Road King input
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Banned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Fargo, ND
Road King input
Moving from a dyna to a bagger. Got some good info on the glides. I would like some on the king. What's the concerns? Is there buffeting from the shield? Is adding a bathing worth it? I know it is higher so is lowering it a pain? Any handling concerns? I like the no radio option . That is the draw to the road king? Cool bike. Thank you in advance.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
'09 Road King here. I think they ride great as is. I like taking the windshield off to ride around the city. It's necessary for 55+ though. I don't like my bikes lowered, it kills the cornering. One thing for sure, these new bikes handle fantastic. I might get a batwing someday. If I was only on the highway and could afford it, I'd probably have a road glide. Now if they'd quit pinstriping these bikes.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 153
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton
I actually have both, an '01 FXD and a 2014 Road King.
The buffeting from the RK windscreen seems less than a similar sized screen on my FXD, noticeably less.
As for ride quality neither is what I would call a magic carpet. The FXD has Ohlins shocks and Racetech fork internals, its pretty smooth at this point. The RK I thought would benefit from better shocks and now has Ohlins rear shocks. I have not done anything with the forks at this point but I'm pretty sure I will in the relatively near future as they are a bit prone to a rougher ride than necessary.
The RK is definitely heavier and you can feel that it is more top heavy when moving it around the garage. I don't find it an issue, once the bike is moving I really don't notice it. I would not be inclined to lower it as I don't want to give up any suspension travel.
When you ride the two side by side its interesting, and may be in due to the difference in years but the RK feels more stable under most conditions to me. The FXD feels, for lack of a better term, more squirmy, certainly not dangerous, but noticeable.
One thing I did notice is that the FXD feels, in some ways, more comfortable. Both have Mustang solo seats but for some reason there is a difference in comfort. Not a big deal and not huge, but its there.
I don't know of any big concerns with an RK, its a fine machine. It is a different machine and that is a fact. I never cared about a radio or not, I just liked the looks of the RK and prefer it to the batwing of the other touring models.
The buffeting from the RK windscreen seems less than a similar sized screen on my FXD, noticeably less.
As for ride quality neither is what I would call a magic carpet. The FXD has Ohlins shocks and Racetech fork internals, its pretty smooth at this point. The RK I thought would benefit from better shocks and now has Ohlins rear shocks. I have not done anything with the forks at this point but I'm pretty sure I will in the relatively near future as they are a bit prone to a rougher ride than necessary.
The RK is definitely heavier and you can feel that it is more top heavy when moving it around the garage. I don't find it an issue, once the bike is moving I really don't notice it. I would not be inclined to lower it as I don't want to give up any suspension travel.
When you ride the two side by side its interesting, and may be in due to the difference in years but the RK feels more stable under most conditions to me. The FXD feels, for lack of a better term, more squirmy, certainly not dangerous, but noticeable.
One thing I did notice is that the FXD feels, in some ways, more comfortable. Both have Mustang solo seats but for some reason there is a difference in comfort. Not a big deal and not huge, but its there.
I don't know of any big concerns with an RK, its a fine machine. It is a different machine and that is a fact. I never cared about a radio or not, I just liked the looks of the RK and prefer it to the batwing of the other touring models.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 415
Likes: 13
From: Northeastern Md.
I hated my '06 RK the first week or two I got it (coming from but still have a chopper).Wide,top heavy,and just generally felt like a cow.Just takes getting used to-it's a whole different animal.But that is what is so cool about it.Love the look-like the police bikes/old E-glides I loved when growing up.For it's weight though it handles very good.I have stock windshield and fangs-get some upper head buffeting on hiways but not terrible.....IMHO it's at the threshold between being on a motorcycle and being encapsulated.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 173
From: Watertown, CT
10 RK and just sold my 08 Dyna. kept both bikes for 2 years until I figured which one I liked the best. Mosified the king till I was satisfied . Put on risers , modified the seat , 1 inch dropped progressives in the front and 1 inch dropped ohlins in the rear plus a MS batwing with deflectors to stop buffeting and the annoying glare from the chrome headlight assy. Not as fast as the Dyna but the ability to carry in the bags is a big plus.
All in all the ride and handling is great. Think this one is a keeper.
All in all the ride and handling is great. Think this one is a keeper.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,154
Likes: 2,562
From: CT/FL
The road king w/o a shield feels more like a motorcycle than any bike with a fairing; at least if you like being in the wind...
I got some buffeting at the top of my helmet on the highway, but a recurved windshield solved that.
A buddy of mine put a batwing fairing on his RK so he could listen to tunes, not my preference, but shows that you have more options with a RK than any other touring bike.
If you think you like the lowered look of a street glide, you'll come to hate the rough ride that only 2" of shock travel gives. The RK looks right stock, like the old Electra Glides, as Am4wag said above.
I rode my RK 2300 miles in a week and never felt fatigued, it's that good.
I got some buffeting at the top of my helmet on the highway, but a recurved windshield solved that.
A buddy of mine put a batwing fairing on his RK so he could listen to tunes, not my preference, but shows that you have more options with a RK than any other touring bike.
If you think you like the lowered look of a street glide, you'll come to hate the rough ride that only 2" of shock travel gives. The RK looks right stock, like the old Electra Glides, as Am4wag said above.
I rode my RK 2300 miles in a week and never felt fatigued, it's that good.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 4,725
Likes: 1,787
From: Toledo ohio
14 RK here. First off, love the 103 HO. I noticed the beard lift at highway speeds. Fangs are ugly, but helped with wind and stability immensely. Next was Rineharts, Velociraptor a/c, and TMAX. (had street cannons for a little while, not loud enough). For suspention, got the Premium hand adjustables from CVO RG for $264 ebay. Got a great deal on some CVO wheels , so while I had them off, I put on chrome lower forks, with the Premium Ride Low cartridge kit. The road feel and ride is greatly improved. I had 3 Ultras and by far I love the RK for its versatility. I have soft lowers and detachable chopped tourpak for touring and pop off the add ons and have an old school bike for casual cruising. Added streetglide fenders and lights with LED's for custom look.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,618
Likes: 5,211
From: Green Country
'14 RK here also, traded in a Heritage Softail. To me, the RK feels like a smaller bike than the Softail, probably attributed to the 103HO and the better handling frame and suspension. Yeah, there was some beard lift, but there's ways around that. No issue with head buffeting for me. Love the King...
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Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
I have the stock shield hardware with an LRS shield and works great. Usually run a Memphis Shades fairing with LRS shield. Have detachable TP. Life is great with the Road King as it is so versatile.
