The Road King is much superior in every aspect except looks of the springer fork. I have a springer and a UC and had a RKC. Either the RKC or the UC beat the springer six ways from Sunday. YMMV

 

The Road King has more room than the Heritage Springer....by a long shot.

I owned both bikes at the same time and just recently sold the springer. My wife and daughters would complain when on the back of the springer. And believe me, you have to take your passenger's comfort into account....or count on having an earful before, during, and after the ride!!...lol. I felt cramped and they felt cramped when two-up riding on the springer.

The Road King, on the other hand, is always a pleasure to ride on. The handling of the bike around town was comparable to the springer; I never found the weight or size difference between the two bikes to be a factor when solo riding around town.

 

I've had our Heritage for 4ys. though its not a springer,
Also IMO U can't put all softails in a basket as far as the ride, The Heritage again IMO is the touring softail and is the best riding of the softails, unless U do Air shocks then all bets off.

Two yrs ago I was tired of hearing all the time of how good the RK rides compared to a Heritage so I went and test rode a new 09...
After riding on the back roads, state roads and some Interstate I returned the bike.
Now I know from my own experience that a RK, IMO, is very little if any better riding than a Heritage. Mostly, I hated the ERGOS of the seat and bars compared to the Heritage.

I ride mostly 2 up with the wife in our county, usually 1 1/2 - 3 hrs, 4-5 days a week.

After 4ys and 34k I/we still love ours. I did have to add the tourning pillion, touring sissy pad and floorboards for her comfort as the stock rear section really sucked.. Made a "Major", "Major", difference in her comfort.

In the past with the Heritage, the longest I've ridden was a several one day trips with my son each Yr.
They are usually 250-300 miles and 6-9 hr trips.


This Yr, just last month we went a 5 day 1550 mile ride to Virginia with my son and a friend. Down the Blue Ridge Parkway where we Rode 7-9 hrs everyday.

So now I can give my opinion on long rides on a Heritage.

First I don't understand how some say the RK has more room. The Heritage actually has a 1" longer wheel base but sits almost 2'' lower, maybe it just feels that way.??

The bags on a RK probably are a litte bigger and the newer one does have a bigger rear tire.

During the 5 day trip I didn't have Pain One from riding, Even at my age (61) and having shattered my L3 Vertebrae yrs ago that surprised me. No back pain or shoulder pain at all.

I did buy the HD Overnight bag that slips over the sissy bar pad. 1900 sq ins of extra storage was a must for me to take a week long trip.

U have to love the leather and Spots to like a Heritage. most either HATE or LOVE it.

The heritage fills our need 110% for our daily rides and its exceeded my expectations on the long trip.


I'am not putting down the RK one bit. It is a great bike,

But, I am building up the Heritage, Its a lot better Road bike than some give it credit for IMO.