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!

 

I think it is a mather of personal taste! For me, I like the hard saddlebags. Remember to buy with ABS. IMO

 

do a search here and see how many people have change to hard bags (tons)and the other way (not so many) it got to tell you somthin'

 

I have the 07 RKC and the leather bags have a lot of room. But JOHAN96 is right, it comes down to personal taste.

 

I may be mistaken, but I thought the pre-09 leather RKC saddlebags had more room than the hard bags. You can't go wrong with either bike.

 

I bought a new 2007 RKC, thinking that I liked the look of the whitewall tires and leather bags, and since then I have changed to hardbags, blackwalls, and an 18" 80 spoke front wheel. The whitewalls are a pain to keep looking perfect and the leather bags have to be protected constantly with leather presevative and can't be locked. My bike now looks like a tricked out Road King Standard, so I might have well started there in the first place. Just an opinion from experience. Which ever you choose, have fun.

 

Just changed to hard bags on my 05 RKC like the look much better. also you should check to see if you can mount earlyer years bags on a 09 the mounting on the 09s look a little differant.

 

I think you are on the right track. I have a classic and like the look of the leather hard bags but just picked up a set of standard hard bags for locks and less care. You can't go wrong with a King!

 

I like the white walls and spokes of the RKC, I didn't like the lack of sealing of the leather like bags. Damn break dust gets inside the bags and all over everything if you ride a lot.

 

I had just reviewed both of them to decide which to buy. I ordered an 09 Road King (not classic)
I refuse to ever run laced spoke wheels again.
I did not want the leather bags.
I want bags that can be locked.
I did not want the whitewalls because I already know how much time I spend polishing and cleaning a bike.
I did not want the extra $1000 price tag that, with the exception of cruise control, is only for styling. (the tank emblem is pretty cool, though )
Good luck with your decision.

everything else on the road bows down in its presence