Road king or Road glide
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
The only problem with the Road King is all of the babes that chase after you on it. A fellow gets tired.
The King is King. Personally I don’t like the fairing, and the electronics gets obsolete very quick. On the King I can install the electronics of my choice, i.e. the Garmin Zumo 595 which is a better GPS than Harley gives you.
The fairing adds weight and frankly, weight adds fatigue. OK, so all the babes chasing you on the King add fatigue too, but it’s a good fatigue.
The King is King.
The King is King. Personally I don’t like the fairing, and the electronics gets obsolete very quick. On the King I can install the electronics of my choice, i.e. the Garmin Zumo 595 which is a better GPS than Harley gives you.
The fairing adds weight and frankly, weight adds fatigue. OK, so all the babes chasing you on the King add fatigue too, but it’s a good fatigue.
The King is King.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 3
From: Memphis, TN
I had a similar thing happen to me, when I got that payoff cash it was hard to dig a couple grand deeper to get an 09, but a year and a half later and I'm so glad I did. I paid $9,500 for my 09 RKC a year and a half ago, so keep shopping.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
Personally unless i was touring a lot I would go for the king. I like the openess of it and the classic look. I can carry just as much as a glide if I need to. I also have a street glide and it would go first over the king.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 106
From: Colorado Front Range
Having owned a pre-2009 SG, a 2009 RK (FLHR), and now a '16 Rushmore RGU, I can tell you the following things, FWIW.
Good luck - There are a HUGE number of bikes out there to choose from so don't fall in love with any until it's in your garage. That's my take.
- New frame (2009 and later) is nice but it didn't bother me one to the other. However, for the market pricing and resale you may as well go '09+
- The RK is great from a versatility standpoint. I could go from a tough-looking cruiser to full-on touring rig in the space of 20 minutes. By 2015, I had the engine putting out much higher HP than stock, 14" Carlinis, etc. that made it very cool when in bar-hopping mode. I also did multi week tours 2-up though have to say it always felt just a touch cramped for me. Fantastic bike.
- No own a '16 RGU that is noticeably heavier, smoother, more stable and comfortable (other then the lowers forcing a bit more crowded feelinfg for my legs). I thing the RGU looks fantastic...very different obviously. It's nowhere near as jumpy or "hot" power-wise as my RK was but that's strictly due to spending a s**tload of money to make it more hot-roddy (no, not a word).
Good luck - There are a HUGE number of bikes out there to choose from so don't fall in love with any until it's in your garage. That's my take.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 443
From: West Tennessee
If planning on many long trips the for sure get a Rushmore Shark. If just mainly local stuff get the King. I'm a bit biased. I'm old and in very poor shape and pretty bad health but the Shark just eats miles and leaves me wanting to do even more at the end of the day with little to no fatigue.
Last edited by tnriverluver; Oct 21, 2018 at 11:34 AM.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,675
From: in a cave at the foothills
You and I seem to be some of the only ones that feel that way about the 09 and up frame. Biggest benefit I see is a larger and longer lasting rear tire.
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