Road King Classic Ride Quality
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels, TX
Road King Classic Ride Quality
I brought my 08 Ultra Classic in for service and the dealer loaned me an 09 Road King Classic. I live 75 miles away so I had a good chance to try out this bike. It was fun but the ride was quite a bit more harsh than the UC. I felt every bump in the road. I had thought given they have the same size motor, and are about the same size overall the ride would be similar. Frankly, with the 09 chassis I presumed it might ride much better and I'd have to tell the wife why we needed to upgrade. I will say the vibration at idle was significantly reduced compared to my ride but I don't idle a lot. Why would the ride be so much stiffer and uncomfortable on the RKC?
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 1
+1 When I purchased my '08 RC it had 4psi in the shocks. It's a great ride: just needed a little air!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
I have a RK and have rented Ultra Classics for multi day rides when on vacation and don't notice any difference in the ride quality. The wife does like the passenger seat and music on the UC better though.... 
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
I brought my 08 Ultra Classic in for service and the dealer loaned me an 09 Road King Classic. I live 75 miles away so I had a good chance to try out this bike. It was fun but the ride was quite a bit more harsh than the UC. I felt every bump in the road. I had thought given they have the same size motor, and are about the same size overall the ride would be similar. Frankly, with the 09 chassis I presumed it might ride much better and I'd have to tell the wife why we needed to upgrade. I will say the vibration at idle was significantly reduced compared to my ride but I don't idle a lot. Why would the ride be so much stiffer and uncomfortable on the RKC?
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,551
Likes: 6
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 322
Likes: 2
Its not the air in the shocks, its the overall difference in ride between the eights vs the nines. I test road a nine RKC and compared to my eight it is a much stiffer ride all around. Probably due to stiffer frame and different spring rates in shocks. Old frame equals plush cruiser new frame equals taut and more sporty. Caddy vs Mercedes. Pick your horse.
I brought my 08 Ultra Classic in for service and the dealer loaned me an 09 Road King Classic. I live 75 miles away so I had a good chance to try out this bike. It was fun but the ride was quite a bit more harsh than the UC. I felt every bump in the road. I had thought given they have the same size motor, and are about the same size overall the ride would be similar. Frankly, with the 09 chassis I presumed it might ride much better and I'd have to tell the wife why we needed to upgrade. I will say the vibration at idle was significantly reduced compared to my ride but I don't idle a lot. Why would the ride be so much stiffer and uncomfortable on the RKC?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
skos
Touring Models
47
Dec 23, 2025 09:22 PM
