Is a Road King ever a first
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, TX
A Road King standard will be my first bike next year and I don't care what anyone else's opinion is. They're not riding it - I am. I know what my bike usage will be and know enough to respect the size, weight, and power. I don't want to buy a different bike and ride it everyday thinking 'I should bought the King'. You've got my stamp of approval and I hope everything works out for you.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 121
From: Northern Illinois
And John, your dealer should be giving at least a 2,000 discount on a new RKC. I just bought my black 2011 RK "standard" and got 2200 knocked off.
I too am a caregiver for my wife. We have been married for 33 years, and she got Multiple Sclerosis 25 years ago. I have been her caregiver for 20 years now. She has been profoundly disabled for over 10 years now. No regrets.
I too am a caregiver for my wife. We have been married for 33 years, and she got Multiple Sclerosis 25 years ago. I have been her caregiver for 20 years now. She has been profoundly disabled for over 10 years now. No regrets.
Last edited by dswansbiker; Jun 18, 2011 at 07:17 PM.
Gonzy
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 7
From: Foggy Coastside California
I got back to riding last year at age 63 and after not riding for 42 years. I took the safety course and had already decided that I would get a Harley. I didn't want to start small and then have to move up. My initial thoughts were of a fat boy or a Road King. I thought of the riding that I wanted to do and so decided on a Road King. I now have 33,000 miles on the Iron Mistress and I haven't looked back!
Go with your gut feeling and buy what you want, don't settle for less. And yes, they will finance "old men", I'm living proof!
As others have said, go slow, don't try to take on too much too soon. I waited a few months before I ever took on a passenger and now I feel as comfortable as ever. Good luck!
Go with your gut feeling and buy what you want, don't settle for less. And yes, they will finance "old men", I'm living proof!
As others have said, go slow, don't try to take on too much too soon. I waited a few months before I ever took on a passenger and now I feel as comfortable as ever. Good luck!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 18
From: perry, fl
all pretty good advise. but as was stated earlier, get the "ride like a pro" dvd (or video) and practice what they teach no matter what bike you get. the king is a little heavy at a stop and you will get used to that. the slow speed stuff in p-lots, if you practice, you can master. alot of what is taught can be applied on the road, such as pulling from stop signs or making u-turns. with practice, you can manage the rk as easily as any other bike. take your time and build your skills. you can also watch some you-tube video's of a young girl riding a full size bike (ride like a pro you-tube clips). dont ride beyond your comfort zone and practice. good luck and ride safe
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
I started riding when i was 8 on dirt bikes etc. Late in high school I had saved up enough for a Honda 500 custom. I sold it because it was starting to get a little wild, it was lite with alot of power. I got rid of it before I did something really stupid. Sometime later I got an older street bike, but a new baby on the way ended that one as well. So after almost 15 years of not riding I decided to buy another bike. I ended up getting Yamahas version of the road king. Its called the Star Tour Deluxe. It was a good/bad experience. I did it because it was cheaper! It is a good bike, ntohing bad to say really except for the price hit i'm gonna take when I get rid of it. The good thing about it, is it is even bigger than a road king. Its gotta weigh almost 900 pounds with the liquid cooled v-4. That being said after 3 years of riding, Ive always liked a road glide. So now I have a road glide in the garage. The road glide feels like a scooter compared to the RSTD. If I would've bought that road glide right away, I'd be money ahead for sure. Get the bike you want, dont settle for something else like I did. Take your time, get out on some back roads and learn at your own pace.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
Welcome from Michigan.
Sorry to hear about your Wife.
My first Harley was a 2000 Sportster 1200 then a 06 1200 then a 10 Dyna and now a 11 RK, I love this one. After 2400 miles I still cant believe how great this RK handles. Only time I have trouble is trying to back her up on a incline and parking in gravel lots. I'm just 5' 9" 190 lbs, with your size the King should fit you well. Just be sure to take it slow at first.
I think Your dealer would deliver the bike to your Home. I had all of my bikes delivered, one was 105 miles away. I should add I always buy my bikes in the Winter, not a good time to ride in Michigan....Best of luck to you and be safe.
Keep us up-dated.
Sorry to hear about your Wife.
My first Harley was a 2000 Sportster 1200 then a 06 1200 then a 10 Dyna and now a 11 RK, I love this one. After 2400 miles I still cant believe how great this RK handles. Only time I have trouble is trying to back her up on a incline and parking in gravel lots. I'm just 5' 9" 190 lbs, with your size the King should fit you well. Just be sure to take it slow at first.
I think Your dealer would deliver the bike to your Home. I had all of my bikes delivered, one was 105 miles away. I should add I always buy my bikes in the Winter, not a good time to ride in Michigan....Best of luck to you and be safe.
Keep us up-dated.