I know the next bike I want is a Road King, but I don't know which one I want. What are the major differences with the classic version? They both seem like pretty much the same bike to me.

 

Leather bags vs hardbags, that's about it.

Leather bags have some flexability, some feel fiberglass bags are slightly more secure.

Kinda like "would you like paper or plastic?"

Boils down to presonal preference.

 

RKC has:

whitewall tires
cruise control is standard
spoked wheels
leather bags (as opposed to hard on the RK)
tank badge is actual hardware, not a decal

I think that's it... I've got an '09 RKC arriving in the next 6 weeks (though being in Chicago, I still won't be able to ride... but I can at least drool over it)

ride safe
Drew

 

Road King: Hard bags, no cruise control, running lights on fenders
Classic: Hard leather bags, cruise control

These are the only difference I can think of at the moment

 

When I bought my "new" Road King Classic in 05 the deciding factor for me was 1.Wire Wheels vs. mags, 2.Wide White Walls vs thin whitewalls, 3.Cruise Control vs. none, 4. I liked the look of the Classic bags over the hard case bags. In retrospect the Classic bags are a pain in the neck to keep clean and treated against the elements. Wide whitewalls are a pain in the neck to keep clean. I may try to see if I can get regular hard bags to replace my classic bags for certain trips (they lock). Its a tough call, I think there were possibly one or two other items that were different on Raod King Classic vs. Standard Road King in 05 vs. now.

 

I have a standard, and my best bud has the classic. My bike is noticably faster due to the fact the classic's leather bag buckles flap in the wind and slow him down. Or maybe that my black bike is faster than his silver bike!

;-)

Seriously, on long trips when we have had hard rain, my hard bags keep my stuff dry and my friends stuff is a little wet. He also likes that I can lock both my bags and my tour pak. But he loves his cruise control.

 

Used to own RKC for 3 years and never had anything wet.

 

I added cruise to my standard for 360.00 and like to lock my bags.Spokes are very nice looking,the only drawback is spokes could loosen and have to run a tube in them.My stock standard wheels are breeze to clean.

 

*When you have a flat tire, you'll want the solid wheels found on the RK standard - no tube! Plus, no spokes to keep maintain.

*Hard bags are easier to take car of - they will also last longer.

*For $270 you can add cruise to the RK.

* The RK is a bit less expensive

All the above is why I want to buy the RK standard.

 

I can't give you a fair side by side comparison of the two bikes since I have not owned both bikes. However, I just bought the 09 Road King Classic and logged over 1000 miles and can tell you my impressions of it. I LOVE IT!

I chose the RKC over the Standard because of the looks, I am into the older styling, but wanted the modern benefits of the better motor/frame and since I am not that mechanically gifted, a warranty. I work away from home and will only be home for 30 days every 90 to 100 days so I don’t want to spend that wrenching, I want to be riding. I love the look of the white walls with the spokes and with my overall plan for the look of the bike they will work out fine. It is going to be cheaper for me in the long run to get them on the bike now then do some cosmetic add on items, then getting the RK standard and putting the rims/tires and the cosmetic add on items. I spent the last two years trying to decide what I wanted in a bike and it came down to the RKC is what I kept coming back to.

For handling I cannot compare with anything realistically since this is my first Harley, everything before it has been a rice rocket or a moto-x bike. The bike looks heavy and cumbersome but it handles smooth and tracks well. I have to ride a dirt road from my house to the main road and it does okay over the dirt/rock/gravel. I am pretty sure that the uneasiness felt on the dirt is 100% my fault because the bike has given me no reason to doubt it. Once on the blacktop it sucks up whatever the road can throw at it without issue. It feels just as comfortable on a twisty mountain road as it does cruising the highway. The RKC comes from the factory with cruise control (optional upgrade on the standard) and that is just a great little add on that for me lets me move around on the bike a little and keeps me in the saddle a little longer.

The biggest down side to the bike is the factory saddle. I gave it a 1000 miles to try and “break in’, but the only thing that got broke with my backside. Replacing the seat is not too much of a disappointment for me though because I was planning on switching it out for a solo seat anyways. I just wish that HD would have put a more comfortable seat on from the start. Not really a down side/disappointment but just be aware the leather saddle bags do not lock and they don’t keep out all the elements. I have found a few companies that make locks for them, one uses the RKC emblems on the side of the bag and you can hardly tell that it is there. I understand that if a thief wants your stuff, it is gone, but I want to make it just a little less appealing to them.

Hope this helps a little. It has been said here before rent the bikes, give them a test ride and figure out what you like because you are the one that will be making the payments and riding on it. Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide.