Removing Road King Bars
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 320
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From: Twin Lakes, WI
Removing Road King Bars
What do you think of removing the rear bag guard bar on a Road King? What do you think of removing the rear bag guard and the front engine guard?
What do you think of removing both guards and the mustache light bar?
I mean in terms of looks, simplicity, and reducing the resale value of the motorcycle.
I feel like it simplifies the look and lightens up the bike.
I'm thinking particularly of a 1998 Evo, but generally also.
What do you think of removing both guards and the mustache light bar?
I mean in terms of looks, simplicity, and reducing the resale value of the motorcycle.
I feel like it simplifies the look and lightens up the bike.
I'm thinking particularly of a 1998 Evo, but generally also.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 472
Likes: 59
From: farmington ny
Those guards are there for a reason and the first time your foot slips on a wet cross walk line or wet road your going to wish they were there.I really don't know if the weight advantage would be noticeable on a full size bagger to be worth it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 185
From: Ft Myers FL
The first 2things I bought for my new ride...as you well know, everyone drops their bikes...they should actually be standard equipment but HD knows that we buy them so why would they be standard on the bikes?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Well, in terms of resale, the bike will be worth substantially LESS when it falls over and those bars are gone. And thats a fact.
In terms of weight reduction?
Your riding a land yacht. Removing safety equipment to save a little weight would be on the bottom of my list.
In terms of style, yeah pulling them off does clean up the bike. I would never risk it. But some folks do.
In terms of weight reduction?
Your riding a land yacht. Removing safety equipment to save a little weight would be on the bottom of my list.
In terms of style, yeah pulling them off does clean up the bike. I would never risk it. But some folks do.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
I have an 07 RK Custom which already come stock without the saddlebag guards. I'm in the process of taking off my engine guard as well because I am customizing it for more of urban cruiser type look. I also plan to convert the floorboards to forward controls.
BUT, in general taking the guards off a RK takes away from the nostalgic classic look of the bike, and is not generally accepted by the Harley community. I'm only trying it because the Custom is not typical of the traditional RK style anyway.
I have seen other RKs without the guards, and even saddlebags, and making the appearance look elegant can be challenging. But, we are only talking about a few bolts and 30 minutes of your time, so I say go for it to see how it appeals to you. What's the worse that can happen?
Beary
BUT, in general taking the guards off a RK takes away from the nostalgic classic look of the bike, and is not generally accepted by the Harley community. I'm only trying it because the Custom is not typical of the traditional RK style anyway.
I have seen other RKs without the guards, and even saddlebags, and making the appearance look elegant can be challenging. But, we are only talking about a few bolts and 30 minutes of your time, so I say go for it to see how it appeals to you. What's the worse that can happen?
Beary
Last edited by beary; Oct 4, 2017 at 11:05 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 320
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From: Twin Lakes, WI
I've often thought the same thing. But then Harley puts out the CVO Road King and the Road King Special without them??? Go figure.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,154
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From: CT/FL
Take them off - the bike looks a lot smaller without them. Just be aware that you are upsetting the balance of nature and the internet will collapse because of it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: CT/FL
I don't think you can generalize like that. There isn't any consensus in the 'Harley community' - old people think nostalgic, young people think old fashioned - and even that is a generalization.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Dark Side of the Moon
Originally Posted by Jamo11
But then Harley puts out the CVO Road King and the Road King Special without them??? Go figure.