So I have my customized a 93 Heritage Softail, just how I like it. I love Evos. I got this one after it was neglected a few years sitting in an open barn. It only had 12,xxx miles on it but had been left for dead after developing a base gasket leak. Well I picked it up for $4,200, I took it all apart, serviced/replaced all the little things that needed it, put a rivera primo 6 speed, shotgun shocks air ride, ev27 cam with K&N air cleaner & rejetted CV carb, and true dual fishtails. I love it, but lately, it seems whenever I ride, I am going 200+ miles per trip and the vibrations have been getting to me. I have considered a thicker touring seat, thinking maybe that will help. But lately, I have also been thinking about my previous Harleys that were all rubber mounted twin cams - street bob & street glide....and, as I remember, they were smooth as silk at 70-80 on the interstate. So my question for all you Evo gurus out here, how is the rubber mounted Evo Road King's ride compared to the Evo Heritage?

 

 

 

Replace the rubber inserts in the floorboards. Put on a set of Avon grips.

Tighten all fasteners. Check alignment of wheels, belt, etc as well as tension on the belt and primary chain.

Bring the wheels to an old school Indy that knows how to true a spiked wheel.

Check your compression on both cylinders. Big differences between them can potentially cause the engine not to run as smooth as it could, although it is supposed to vibrate.

Road King will vibrate less at speed but will be clumsy in a parking, especially if you are short. At idle, the engine will jump around in the frame like a paint shaker. I am in the minority here, but I hate that.

Finally, if you really want a smooth running bike, check out a 2017 touring bike with the M8. Engine is really smooth and responsive. Transmission is good. Suspension is great. I tried a 2017 Street Glide Special. I was tempted to trade my old corvette for it but coukd not justify having two bikes.

 

In addition change the rubber bushings the risers sit on.

 

And use rubber, not the polyurethane ones. The polyurethane bushings may last longer but they are hard and transmit vibration instead of absorbing them.

 

You can't hide the vibration of a solid mounted Evo. Don't hear any of the FXR guys complaining! If I had the opportunity I'd do the Road King...

 

I second the King. Nothing better than a touring bike for touring (or anything else as far as I'm concerned)

 

True but if he's having problems at only 200 miles I suspect something is worn out and needs replaced.

Having never ridden a rubber mounted EVO I can't help him with his question but I can suggest things that might help him with his current one.

Aren't FXRs rubber mounted?

 

I think i would most likely go with the EVO road king. Oh that's right I'm riding one... They smooth out under way.