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I am going to get a Road King Classic or a Road Glide this spring. I need some opinions about each bikes performance and comfort. All of you that have ridden them let me know what you think, good and bad.
I have one of each ('01 RKC & '07 RG) Really depends on what you want to do with it.
I think the RKC is one of the best All-Around Bike HD makes. In town and short putts you can pull the shield off and it's a Great Looker Going on a longer ride put the shield back on and it's a fair touring Bike. Now the RG will out handle the king and offers more protection and you have tunes. So really it's a toss up.
Rent them both for the week-end and ride the cr@p out of them and You'll be able to pick the one that fits your riding style best...
with the fixed fairing on a RG your headlights won't follow your turn. bothers some, others dont care.
I have never noticed that while riding my Road Glide. I honestly do not think that the "light" issue is a problem. I guess it may bother some. The radio really is nice to have and the cruise control is nice when on a long trip. I have the removeable tourpac and back rest so in a couple minutes time the roadie transforms from full on touring bike to sleek cruiser.
My buddy has a king with the removable windshield. It does the job and it really looks good when stripped down. He wants hard bags and a stereo. So he is thinking about the road glide.
I am on my third RG , put over half a mill on the first two , so I am biased ..
Pappy and iann both bring up good points , to me the fairing not turning was awkward , but isnt an issue .. Wasnt long I got used to it ..
FWIW according to Harleys '09 spec sheets , the RKC weighs 810 , RG is 820
Seat height is same 26.9 with rider , 29.5 without ..
MSRP on RKC is 18-18700 depending on paint , no other options added , jus the painted bike ..
MSRP on the RG is between 18500-19000 , again jus a painted bike ..
IMO and FWIW the RG , is the better value .. The radio I can live with or without , puttin' around I listen , burnin asphalt on a long trip it is off ..
If you have to have a tourpak , you can add one for about $1100 or so for the standard tourpak and all the stuff you need with it ..
I rode the big windshield FLH for years , which is kinda what the RKC is more or less , and I'll take the RG any day .. It handles much better and is like its on rails on the open road , steady and solid feeling ..
Jus my opinion , and you know what they say about those ..
Have had both and IMHO the RG wins hands down for comfort and handling. The RK has great looks and if you would rather profile than tour then that would be a good bike. They both have cruise standard.
I think I'll have to take "Pappy's" sugestion and rent them and ride them.
I ride as my primary means of transportation during the week and I am on some kind of trip almost every weekend. I'm probably on interstates and other four lane roads 70% of the time, the other 30 is usually in the North Georgia and North Carolina Mountains. I want to keep my "Fat Bob" for that 30%
with the fixed fairing on a RG your headlights won't follow your turn. bothers some, others dont care.
Not an issue at all for me and I do a lot of night riding. If you think about it, cars headlights don't turn with the steering either. I love my Glide and how it deals with wind, it's cruise control and radio and must have additions. My next Harley will be another Road Glide!
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