road king to dyna?
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 104
Likes: 22
From: metro-Atlanta
Get a CB500X, Versys, or VStrom (to name a few, and I know: not Harleys) and be done with it. Won't cost near as much as a Pan Am. If you want to have actual fun on the fire roads, trails, or gravel buy something built for it. Yes, I've taken a RK off-road but lets be serious, there isn't a Harley outside of Pan America built for what the OP is looking to do.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
Long time FXR and DYNA owner. I had a 2016 RK for 2 years and it wasn't for me. As everyone said it was heavy and a bit disconnected from the road. In 2019 I tried a 114 Road King Special and honestly it was night and day over the 2016....Every problem was solved for me. It is a hot rod canyon carver or a comfortable touring bike equally well. I know the main difference is the slightly lowered suspension but it has 100% transformed it's balance, low speed handling, and nimbleness (even while reducing ground clearance slightly - although the floor boards seem mounted slightly higher to mitigate this). I still have my Dyna and FXR and will not get rid of either as I love them dearly and certainly each is it's own riding experience, but if you are considering a Road King make sure you try a 114 Road King Special before deciding anything. Picking "one" to keep would be tough and personal, but luckily I don't have to.
OP, if you 2-up riding is a big factor I'll just say EVERY time I have bought a bike for 2-up riding it has RARELY been used as such...That was the 2016 story....we were supposed to do a lot of touring. Even my son found it "boring" and preferred riding on the back of my less comfy Dyna. Even now...I bought the RKS because we were supposed to tour more....fast forward..my wife has her OWN RKS that she loves and rides daily. So we do tour...both on our own bikes. Often I take my RKS, but sometimes its the Dyna or FXR depending on my mood. She has her own storage so I can go as light as I like.
Short answer is buy both...
OP, if you 2-up riding is a big factor I'll just say EVERY time I have bought a bike for 2-up riding it has RARELY been used as such...That was the 2016 story....we were supposed to do a lot of touring. Even my son found it "boring" and preferred riding on the back of my less comfy Dyna. Even now...I bought the RKS because we were supposed to tour more....fast forward..my wife has her OWN RKS that she loves and rides daily. So we do tour...both on our own bikes. Often I take my RKS, but sometimes its the Dyna or FXR depending on my mood. She has her own storage so I can go as light as I like.
Short answer is buy both...
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