Hey everyone! Hope I'm putting this thread in the right spot. I'm 6'4" 285lbs and looking for buy a brand new 2019 Road King Classic. I just love all of that chrome! I'm a new rider, but grew up having dirt bikes and had a couple of bikes back in college. I thought I was dead set on the RK, until I saw the Heritage Classic....with the M8 114. My plans for riding are to get up early on Saturday and just go! I'll also be taking shorter trips in the evening through the gorgeous Metro Parks we have in the Cleveland area.

My rationale for looking at the Heritage Classic is that it's definitely got that classic look, lighter than the RK, and has the 114. I am not entertaining the RK Special with the 114 as I don't like the look of everything blacked out. Also, I don't like the fairing that is on the other touring bikes. I'm definitely at the point where "I don't know, what I don't know", if that makes any sense. lol

Looking for everyone's $0.02 on the RK Classic vs. Heritage Classic for 2019!

Thanks in advance!

Dan
Cleveland, OH

 

HC is a good all-arounder, as is the RK but if you were doing pretty much everything but interstates most of the time, the HC is a sweet ride. That being said, if big roads, big miles, gear and/or two-up and going to be the majority of your riding, then the RK is a winner.

Truth be told, the RK is a winner either way - especially because you are a big guy.

As for the engine size, I've got an '18 RG and a '19 LR - both with the 107. If I want more power in a bagger the Concours 1400, Gold Wing and others can do that better for less money; also, plenty of cruisers that have more power than a H-D for less money. All that being said, if you want a Harley (as I and others here do) you want a Harley but if you want a fast performance bike, IMHO, Harleys are not the place to go. IOW, I like Harleys for what they are and, at least for me, the 107 is fine ... better in fact than previously souped up Evos and TCs, at least from a performance standpoint.

 

Someone your size would be better suited on the Road King IMO. I have purposely NOT ridden a 114 but the 107 is the schnizzles with plenty of power. Just spend enough time on both to make your own decision and let us know what you end up with.

 

My younger Bro just traded an '18 Ultra Limited for a '19 Heritage 114.
He has a bad back from Air Force days and swears by the Heritage.
He is around 6'2" and 160lbs. His wife is small as well.

He says the Heritage is the best ride he has had and the most comfortable he
has been on a Harley in YEARS.

Of course he said the same thing about the Limited..........

 

Matt Laidlaw gives a pretty good comparison between the two. He's also a big guy, so his opinion will relate well to you.

I'd also add that I like the 114. It has a little more punch to it, but I think getting a bike that fits you and your riding style is more important than 107 vs 114...

 

Road King Classic? That model hasn't been available in North America since 2013. Maybe you meant Road King standard?

 

You'll fit well on either one of those bikes, go to the dealer and sit on them. I'm not sure there's a best (better) bike to get for the riding you have planned.

Good luck, see you in the park,
Mike

 

Road Kings are a nice versatile motorcycle. The Electra Glide Standard might be a good bike to consider as well.

 

I have ridden both, & while the RK is the better ride, I don't like the bars or the seat, so there's 2 grand I would hafta spend right off the bat before I could even start the mods. So, I would choose the Heritage.

BTW...did you REALLY use the words "Gorgeous" & "Cleveland" in the same sentence?

 

Test ride them both.

I rode the 107 Heritage Classic and the 114 Road King Special last weekend at a Dealer Demo Day. I came away with a great appreciation for the HC and really want to take a 114 for a ride. I thought the Softail road smother than the big touring bike. The one thing I liked about the RKS was the 114.

But you need to ride them both and see which one you like. Every Harley dealer I have ever been to was eager for me to take a test ride.