I am going to be purchasing a Harley motorcycle soon. I have rode for many years in my younger days but never on a harley. I am currently looking at a Heritage custom or a road king custom. For around the same price, the Road King seems to be more bike for the money. I will be using this to ride with my wife and usually not going more then 200-300 miles on any trip. Needless to say this is quite exciting as i really am falling in love with these bikes. What i would like if you are so inclined is to give me the pro's and con's on both bikes. I am just starting out with harley's and am looking for knowledge. I tend to research the heck out of the stuff i buy. I spent over 2 hours at a local dealer in Milwaukee last night and really can't keep my mind on anything else at this point. If you can share, please do. thank you.

 

Heritage is counter balanced, and if you plan to do any serious engine mods the rev's are liited with this bike, since you have more moving parts. The RKC is rubber mounted, and more my personal style.

Good luck with you search.

 

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You will find a GLIDE even that much better for the money......can't beat a fairing with 6 gauges and stereo.....trust me!

 

Okay take this advice for what it is.....Or ignore it.

But you've indicated that you have never owned or ridden a Harley. Has it also been a while since you've ridden a bike? If it has, then take a MSF course. Most of them have bikes for you to ride, and they are worth the time/money even if you once considered yourself an accomplished rider. Plus it'll get you back in the saddle for some long overdue refresher training. Trust me, the drivers and roads are a whole lot different then they were back in the late sixties and seventies....When I previously owned and rode motorcycles. There was a 15 year gap for me. Harley's are big/heavy/expensive bikes. But I figure you already realize this. I won't get into the noises and other issues that HD bikes make...Especially when they aren't broken in.

Depending on your physical size, and the size of your passenger, the Heritage might not be the best way to go. (probably just poured a gallon of gas over my head)...Even though I really like their style. My wife doesn't like how the passenger 'pad' on them feels. And she won't ride without a backrest...makes her feel safe is what she says. You'll need to accessorize the RK custom to get one. You might be better off on an Touring model. When I bought my Electraglide Sport new in 93 it was (I felt anyway)the best bang for the buck at $11,500 (with some chrome dodads and passenger backrest/luggage rack) out the door. And riding two up we have no issues with 400+ mile days. I'm certain the newer 'glide owners will chime in also.

Spend the $$$ and rent one for the day. In fact pick out a couple that you're considering and rent them over the course of a week. You can get a good feel for each of them in a 24hr period. Take notes, etc on each. Oh, and see how they fit in your garage! Yeah, you might drop $500 (perhaps the dealer will eat some of it when you buy, but it's money well spent considering the $18K+ you might be looking at for a HD. I'm certain in the Milwaukee area there is a dealer that has rentals.

 

Study the difference between the softail and touring frame and how the engine is mounted. Don't let the touring shaking the handle bars at a stop fool you, once you take off I feel that a touring ride is much smother.

 

Hi from Racine.

Take them both for a test drive. Also check out Uke's, I was just there and the still have some 06's going cheap.

 

Not ridden a lot of softtails, but I'd think that 2-up, the Roadie would be the way to go. More rear suspension travel and much better passenger accomodations. But I tend to be an FLH guy anyway, no matter which model it is.

Thinking about adding a Roadie to my stable, but waiting on the 07 bugs to be worked out...

 

you right, i haven't been on a bike in a while. i put lots of miles on when i did have one. And yes we are renting a heritage for a rally in Sept. I plan to do some renting to find the bike i like as the dealer will refund the money if i buy from them.

 

We've had the Heritage and now the RK. I prefer the way you sit 'in' the Heritage, but my wife absolutely hated it! If Momma ain't happy..............
Anyway, we both love the RK. Longer wheel base, so a smoother ride. We've never bottomed her out, either. For my money, I'd go with the RK, but I'd also look at the regular RK with the hard bags. May not quite look as sharp (matter of opinion), but is lockable and waterproof.