5'8 - road king?
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Joined: Oct 2006
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5'8 - road king?
Hi all:
I currently ride a 883 sportster (I love it and I'm keeping it). I'm planning to buy a Touring bike this fall for longer rides. I just completed a 700 mile weekend with a friend, the sportster did great - but as we've decided to try to make these longer rides more frequently (and I want the flexibility to ride 2 up), I'm going to buy a touring or softail later this summer or early fall. I rode my friends Ultra a bit on our last ride- I liked it, but it did feel a little big to me. I'm only 5'8 - 160lbs- the faring was a little hard for me to get used to (great ride though - it is an awesome machine!). I'm thinking seriously about the Road King Classic (or Heritage Classic). Are there any others out there in the 5'8 to 5'9 range who ride a Road King? If so, would love your views on this bike for guys with our frames. I will do a test ride if I can - but any hands on experience would be greatly appreciated. I'm also going to try the Heritage, I know the seat is a little lower on that bike (thus lower center of gravity), but would love the King if I can handle it as I think it will provide better touring capability in the long run.
Thanks
I currently ride a 883 sportster (I love it and I'm keeping it). I'm planning to buy a Touring bike this fall for longer rides. I just completed a 700 mile weekend with a friend, the sportster did great - but as we've decided to try to make these longer rides more frequently (and I want the flexibility to ride 2 up), I'm going to buy a touring or softail later this summer or early fall. I rode my friends Ultra a bit on our last ride- I liked it, but it did feel a little big to me. I'm only 5'8 - 160lbs- the faring was a little hard for me to get used to (great ride though - it is an awesome machine!). I'm thinking seriously about the Road King Classic (or Heritage Classic). Are there any others out there in the 5'8 to 5'9 range who ride a Road King? If so, would love your views on this bike for guys with our frames. I will do a test ride if I can - but any hands on experience would be greatly appreciated. I'm also going to try the Heritage, I know the seat is a little lower on that bike (thus lower center of gravity), but would love the King if I can handle it as I think it will provide better touring capability in the long run.
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
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RE: 5'8 - road king?
I am 5'9" and ride a RKC. They do sit up with the stock seat etc. but face it, if you are like 99.9% of us, it wont be stock for long, so you will change things around to fit your preference. I wouldnt trade my RK for anything. If I ever buy another bike, I will keep my RK
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
RE: 5'8 - road king?
You guys got nothin on me - just turned 57 today (can you say Happy Birthday?) 5'6" and bought a FB in 96 then a WG in 00thengot my EG in 2/04 and then changed it into a RG in Summer of 06. Flying out to Anchorage on Thu for a Fly&Ride on another Stock EG - Go get it. I would love to be 5'8 or 5'9....
I live within a 90 min ride to the Hollister / Corbin factory - being this close we can make a "ride in app" and they will custom build a Seat to YOUR butt while you wait - ride out with a perfect seat and one that will drop you down... Not everone likes Corbin - but those that do LOVE them... I have had one on each of my bikes - I would NEVER ride on anyting else and being short - get a good pair of riding boots - the heels on my Redwings raise me almost 2 "
I live within a 90 min ride to the Hollister / Corbin factory - being this close we can make a "ride in app" and they will custom build a Seat to YOUR butt while you wait - ride out with a perfect seat and one that will drop you down... Not everone likes Corbin - but those that do LOVE them... I have had one on each of my bikes - I would NEVER ride on anyting else and being short - get a good pair of riding boots - the heels on my Redwings raise me almost 2 "
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 2
From: Lancaster, PA
RE: 5'8 - road king?
The RK and all Baggershandle so much better than the Softails just so you know. Have you thought about the Road Glide. It's very nimble and easy to handle. 
Best thing to do is rent them and find the right one for you.
Best thing to do is rent them and find the right one for you.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 96
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RE: 5'8 - road king?
It's pretty funny you're debating between these two bikes. This spring I rented a Heritage in AZ and absolutely loved it (put on 700 miles in two days). When I came back to Idaho I stated seriously looking for a Heritage, UNTIL I found out a friend of mine was selling his 03 RK. When I took it for a ride I liked it even better than the Heritage. I totally agree with Bryan that the RK handled a lot nicer. You will NEVER regret buying the RK and you will have no problems handling it (I'm 5'9"). The one thing I would suggest to you that has been done to my RK is it was lowered in the front and rear one inch which will definately help you out. Good luck and let us know what you get. Be safe.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 955
Likes: 2
From: Missouri
RE: 5'8 - road king?
I'm 5'8 and have no problems handling the Road King. You won't either. If you've had quite a bit of riding experience you won't have any problems with this bike as it handles great for it's size. I recently put a Mustang Touring seat on mine. It did raise me higher than the stock seat. At a stop sign I do have to scoot up a bit on the seat to get my feet flat on the ground but still really not a problem. I have not had it lowered. With the stock seat or going to a Sundowner you won't have any problems I don't think.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,062
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From: Ohio
RE: 5'8 - road king?
I hate to admit this, but I'm only 5' 7.5" so I'm shorter than you 
. I have a 30" inseem and I love my Road King Classic. I can touch flat footed on it. I've recently changed out the stock seat for the big HD Pillow Look seat and still have no problems. I did have to change the handle bars because it made me lean over to reach the stock ones. You will need to do a few minor mods to make it feel like your bike (if you know what I mean).... but this thing rides like a dream. I have no regrets on getting this bike.
Good luck
. I have a 30" inseem and I love my Road King Classic. I can touch flat footed on it. I've recently changed out the stock seat for the big HD Pillow Look seat and still have no problems. I did have to change the handle bars because it made me lean over to reach the stock ones. You will need to do a few minor mods to make it feel like your bike (if you know what I mean).... but this thing rides like a dream. I have no regrets on getting this bike.Good luck
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RE: 5'8 - road king?
Interesting - the Road King Classic is higher until you sit on it..maybe it's the shocks?
Here are some seat height specs:
Road King Classic
Laden 26.9 in.
Unladen 29.5 in.
Heritage Softail Classic
Laden 25.5 in.
Unladen 27.4 in.
Street Glide
Laden 26.3 in.
Unladen 27.3 in.
As you can see once you sit on any of these 3 bikes, you should be fine with a 30" inseam.
Now me - I'm not a big guy either...5'8 in bare feet and 5'9 with riding boots on - my inseam is 30" also and I weigh 170 lbs. But I have no problem flat footing my Street Glide and there is only a half inch difference with the Road King Classic once you sit on it...you'll be fine with that bike and I doubt you'll even need to lower it.
Plus - the BIG bonus...I rode a sportster too and the touring bikes have a much lower center of gravity - I can actually run a figure 8 or single lane turn around which I couldn't do withmy top heavy Sportster.
Here are some seat height specs:
Road King Classic
Laden 26.9 in.
Unladen 29.5 in.
Heritage Softail Classic
Laden 25.5 in.
Unladen 27.4 in.
Street Glide
Laden 26.3 in.
Unladen 27.3 in.
As you can see once you sit on any of these 3 bikes, you should be fine with a 30" inseam.
Now me - I'm not a big guy either...5'8 in bare feet and 5'9 with riding boots on - my inseam is 30" also and I weigh 170 lbs. But I have no problem flat footing my Street Glide and there is only a half inch difference with the Road King Classic once you sit on it...you'll be fine with that bike and I doubt you'll even need to lower it.
Plus - the BIG bonus...I rode a sportster too and the touring bikes have a much lower center of gravity - I can actually run a figure 8 or single lane turn around which I couldn't do withmy top heavy Sportster.
