Road King comparison
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,895
From: Oklahoma
Black out vs chrome is a matter of taste. . Most report that the 107 motor has plenty of spunk, so the bigger motor doesn't make up for PAYING more to get less. To me, the passing lights are a safety enhancement but some will gladly do without for the stripped down look. Should you want to add a windshield, saddle bags and guards, be prepared of another 2 grand added on. Don't know if anyone offers engine and saddle bag guards in black, so you might be stuck with some chrome anyway. As you might be able to tell, I regard the Special as being targeted at those with more money than sense.None the less, YOUR money, your choice.
Last edited by btsom; Apr 30, 2020 at 05:33 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 292
Likes: 81
From: FL
I had the same quandary in 2018 when I bought my Road King. The trade-offs are pretty clear. With the Special you get no aux. lights, the 114 motor, and you do not get front and back engine guards. Chrome on the standard, blacked out on the special. The Standard gives you the front and back guards, aux lights, and chrome, together with a very nice windshield. For me it was an easy call -- it seemed to me that you get a lot more with the Standard, and I went that way. (Be sure to get the ABS brakes). You drop that Special without the engine guards and you are going to do some serious damage, where as not with the Standard. It is protected. Both are terrific bikes and you won't go wrong with either one. I will say that I think that the Standard is the best-looking bike Harley makes and that it looks a lot better than the Special, but that's me.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 186
The special is a cool bike but I would have had to swap the bars out. Stock windscreen is nothing to scream about but the light bar is cool. Cheaper to do a stage ii on the 107 than to pay the extra $ for the 114 with much the same effect.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Black out vs chrome is a matter of taste. . Most report that the 107 motor has plenty of spunk, so the bigger motor doesn't make up for PAYING more to get less. To me, the passing lights are a safety enhancement but some will gladly do without for the stripped down look. Should you want to add a windshield, saddle bags and guards, be prepared of another 2 grand added on. Don't know if anyone offers engine and saddle bag guards in black, so you might be stuck with some chrome anyway. As you might be able to tell, I regard the Special as being targeted at those with more money than sense.None the less, YOUR money, your choice.
Kind of reminds me of the debate between the SG and Ultra. The SG is one of Harley's top selling bikes even though the Ultra appears to be more bang for the buck. Matter of taste.
That being said, I'm a chrome guy. Chrome with a bigger motor is even better.
Beary
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 292
Likes: 81
From: FL
I test drove everything when I was buying. Could tell a definite difference between the 103 and 107. I could tell a difference between the 107 and 114. Back then I didnt think I needed the extra power as both were a huge Jump from my 88. I now have a 131. 😂. When in doubt buy bigger.
really, the biggest decision is chrome or not. I chose not.
really, the biggest decision is chrome or not. I chose not.
