Road King vs Other Tourers

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Aug 9, 2021 | 09:22 AM

swcarrell

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From: East Tennessee

Road King vs Other Tourers

Good morning! I currently have a 2009 Dyna FXDC and am looking to go to a touring model. What I don’t know about them could fill a book, so I thought I’d ask folks who may have gone this route before.

Want this new-to-me bike to be more comfortable for two-up and putting a lot of miles on, to have at least bags, maybe a tour pack. Not interested in radios, GPS, and the like. Prefer to stay with the 96 ci engine unless there are compelling reasons to go newer.

Does anyone have good opinions/thoughts on what would work/preference of one tourer over another?

Thanks!

Aug 9, 2021 | 09:48 AM

V-Twins & Bowties

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From: Florida

Sounds to me your minds made up. Once you eliminate radio's, GPS , and the like, you have a RK.

Aug 9, 2021 | 09:49 AM

V-Twins & Bowties

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From: Florida

My recommendation would be go with hard bags.

Aug 9, 2021 | 09:58 AM

swcarrell

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From: East Tennessee

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-Twins & Bowties

Sounds to me your minds made up. Once you eliminate radio's, GPS , and the like, you have a RK.

My mind is definitely not made up.

If a bike with a fairing is a better ride, then I can leave the extras alone. I have always liked the RK and RKC, but I'm not sold on one model one way or the other. I want my wife to be comfortable on the back for more than 50 miles.

Aug 9, 2021 | 10:27 AM

usher96

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Joined: Dec 2012

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From: Vineland Ontario Canada

Longer rides with highway duty go with a fairing model, limited highway, back roads, around town, windshield removal capability on hot days spells King.
By the way, bought my FLHR new 12 years ago and I am still crazy about it.
Mike

Aug 9, 2021 | 10:32 AM

bburky

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From: Eastern Canada

Your wife will be quite comfy on the back of a RK most likely . I have a RKS , but do change out to the thicker seat , back rest for my wife.

I don't take her out all that often though , but she says she is quite comfy.

Fighting the wind at higher speeds is not for everyone though as it can get quite tiring at times when riding at 75- 80 mph for many miles.
The view without looking through a faring is what I personally enjoy . I did upgrade my rear suspension though , short sidewalls , and less than stellar "stock" suspension was getting a little hard on my ol back.
Saddle bags are great to have for travelling any distances.
I test rode the road glide , and street glide , but found I am not ready for a fairing yet.

Aug 9, 2021 | 10:33 AM

swcarrell

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From: East Tennessee

Quote:

Originally Posted by usher96

Dang... My riding is about 50-50... Going to a rally in a couple of weeks, about 500 miles. That's about the longest ride we'll do for awhile, but if we aren't hurting after a few hours in the saddle, I could see a lot more longer trips in the future.

Is there anything to look out for in either bike family? Again, I'm not familiar at all with tourers, and I don't really want to trust the dealer to be upfront in everything he might say...

Thanks!