Road King is the way to go. It can't be beat for comfort on long rides-at least not when compared to a Softail--- an Ultra, maybe!

 

atroxx88:

Had a 2003 Pearl White Heritage -- nicely done with all the studs and tassles. It was absolutely beautiful, and was a blast around town. Thought it was the greatest thing on two wheels. But we started traveling more, 2-up riding and longer distances, and my eye started wandering to the touring bikes. I bought a 2005 Ultra last 4th of July weekend, trading in the Heritage. Well, I had buyer's remorse for the rest of the weekend and even called the dearlership the following Monday to see if we could "undo" the transaction. Unfortunately, the bike was already sold (like 24 hours later!) and so I was "stuck" with the Ultra.

Sooo, I decided that I would make the best of it -- despite what all my friends were saying in that "I made the right move" and it would grow on me. Well, after many long trips and, frankly, getting spoiled by the Ultra, we rented a Heritage in Phoenix for a couple days between this past Christmas and New Year's. WOW!!! I forgot what it was like to be on the softail suspension, and the nice little additions which I have accepted as common were greatly missed -- not the least of which is the adjustable air suspension. Also, though I may be corrected by someone more sophisticated on this forum in this area, I think the transmission may be geared differently. My experience in driving the two bikes (Heritage engine is hard-mounted and counter-balanced, while the RKC is rubber mounted to the frame) is that the RKC vibrates at idle, but gets smoother the faster you go -- and is really in a good "hum" at 80 mph, while the Heritage is smooth at idle, but buzzes more the faster you go.

If you are considering the two bikes -- Heritage and RKC -- for my money I would go with the RKC (never thought I'd say something like that a year ago!) and make it your own. The aftermarket modifications can still give you that nostalgic look of the Heritage, but you will be getting a different bike.

Just some hopefully helpful perspective on one who has been there and done that!

 

A little over a year ago I was pretty much in the same spot you are in right now. I listened to what a lot of folks on this forum had to say about both bikes and came away with two conclusions: First, I'm 6'3" and I needed to sit on both...and eventually I found out that the RKC fit me much better than the Heritage. The dealer told me that I could change out handlebars and seats on the Heritage but I thought that I wasn't gaining much for a lot of extra cash. Second, because we would be riding two-up (with my wife) we would both be more comfortable on a touring bike.

Eventually I found a RKC that I just had to have and the rest is history. No buyers remorse here. I really like riding mine around town with the windshield popped off. Good luck on your decision.


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Again, your good experience keeps rolling in. Thats why I did the post. I have decided on the RKC. The ONLY thing I may change is the wheels. I love laced wheels. I think they are classic, but I do like the fact that you can plug a tubeless tire on a cast or billet wheel. Any thoughts on that?
I bought the Dyna originally after looking at alot of bikes, wanted a Fat Boy, felt a RK was too big to start back riding after 25yrs of abstinence. After a few long kidney whomping trips last year and the shaking off of the rust, I feel its time to move up with the big dogs.

 

When I bought my Heritage in 03(100th Anniversary) I sat on a road king first. Thats all it took. to me it was tohigh in the saddle and the balance was not there. Now thats just me, I liked the Heritage alot better. As far as distance travel, we go 2-up on at least one vacation per year that lasts 10 days accuring between 2500-3000 miles. NO PROBLEM.

 

Glad to hear you made your decision. Iam sure you will come to love the RKC as much as I do mine. One thing that I didn't see mention, was the ability to "pop-off" the windshield and bags and make your RKC a completely different looking bike.
While I have taken the windshield off at times, more so when it warms up around here, I find myself refusing to remove the bags. Especially after installing the lock kit from Harley.

As far as the tube vs tubeless decision. I guess Iam old school, but something about a plug in a motor cycle tire bothers me. I know they are okay in a 4000 lb vehicle, but..............!
Like I said, its just me being hard headed. Besides I have the tire package with my warranty, I'll just call my Harley roadside and have lunch, while its being fixed.

 

I didn't know that. Makes it all that much more better

 

Wally,

I have to disagree! I don't think everyone is this group is bias toward a touring group! Some of us (including me) have owned a softail in the past. So, we "can" be objective! I did own a Heritage Classic Softail for nine months, but ended up selling it for a Road King. I still think that the Twincam 88A is smoother on the freeway, than the Softail's Twincam 88B! The rubber mount sold me! Also, the ride is a bit different between the two bikes. With the Softail, you are sitting "In" the bike. Where a Road King, you sit "On" the bike! Plus, the touring class bikes have a higher ground clearance than the softail. Ever tried to do a 10mph hairpin turn on a softail without scraping your floorboard? No problem with a RoadKing.

Good luck nonetheless.

Kahuna

 

Woof!!

 

I would choose the Street Glide, uuuhhhhhmmmm I mean the Road King. Touring baggers are the best.

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