Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Road King vs. Road King Classic

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15, 2008 | 08:08 PM
  #11  
BillinNY's Avatar
BillinNY
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Frontier, NY
Default

When I made my jump from the metric world, I was convinced I wanted a Heritage. After talking to a few Harley riders, I was swayed to look at the Road King. I eventually bought an '08 EG Standard w/ABS. Its all personal taste, you'll have a great bike with any decision you make.

-Bill-
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 01:05 PM
  #12  
glens's Avatar
glens
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Indy area
Default

I've got the Classic. I never clean the wheels or tires, the leather hasn't been treated in over a year / 16k miles (never, actually) and the bags hold more than the hard ones. Yeah, it's all personal taste.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 01:11 PM
  #13  
Raaze07's Avatar
Raaze07
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 2
From: Broadview Heights, OH
Default

I liked the classic looks of the FLHRC, but the bags were a pain to keep clean, as were the whitewalls. I loved the cruise though - I think if I had to do it over I'd get the standard, but add cruise (and definitely ABS).
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 01:24 PM
  #14  
blueride's Avatar
blueride
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 370
Likes: 1
From:
Smile Road King vs Classic

Go with the Road King. Spoke tires need tubes, can't just plug and go. Hard bags are better.

 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 01:32 PM
  #15  
Ragtop's Avatar
Ragtop
Ultimate HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
Default

The leather bags on my 05 Road King Custom are quite a bit
smaller in capacity then the hard bags on my 05 Electraglide.
I could fit my HD half helmet in my hard bags, but it won't
even come close to fitting in the leather bags.
Maybe the new ones are larger?
I thnk I will be changing my bags to hard bags soon, mostly
to be able to fit my helmet in there.
Either bike is a great bike!
Rags
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 01:34 PM
  #16  
acedantinne's Avatar
acedantinne
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
From: Easton, Pa.
Default

Originally Posted by blueride
Go with the Road King. Spoke tires need tubes, can't just plug and go. Hard bags are better.

+1. I have 07 RKC. Have 4 big wheel weights hanging on spokes! You don't need that on solid wheels?
Losking bags a big +
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 01:53 PM
  #17  
floridian46's Avatar
floridian46
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From:
Default

ive owned both....with the leather bags, you dont scuff them when you throw your leg over, due to the lower profile...... many people buy a harley for its looks... just ask a non-motorcycle owner which is a better looking motorcycle and ill bet they will go with the classic...
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 02:35 PM
  #18  
sbkjo's Avatar
sbkjo
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
Default

I prefer the RKC, but put locks on bags (Inertia)...
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 03:21 PM
  #19  
jferna's Avatar
jferna
Cruiser
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Default

you have a good plan - it's personal preference. I have the 07 RKC and love everything about it's looks. Sure it's a PITA to keep clean (spokes, whitewalls, leather bags) but it all looks good when it is !
I am thinking of going to hardbags as a change of pace and to use at large gatherings, rallies, etc. I found that Kuraykin makes a nice looking filler for the gap between the fender and bags, something I've found a little unattractive.

Have fun, whatever you choose !!!
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 04:29 PM
  #20  
sparky_mo's Avatar
sparky_mo
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 955
Likes: 2
From: Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by KBrown53
I am in the process of researching and am planning to leave the metric world and get my first Harley soon.

I really like the looks of the RKC, especially with the leather bags, but also like the RC lockable, larger, and more weather proof bags for long hauls. I am considering getting the 09 RK, with cruise control and laced wheels, then picking up a set of RKC leather bags off ebay. That way I would have both sets of bags and according to the MSRP would still have less money in the bike.

I would value any comments or thoughts on that idea??

Thanks Kindly!

Personally I don't mind cleaning the bike. Wheels, whitewalls and all (I do have a jack). Sure looks pretty when you get done and when parked side by side with a standard RK...well the classic is classy looking. I thought a lot about which one to go with when I bought mine in the spring of 07. 17000 miles later, I think I picked the right one.
 
Attached Thumbnails Road King vs. Road King Classic-dscf0050-2-.jpg  
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:03 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE