Touring on a Road King.. Truly Viable?
#1
09-05-2018, 10:05 PM
Touring on a Road King.. Truly Viable?
So I'm in a bit of a quandary.
I currently own a Ultra Limited, but it's not really a city bike due to the bulk. I'm also a 300lb 6'1 solo rider. Currently the Limited sits at work and I only take it out when I go on longer rides.
I've been contemplating getting a Road Glide Special to lighten things up a bit, not just the bike but also the handling. I've also considered the Road King Special so I can get more use around town. I really don't want or need two bikes, so I have to narrow down my choices to one.
My logic has so far been, the fairing is nice for the highway, but I don't know how well the windscreen on a Road King shields you from the elements. I test road a RKS recently without a windscreen, and it was a blast both literally and figuratively. I enjoyed the openness of a full view ahead, but also felt fatigued by all the wind at highway speeds blowing in my face and chest... but damn it sure was fun.
Anyways, my buddies keep telling me I need all the accouterments of a full dresser.. but yet my feeling the stereo is more of a distraction. Obviously storage is an issue, but easy enough to slap on a removable tour pack when needed.
So my question to you all, how viable is the Road King as a all round decent ride for around the city and longer range touring? How easily is it, if possible, to add extra wind protection on those cold mountain rides? I know Harley bills the RKS as a touring model.. but is it truly comfortable to use as such? Also, anyone have an pics of their Road King dressed up for touring?
Thanks!
I currently own a Ultra Limited, but it's not really a city bike due to the bulk. I'm also a 300lb 6'1 solo rider. Currently the Limited sits at work and I only take it out when I go on longer rides.
I've been contemplating getting a Road Glide Special to lighten things up a bit, not just the bike but also the handling. I've also considered the Road King Special so I can get more use around town. I really don't want or need two bikes, so I have to narrow down my choices to one.
My logic has so far been, the fairing is nice for the highway, but I don't know how well the windscreen on a Road King shields you from the elements. I test road a RKS recently without a windscreen, and it was a blast both literally and figuratively. I enjoyed the openness of a full view ahead, but also felt fatigued by all the wind at highway speeds blowing in my face and chest... but damn it sure was fun.
Anyways, my buddies keep telling me I need all the accouterments of a full dresser.. but yet my feeling the stereo is more of a distraction. Obviously storage is an issue, but easy enough to slap on a removable tour pack when needed.
So my question to you all, how viable is the Road King as a all round decent ride for around the city and longer range touring? How easily is it, if possible, to add extra wind protection on those cold mountain rides? I know Harley bills the RKS as a touring model.. but is it truly comfortable to use as such? Also, anyone have an pics of their Road King dressed up for touring?
Thanks!
Last edited by Ursadorable; 09-05-2018 at 10:06 PM.
#2
09-05-2018, 10:27 PM
Well you can add a tour pack, eBay has a bunch cheap. You can add a windshield with multiple size heights. Get some good earbuds for music. Other then that it’s the same motorcycle( same frame) just lighter on the front end.
My logics is Motorcycles are all in what YOU like. Ride what makes you feel funny inside when you look at it. Lol
My logics is Motorcycles are all in what YOU like. Ride what makes you feel funny inside when you look at it. Lol
Last edited by Sixgunjr; 09-05-2018 at 10:29 PM.
#3
09-05-2018, 10:50 PM
So I just went to HD website to look at weight number. The RK is about 40lbs lighter then the RGS and over 100lbs then the Road Glide Ultra.
I have been thinking of going to a Softail Heritage for a more fun bike but the RKS kind of splits the difference.
Hmmmm, maybe a dealer visit is in my future. LOL. Thanks a lot.....
I have been thinking of going to a Softail Heritage for a more fun bike but the RKS kind of splits the difference.
Hmmmm, maybe a dealer visit is in my future. LOL. Thanks a lot.....
#4
09-05-2018, 10:51 PM
Grand HDF Member
If you’re looking at bike without a trunk, remember you can have detachable rack for wide variety of bags rather than a tour pack. Wtth an RK, you can tool around town without shield nor rear bag, and put them on for long trips.
If you still want fairing (Shark or bat), you can still use detachable rack and bag rather than tour pack.
you can easily have lighter nimbler bike for around town that can provide touring comfort and storage for trips. (You will want shield or fairing on longer trips)
If you still want fairing (Shark or bat), you can still use detachable rack and bag rather than tour pack.
you can easily have lighter nimbler bike for around town that can provide touring comfort and storage for trips. (You will want shield or fairing on longer trips)
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gtrplyr (10-14-2018)
#5
09-05-2018, 11:05 PM
Stellar HDF Member
#6
09-06-2018, 01:22 AM
Elite HDF Member
So I'm in a bit of a quandary.
I currently own a Ultra Limited, but it's not really a city bike due to the bulk. I'm also a 300lb 6'1 solo rider. Currently the Limited sits at work and I only take it out when I go on longer rides.
I've been contemplating getting a Road Glide Special to lighten things up a bit, not just the bike but also the handling. I've also considered the Road King Special so I can get more use around town. I really don't want or need two bikes, so I have to narrow down my choices to one.
My logic has so far been, the fairing is nice for the highway, but I don't know how well the windscreen on a Road King shields you from the elements. I test road a RKS recently without a windscreen, and it was a blast both literally and figuratively. I enjoyed the openness of a full view ahead, but also felt fatigued by all the wind at highway speeds blowing in my face and chest... but damn it sure was fun.
Anyways, my buddies keep telling me I need all the accouterments of a full dresser.. but yet my feeling the stereo is more of a distraction. Obviously storage is an issue, but easy enough to slap on a removable tour pack when needed.
So my question to you all, how viable is the Road King as a all round decent ride for around the city and longer range touring? How easily is it, if possible, to add extra wind protection on those cold mountain rides? I know Harley bills the RKS as a touring model.. but is it truly comfortable to use as such? Also, anyone have an pics of their Road King dressed up for touring?
Thanks!
I currently own a Ultra Limited, but it's not really a city bike due to the bulk. I'm also a 300lb 6'1 solo rider. Currently the Limited sits at work and I only take it out when I go on longer rides.
I've been contemplating getting a Road Glide Special to lighten things up a bit, not just the bike but also the handling. I've also considered the Road King Special so I can get more use around town. I really don't want or need two bikes, so I have to narrow down my choices to one.
My logic has so far been, the fairing is nice for the highway, but I don't know how well the windscreen on a Road King shields you from the elements. I test road a RKS recently without a windscreen, and it was a blast both literally and figuratively. I enjoyed the openness of a full view ahead, but also felt fatigued by all the wind at highway speeds blowing in my face and chest... but damn it sure was fun.
Anyways, my buddies keep telling me I need all the accouterments of a full dresser.. but yet my feeling the stereo is more of a distraction. Obviously storage is an issue, but easy enough to slap on a removable tour pack when needed.
So my question to you all, how viable is the Road King as a all round decent ride for around the city and longer range touring? How easily is it, if possible, to add extra wind protection on those cold mountain rides? I know Harley bills the RKS as a touring model.. but is it truly comfortable to use as such? Also, anyone have an pics of their Road King dressed up for touring?
Thanks!
Plenty capable for touring. Us HD riders have gotten fat and lazy. The Road King is such a capable touring bike. *If* I get rid of my 2015 RGS and don't go BMW, I will be adding a RK to the stable. Radio is a waste. Navigation is rather poor.
#10
09-06-2018, 04:36 AM
Was there something particular that you didn't like about it over 55mph? I found it with the 107 M8 to be a pretty smooth and more than power capable, but as I said, it was only a demo ride.