Road King vs Heritage and best years?
I like 2004 to 2006 and I have a 2009 Ultra that I love, but the years mentioned were not like the current ones... did not run hot and have all the issues. Just my .02. Plan on picking one up for under 10K.
cheers!
cheers!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Don't know about the Heritage, but you can get the Road King with cruise control and ABS. And Jeff is right, it can be made to fit you. When I got my Road King, I felt like I was sitting on top of a kids bicycle, reaching down for the handle bars. After they put the Heritage Style bars on it, that feeling disappeared. Now, with no other mods like seats or foot board location changes, I feel like I'm down in the bike more.
Some others may have to chime in on this also, but one concern is vibration. Some vibration is just supposed to happen. It's a Harley. I hear that the Heritage will idle smooth as silk, but at highway speeds above 65, you can get a buzz in the seat, bars, and boards. With the Road King, it'll look like a paint shaker at idle, but will be smooth as silk at any speed above idle.
I just went on a 301 mile ride yesterday. I love my King.
Some others may have to chime in on this also, but one concern is vibration. Some vibration is just supposed to happen. It's a Harley. I hear that the Heritage will idle smooth as silk, but at highway speeds above 65, you can get a buzz in the seat, bars, and boards. With the Road King, it'll look like a paint shaker at idle, but will be smooth as silk at any speed above idle.
I just went on a 301 mile ride yesterday. I love my King.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
Don't know about the Heritage, but you can get the Road King with cruise control and ABS. And Jeff is right, it can be made to fit you. When I got my Road King, I felt like I was sitting on top of a kids bicycle, reaching down for the handle bars. After they put the Heritage Style bars on it, that feeling disappeared. Now, with no other mods like seats or foot board location changes, I feel like I'm down in the bike more.
Some others may have to chime in on this also, but one concern is vibration. Some vibration is just supposed to happen. It's a Harley. I hear that the Heritage will idle smooth as silk, but at highway speeds above 65, you can get a buzz in the seat, bars, and boards. With the Road King, it'll look like a paint shaker at idle, but will be smooth as silk at any speed above idle.
I just went on a 301 mile ride yesterday. I love my King.
Some others may have to chime in on this also, but one concern is vibration. Some vibration is just supposed to happen. It's a Harley. I hear that the Heritage will idle smooth as silk, but at highway speeds above 65, you can get a buzz in the seat, bars, and boards. With the Road King, it'll look like a paint shaker at idle, but will be smooth as silk at any speed above idle.
I just went on a 301 mile ride yesterday. I love my King.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: b.c.
Every rider is different so there is no right or wrong answer. me? I'd get the RK.
....as far as all the "no similarities" comments, while there are many differences, they share many things such as the same basic engine, tranny, etc. "no similarities" to me would be comparing my FLHTC to my ZX6R....other than having two wheels and using gasoline, THOSE two bikes have very few similarities! LOL.
Dave
....as far as all the "no similarities" comments, while there are many differences, they share many things such as the same basic engine, tranny, etc. "no similarities" to me would be comparing my FLHTC to my ZX6R....other than having two wheels and using gasoline, THOSE two bikes have very few similarities! LOL.
Dave
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 117
From: NW Georgia
Had an '08 Deluxe that I traded for an '11 Road King Classic. ABS, cruise...a wonderful road bike. But I just didn't "fit" the bike very well, even with a Corbin touring seat, mini-apes, extended footboards...I always felt "on" the bike, as others have said, and never felt as comfortable as I was on the Deluxe. I loved the cruise control, but never traveled more than a couple hundred miles a day within the Southeast so it wasn't something I'd hang my hat on. And for some reason, my wife never felt "right" when riding with me on the RKC.
I saw a Heritage Classic on the showroom floor 2 months ago, got a super deal, and am glad I am back on a Softail. But that's my take...both bikes serve a purpose, albeit the purposes aren't the same. I just like a Softail...my two cents worth.
I saw a Heritage Classic on the showroom floor 2 months ago, got a super deal, and am glad I am back on a Softail. But that's my take...both bikes serve a purpose, albeit the purposes aren't the same. I just like a Softail...my two cents worth.
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 89
Likes: 5
From: Middle TN
I've had both, and I've taken long trips of 4K plus miles in 10-12 days on both. The biggest reason I now have an RK instead of a Heritage is lean angle. I love mountain roads and the Heritage just scraped way too early which means much slower rides through the tight mountain passes. But around town, I preferred the Heritage. If I bought a new bike today, it would be another Road King. Can't go wrong either way!
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 509
Likes: 21
From: L.I. New York
Had a 2006 RKC,and now have a 2013 HSC.Both are great bikes.Both very comfortable.I love the feel of sitting "in" the HSC.I also like the way I can strip the HSC of the wind shield,bags,and passenger backrest.The RKC was a great bike,but most of my riding is local and kinda got tired of riding a touring bike around town all the time.
Sold the King,and got a Dyna Street Bob.Another great bike,but missed the bags and windshield.I then rented a HSC in Fla.and rode that around for four days and fell in love with it.When I got back home.Traded in the "Bob",and pulled the trigger on the HSC.Love this bike,and have not looked back.Tough choice betw.the two.Good luck.
Sold the King,and got a Dyna Street Bob.Another great bike,but missed the bags and windshield.I then rented a HSC in Fla.and rode that around for four days and fell in love with it.When I got back home.Traded in the "Bob",and pulled the trigger on the HSC.Love this bike,and have not looked back.Tough choice betw.the two.Good luck.
Lots of good advice, thanks guys. I told him he needs to ride both, especially since he hasn't owned a bike since the early 80's, and they were a 70's Norton Commando and Honda 750, so things have changed quite a bit. For both models, what years do you all recommend as the best/ most reliable? Of to reword, is there any specific years to stay away from, or have common issues?