Sportster to Road King
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 208
Likes: 17
From: Romeoville, IL
Sportster to Road King
Thinking about making the jump from my Sportster to a Road King. I love my Sporty, but try as we might, I just can't get the wife comfortable on it.
Also, I found on the highway I think I am a bit too heavy for that 883 to accelerate quickly and at about 70 mph it will still go faster but takes a long time to get there and between 60-80 is where i feel I need the ability to accelerate a little quicker to get around people driving like idiots.
I'm scheduling a test ride but just wanted to ask if there was anything in particular I should look out for or be aware of. It seems like a pretty big jump, but at 6'3 and 230# I am not too worried about not being able to get both feet down.
Also, I found on the highway I think I am a bit too heavy for that 883 to accelerate quickly and at about 70 mph it will still go faster but takes a long time to get there and between 60-80 is where i feel I need the ability to accelerate a little quicker to get around people driving like idiots.
I'm scheduling a test ride but just wanted to ask if there was anything in particular I should look out for or be aware of. It seems like a pretty big jump, but at 6'3 and 230# I am not too worried about not being able to get both feet down.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,065
Likes: 1,945
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
A test ride is good as it will provide first impressions of the bike. The initial weight diff is the main thing, but you get use to it real quick.
I came from a Sporty as well, but I actually rented a King for a day and rode a planned route (super-slab, twists, around-town, and back roads) to get a good idea for feel and handling. I also did the same for an SG. They are both great bikes, but in the end, I opted for the King for handling and versatility. If you go that route, take the Mrs. to get her opinion on comfort.
Dealers will usually apply the rental $$ to the purchase. Oh, I still have my Sporty and nice looking Iron BTW.
I came from a Sporty as well, but I actually rented a King for a day and rode a planned route (super-slab, twists, around-town, and back roads) to get a good idea for feel and handling. I also did the same for an SG. They are both great bikes, but in the end, I opted for the King for handling and versatility. If you go that route, take the Mrs. to get her opinion on comfort.
Dealers will usually apply the rental $$ to the purchase. Oh, I still have my Sporty and nice looking Iron BTW.
Last edited by RKZen; Apr 20, 2016 at 01:43 PM. Reason: typo
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 217
Likes: 2
From: thayer, Missouri
I have a 04 RKC and a 05 sporty 1200. The only negitive difference I feel is slow speed maneuvering in tight spots. I don't think there is a down side to the King. You will love the ability to stretch out. Mine has the 88 inch motor, the 103 will get you the sporty acceleration your use too. Good luck with your King.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 208
Likes: 17
From: Romeoville, IL
Wow! That's impressive!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 345
From: Ohio
I love my road king, but I second the rent one first suggestion. Even if it costs a couple hundred to try one out for a day it's cheap insurance against spending 19 grand and being disappointed (or duped) by a short dealer test ride around the block.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 39
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis MO
I just made this same jump. Sold my sporty Roadster for the King. The king is pretty intimidating at first. She's a big girl (I'm 5'8", 165lbs.)! Rides great comfortable and lots of features.
I miss the speed from the sporty beings it had a built up engine but don't miss getting my back wrecked.
I miss the speed from the sporty beings it had a built up engine but don't miss getting my back wrecked.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 3,366
From: Idaho Panhandle
Why not. I have both. Two up on the sporty is crowded and I scrape. Two up on the RK and I don't even know she is there until she pokes me. Handling on both is great, but the RK wins on the freeways and in the parking lots. It is able to swing around as easy as the sporty. My RK, late model has more acceleration than the sporty. It feels quicker on the smaller sporty, but the RK gets fast in a hurry when I need to pass. I love the 230+ range and great brakes. I service my own bikes and the RK and Sporty ('96) are equally easy. It will take you only several hours to feel totally comfortable on the RK coming from experience on the sporty. Two up is another story as here, the extra weight of your wife does make it feel heavy when going slow, stopping or stopped. Just make sure to tell her at low speed a stopped, no leaning around to talk to you. Once 20+mph, the RK is as solid as a 4 wheeler as far as her moving around. Take the test ride. Only then will you know.
Best of both worlds:
Best of both worlds:
Last edited by son of the hounds; Apr 22, 2016 at 04:06 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 619
From: North Dakota & Minnesota
I went from a Sporty to a King. No issues whatsoever. I'm 6'1 go about 275 so like you, the Road King will be easy to handle. I had a 18 year gap between the two bikes and didn't miss a beat. Renting is not a bad idea as mentioned above.
The RK lacks the nimble feeling of the Sportster but I find it much easier to handle at low speeds.
The RK lacks the nimble feeling of the Sportster but I find it much easier to handle at low speeds.