Major Difference
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3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
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Major Difference
This may sound like a really out there question but what is the major difference in the Road king classic and the Road king custom? I know the custom does not come with the wind screen and the saddle bags are didfferent and aside from the custom being a little lower in the saddle is there a major diiference that would make one go for one or the other. I know it all about different strokes for different folks, but how different are they really? This will be my retirement gift to me from you guessed it, me, Uncle Sam and of course Mama. I hear they offer some okay prices here in Iraq so would like to know before I order one and then realize a feature on the other that gets my attention. Any input on this would be help
Thanks
Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 21,949
Likes: 6
From: My house
RE: Major Difference
The major difference that I would consider is the suspension, the classic has an inch more travel, which if you rode two up a lot might make a difference. The custom has no windshield, but you would end up putting one on it. Really it just boils down to which one is the most pleasing to your eye, they are both great rides both have leather style hard bags, it's really just a personal taste thing.
Good luck and thanks for your service to our country.
Good luck and thanks for your service to our country.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 2
From: Central, NY
RE: Major Difference
The Custom also has the beach-style handle bars which are lower and wider than those on the Classic.
To me, the Custom is a more sleek looking and modern-styled Beach/Boulevard cruiser. The Classic is a retro-looking touring bike that can be made to look like a cruiser by simply popping off the windshield.
Go with which ever one makes your heart race faster.
To me, the Custom is a more sleek looking and modern-styled Beach/Boulevard cruiser. The Classic is a retro-looking touring bike that can be made to look like a cruiser by simply popping off the windshield.
Go with which ever one makes your heart race faster.
RE: Major Difference
Aren't the bags different on the Custom (Leather) vs. Hard Bags on the Classic? I'm not a RoadKing man but I thought I noticed that at the Dealership.
Terry
Hey, I graduated fro Passanger to Student Driver-Life is good!!!!!!!!
Terry
Hey, I graduated fro Passanger to Student Driver-Life is good!!!!!!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 21,949
Likes: 6
From: My house
RE: Major Difference
ORIGINAL: terryt1955
Aren't the bags different on the Custom (Leather) vs. Hard Bags on the Classic? I'm not a RoadKing man but I thought I noticed that at the Dealership.
Terry
Hey, I graduated fro Passanger to Student Driver-Life is good!!!!!!!!
Aren't the bags different on the Custom (Leather) vs. Hard Bags on the Classic? I'm not a RoadKing man but I thought I noticed that at the Dealership.
Terry
Hey, I graduated fro Passanger to Student Driver-Life is good!!!!!!!!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
RE: Major Difference
There are some other styling things like the BIG headlight nacelle (?), aluminum slotted disc wheels (vs. wires), smooth style front fender (vs. chrome trim), lower seat,....maybe more.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 2
From: Central, NY
RE: Major Difference
If you go to the Harley website, you can compare the two bikes side by side via the spec sheets.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 448
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From:
RE: Major Difference
There are several differences between the classic and custom. I researched this thoroughly, as I was considering both bikes. The classic has more suspension travel, a removable windshield, side spot lights on either side of the headlight, spoked wheels, white wall tires, narrower handlebars, ornamental trim pieces on the front and rear fenders, a different dash panel and speedo face, and the big one...cruise control.
The custom has a lower profile, (hence, less suspension travel), wide beach bar handlebars, a small chrome fly screen instead of the windshield, cast, slotted wheels, plain fenders without ornamentation, no spot lamps and no cruise control.
The bags on both bikes are leather covered, hard plastic. The difference is the latching mechanism, buckles for the classic, and a button on the rear of the custom bags. The classic bags are a little flashier looking.
Hope this helps,
Rick
The custom has a lower profile, (hence, less suspension travel), wide beach bar handlebars, a small chrome fly screen instead of the windshield, cast, slotted wheels, plain fenders without ornamentation, no spot lamps and no cruise control.
The bags on both bikes are leather covered, hard plastic. The difference is the latching mechanism, buckles for the classic, and a button on the rear of the custom bags. The classic bags are a little flashier looking.
Hope this helps,
Rick
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
RE: Major Difference
I am not a Road King rider, but I have a lot of buds that are, and I like the classic the best of the three models out there. The buckles on the bags, the big nacelle, the front lites are in front of the bars and the turnsignals are off the handle bars which I really like and the long dash panels make them look great. I like extra's and if you get the standard or the custom, you are going to be buying a lot of stuff and end up with the classic in the end. You really just have to ride both models and see which one you like better as there are differences in the handlebars between models.
I ride an Ultra Classic and there is no comparison.
Good luck in your search.....
[IMG]local://upfiles/494/4BA964A5E80D4AB28E0D780361AA4676.jpg[/IMG]
I ride an Ultra Classic and there is no comparison.
Good luck in your search.....
[IMG]local://upfiles/494/4BA964A5E80D4AB28E0D780361AA4676.jpg[/IMG]
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