Do I really need to mod?
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
+1 nothing wrong with rolling stock. 
The cheapest thing to do is ride it the way it is and never ever come back to this website!! However, I'm sure when you're out riding you'll see or hear another RKC and you'll say, "man, I gotta have that" (piece of chrome, mufflers, or whatever). When that happens, then come back to this website, because it's a wealth of information.
The people here are intelligent, experienced and have a lot of really good information to share. Matter fact, I spend most of my bike money because I'm on this website all the time looking for information. However, I make good informed decisions because of the folks here.
I wish you best with your new Road King Classic. They are one beautiful bike.
The people here are intelligent, experienced and have a lot of really good information to share. Matter fact, I spend most of my bike money because I'm on this website all the time looking for information. However, I make good informed decisions because of the folks here.
I wish you best with your new Road King Classic. They are one beautiful bike.
Nice bike, what this guy said and others is really the best advice. Ride it first, let the Harley virus grow within you, then once the bug has gotcha it has gotcha. Try not to go broke or **** off the old lady spending the grocery money on parts. Have fun and ride, ride, ride!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 23
From: Heavenlies
I have a '10 RK and the only thing I've done:
Sundowner seat (a must for long haul IMO)
Street Glide seat (for a more stripped down look - short haul)
Spent $375.00 for both seats
That's all I'm planning. You can spend ton's of money if you like - be warned you'll never
recover the money if you sell.
Sundowner seat (a must for long haul IMO)
Street Glide seat (for a more stripped down look - short haul)
Spent $375.00 for both seats
That's all I'm planning. You can spend ton's of money if you like - be warned you'll never
recover the money if you sell.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: AZ
New stock bikes run lean and that is not good for the engine, (Or rider) if you like the stock looks still consider the mods that will make the bike run as it was designed, not how the EPA thinks it should, it will last longer and be more comfortable.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 12
From: DOWN SOUTH
Like many others have said in this post, it will run just fine 100% stock, just quiet and hot thats all,lol. The MOD bug is addictive once you get started so beware. You stay safe and good luck.
Ride it, get to know it, you will see many other bikes with add ons and then you can make the decision to upgrade after you have seen what others have done. Also you can get an awful amount of knowledge by reading these fourms on your bike.
Enjoy the new bike great choice.
Ride Safe and watch for those road hazards.
Enjoy the new bike great choice.
Ride Safe and watch for those road hazards.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 8
From: Detroit, the asshole of America
As long as oil temp is under control, running it at stoich instead of rich isn't bad for the engine at all. You get better fuel economy and less wear on the engine with warmer temperatures to an extent. There is an inflection point (that varies with oil viscosity and composition) where wear increases again with heat, you just want to stay out of that range. It's one of the reasons why synthetic oil is such a good idea, and also why we now have rear cylinder deactivation.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
Bars & seat
09 Road King here - The most common mod to the 09's are the handle bars. Stock, most riders are leaning forward - the cause of extensive backache problems. Heritage bars are the cheapest, most common, fix to this problem. They don't require cable replacement and if you do it yourself it is fairly inexpensive!
As of the 2011 models they fixed the handle bar / seat problems with a TOTALLY different setup. You should go to the dealer and sit on a new RK. You will see the difference immediately!
ANYWHO! - Welcome to a fellow Kinger. - SWEET RIDE!
As of the 2011 models they fixed the handle bar / seat problems with a TOTALLY different setup. You should go to the dealer and sit on a new RK. You will see the difference immediately!
ANYWHO! - Welcome to a fellow Kinger. - SWEET RIDE!