Sitting "in" a Road King
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 5
thanks Joe
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 2
From: Whitestown, IN.
Rode my girlfriends Heritage a few times and loved the fit of it. We traded that bike and my bike in for a set of Road King Classics. Bike didn't fit me at all, but I knew with the right changes it could. We got both bikes with the lowered rear shocks installed. I then changed to a Danny Grey Speed Cradle solo (reach/drop) seat, as well as going with the Heritage style bars. Then I also lowered the front end 1.25" using the progressive "drop-in" kit. While I was installing the drop, I had the front end coated since it was all torn down. I now feel like I sit in this bike, rather than on top. Much more comfortable. Thinking about having the Danny Grey seat reworked by installing a gel pad under the cover. Most days this seat is comfortable, but once in awhile I get hot spots. It's probably more an issue with my fat a** than it is the seat though....
As nice as the Heritage is, I have not once regretted going with the RKC. This bike can be whatever you want it to be....
As nice as the Heritage is, I have not once regretted going with the RKC. This bike can be whatever you want it to be....
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 465
Likes: 10
From: Morgan City La.
Ben you sound like you and I or in the same spot , I have a Heritage and want a RK but hate to part with my bike because it fits me so well and I can handle this bike without any problems but I like the looks of the RK and I want the 103 engine with ABS brakes , better frame and all the other goodies that come with the new RK . What has me confussed is a lot of riders or having to change their seat to get a better feel or position of the RK and most or going with a solo seat , I mostly ride with passenger on the back so I need a two up seat . It`s a hard desicion to make and more undeided now more than ever .
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 465
Likes: 10
From: Morgan City La.
I wont , I am weighting in all the options , I really want a new RKC just want to make sure I am doing the right thing by letting the Heritage go . My profile picture is of a 98 anniversary Fatboy that I traded for my 06 Hertage back in 06 , I didnt regret that trade at all much prefer the Heritage . Thanks for your advice .
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 900
Likes: 4
From: Wisconsin
I went from a heritage to a R.K. and back just for this reason.....You sit on touring bikes for the most part where , to me, I sit in a softail............that being said I went to a FLHT and then to a FLHTK (after the last heritage) and with the right seat and a lowering kit its close........I am still more "comfortable" on a softail and may go back to one if the queen gets her license..
I put Heritage bars on the r.k. and it still sucked for me......
I went to a bagger after freezing my nutz off going to a northern Wis rally thats held in the fall........now a radio and lowers and a heated seat help me "cope" with a touring model.....lol
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Yep...Road Kings are great....But I wanted the stereo and the dash with all the gauges. Otherwise they are the same bike...same frame, everything.
Heritage is a cool ride....but with the right seat, etc., the FL's can be made to fit you just fine.
I just plain like this bike I have.
~Joe
Heritage is a cool ride....but with the right seat, etc., the FL's can be made to fit you just fine.
I just plain like this bike I have.
~Joe
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
I owned a 2000 Heritage and sold it in 2004. Got back into riding last year and did not even look at another model, bought another Heritage. But, I started hearing about touring bikes and the benefits and decided to buy a 2011 RKC. I loved the ride and the addtional features but felt like I was on a horse. Definately a "on vs. in issue. Put on Heritage bars and sent the seat to Mean City Cycles. For about $200 bucks they reshaped the seat pan, dropped it 3/4 of an inch and put in different foam. Now I have the exact feel I had with the Heritage with the benefits of a touring bike. I am really happy with the combo. I am only 5'8" so the change was more important to me because it also got me flat footed and I feel safer.
Get used to a RK and you will wonder how you rode the Heritage for longer trips.
Get used to a RK and you will wonder how you rode the Heritage for longer trips.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 23
From: Orange County Texas
bike looks awesome 
we are just about the same size too..
so, what does the adjustable shocks do in terms of comfort? Whats the basic difference between the wild 1 bars you went with and the heritage bars..you said they didnt work well for you...also..how big of a deal is it to extend the floor boards? Its funny.. your bike even looks comfortable
we are just about the same size too..so, what does the adjustable shocks do in terms of comfort? Whats the basic difference between the wild 1 bars you went with and the heritage bars..you said they didnt work well for you...also..how big of a deal is it to extend the floor boards? Its funny.. your bike even looks comfortable
I used the kuryaken (spelling) floor board relocators for the 1+1+. I had my harley salesman sit on the bike and he could not beleive differance. On a stock bike it feels like you have to wrap your legs around the tank. install is no big deal, maybe 20 min.
The big differance between the Heritages and the Wildones other than about 3 inches taller is the width. There about 36 inches wide, I think the hearitages were 30 to 32. What the extra width does for you is move your hands apart and put your shoulder blades in a more nature Relaxed position. It's also like having power steering on the bike, slow speed handling is actually better with the wider bars.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 5
Definitaley like the idea of that....