RK vibration...and questions
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 242
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From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
RK vibration...and questions
Hello Touring friends
I've been shopping for a Fatboy to replace my Nightster. I realized that I want, along with the bigger frame/engine of the Big Twin, some storage. I rarely go anywhere and not need to take something with me (the gym, work, short road trip, groceries) so I'm looking for something with bags. A FLSTF with 4 or 5 years on it, around here is 14 or 15, plus you gotta count 1K for good HD bags, so I expanded the the search to Heritage FLs. Today, I checked out a Road King Custom.
It's a 2005, fuel injected.
Has 40,000 km
Has a 95" kit 20,000km ago, with HD download and Hooker mufflers.
Has HD detachable backrest and HD detachable windshield.
Has 40K worth of wear, but nothing big. Overall a clean bike for 6 years old. New tires, security system, some nice passenger pegs, boards, and pedals.
It is winter in Saskatchewan so I couldn't ride it, but I did fire it up. Big boom from the Hookers, and holy cow I couldn't believe the shake. It shook like my Nightster on steroids. I couldn 't tell if it smoothed out at higher rpms but wow...a pretty intense engine. Do these bikes smooth out under load and at speed?
I understand that the 95" will put out better numbers than a 96". Truth?
Overall I was really impressed with the comfort, solid feel, storage, and style of the RK Custom. This one had a couple of toggle switches on the rear of the nacelle that I think connected to the DC output (heated vest on/off?), but I loved the big headlight and wind deflector.
Any input is welcome. I think I might do this deal. $15K is pretty reasonable I think (for reference, a new Fatboy around here is 19,000, plain jane, plus 10% taxes, so 21K). Thank you friends.
I've been shopping for a Fatboy to replace my Nightster. I realized that I want, along with the bigger frame/engine of the Big Twin, some storage. I rarely go anywhere and not need to take something with me (the gym, work, short road trip, groceries) so I'm looking for something with bags. A FLSTF with 4 or 5 years on it, around here is 14 or 15, plus you gotta count 1K for good HD bags, so I expanded the the search to Heritage FLs. Today, I checked out a Road King Custom.
It's a 2005, fuel injected.
Has 40,000 km
Has a 95" kit 20,000km ago, with HD download and Hooker mufflers.
Has HD detachable backrest and HD detachable windshield.
Has 40K worth of wear, but nothing big. Overall a clean bike for 6 years old. New tires, security system, some nice passenger pegs, boards, and pedals.
It is winter in Saskatchewan so I couldn't ride it, but I did fire it up. Big boom from the Hookers, and holy cow I couldn't believe the shake. It shook like my Nightster on steroids. I couldn 't tell if it smoothed out at higher rpms but wow...a pretty intense engine. Do these bikes smooth out under load and at speed?
I understand that the 95" will put out better numbers than a 96". Truth?
Overall I was really impressed with the comfort, solid feel, storage, and style of the RK Custom. This one had a couple of toggle switches on the rear of the nacelle that I think connected to the DC output (heated vest on/off?), but I loved the big headlight and wind deflector.
Any input is welcome. I think I might do this deal. $15K is pretty reasonable I think (for reference, a new Fatboy around here is 19,000, plain jane, plus 10% taxes, so 21K). Thank you friends.
Last edited by tandt; Feb 16, 2011 at 11:35 PM. Reason: spelling.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
touring bikes shake at idle but are smooth while rolling..i forget i'm on a Harley sometimes..and can easily carry $75-100 of grocery's..the wife still cant understand why i volunteer to shop for her at nite after she goes to bed in the summer and not in the winter..
Last edited by j1mmy; Feb 17, 2011 at 12:41 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
really wait until riding weather to buy- easy for me to say living in Phoenix.
You do realize that the touring bikes ( and dynas) have the drivetrain mounted on rubber bushings, isolated from the frame...without a load on it, you can see how the motor might just bounce around. ( or could it have a bad mount? they do wear out).
The softail series bikes have the drivetrain sold mounted to the frame- better for performance! not so good for rider comfort- so the softail frame bikes get the "B" motor with the counter rotating balancing shafts...which eat up a little power to turn...so performance gain lost.
the 95" is the bored version of the 88. it is a good upgrade. ( the 96" is stroked, same bore as the 88...bore out a 96" and = 103")
minor differences but do result in the "power band" being different between the 95 and 96
pricing is hard for me to guess on- do check your kijiji and craigslist, cycletrader too.
the CDN distribution scheme through Trev Deeley makes the bikes more expensive up there.
Do check with Nick at Redline in S'toon He's done fair deals for one of my good Pals.
the touring bikes are really a great way to go- stock they have air ride that can make for pretty pleasant days on the road. all of a sudden 500 mile days aren't a challenge, they are a joy. and in the evening you can walk without being all bent over and stiff ( even if we touring riders are older...)
bags are good---radios too if you start looking at the ElectraGlides and RoadGlides ( all same year touring bikes are same frame/motor/tranny/suspension forks/ brakes etc---the difference is how much fiberglass bolted to the bike)
Mike
You do realize that the touring bikes ( and dynas) have the drivetrain mounted on rubber bushings, isolated from the frame...without a load on it, you can see how the motor might just bounce around. ( or could it have a bad mount? they do wear out).
The softail series bikes have the drivetrain sold mounted to the frame- better for performance! not so good for rider comfort- so the softail frame bikes get the "B" motor with the counter rotating balancing shafts...which eat up a little power to turn...so performance gain lost.
the 95" is the bored version of the 88. it is a good upgrade. ( the 96" is stroked, same bore as the 88...bore out a 96" and = 103")
minor differences but do result in the "power band" being different between the 95 and 96
pricing is hard for me to guess on- do check your kijiji and craigslist, cycletrader too.
the CDN distribution scheme through Trev Deeley makes the bikes more expensive up there.
Do check with Nick at Redline in S'toon He's done fair deals for one of my good Pals.
the touring bikes are really a great way to go- stock they have air ride that can make for pretty pleasant days on the road. all of a sudden 500 mile days aren't a challenge, they are a joy. and in the evening you can walk without being all bent over and stiff ( even if we touring riders are older...)
bags are good---radios too if you start looking at the ElectraGlides and RoadGlides ( all same year touring bikes are same frame/motor/tranny/suspension forks/ brakes etc---the difference is how much fiberglass bolted to the bike)
Mike
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 242
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From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Thanks Mike and Jimmy for your thoughts. Appreciate the feedback.
I would like to wait until riding season to move on this but the riding season is short here, pius dealers want to move their stuff prior to the roads being dry so I can get into a good deal.
I am liking the RK a lot. It solves a lot of problems off the hop. I love a Fatboy but I need the light touring capability to make this move worthwhile.
I would like to wait until riding season to move on this but the riding season is short here, pius dealers want to move their stuff prior to the roads being dry so I can get into a good deal.
I am liking the RK a lot. It solves a lot of problems off the hop. I love a Fatboy but I need the light touring capability to make this move worthwhile.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Yes, I haven't ruled out the 07 and up. I am intrigued by the 95....I understand the 95 has better cams and run stronger than the stock 96.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 374
Likes: 15
From: Alberta, Canada
Check out Robinson's in Southern Ontario. They have a huge collection and ship Canada-wide.
http://robinsonmotorcycle.com/
It'll give you something to compare to at the least.
http://robinsonmotorcycle.com/
It'll give you something to compare to at the least.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Check out Robinson's in Southern Ontario. They have a huge collection and ship Canada-wide.
http://robinsonmotorcycle.com/
It'll give you something to compare to at the least.
http://robinsonmotorcycle.com/
It'll give you something to compare to at the least.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 374
Likes: 15
From: Alberta, Canada
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
I can't speak as to an 05 RK but I can tell you this. I was a big fan of Softails, I had two Heritages, a 2000, the first year they did the counterbalanced enging and a 2009. I just traded the Heritage for a 2011 RK. I got my first ride on it last weekend and the differences between the 2 bikes was night and day. Yes, the RK shakes a bit more at idle because the softail is counter balanced where the RK is rubber mounted. All that dissapears at about 2000 RPM and the RK is as smooth as a sewing maching. Plus, I like the little bit of shake at a stop light. It reminds you you are riding a big american made V twin. At highway speeds the RK is simply fantastic. I also think the lower speed handling is better with the RK. I assume it is a combination of different rake and trail and the different frame.
To each his own, but for me the RK is head and shoulders more fun to ride. Like I said earlier, this is coming from a guy who thought only Heritages (which is very similiar to the FB) was the way to go.
To each his own, but for me the RK is head and shoulders more fun to ride. Like I said earlier, this is coming from a guy who thought only Heritages (which is very similiar to the FB) was the way to go.