Road King or Heritage softail?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 820
From: Moneta, Virginia
I think Im correct in saying all EVO softail bikes are rigid mount. They gonna vibrate. I had a 92 Heritage and I was in my 30s the vibration wasnt a concern.
Roadking: everything you need, nothing you dont!
Roadking: everything you need, nothing you dont!
Supporter
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 483
Likes: 485
From: The Late Great Golden State
This sounds like a good dilemma to be in. Ride both and go for the one that makes you grin the most. I think either bike can serve well as an around town bike or a highway bike. Yes, the FL rubber mount frame is a comfortable highway ride, but many people ride and enjoy solid mount bikes for long rides. I think thats a personal call. For around town rides I use my RK more than my other bikes because of the handy side bags for groceries, etc. The bike is fine for around town, you will get used to the weight, and the windshield is lighter than a fairing. As for sitting on the RK, rather than in it, I dont feel that way. I am 62, and with the stock seat and floorboard and handlebars, I can comfortably sit back into the seat or scoot forward for more aggressive cornering. A Le Pera solo seat drops you down into the bike more and lowers the seat height and enhances its looks as a street bike if you want more style.
Dano523 and others give good things to look for and consider. It is great to find a low mileage older bike, but sometimes seals will suffer from a bike sitting unused for a long time. The age and condition of the tires will tell you about the bikes history. Sometimes people buy bikes and just dont ride them. Good luck!
Dano523 and others give good things to look for and consider. It is great to find a low mileage older bike, but sometimes seals will suffer from a bike sitting unused for a long time. The age and condition of the tires will tell you about the bikes history. Sometimes people buy bikes and just dont ride them. Good luck!
Last edited by WXSW; Jan 8, 2024 at 05:13 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 1,145
From: Directly above the center of the Earth
I like the *looks* of an RK, but like the looks of the Heritage even more. The vibration of the solid mount isn't a concern, for me at least...I simply really don't give it any heed nor is it actually much to it. I feel some vibrations in the footboards, and mostly at about 60 mph, but not enough to bother me. Put some good throwover saddlebags on it and a tall sissybar for any passenger, throw the stock H-D seat away (way, way too gushy and soft and the passenger keeps sliding forward into your back) and get a Saddlemen or Mustang seat. Throw the windshield away (I personally can't stand the things and is the very first thing I take off. I even took the windshield off the FLSTC I bought in S Carolina and riding back to W TN in a Lowes parking lot still on the Carolina side of the border and left it leaning against the building near the entrance when I was done!).
Anyway, like others have said, ride the bikes if you can and that will be the best suggestion for *you*. It all comes down to aesthetics, as far as I'm concerned...so long as you can do most of the work on them on your own at least, heh.
Anyway, like others have said, ride the bikes if you can and that will be the best suggestion for *you*. It all comes down to aesthetics, as far as I'm concerned...so long as you can do most of the work on them on your own at least, heh.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 286
From: Buford, GA
Both are nice bikes.
The Heritage will get buzzy at highway speeds because of the rigid mounted motor.
The Road King has a little better ground clearance in the curves / turns and will be smoother at highway speeds. Initially a little more top heavy until you get used to it.
Ride both and see what you like better.
The Heritage will get buzzy at highway speeds because of the rigid mounted motor.
The Road King has a little better ground clearance in the curves / turns and will be smoother at highway speeds. Initially a little more top heavy until you get used to it.
Ride both and see what you like better.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 410
Likes: 127
From: Iowa
I've never ridden a RK, but I own a '96 Heritage.
My bike likes to cruise along at 70 mph. Very little vibration at that speed. Mine has the 4.2 gallon gas tank. I've only hit the reserve twice, and both times I hit it with 124 miles on that tank of gas. I don't know how much further I could go on reserve.
So when I'm taking a long trip, I plan on stopping every hundred miles. That way I don't stress about running out of gas, and I'm ready for a break by then anyway.
If I push it up to 80 mph, there's more buzz and less comfort, so I don't normally go that fast.
I love my Heritage, it's the last bike I'll ever buy. I just turned 68.
One more note... My wife doesn't like to ride, so I'm always riding solo with luggage on the back on long trips. My Heritage fits me and my riding style very well.
My bike likes to cruise along at 70 mph. Very little vibration at that speed. Mine has the 4.2 gallon gas tank. I've only hit the reserve twice, and both times I hit it with 124 miles on that tank of gas. I don't know how much further I could go on reserve.
So when I'm taking a long trip, I plan on stopping every hundred miles. That way I don't stress about running out of gas, and I'm ready for a break by then anyway.
If I push it up to 80 mph, there's more buzz and less comfort, so I don't normally go that fast.
I love my Heritage, it's the last bike I'll ever buy. I just turned 68.
One more note... My wife doesn't like to ride, so I'm always riding solo with luggage on the back on long trips. My Heritage fits me and my riding style very well.
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