Looking to by a HD...
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 900
From: Columbus, Ohio
I had to make the same choice, and chose the RK as well. It's funny - my woman insisted that she would NEVER have a bagger, and went to the dealership on her day to buy a Heritage. . . she rode home on a RK, too.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,967
Likes: 18
From: Florida
Best bang for the buck is the softail. Wife and I rode all over the SE US on one with lots of long distance trips.....I finally went to a RK and set it for touring....better ride all the way around.
Go for the King!
Go for the King!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,145
Likes: 2,958
From: New York
New or used Road King?
You didn't say what your budget was. Presuming you will follow the advice and buy a Road King you should consider a discontinued model, Road King Custom. Lower seat height, hard leather bags, old school style. I have seen low mileage 2006 models for $10,000. I had one for eight years before it got drowned in Hurricane Sandy. Now own a new Super Glide Custom because my wife didn't want to travel with me. But LOVED my Road King Custom. Picture below.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
I ride one in and out of the centre of London every day. You could never claim that it had Vespa-like agility, but it's so well-balanced you can sneak through town surprisingly well. It's size and presence also alerts cagers (slightly rumblier pipes help with that too).
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
The Road King is the best all-around bike in the Motor Company's current lineup.
I ride one in and out of the centre of London every day. You could never claim that it had Vespa-like agility, but it's so well-balanced you can sneak through town surprisingly well. It's size and presence also alerts cagers (slightly rumblier pipes help with that too).
I ride one in and out of the centre of London every day. You could never claim that it had Vespa-like agility, but it's so well-balanced you can sneak through town surprisingly well. It's size and presence also alerts cagers (slightly rumblier pipes help with that too).
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 12
From: NoVA
This coming from a long time FLHTC or TP rider. Road King. The other bikes are good going from bar to bar. The Road King is Harley.
Village Idiot should go to a police rodeo and then come back here and explain how a RK does not work well in traffic. I had 29 years on the job and TP's and RK's can crank turns like nobody's business.
Village Idiot should go to a police rodeo and then come back here and explain how a RK does not work well in traffic. I had 29 years on the job and TP's and RK's can crank turns like nobody's business.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
This coming from a long time FLHTC or TP rider. Road King. The other bikes are good going from bar to bar. The Road King is Harley.
Village Idiot should go to a police rodeo and then come back here and explain how a RK does not work well in traffic. I had 29 years on the job and TP's and RK's can crank turns like nobody's business.
Village Idiot should go to a police rodeo and then come back here and explain how a RK does not work well in traffic. I had 29 years on the job and TP's and RK's can crank turns like nobody's business.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
Over the years have had three Sportsters, two Heritage Softails, one RKC and currently have an Electraglide Unlimited and a Dyna Superglide.
Sportys are fun bar hoppers, but, if you want to go more than 50 miles, get the Heritage, but, if you want to go more than 200 miles get the RK. Particularly if you get one with cruise control and want to ride 2 up. I know, people will say they can tour on the Heritage and I agree, I did 2500 miles on mine in three days. But if you ride the RK, it will be much more comfortable, particularly for the passenger. And, in my humble opinion, the RK handles just as well as the Heritage around town, the difference in weight is not noticable. Now for real comfort, go to the Electraglide. My old tired body can easily do 500 miles in a day and the fairing and lowers really adds to comfort and reduces wind buffeting. Plus the tourpak and hard bags are great for storage.
I haven't forgot the Dyna. For rides around town and up to about 150 miles it is my sports car. Much better than the sporty and INMHO just as easy to drive. But with the wife on the back and 200 miles of road in front of me, nothing beats the Electra INMHO.
Sportys are fun bar hoppers, but, if you want to go more than 50 miles, get the Heritage, but, if you want to go more than 200 miles get the RK. Particularly if you get one with cruise control and want to ride 2 up. I know, people will say they can tour on the Heritage and I agree, I did 2500 miles on mine in three days. But if you ride the RK, it will be much more comfortable, particularly for the passenger. And, in my humble opinion, the RK handles just as well as the Heritage around town, the difference in weight is not noticable. Now for real comfort, go to the Electraglide. My old tired body can easily do 500 miles in a day and the fairing and lowers really adds to comfort and reduces wind buffeting. Plus the tourpak and hard bags are great for storage.
I haven't forgot the Dyna. For rides around town and up to about 150 miles it is my sports car. Much better than the sporty and INMHO just as easy to drive. But with the wife on the back and 200 miles of road in front of me, nothing beats the Electra INMHO.