Questions for Road King Owners
#1
09-10-2018, 07:34 PM
Questions for Road King Owners
I currently ride a 2016 Street Bob and have had my eye on a Road King lately. I love everything about my bike, but on highway trips I seem to get blown around a lot by trucks and cars, and I kind of wish I had cruise control for long stretches. Otherwise it’s great, I’m happy with the speed, sound, and I’ve taken 300 mile trips with no major discomfort. I mostly like to go motocamping and usually end up doing 4-5 hour rides on average.
That said, I came across a few 2016 Road King Police models with low miles for $12,500 which got me thinking about a trade. Watched a couple video reviews but they mostly compared them to the other touring bikes, not the dynas. Also not sure if it’s worth saving for a 17+ if I went the Road King route.
Any of you Road King guys used to have a Dyna to compare? Does your bike stay planted still on the highway? Worth the upgrade if I’m already generally happy with what I got?
I used to have a Sportster and I would say it was definitely worth going to the street bob for the highway comfort compared to it, so I’m wondering if it would be that big a difference again from the dyna.
Any input would be appreciated.
That said, I came across a few 2016 Road King Police models with low miles for $12,500 which got me thinking about a trade. Watched a couple video reviews but they mostly compared them to the other touring bikes, not the dynas. Also not sure if it’s worth saving for a 17+ if I went the Road King route.
Any of you Road King guys used to have a Dyna to compare? Does your bike stay planted still on the highway? Worth the upgrade if I’m already generally happy with what I got?
I used to have a Sportster and I would say it was definitely worth going to the street bob for the highway comfort compared to it, so I’m wondering if it would be that big a difference again from the dyna.
Any input would be appreciated.
#2
09-10-2018, 08:16 PM
Road Captain
Huge difference from a Dyna. I rode a Low for quite a few years, moved to a VRod and Then to my King. I love the bigger bike on the highway. Solid and nimble when you need it to be. The screen isn’t going to give you the protection a Glide model will, but I got the king because it’s still got the traits of a Dyna that I loved while including the stability of a touring model.
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Torpedo1 (09-10-2018)
#3
09-10-2018, 08:17 PM
Elite HDF Member
I feel like the road king is planted quite a bit more in the wind when compared to a dyna. More weight=more stability (usually).
I have a 2003 Road King and a 2015 RGS. I have no desire to trade the 2015 in on the new M8 as I like the twin cam. That being said, if I were buying new, I would buy an M8. Be careful of the sumping issues tho. Nothing wrong with the 103 twinkie. Great motor. Can prob pick up a 2014-16 for a heckuva price.
I have a 2003 Road King and a 2015 RGS. I have no desire to trade the 2015 in on the new M8 as I like the twin cam. That being said, if I were buying new, I would buy an M8. Be careful of the sumping issues tho. Nothing wrong with the 103 twinkie. Great motor. Can prob pick up a 2014-16 for a heckuva price.
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Torpedo1 (09-13-2018)
#4
09-10-2018, 09:23 PM
I feel like the road king is planted quite a bit more in the wind when compared to a dyna. More weight=more stability (usually).
I have a 2003 Road King and a 2015 RGS. I have no desire to trade the 2015 in on the new M8 as I like the twin cam. That being said, if I were buying new, I would buy an M8. Be careful of the sumping issues tho. Nothing wrong with the 103 twinkie. Great motor. Can prob pick up a 2014-16 for a heckuva price.
I have a 2003 Road King and a 2015 RGS. I have no desire to trade the 2015 in on the new M8 as I like the twin cam. That being said, if I were buying new, I would buy an M8. Be careful of the sumping issues tho. Nothing wrong with the 103 twinkie. Great motor. Can prob pick up a 2014-16 for a heckuva price.
#5
09-10-2018, 09:36 PM
Club Member
Huge difference between them, my old shovel is very comparable to the dynas size & weight wise and I freaking love the upgrade to the RK. Rk holds the road much solidly even in windy condition, you'll feel very connected to the road. Handling is surprisingly light once your rolling and I bob and weave every bit a much as I did on the lighter bike. You'll also find the windshield gets very good to you quick, my original plans were to pull it and just put in on for longer rides. Still on the bike a 1 1/2 years later. Comfort factor goes up quite a bit too.
Any later twin cam RK is a solid choice, I have a M8 it's my daily commute bike and I abuse it, did have an oil leak on the rear head gasket but that's it so far. Twinkies had their fair share of issues too so don't let M8 boogeyman scare you off one. Road King is a very good choice for an upgrade and not getting to the land barge sized bikes.
Any later twin cam RK is a solid choice, I have a M8 it's my daily commute bike and I abuse it, did have an oil leak on the rear head gasket but that's it so far. Twinkies had their fair share of issues too so don't let M8 boogeyman scare you off one. Road King is a very good choice for an upgrade and not getting to the land barge sized bikes.
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#6
09-11-2018, 07:07 AM
The RK has a little more weight, say 200#, compared to the Dyna, so when you ride the RK for a while and go back to that Dyna, it will feel like a mini-bike. To answer your question, when you are blasting along the interstate at 80 mph and passing semis that are rolling along at 70, I don't care what you ride you will still feel the turbulence, not as bad as on a Dyna, but you will still feel it. Especially if the wind is blowing more than 10 mph.
Ride safe!!
Ride safe!!
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Torpedo1 (09-13-2018)
#7
09-11-2018, 07:25 AM
Elite HDF Member
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Torpedo1 (09-13-2018)
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#8
09-11-2018, 07:38 AM
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Torpedo1 (09-13-2018)
#9
09-11-2018, 07:52 AM
I recently picked up a '15 RK but I still have my '07 WG. The feel is completely different between the two. The RK, being a much heavier bike is definitely more stable both in wind and turbulence, in-spite of and because of the wind screen. It is surprisingly agile considering the size/weight of the bike BUT it is definitely not as agile as a Dyna. At cruising speed I much prefer the RK, at slow speed the WG. I have the WG up for sale but till it does, it is my in town bike and the RK is my get out of town bike.
Last edited by jb1023; 09-11-2018 at 07:53 AM.
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Torpedo1 (09-13-2018)
#10
09-11-2018, 08:04 AM
The 2014 Road King was my first and current bike. It fits me like a glove for my large frame and if I had to get another bike it would be...another Road King. I don't worry about windy days or trucks whizzing by me on the highway because the big bike stays planted. Like the previous poster stated - for a big bike, it's very agile. I love leaning it into the curves. Get it...you won't regret it!
Last edited by Route66; 09-11-2018 at 08:06 AM.
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Torpedo1 (09-13-2018)