road king or electra glide? need help
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
I have an 07 RK. I've owned it since new. In fact I ordered it with cruise and wouldn't own a street bike without it ever again. I stay away from 08 and up as I don't like Throttle by Wire. Too many of my friends have been stranded with it failing. I have an aftermarket fairing and a HD tourpak that I use for long trips. The hand protection alone made it worthwhile. The stereo is a bonus. As previously mentioned you should be looking over the windshield not through it. It makes a huge difference in vision. A word of caution on the 07. It's kind of a one year only bike so some parts are already obsolete. Such as the cruise control module. I personally really like the Road King and if something should happen to my bike that's what I would replace it with. I will never sell this one. It's been that good a machine. Good luck in your search.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
thanks for all the input,I think I will have to pass on bikes w/o cruise. It sounds like an option I could use on longer rides. I just have to decide if i want the classic harley look or the new touring "look" . i am kinda leaning towards a bike with a fairing. i find that at night the windshield blurs headlights as cars approach you and its hard to see.The hunt begins !
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 463
From: USA
thanks for all the input,I think I will have to pass on bikes w/o cruise. It sounds like an option I could use on longer rides. I just have to decide if i want the classic harley look or the new touring "look" . i am kinda leaning towards a bike with a fairing. i find that at night the windshield blurs headlights as cars approach you and its hard to see.The hunt begins !
If you think it's hard to see now, I suggest you at least test ride a full fairing bike. Cause on both the Heritage as well as the Road King, all you see in front of you is the ROAD. On a fairing bike, a HUGE portion of what's in front of you is a dashboard. Every time I hop on my brothers Street Glide, I am like WOW, I hate having to look OVER a fairing. And I do not like how much of what's directly in front of me is obscured by the fairing. Most people get used to is fairly quickly, but I prefer to see all the Road King's chrome fork tins glistening in the sunlight instead of electronics. If I wanted a fully complimented dashboard, I would hop in my Mustang. But that's just me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,078
Likes: 19,236
From: The Wasteland
I had an 03 Road King and an 04 Electra Glide. Both are great bikes and each has its pros and cons. The bat wing is great for wind/rain protection but it makes for heavy steering at low speed. Some are also prone to snapping the mounting brackets that support them, I had to replace 3 or 4 brackets on my 04. The Road King rides just as nice as the EG but the windshield didn't offer as much protection.
If I were in your shoes I would work the best deal you can on the 07 and go with that.
If I were in your shoes I would work the best deal you can on the 07 and go with that.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
If you think it's hard to see now, I suggest you at least test ride a full fairing bike. Cause on both the Heritage as well as the Road King, all you see in front of you is the ROAD. On a fairing bike, a HUGE portion of what's in front of you is a dashboard. Every time I hop on my brothers Street Glide, I am like WOW, I hate having to look OVER a fairing. And I do not like how much of what's directly in front of me is obscured by the fairing. Most people get used to is fairly quickly, but I prefer to see all the Road King's chrome fork tins glistening in the sunlight instead of electronics. If I wanted a fully complimented dashboard, I would hop in my Mustang. But that's just me.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 979
Likes: 83
From: S.W. Oregon
In hard rain my brothers 04 EG windshield is almost impossible to see through. My suggestion would be to have a nose high windshield that you could see over. My 14 inch high on my WG is easy to see in the hard rain. BUT I also wear a full face helmet. I would also opt for the newer bike if you can afford it. 6 speed and 96 ci. is hard to beat. Big difference between it and a 5 speed and 88 ci.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,681
Likes: 8,413
From: Utah
thanks for all the input,I think I will have to pass on bikes w/o cruise. It sounds like an option I could use on longer rides. I just have to decide if i want the classic harley look or the new touring "look" . i am kinda leaning towards a bike with a fairing. i find that at night the windshield blurs headlights as cars approach you and its hard to see.The hunt begins !
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291626435081...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301654603635...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
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Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 55
Likes: 5
From: carencro,Louisiana
The 06 electra glide is priced very resonable ,$5600 w/tax 6200 out the door. It's at an Indian dealer , but it does not have cruise & needs a little work. I almost pulled the trigger on it ,then decided i would research on adding a cruise to the bike. The kit harley used to sell is now absolete , & you can only get the cruise by pieces & parts. or order it from www.harleycruisecontrol.com. the kit is $900 with no warranty . So that was a deal breaker.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 335
Likes: 48
From: VW Ohio
07 sounds best. However I would go for 09 and up. I loved my fxstc wish I could have kept it but Mrs wasn't comfy and when she saw a 14SGS and said I should get one, well who was I to argue. And honestly with my arthritis in my hands the cruise is my favorite part of the many improvements this bike has over my soft tail.