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All the road kings Ive own d, Ive put apes on but doesnt sound like thats your thing. Why not a road glide special? Depends what you mean by solo trips. Maybe the heritage is an exception but soft tails have always been more of a bar hopper to me.
Originally Posted by jerryleejr
Ive been kicking around getting a 2nd bike for solo trips. I have a great 2up touring bike not a Harley but after 10 years on an ultra classic I wanted a change. But I miss the ability to tinker and customize. So I test rode a new RKS and a fatboy. I was really wanting to like the Road King however the bar position was a no go. It was not even the ergonomics as much as I couldnt get comfortable with the handling to pay attention to what the bike has to offer. I know bars get changed and the stock bars have a reputation for being awful. But I also know it gets expensive swapping bars more than a couple times. Im going to try and do another test ride and ask at least for the bars to be rolled more towards me because I have so much planned for this bike during the winter months etc. Its also tough for me to justify having essentially 2 touring bikes. All Ill say about the fatboy because this is a touring forum is I was very comfortable on it in stock form but the biggest hurdle for me on that bike is blacking out all the chrome but the winters are long.
The only Harley that I owned and didnt like was the Road King. I did not like the way it handled.
everybody is different, and that's why there are so many bikes available.
When I switch back from 2 up on my RGU to the RK solo (it's just for me), the RK light front end feels great to me. Dare I say sport bike like.
@jerryleejr I enjoyed reading your K1600 experience. I often think of getting one simply because of the motor. But tall, top heavy, and a pig to move around are concerns I will certainly keep in mind. Fortunately, my 1200RT has been such a good one-up bike, my eye has not wandered nearly as much as usual. Funny, I had a KZ900 around 1976 and a 2014 Valk for a couple years.
What about little older FLHR? The new road kings are getting a little to pretty for me. Also depends on what you are doing. For me I can fill the bags pretty quick just bar hoping with jacket chaps, hoodie. So I think about something really small, it would be fair weather for sure. Around here you can't leave without a jacket in the bags.
Me I would look at an older Dyne Wide Glide, the ones with 2 shocks. A nice mustang seat, good windshield rider backrest upgrade the shocks. Maybe different bars… you could tour with that. Or an Electra glide standard/Road glide .. test ride them all until you find what you like. Road kings are nice but not for everyone.
I personally would stay away from the Softail platform, I like the rubber mounted motor at highway speeds. A 6 speed is also a must so it would need to be a 06/07 or newer.
Last edited by Notgrownup; Jan 19, 2024 at 06:47 AM.
I was surprised by how much I liked the Fatboy when I demo rode it this summer. I expected the handling to be awful, but it was fine. Sure, it took more input to get it to roll into a turn, but it certainly wasnt unwilling to turn. The ride was smoother than many others, probably due to the radial tires it ran (as I recall).
A 6 speed is also a must so it would need to be a 06/07 or newer.
I toured around country on 5 speed, out west riding fast on interstate. I thought 6 speed was going to be so great on my 2007 FLH. But it wasn't. gears were to tall, maybe to produce good emission #s. Can't say for dynas.
For me on 5 speeds on interstate, I try to shift and can't, and then forget about it. Now my 103ho, I am not sure if it is the power or gearing changed, but I like that 6 speed better.
I have a 2020 Road Glide Limited
for hwy. and wanted something for around town and dirt roads. I also love to tinker and have been most of my adult life. I purchased a 2009 Super Glide that had low miles but had been sitting under some guys tarp near the coast for years. I got it really cheap and proceeded to pull it apart and clean it up. I put really aggressive tires on it and now I am having a blast with it. For less than 6K total investment I have a great little hot rod with endless possibilities. The 96" TC motor was perfect when coupled with the 6 speed and there are tons of cheap parts out there for these bikes.
I'd like to hear more about the Fatboy. I've been thinking about grabbing a 23 Anniversary that's at one of the local dealers.
theres not a lot I can say because the ride wasnt that long, however it was comfortable I couldnt find anything negative I will do another one hopefully longer.
@jerryleejr I enjoyed reading your K1600 experience. I often think of getting one simply because of the motor. But tall, top heavy, and a pig to move around are concerns I will certainly keep in mind. Fortunately, my 1200RT has been such a good one-up bike, my eye has not wandered nearly as much as usual. Funny, I had a KZ900 around 1976 and a 2014 Valk for a couple years.
The RT has always been on my short list and was actually what I intended to buy when I got the B, I demoed both and the K motor is what made the decision for me. I will probably get an RT when I want a lighter touring bike.
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