Road King comparison
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,769
Likes: 8,645
From: Edmonton, Alberta
The answer is yes. Can't go wrong with either one.
Question is, do you prefer the classic look of chrome or the blacked-out look?
I see this is your first post, how about stopping by the "new members only" area and introducing yourself Bob?
Question is, do you prefer the classic look of chrome or the blacked-out look?
I see this is your first post, how about stopping by the "new members only" area and introducing yourself Bob?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 926
Likes: 135
From: Central, NJ
Road King standard comes with windscreen, crashbars for bags and motor, 13" suspension, 107 motor.
Road King Special has 114 motor all blacked out 12' suspension, no bag crashbars.
There are a few other differences also...
Road King Special has 114 motor all blacked out 12' suspension, no bag crashbars.
There are a few other differences also...
Last edited by tcatnat; Apr 30, 2020 at 05:53 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
How old are you? I'm 62 and the special is growing on me, but I'm not a black out fan and I need some kind of windshield. My 33 year old son thinks it's Harley's best looking bike.
Beary
Beary
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 317
Likes: 127
From: Colorado
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 609
Likes: 329
From: Athens, Alabama
I was considering a new Standard when my '17 Special was traded in. I was at the dealer getting a tire for my Dyna Switchback the day it was traded in. They showed it to me but I couldn't test ride it until they had it officially in inventory (insurance purposes I suppose) so the manager called me right before it hit the floor a few days later. Had the Special not been already set up with A TON of extras I'd probably have gone with the Standard.
As Dynamick stated it depends on your preference between the Classic or Blackout look. I added the MS windshield and backrests to mine. Consider how much wind management, comfort enhancements, etc. you want and the $$$ associated before you make a final decision. Ride them both but make sure they allow you to adjust the rear suspension to the proper setting before you hit the road.
As Dynamick stated it depends on your preference between the Classic or Blackout look. I added the MS windshield and backrests to mine. Consider how much wind management, comfort enhancements, etc. you want and the $$$ associated before you make a final decision. Ride them both but make sure they allow you to adjust the rear suspension to the proper setting before you hit the road.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
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.
Couldn't have said it any better .. 
I'm a chrome junky , what can I say ! 
