rented my first road king
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: nyc
rented my first road king
so, i've been wanting to trade in my wide glide. looking at a street bob, fatboy lo and a roadking. They had a roadking to rent to rent so i have it for a week. just wanted to give my impressions. now, i'm 5'5" tall and they put a reduced seat on. now i'm too far forward but still not low enough. thinking i would have to lower the bike. maybe an inch front and back and get a narrower seat. the ride is really nice. maybe too nice. i've only ridden dynas (superglide, street bob, and now a wide glide) and i kind of miss feeling the road. the suspension on the road king is great but i am constantly thinking that i should be feeling more of the road. potholes and such are barely felt. over time that is probably a good thing, but for right now it's weird. never used a heel to toe shifter. still prefer hooking my toe under the shifter to change gears. but that too would probably come with time. my dynas have all felt zippier, but they had a a lot of after market engine work done. Just a very strange experience, but this is only day one
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Green Country
I had two Dynas before my Heritage Softail, which I traded for my RK. I never did use the heel/toe shifter on the Heritage; but worked to get used to it on the RK. I learned that proper adjustment of the shifter levers was the key.
In my experience, the RK takes the road imperfections, and translates that into a smooth riding experience. Road grooves, pothole patches expansion joints are easily managed.
As far as height, there are quite a few options to personalize the fit for the rider. As stated before, there's a reason they call it the "King"; it does many things quite well.
In my experience, the RK takes the road imperfections, and translates that into a smooth riding experience. Road grooves, pothole patches expansion joints are easily managed.
As far as height, there are quite a few options to personalize the fit for the rider. As stated before, there's a reason they call it the "King"; it does many things quite well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Southern Colorado
My impression of your opening comment is that you were pleasantly surprised by the Road King. It's a hard bike not to like...has a lot going for it. If I was a betting man, I'd put some money down on your next bike being a King. 
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: San Diego
If you like the Road King, but want it lower, you can try out a Street Glide for one of your rental days.
It has lower rear shocks and low profile tires. Will also give you a bit more responsive handling. The standard Street glide comes with air adjustable rear shocks and the Street Glide has the Premium Hand adjustable Shocks.
Both are almost 1" lower than the Road King.
It has lower rear shocks and low profile tires. Will also give you a bit more responsive handling. The standard Street glide comes with air adjustable rear shocks and the Street Glide has the Premium Hand adjustable Shocks.
Both are almost 1" lower than the Road King.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: nyc
It's definitely a great ride. It's just different. And I'd have to do a lot more to the bike to make it mine...like lowering the shocks. With the dynas I just changed the seat and off I went. It's a lot of money and I'm just trying to see if it's worth it. Kinda why I thought the fat boy lo would be a good compromise. But that's a rental for another week. Have to say they wind shield is coming in handy with the cold weather. Cold for Texas any way
I traded a street glide for a road king ,I knew I had to lower also I got SG shocks and Danny Gray solo seat ,and an ultra low seat for 2up.I know what mean coming from a dyna I did the same going to a SG from a street bob.
I could not be happier with the Road King you won't regret it
I could not be happier with the Road King you won't regret it
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
With lower shocks and a seat mod I'm flat footed on my RK. I'm just a smidge taller than you. The Fatboy and RK will be different feeling rides, as well, as the frames are different and the Softails have that counterbalanced motor. The RK is a great step up, especially for the longer trips, IMO.
I did the same thing as you. I rented bikes when I was deciding. I rented a Softball Deluxe, SG and an RK, each for a weekend. For me, it was the RK for the ride, handling and versatility. Good luck on which ever you decide.
I did the same thing as you. I rented bikes when I was deciding. I rented a Softball Deluxe, SG and an RK, each for a weekend. For me, it was the RK for the ride, handling and versatility. Good luck on which ever you decide.
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