Harley Davidson Forums

General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Softail vs Road King

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 4, 2012 | 09:41 AM
Share
  #1  
phxsunbum's Avatar
phxsunbum
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Queen Creek, AZ
Default Softail vs Road King
It's time to dump my 2000 Sportster and move up to a model suitable for longer distance travel (500 - 600 miles or more).

I've test ridden the the Road King and find it to meet my needs nicely, however someone suggested I check out the Softail.

I'd appreciate your feedback on how the two compare for long distance travel and overall usability, as well as anything else you'd like to share.

Thanks in advance for your knowledge.
 
Old Apr 4, 2012 | 10:05 AM
Share
  #2  
kamut's Avatar
kamut
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Default
You should definitely ride the Softails as well to compare. Road King as a "touring" bike is going to tour better for most people than any Softail. There are exceptions to every rule.

A lot of people say the RK is the most versatile Harley. I like it, but I'm biased.

I think the Softails offer more form than function, whereas the Road King is excellent on form and function-IMO.
 
Old Apr 4, 2012 | 10:11 AM
Share
  #3  
Village Idiot™'s Avatar
Village Idiot™
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
Default
The Road King is a touring model and will probably be better for touring. Besides, it depends on which softail you're looking at; a black line probably won't be as good of a long distance ride as a heritage with bags and shield.

That being said, I have a Deuce with no windshield that I could easily do 500 miles on. It depends on what type of rider you are, how high a tolerance to discomfort (or whether or not certain things even cause discomfort) you have, and what do you want the bike to do.

I've ridden a Road Kind and it was big and heavy and didn't have as great a lean angle as my deuce before the boards started scraping.
 
Old Apr 4, 2012 | 10:19 AM
Share
  #4  
Thingfish's Avatar
Thingfish
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
Default
My old Deluxe was great for 700 mile days with a shield. I liked the seating position better than the RK, and it was about 100 pounds lighter which makes a big difference to some people. Easier to manage around town too. Worth checking if you are not completely convinced on the RK.

You should try a Dyna Switchback too. Great set up. Has bags and shield, and you get to avoid the "B" motor's counterbalancer which I find lacking in personality.
 
Old Apr 4, 2012 | 10:21 AM
Share
  #5  
FNGonaRK's Avatar
FNGonaRK
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,730
Likes: 9,163
From: Georgia
Default
RK all the way.
 
Old Apr 4, 2012 | 10:35 AM
Share
  #6  
Amish gone bad's Avatar
Amish gone bad
Tourer
10 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
Default
Have had both one time or another. The soft-tail ended up basically like a larger Sportster to me (300 miles or less) but I'm fat and have short legs. I've got a buddy around 180 and normal dimensions who can follow my Road King all week over multiple regions and be just as happy at the end as I am. Try them both -- your body will let you know.
 
Old Apr 4, 2012 | 10:44 AM
Share
  #7  
Very High Plain Drifter's Avatar
Very High Plain Drifter
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
Default
Given the choice:

Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King

...although, the Switchback might be an option.

Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King Road King ineedtogoandliedown
 

Trending Topics

Old Apr 4, 2012 | 10:56 AM
Share
  #8  
Just Dave's Avatar
Just Dave
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 6,593
Likes: 13
From: Spring Hill, Fl
Default
I have a 2000 Road King and an 07' softail and one of them is for sale. Can you guess which one? I will give you a hint...It isn't the Road King. Road King is in a completely different league for long trips. RKFFRK.
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 4, 2012 | 11:00 AM
Share
  #9  
slughill's Avatar
slughill
Road Captain
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 400
From: ont.canada
Default
I had a 2005 heritage classic, loved it. Put tour-pak on it and it was great on short trips two up. Great bike around town. Moved up to a 2011 Ultra Classic because of the longer trips we're taking. Wouldn't go back.
 
Old Apr 4, 2012 | 11:17 AM
Share
  #10  
jeffreydsilver's Avatar
jeffreydsilver
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
Default It Was A Toss-up!
Last time around it was a toss-up between the Heritage and Road King. Even though the Heritage fit me like a glove I bought the King knowing that the bars and seat would need to be changed. The RK has been everything and more than I expected! Any bike can be made to fit you, only a few will excel in the long distance ride. JMHO - go with the King. You won't be sorry!!
 



Advanced Search
Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:46 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE