Talk me into a Road King
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,122
Likes: 44
From: Boise Idaho
I can tell from your picture that you are a fairly big guy and the RK will sure you well, but I would hold out and find one with an 88" with a 95" kit installed. I think the newer ones (96" bikes are more expensive to upgrade) and I doubt you will see much differance it the milage on any of them.
If you are going to ride it like the Sporty buy whatever, but if you are going to ride the road themn get the RK.
If you are going to ride it like the Sporty buy whatever, but if you are going to ride the road themn get the RK.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
do your self a favor wait until the demo. make sure you test them all, if you are using it to go to work, I would stick with something that has a fairing like the RG .it is much better in the rain.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Eastern NC
I can tell from your picture that you are a fairly big guy and the RK will sure you well, but I would hold out and find one with an 88" with a 95" kit installed. I think the newer ones (96" bikes are more expensive to upgrade) and I doubt you will see much differance it the milage on any of them.
If you are going to ride it like the Sporty buy whatever, but if you are going to ride the road themn get the RK.
If you are going to ride it like the Sporty buy whatever, but if you are going to ride the road themn get the RK.
Last edited by ryanl; Aug 31, 2009 at 07:22 PM.
"Seeker of Freedom"
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City Area
I too ride daily to work and my normal cruise range is 80mph. My 2000 deuce with the 5 speed and 88 Twincam just didn't feel great cruising at those speeds. Don't get me wrong it would do it, but the difference between that and my 09 tourer with the 96" and 6 speed is like oil and water.
The ride is tons better on the touring line. The bags are a must for me and my daily commute and once you have them you'll wonder why the hell you resisted so much. I too wasn't fond of the touring looks at first, but then I found the Street Glide. It doesn't have some of those things you associate with the touring bikes. Like the bars and the lighting system is different. It's a much cleaner bike like your sporty. We all have different financial limits, but I would highly suggest looking at the touring line and specifically the Street Glide.
As all the others have said, you can't go wrong with the King, but if you get the Fatboy. We in the touring forums will be hearing from you sooner than you think.
The ride is tons better on the touring line. The bags are a must for me and my daily commute and once you have them you'll wonder why the hell you resisted so much. I too wasn't fond of the touring looks at first, but then I found the Street Glide. It doesn't have some of those things you associate with the touring bikes. Like the bars and the lighting system is different. It's a much cleaner bike like your sporty. We all have different financial limits, but I would highly suggest looking at the touring line and specifically the Street Glide.
As all the others have said, you can't go wrong with the King, but if you get the Fatboy. We in the touring forums will be hearing from you sooner than you think.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 792
From: Kansas City, Missouri
Just went to demo days last Friday. Had a blast, they had a FatBoy low was a very nice bike but I didn't care for the low part. I'm only 5'6" tall and like the feel of the Heritage better. They Didn't have a Road King this time but rode a Road Glide and the new Ultra Limited. The 88"vs 96" is kinda a null point to me but a 6 speed tranny on the Hiway is nicer than a 5 speed. anything can be upgraded if you got the cash to spend on it. In my opinion a Touring bike may not look as good as a softail but it rides better, esp after putting on lots of miles. The King is hard to beat. In some ways I still miss mine.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 2
From: MA
I just traded an 07' Low Rider for an 09' Road King and I absolutely love it. I should have done it sooner. The ride is much smoother and handles the road and bumps much better. It's much more comfortable for my wife and I myself no longer find myself squirming in my seat after 50 miles trying to get comfortable. We went for a 172 mile ride yesterday and not once was I uncomfortable. The 09' has the electronic throttle and rear cylinder shut down when sitting in traffic for extended periods of time. It has the new, fatter frame and the fatter rear end with the 180 tire. My daughter and I took it out in a rain storm the other day just to see how well it would handle. This bike is incredible! You will not regret getting a King.
I love the way the touring bikes look. Don't get me wrong, I think the softail bikes look just fine, but they really don't do it for me the way the touring bikes do. Hard bags, fairings, all that stuff is just cool looking in my opinion. I also love the utility and the comfort.
You don't seem to feel that way at all, and if you need to be talked into a touring bike, then why do it. Buy the softail.
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: PA
I'm waiting for about a month before I actually buy. There is a test ride event here next month at a Harley Dealership near (45 miles away lol) my house in October (the month I am thinking I'm going to buy). I'm going to get there early, and sign up to ride everything.
I think I like the Road King Custom the most becuase it doesnt have all the Dresser stuff on it. I am just not a fan of the Dresser stuff at all.
Thats very good to hear about the 5spd vs the 6spd in highway performance. I know its not a big deal with Harleys, but hows the fuel economy with an 88/5spd in comparison? I'm getting about 50 with the sporty, was hoping not to loose too much, since thats one of my reasons I use on my wife to get a bike in the first place.
I think I like the Road King Custom the most becuase it doesnt have all the Dresser stuff on it. I am just not a fan of the Dresser stuff at all.
Thats very good to hear about the 5spd vs the 6spd in highway performance. I know its not a big deal with Harleys, but hows the fuel economy with an 88/5spd in comparison? I'm getting about 50 with the sporty, was hoping not to loose too much, since thats one of my reasons I use on my wife to get a bike in the first place.
My feelings after riding a bunch of bikes at two demo ride days. The Fat Boy just didn't feel anywhere near as smooth or comfortable as the touring bikes. I think the Road Glide has the best overall ride but I'm one of those that just doesn't care for the looks of it. I chose the Road King Classic cause the bike feels almost as comfortable as the Road Glide and I loved the looks, plus as others said you can change things around in a snap and get a totally different look.
I will tell you which bike surprised me the most.....the Fat Bob....loved it! I loved the way that bike rode....very comfortable and smooth, but I wanted a long haul bike with bags and floorboards.
Last year I found a 2006 RKC with only 3,700 miles on it. Back in June I took it from PA down to TN out to NM over the Rockies into Denver then home 5000 miles. The 88 ran great in all conditions from 95degree 700mile day in OK-TX to 32degrees to the top of Mt Evans to riding in a downpour for 6hrs at 65miles an hour. The bike never missed a beat and I always felt safe and stable.
The one thing I cant rave about is the gas mileage......I averaged 39mpg. Keep in mind though that was averaging 75mph. Go slower and the fuel economy goes up....a bit
Get on as many bikes as you can at the demo.
One more thing. I put the HD tallboy seat on the bike last year. It pushed me back about 2inches and up about an 1 1/2inches plus the passanger seat area is larger. If you get a RK see if you can find a dealer with one of these seats in stock that will let you try it on the bike. It was a night and day difference in comfort for me.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
road king
In 2005 I purchased my first new bike in 20 years. It was an 05 Road King Classic. I put a set of tru dual Rinehardts on, a pc 111 and a big sucker ac and the dyno said 80 hp and 79 torque. I left it alone, put 20,000 miles on it and loved every minute and mile I put on it. The ride is smooth, It ran like it was supposed to and I never had one problem out of it. I personally think that a properly set up Road King in the best bike Harley makes. You will love the King because you can do so much too it as far as customizing also. The street glide is a great bike too, but you are a big man and it doesnt ride as good. I have traded my RK recently for an 09 Ultra. I like the Ultra, but I miss my King. Hope this helps.