Decisions, decisions
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
The softail sits lower. I like sitting low. If you are a short person, you would like it even more. No, I ain't short (and still love the low seat), but I have a short buddy that keeps sitting on my bike and tellin' me how it fits him better than his RK.
He's pretty much married to his RK because of a mileage screw up on his title. Death to his resale and too much time has gone by for a legal fix.
He's pretty much married to his RK because of a mileage screw up on his title. Death to his resale and too much time has gone by for a legal fix.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,374
Likes: 0
From: Southern Arizona
Tough decision, I own a Heritage & an RKC & here are my thoughts:
The Heritage is 100 lbs lighter, its very versatile with the bags & luggage rack, I've taken it across the country and loved every mile. You sit lower in the Heritage, a consideration if you are shorter. The rigid mount "B" engine is very smooth without the "Harley Shake" A great all around machine.
The RKC is heavier & takes a little getting used to. It has cruise, ABS, & an adjustable air suspension which is great comfort on those long rides. The new frame & wider rear tire,I am told, are great improvements to the stability of this machine. Mine is an '09 & I never rode one with the old frame. You sit higher on the RKC & the stock handlebars are not as comfortable. I put "Heritage" style bars on mine over the winter (an easy job if you are mechanically inclined) & this is a great inexpensive mod. The rubber mounted engine shakes pretty good at idle, but it smooths right out at speed.
I hope this gives you some things to consider. No matter which way you go, they are both great bikes.
The Heritage is 100 lbs lighter, its very versatile with the bags & luggage rack, I've taken it across the country and loved every mile. You sit lower in the Heritage, a consideration if you are shorter. The rigid mount "B" engine is very smooth without the "Harley Shake" A great all around machine.
The RKC is heavier & takes a little getting used to. It has cruise, ABS, & an adjustable air suspension which is great comfort on those long rides. The new frame & wider rear tire,I am told, are great improvements to the stability of this machine. Mine is an '09 & I never rode one with the old frame. You sit higher on the RKC & the stock handlebars are not as comfortable. I put "Heritage" style bars on mine over the winter (an easy job if you are mechanically inclined) & this is a great inexpensive mod. The rubber mounted engine shakes pretty good at idle, but it smooths right out at speed.
I hope this gives you some things to consider. No matter which way you go, they are both great bikes.
Last edited by Lures; Apr 1, 2010 at 04:58 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
Thanks, that pretty much confirms what I'd heard up to this point. We'll see how the test ride goes tomorrow.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
The test ride is over. I enjoyed riding both motorcycles. It pretty much verified everything that has been said here. I think that the Heritage Softail Classic is more comfortable for me, but a set of Heritage handlebars on the Road King and I should be good to go. I can get a good discount on a 2009 Road King, so that makes the decision all the more difficult.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 820
Likes: 1
From: Sunny Saint Petersburg Florida
I vote for the RK. Of course I'm partial. I like the Softail also but was not as comfortable for long distances as the RK. But what makes the RK great for me was a Mustang seat and beach bars. Also, ww are not that hard to keep clean. You just need to Armor all them after cleaning. Lasts for miles and miles.