Did you consider renting one or the other, or both, for a week or so before buying in? FWIW, when faced with this decision (2012) I went the Heritage SFTL route. Never toured with it. Damn fine bike, rode it through the remnants of hurricane Lee and I was completely confident of the bike and its handling the whole way. The dealer talked me out of the RK due to possible heat issues. I have since heard that they have rerouted the exhaust to alleviate some of the issues, but don't know for sure.

 

I love road kings. I've had a rkc and currently a CVO.

 

Depends how you ride. If I'm feeling it, I can drag the pipes on my FLH solo...and when I'm riding 2-up with the wife on back, it's "mostly drag" when I take right turns. And she's not fat, only ~140.

Lot of it depends on your shocks, if you carry saddle bags..what in them, if you ride 2-up, and what pipes you have...combine that with riding style....and scrapes of the lower pipe can be a regular thing.

On my Dyna I never scraped pipes....but lowest point was lower floor board mounts on the frame, and if I recall, jiffy stand mount.

 

When I purchased my Heritage Softail, I honestly thought it was the last harley I would be buying. It did everything I put it through quite well. From short hops to touring, absolutely no complaints.
That was until I tried, and ultimately traded for a RoadKing. It takes the enjoyment I experienced on my Heritage to a whole 'nuther level. And no need for concern about short hops around town; the handling of the RK is superb, which befits the characteristics of a smaller bike like the Softail...

 

When I was in SoCal last month, I had the option of renting a Heritage Classic or a RK. Went with the Heritage as it fit me a bit better (5'7") from the get go.

Rode from Riverside to Santa Cruz via I-5 and then down PCH over 3 days. I normally ride a Dyna and felt the Heritage was very buzzy in the grips anytime I went over 3k rpm. Just never felt good at speed (70mph), but was a nice comfy ride.

I rode my friends '08 RK but didnt like the bars/seat set up and really hurt my back for only a short ride. Seems would have to spend more to get the RK to fit me.

 

For mamas sake get the Road King, lots of room, and comfortable ride.
For you cruse control more torque and horse power, you can strip it
down or dress it up. I like mine striped down to the bare minimum,
for the pure fun or it.

 

Oh I agree that if I'm loaded down two up the bike obviously sags more than solo. Talking me @ 200lbs & a passenger at about 140-150.


If I rode 2-up more. I probably would have bought a road king, but I knew I wanted something for two up and the road king was just too much bike for me at the time. Felt almost too front heavy compared to the Heritage. Could have just been the bars though too.


That said I'm usually more cautious if I ride two up.


Anyway they're both fine bikes but built for different purposes. I do miss the shake my sportster used to have but other than that I have no complaints about the Heritage.