rented my first road king
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 227
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta
I'm thinking some of the "softness" can be dialed out of the suspension by adjusting the air shocks. Better to have shock travel and not need it than to need it and not have it.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 1
From: nyc
39 degrees on the way home. I was lied to about Texas weather. Anyway the wind screen was great for the cold air. The bike is amazing to ride. I'm getting used to the lesser impact going over railroad tracks. I can see how you would get spoiled by that. But it's Too damn high. The harley reduced reach doesn't lower you so much as it jams you forward. Now I just have to wrap my head around the cost of the bike and mods. Street bobs cost much less. But it is a great bike. Maybe if I get it lowered I won't feel so overwhelmed by the size.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 3,431
From: Idaho Panhandle
Fit matters. If the RK does not fit you will never be happy with it. I am 5'11" and I had to change the handlebars and seat, now it fits. My vertically challenged friend went from a heritage, to a RK, to a Switchback, and finally found love in a street glide special. It was a very expensive journey for him. Me, I test rode like you and for me the RK was right but I knew that I needed different handlebars, seat and a back rest to make it right with the world. If you are like my friend you better test ride some other bikes. Kathy my friend went from a softtail low to a streetglide special, rode it to Sturgis several months later. She is 5'5".
I sincerely believe that any bike you ride you should be able to sit flat footed on a level floor. Too many bumps, dips, cuts and humps in the world to not start off able to flat foot.
I am enjoying your RK experience. I hope you are. You are asking the right questions and I am sure that the next bike you get will make you happy
I sincerely believe that any bike you ride you should be able to sit flat footed on a level floor. Too many bumps, dips, cuts and humps in the world to not start off able to flat foot.
I am enjoying your RK experience. I hope you are. You are asking the right questions and I am sure that the next bike you get will make you happy
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
I like Road Kings. I have ridden all of the Harleys and keep going back to the RK. Been riding them exclusively since 1999. I have a quick detach Reckless fairing and tourpak that I mount in 5 mins for long tours. For around town it's stripped down and maybe a windshield on cooler days. In my humble opinion it's that versatility that has caused me to fall in love with my RK. Lower shocks are easy to install. Send your seat to Mean City. I haven't used them as I'm quite happy with my bike as is. My bro is vertically challenged and went the Mean City route and he is super happy with his RK now. Good luck.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
One other thing that has to be mentioned is the difference between the A and B engine. I rented a Heritage one day and while I enjoyed the ride, I couldn't wait to get away from the B engine. It just felt like something was broke. I think that is part of the smoothness you are feeling with the RK. Kind of funny, I much prefer my Evo over the B engine.
Beary
Beary
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,863
Likes: 17,919
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
I think your next rental should be a Heritage. You like the removable windshield and saddlebags but want something lower with more feedback from the road. That's what the Heritage is.
I have never ridden a twin cam so I can't speak with first hand knowledge of A vs B.
I ride a 1995 Heritage Softail Classic. With its simplicity and carbureted evolution engine, I can't imagine ever getting rid of this bike.
I have never ridden a twin cam so I can't speak with first hand knowledge of A vs B.
I ride a 1995 Heritage Softail Classic. With its simplicity and carbureted evolution engine, I can't imagine ever getting rid of this bike.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 927
Likes: 256
From: North Arkansas
I am 6 2. 34" legs or so. Have to toe on the hi way pegs to be comfy... heels on the floorboards. I alternate pretty regular 3 positions from full front pegs to feet on the boards in heavy traffic to be closer/quicker to controls.
I rode a couple of heritages before buying my RK. They felt like my honda vtx 1300. Different position and lower but balance was not the same. After getting used to the RK, I love the balance. Different strokes for folks... as opposed to effort to move the bike the RK moves with less motion.... what may be called the higher up feeling.
Also love not having to get off the seat to handle those Railroad crossing and bridge type bumps. The Rk eats them up like mentioned above also. The heritage had less engine vibration however. Shorter trips.... the king may not be for you. For me.... love it
I rode a couple of heritages before buying my RK. They felt like my honda vtx 1300. Different position and lower but balance was not the same. After getting used to the RK, I love the balance. Different strokes for folks... as opposed to effort to move the bike the RK moves with less motion.... what may be called the higher up feeling.
Also love not having to get off the seat to handle those Railroad crossing and bridge type bumps. The Rk eats them up like mentioned above also. The heritage had less engine vibration however. Shorter trips.... the king may not be for you. For me.... love it
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 763
Likes: 15
From: New Jersey
I'm 6 foot and had my eye on a RK most of my adult life. I do a lot of riding so last summer I traded in my 1200 sporty for the 14 RK. At first the bike was bit intimidating and it felt a lot different as far as handling. Within a few days and a few hundred miles that was all gone. After a few mods, I would never go to another bike. It handles smooth and hugs the road like nothing I've ever ridin. Having back surgery a year ago, the comfort of the King has enabled me to stay in the saddle longer without having to be limping all day after riding. If you can figure out the height issues to stay flat footed such as seats and suspension, you will never regret buying the King. Good luck.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 592
Likes: 46
From: Connecticut
I'm about your size CJeep. I put a Tallboy seat on mine, added Heritage-style bars for more pullback and high pegs to change my foot and leg position and it fits me perfectly. 37,000 miles later, I still love it every time I ride.
The biggest surprise for me on the Road King was the handling. It leans as well as a Dyna (and WAY better than most softails) and whips through the twisties. A great bike all the way around.
The biggest surprise for me on the Road King was the handling. It leans as well as a Dyna (and WAY better than most softails) and whips through the twisties. A great bike all the way around.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 925
Likes: 15
From: So. Fla.
I am 5'6" and love my RK. Mine is fitted with a Corbin close solo. However I did ride it with the stock seat for eleven years before making the switch. My handle bars are adjusted to be in line with the rake of the front forks. Most of my riding is weekend riding about 250 miles a day with 2-3 day trips a couple times a year. HTH.