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I ran softails for 30 years,and wandering about getting a Road King,i'm tall 190 cm and feel confortable on my softail custom,so,it's hard to move that way,what do you think ?cheers from Italy
The King is an excellent choice and many will tell you not to think twice, just do it. I have only ever ridden the Ultra and and the Road Glide but after many sport bikes and a Dyna, I totally love my touring bike and don't think I would ever want anything else.
I went from a heritage to a 17 RK and love it. We are at a similar height and I am very comfortable on the king. The ride is certainly more comfortable but I have not taken a long road trip yet.
I'm not as tall, but have had a very good experience moving from my 2007 Night Train to a 2017 Road Glide Special. The only negative I've received has to do with the looks. My wife thinks I've gone from a very cool looking bike to what they call my "Old Man" bike. I'll take that hit because The seating position is much easier on my lower back, the suspension and engine make for a much better ride, and the fairing helps prevent that feeling of an ice pick in my shoulder blade after a very long ride.
I had a softail for several years, jumped on the streetglide and asked myself why didn't I do this sooner. Major difference. Told the wife its like a Cadillac.
there is a free spirit feeling on a softail that you just cannot get on a touring bike. i came from a softail breakout and LOVED that bike. that being said it was only good for about 200 miles a day. if you are going to be on the road the touring bike is the way to go. ideally the best is to have both. but i like my touring bike because it is like a pickup truck, you can do everything you need to do (except sport riding) and haul pretty much what ever you need, but it is a bit cumbersome at times. if you are going to have one bike and actually put miles on it, i think the touring bike is the best, but i do miss the breakout.
Was mostly a Softail guy, love the way they look especially when you customize them. After buying my first Touring bike (06' EGS) I don't think I'll ever own another Softail again.
The RK is the best of both worlds if you want more of a stripped down look (esp. no fairing) but you want something made for the long haul. RK is very comfortable and holds the road well at highway speed even in heavy cross winds. The little extras like cruise are also very nice to have. Don't think twice, get one, you won't look back.
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from softails to touring
