I finally pulled the trigger
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 45
Likes: 6
From: Tyner
I finally pulled the trigger
So after a 6 hour trip earlier this year on my Low Rider, the wife gave up. Even with shocks, a seat, passenger footboards and a windshield, the Dyna wasn't going to cut it for anything more than an hour or so.
Talked with several dealerships, and found a new 2016 Road King, in Jade Green (my personal favorite color from the MoCo). With the 2018's due to come out in a matter of weeks, and this being the last of their 2016's, I walked away with a deal that even made the misses happy. After the almost 2 hour ride home, she gets off, and immediately says to me, "Yeah, that was worth it"
So far, I've got 0 complaints, and very little I'm interested in changing that isn't purely cosmetic. But I'm wondering if there are any items that folks consider "must have" for the Road Kings? For instance, the shocks on the Low Rider were practically a must have in order to make the bike at all comfortable. The suspension on the RK is plenty cushy, and I've got no complaints about the seat (I'm a short bastard, and the stock seat gives me the perfect amount of reach), but I think I've seen some folks mention fork stabilizers for the touring line are rather important? Is that right, and does it make any noticeable difference?
Other than must haves, any tips or anything "need to know" about the touring line vs the Dyna I've been riding? I've been riding for a good two decades (I know, some of you guys have been riding for triple that!) but this is the first touring bike I've owned (prior to the Low Rider, the wife had never shown any interest in riding at ALL)
Talked with several dealerships, and found a new 2016 Road King, in Jade Green (my personal favorite color from the MoCo). With the 2018's due to come out in a matter of weeks, and this being the last of their 2016's, I walked away with a deal that even made the misses happy. After the almost 2 hour ride home, she gets off, and immediately says to me, "Yeah, that was worth it"
So far, I've got 0 complaints, and very little I'm interested in changing that isn't purely cosmetic. But I'm wondering if there are any items that folks consider "must have" for the Road Kings? For instance, the shocks on the Low Rider were practically a must have in order to make the bike at all comfortable. The suspension on the RK is plenty cushy, and I've got no complaints about the seat (I'm a short bastard, and the stock seat gives me the perfect amount of reach), but I think I've seen some folks mention fork stabilizers for the touring line are rather important? Is that right, and does it make any noticeable difference?
Other than must haves, any tips or anything "need to know" about the touring line vs the Dyna I've been riding? I've been riding for a good two decades (I know, some of you guys have been riding for triple that!) but this is the first touring bike I've owned (prior to the Low Rider, the wife had never shown any interest in riding at ALL)
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 31
From: Dayton, Ohio
Congrats on the new scoot bro!! I love my King it's a great riding bike and in my opinion the best looking bike!! I've only done cosmetic changes to mine cause I feel the ride and performance is fine as is!! Enjoy!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,125
Likes: 6,618
From: Stafford VA
rk classic
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
congrats on the new bike. take some time to get to know it, it will tell you what mods you need to make. they will be different for everyone.
for me, I can tell you a couple of things that I do before I even leave the dealer parking lot.
first: set your security pin and learn how to use it
second: take off the heel shifter and add a spacer so I can move the toe shifter out to the outboard position, adding 3/4 to 1''.
third: after getting home, I add a set of floorboard spacers to move them out 3/4'' to 1''.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 193
From: ohio
I say first, congrat's, and secondly, ride it, it will tell you what mod's, if any you need, Enjoy !
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,810
Likes: 8,710
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Upgrading the lighting is Job 1 on any bike I get.
If you're OK with the stock seat and bars the only other addition I would suggest is some highway pegs.
If you're OK with the stock seat and bars the only other addition I would suggest is some highway pegs.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,051
Likes: 19,180
From: The Wasteland
IDK what bars are on the newer Kings but I have had two, an 03 and an 09, and for me Heritage bars are a must. They have a better pull back and wrist angle than the stock RK bars do. Other than that, the King is pretty damn nice straight outta the box.