Road King VS Road Glide Handling
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 4
From: northern NM
Road King VS Road Glide Handling
I have a 2013 Road King Classic that had 266 miles on it when I bought it in 2018 Been around long enough to know that the miles were real. Anyway, I have put about 15K miles on it since and like the bike, but always feels like I have to force it into corners and was getting to the point of thinking my riding skills were slipping. I installed Legend cartridges and rear shocks last rear and while it helped a bit, not a huge improvement. A friend is having to sell his 2016 Road Glide Special and I have put about 500 miles on it including a day in South Dakota last week where we met up. What a difference! This thing sems to want to go into the corners by itself with just a bit of a lean and sticks like glue. The RK feels all twitchy under the same conditions. The RG is stock, very low miles (2500) and is night and day from the RK considering the handling
Is the ride that different on the lower slung RG or should I be looking for a problem with the RK?
Is the ride that different on the lower slung RG or should I be looking for a problem with the RK?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,460
Likes: 3,723
From: backwoods
I have noticed how light the front feels at speeds compared to my batwings. Though I don't know if from weight or time. Memory is a funny thing.
It's nice to have both.
I've ridden all three, and they're all great. The RK feels lightest, probably because it is, but I'm not a scientist. My experience has been, the RG likes to be turning. It makes riding curvy roads more fun. It handles better in a turn than going straight. (That's a hyperbole). I have fallen in love with my RG and now I feel I wasted years of my life not riding one from the beginning.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
Night and day
In some respects, like slow riding and turning, the King is a bit more nimble, but depending on setup, theyre a bit different. Did 4 years with a King, its a road bike. Had the bags and matching tour pack. I like 16 bars, it was fine, did a few road trips.
Got a new RGS, no changes. Put 10 bars but nothing extreme, cuts the wind better than the King, has music I can hear at sub 60-65, well enough. Has GPS.
I still want a King, just love the look. The RGS looks great as well. Like everything Harley, its the individual who makes it right and tight for them.
Got a new RGS, no changes. Put 10 bars but nothing extreme, cuts the wind better than the King, has music I can hear at sub 60-65, well enough. Has GPS.
I still want a King, just love the look. The RGS looks great as well. Like everything Harley, its the individual who makes it right and tight for them.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 856
Likes: 373
From: Duke City, NM
I love both of them. My RG seems to handle better and sees the mountains more. They both get ridden plenty. The RK has a lower stance and is better on slow turns to me.
Both are great machines.
Both are great machines.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,449
Likes: 495
From: Port Arthur, Texas
I've had:
2012 Road King Classic
2015 Road Glide Special
2017 Road Glide Ultra
2017 Road King Special
and now on a 2022 Road King Special
I never thought the Road Glide handled better, more protection sure, but handling was never and issue with the King.
Not sure why you'd see such a difference in favor of the RG, if anything I'd think you'd notice the RG heavier at slower speed.
Go with what works for you, it's why I keep going back to the King
2012 Road King Classic
2015 Road Glide Special
2017 Road Glide Ultra
2017 Road King Special
and now on a 2022 Road King Special
I never thought the Road Glide handled better, more protection sure, but handling was never and issue with the King.
Not sure why you'd see such a difference in favor of the RG, if anything I'd think you'd notice the RG heavier at slower speed.
Go with what works for you, it's why I keep going back to the King
