more work days and weekends, then I opt for the best "all in one" solution.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 355
From: San Diego
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 118
Likes: 3
From: Perth Australia
I am lucky enough to have both and they are both much better at their intended purpose than the other. The RK has a sundowner seat with backrest, highway pegs and a choice of screens. It also has a larger tank, which definitely helps in Australia. It is nowhere near as sporty as the Lowrider S but it eats the miles.
I don't get out on the RK as often as the Lowrider but when I do it could be 2,000 miles in 5 days or across the country and back in four weeks.
The Lowrider S is the most fun HD I have owned and great for a blast around with friends but the novelty does wear off after a tank or two of long straight riding.
Cheers,
Surly
I don't get out on the RK as often as the Lowrider but when I do it could be 2,000 miles in 5 days or across the country and back in four weeks.
The Lowrider S is the most fun HD I have owned and great for a blast around with friends but the novelty does wear off after a tank or two of long straight riding.
Cheers,
Surly
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 147
Likes: 6
From: Yardley, PA
I've had 3 softails, 1 nightster, 1 dyna, 1 road king. Now I'm back to a Dyna WG. The RK is excellent for road trips but on spirited riding, it is numb and feels disconnected from the road. The dyna line does everything right and if it's down to having one bike, than the dyna is the one. Many of us, including myself have to have "only" 1 bike. Add windshield, saddlebags and/or sissy bar bags and you instantly have a great touring bike. Dyna suspension is great and the rubber mounted motor keeps the vibrations to a minimum. The dyna handling is great and I have more confidence on the twisties. The RK is very heavy and is meant for long distance touring. I found the RK to be difficult to navigate slow or in parking lots.
Yep, it would be awesome to have a 30,OOO customized softail and a ultra touring, but where is most of your riding time spent? Barhopping or cross country touring? My riding involves anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 days.
Mostly being 3 hours average per day.
Yep, it would be awesome to have a 30,OOO customized softail and a ultra touring, but where is most of your riding time spent? Barhopping or cross country touring? My riding involves anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 days.
Mostly being 3 hours average per day.