2022 Road King
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 3
From: Quebec
2022 Road King
Hello everyone, im new to this so please go easy on me... I've just ordered a 2022 Road King Special. i have a couple questions regarding some changes i want to make.
firstly, im getting apes with the new bike. trying to decide between 12" and 14". i am 5'9
secondly, i want to get Reinhart slip ons and am trying to decide between the standard slip ons or the DBX version.
any advice would help.
firstly, im getting apes with the new bike. trying to decide between 12" and 14". i am 5'9
secondly, i want to get Reinhart slip ons and am trying to decide between the standard slip ons or the DBX version.
any advice would help.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Try to find a bike with similar bars you want to put on....sit on it and see how they feel. What feels good for me may not do well for you. Can't hellp much with slip on suggestions.... my bike is in storage, but I think I put Reinhart 4" on.... not sure what the model was. Just a touch louder, and better flow... I hope!! But you will get other suggestions here.
And this is what I tell new members:
Welcome from Spartan Country, Michigan!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, a rough idea of your range per tank, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding, and upwards of 230+ on trips.
Good Luck!!
And this is what I tell new members:
Welcome from Spartan Country, Michigan!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, a rough idea of your range per tank, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding, and upwards of 230+ on trips.
Good Luck!!
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 609
Likes: 329
From: Athens, Alabama
Dunno you're other measurables but I'm 5'-8" with above average arm length and 32" inseam. My bars are the 12" KST that were on the bike when I bought it. They're comfortable enough but my feelings wouldn't be hurt if I had 14" bars. I occasionally ride my son's Street Glide with 14" so I can say this based on actual experience. Just keep in mind the seat you ride will play a role as well but I don't think you can go wrong with "the higher the better" formula.
My exhaust is 4" Rinehart true dual system with head pipe that was also on the bike at purchase. Not sure if it's the DBX or not but it sounds good. The wife named the bike "Thunder" based on it's rumble.
My exhaust is 4" Rinehart true dual system with head pipe that was also on the bike at purchase. Not sure if it's the DBX or not but it sounds good. The wife named the bike "Thunder" based on it's rumble.
Last edited by CrimSonami; Mar 8, 2022 at 09:31 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 4,200
From: The boonies of northern New England
Congrats on the RKS, the best touring bike of them all! Yes, I am biased. Welcome to the forums.
As far as handlebars are concerned, a little advice. If you plan on swapping out the seat or footboards, do that before replacing the bars. Get the seat that suits your needs, not only for comfort, but for the height and distance from the tank. Then if you want to put on footboard extenders or highway pegs, do that next. Then, do the bars last. As far as 12" or 14" bars, that is very much a personal preference. Everyone is built differently, even people that are the same height. Long/short torso, long/short legs, long/short arms. As others suggested, try to find some bikes with 12 and 14 inch bars, and ask very politely if you can sit on the bike to feel them out. You might have better luck at a dealership with a lot of used bikes. Take your time before making a decision. Even if you do the bars yourself, it is still a lot of time involved, plus the cost of the bars/cables/lines/wiring extensions, only to find you rushed your choice, and then decide you want a different height. And if you pay someone to do it, it would be a very expensive mistake.
Good luck with your decisions, and enjoy your new ride. And remember, pics, or it didn't happen!
As far as handlebars are concerned, a little advice. If you plan on swapping out the seat or footboards, do that before replacing the bars. Get the seat that suits your needs, not only for comfort, but for the height and distance from the tank. Then if you want to put on footboard extenders or highway pegs, do that next. Then, do the bars last. As far as 12" or 14" bars, that is very much a personal preference. Everyone is built differently, even people that are the same height. Long/short torso, long/short legs, long/short arms. As others suggested, try to find some bikes with 12 and 14 inch bars, and ask very politely if you can sit on the bike to feel them out. You might have better luck at a dealership with a lot of used bikes. Take your time before making a decision. Even if you do the bars yourself, it is still a lot of time involved, plus the cost of the bars/cables/lines/wiring extensions, only to find you rushed your choice, and then decide you want a different height. And if you pay someone to do it, it would be a very expensive mistake.
Good luck with your decisions, and enjoy your new ride. And remember, pics, or it didn't happen!
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities
Reinhart DBX is a very good choice. I did these over the standard. 4.5" DBX sound very good. I put a set on my 2020 Ultra Limited, then picked up another set for my 2018 Road King and installed those last week in the garage... no riding up here in Minnesota for another month or so.
Apes are very personal. Likely there is a very nice shop near me... and they had apes on display, and they had a couple bikes on their floor with some apes. I loved how they felt. I have 12" Apes on my Ultra now, and have been driving with 14 or 16's on my Road King (bought it used with the Apes installed). The ones on the Road King measure 15", so I assume those are 16's. There is no standard between makes on how to measure them. Each manufacture will make their Apes differently - different heights, different widths. So you want to first figure out what manufacture... then look at the different sizes. Personally, I have a set of FBI (Fat Baggers Inc) and a set of Carlini Apes. It's really not easy to find them all in one location to try out. Good Luck!!!
Apes are very personal. Likely there is a very nice shop near me... and they had apes on display, and they had a couple bikes on their floor with some apes. I loved how they felt. I have 12" Apes on my Ultra now, and have been driving with 14 or 16's on my Road King (bought it used with the Apes installed). The ones on the Road King measure 15", so I assume those are 16's. There is no standard between makes on how to measure them. Each manufacture will make their Apes differently - different heights, different widths. So you want to first figure out what manufacture... then look at the different sizes. Personally, I have a set of FBI (Fat Baggers Inc) and a set of Carlini Apes. It's really not easy to find them all in one location to try out. Good Luck!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 25,021
Likes: 19,431
From: New York
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 361
Likes: 386
From: CO
I'm 5-9 and have 12s on my king. I could do 14s and consider it now and then, but the 12s are comfortable so I doubt I will. You really need to get a feel for what fits you personally.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
