RK Soft vs Hard Bags
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: RK Soft vs Hard Bags
The leather bags are really just a leather covered bag, so they're really firm. The leather will require leather maintenance, the paint requires polishing. Personal decision. Keep in mind the classic has the laced wheels and whitewalls, versus mags. Me? I'd get a batwing bike, or a Road King standard in BLACK.
joe
joe
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
RE: RK Soft vs Hard Bags
I went through the same process when I purchased my 05 FLHRI Standard Road King. I like the hard bags. I have 8,000 miles on my bike with one 3,500 mile trip to Sturgis. If you are going to ride a lot you are going to want and replace the seat on either bike.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 2
From:
RE: RK Soft vs Hard Bags
Not making it any easier are we? I've ridden both a Wide Glide and a RKC over the past decade, putting about 15K on the WG and 30K on the RKC. The reason for the move from the WG to the RKC was that I was planning a cross country trip (OH to New Mexico via Sturgis), and didn't think the WG would be so comfortable. However, I had equipped the WG with a Mustang 17" wide seat, put the crash bar on so I could mount highway pegs, installed a removeable windshield and set of Leatherlyke removable hard bags.
The RKC is a very nice riding, with better handling than the WG (I was a little concerned about the skinny front wheel in the rain in the mountains), but I wish I had kept the WG. It really was more comfortable, even though with all the touring stuff mounted on it the WG styling was lost. But around home, I could take off all that stuff in about a half hour and have a really bitchin chopper-looking bike.
The bags aren't the only difference between an RKC and a RK standard. Cruise control and laced wheels are two that are mentioned. I like cruise control (don't have it) and could do without the laced wheels (more maintenance). I think the RKC has a lot more chromed out stuff from the factory as well. If I had to do it over, I'd: a) have kept the WG; or b) got a Road Glide or an ElectraGlide if I wanted a tourer.
Whatever bike you choose, as someone said, keep about $300 in your budget for a new saddle. HD ships their bikes with mediocre seats. I swapped the stock RKC seat for a Sundowner in New Mexico on the above mentioned ride.
PL
The RKC is a very nice riding, with better handling than the WG (I was a little concerned about the skinny front wheel in the rain in the mountains), but I wish I had kept the WG. It really was more comfortable, even though with all the touring stuff mounted on it the WG styling was lost. But around home, I could take off all that stuff in about a half hour and have a really bitchin chopper-looking bike.
The bags aren't the only difference between an RKC and a RK standard. Cruise control and laced wheels are two that are mentioned. I like cruise control (don't have it) and could do without the laced wheels (more maintenance). I think the RKC has a lot more chromed out stuff from the factory as well. If I had to do it over, I'd: a) have kept the WG; or b) got a Road Glide or an ElectraGlide if I wanted a tourer.
Whatever bike you choose, as someone said, keep about $300 in your budget for a new saddle. HD ships their bikes with mediocre seats. I swapped the stock RKC seat for a Sundowner in New Mexico on the above mentioned ride.
PL
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From:
RE: RK Soft vs Hard Bags
I preferred the chrome fender trim to the lights. The white wall tires, and chrome laced wheels do require a little more work, but the item that sold me on the classic was the cruise control. I do not like the leather wrapped bags though. The look really good, but I will be replacing them with hard bags. Dollar for dollar, if you don’t have cosmetic issues, go with the standard and add cruise control.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 16,125
Likes: 24
From: Linden New Jersey
RE: RK Soft vs Hard Bags
ORIGINAL: dapster
Back in March I purchased the RKC and don't regret it at all. One of the selling points for me was the look of the leather covered saddle bags. With regards to being able to chrome them up check out the Nostalgic Road King® Classic Saddlebag Guard Rails at harley's website.
[IMG]local://upfiles/4291/6522EDA0C9B34C0C903E42EBB3D4C738.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/4291/AADD5EC472F8421CA95A7FCBA28A5CC3.jpg[/IMG]
Back in March I purchased the RKC and don't regret it at all. One of the selling points for me was the look of the leather covered saddle bags. With regards to being able to chrome them up check out the Nostalgic Road King® Classic Saddlebag Guard Rails at harley's website.
[IMG]local://upfiles/4291/6522EDA0C9B34C0C903E42EBB3D4C738.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/4291/AADD5EC472F8421CA95A7FCBA28A5CC3.jpg[/IMG]
Picking up my RK Classic with the leather hard bags thursday.
I'll inquire about those guard rails thursday afternoon
**edit**
and inquire about a new seat too ............lol
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 4
From:
RE: RK Soft vs Hard Bags
I like them both, I went with the standard FLHR becuse I wanted carbed not fuel injected. I do like the looks of both bags, someday I will pickup a set of leather bags. Until then it's the hard bags.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 3
From: Rural Maryland, U.S.A.
RE: RK Soft vs Hard Bags
I like the hard bags because of the look and the fact that they are lockable, but the leather ones look good also. I'm thinking about buying a set so I can change the look of the bike occasionally.
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Joe Kucinski
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 4
From: Tampa
RE: RK Soft vs Hard Bags
Bought the Classic for the Badging, seat, and Cruise Control. Sold the Leather Bags on ebay and bought new hard bags already painted to match the bike (Vivid Black) on ebay for same price. I Like the Hard Bags much better! I wouldn't trade my Cruise Control for anything, I rode from Michigan to Myrtle Beach this spring and the Cruise made the ride much more enjoyable. The friction wheel just isn't the same as Cruise. The bags are interchangeable so buy an extra set and swap them when you feel like it.
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