King in the City
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Downtown San Diego and its great to ride my RKC around the city and beyond.
The only complaint is parking underground with no hose or garage. My tools are in my covered pickup and I just set up shop. Still havn't figured the best way to wash it.
These problems would be with any bike though.
As far as riding in the city its easy albeit it's not like London. I don't believe the bulk of the bike has limited me in any way, shape, or form vs. anything smaller.
The only complaint is parking underground with no hose or garage. My tools are in my covered pickup and I just set up shop. Still havn't figured the best way to wash it.
These problems would be with any bike though.
As far as riding in the city its easy albeit it's not like London. I don't believe the bulk of the bike has limited me in any way, shape, or form vs. anything smaller.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 2
My leather bags never got wet inside. and to treat them all you do is rub some leather treatment of your choice on them, takes a few minutes. vaseline works fine. I think a road king is a very good all around bike. wed. of this week three of us rode the Cherohala Skyway. two kings and a dyna. He had some kinda fastback seat on the dyna. by the end of the day his wife was absolutely in misery. Our round trip was only a couple hundred miles, but for her it was brutal.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
Check my sig file, I have a lot of experience with the Dyna's predecessor & baggers. The little bit of time I got to ride in your country (but alas not London) was on a RK. I can tell you from experience that both bikes will do what you want. The Dyna won't require quite as much accessorizing as you're planning, & it will be more agile than a RK. That being said, the RK will adapt to London traffic & congestion better than the Dyna will adapt to longer rides that require extra luggage. I once fitted an FXR with large saddle bags, a large box style bag behind the sissy bar, & a windshield. We rode it two up from Florida to Seattle, WA. & back. It worked well enough for the trip, but I bought my first touring bike immediately after that trip.
Will Warr's let you demo them, or are you near a friendlier dealer?
Will Warr's let you demo them, or are you near a friendlier dealer?
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
I have a short commute (10 miles one way) and I ride mine almost daily thru the heart of Salt Lake City. Very conjested, stop and go traffic.
My opinion is something smaller, like a Sportster, might be better if I just wanted a commuter bike, but for a general all purpose bike that I can use to commute and take road tripping, I can't think of much that beats the RoadKing
The lockable hard bags are a definite plus and I get about 35 miles (city) per gallon to boot.
My opinion is something smaller, like a Sportster, might be better if I just wanted a commuter bike, but for a general all purpose bike that I can use to commute and take road tripping, I can't think of much that beats the RoadKing
The lockable hard bags are a definite plus and I get about 35 miles (city) per gallon to boot.
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
Downtown San Diego and its great to ride my RKC around the city and beyond.
The only complaint is parking underground with no hose or garage. My tools are in my covered pickup and I just set up shop. Still havn't figured the best way to wash it.
These problems would be with any bike though.
As far as riding in the city its easy albeit it's not like London. I don't believe the bulk of the bike has limited me in any way, shape, or form vs. anything smaller.
The only complaint is parking underground with no hose or garage. My tools are in my covered pickup and I just set up shop. Still havn't figured the best way to wash it.
These problems would be with any bike though.
As far as riding in the city its easy albeit it's not like London. I don't believe the bulk of the bike has limited me in any way, shape, or form vs. anything smaller.
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
My leather bags never got wet inside. and to treat them all you do is rub some leather treatment of your choice on them, takes a few minutes. vaseline works fine. I think a road king is a very good all around bike. wed. of this week three of us rode the Cherohala Skyway. two kings and a dyna. He had some kinda fastback seat on the dyna. by the end of the day his wife was absolutely in misery. Our round trip was only a couple hundred miles, but for her it was brutal.
Every time I see a couple riding two-up on a crochrocket, I always feel really sorry for the passenger. That bit of black paint that passes for a seat and ergonomics that make you look like a monkey on a beach ball at 200mph. Oh well - not really what they're designed for, I guess.
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
Check my sig file, I have a lot of experience with the Dyna's predecessor & baggers. The little bit of time I got to ride in your country (but alas not London) was on a RK. I can tell you from experience that both bikes will do what you want. The Dyna won't require quite as much accessorizing as you're planning, & it will be more agile than a RK. That being said, the RK will adapt to London traffic & congestion better than the Dyna will adapt to longer rides that require extra luggage. I once fitted an FXR with large saddle bags, a large box style bag behind the sissy bar, & a windshield. We rode it two up from Florida to Seattle, WA. & back. It worked well enough for the trip, but I bought my first touring bike immediately after that trip.
Will Warr's let you demo them, or are you near a friendlier dealer?
Will Warr's let you demo them, or are you near a friendlier dealer?
By the way, I hear disappointing things about the longevity of Harley's heated grips - know anything about them?
And Warr's is pretty much my only dealer within reasonable distance. Why? They've always seemed fairly pleasant to deal with, although to be fair I've not actually BOUGHT anything from them. Yet. Did you have a bad experience?
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
We're going to look like eejits.
Eejits with a monthly payment.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
I dunno - knowing the way we use the scooter, a Dyna needs quite a few odds and ends. By comparison, a king only needs a Sundowner, sissy bar and heated grips (there's no way, no way I tells ya! that I'm riding through one more winter without them). Plus the benefits of the touring frame, air shocks (yes, I know I can put them on a Dyna), 103" motor and, well...
By the way, I hear disappointing things about the longevity of Harley's heated grips - know anything about them?
And Warr's is pretty much my only dealer within reasonable distance. Why? They've always seemed fairly pleasant to deal with, although to be fair I've not actually BOUGHT anything from them. Yet. Did you have a bad experience?
By the way, I hear disappointing things about the longevity of Harley's heated grips - know anything about them?
And Warr's is pretty much my only dealer within reasonable distance. Why? They've always seemed fairly pleasant to deal with, although to be fair I've not actually BOUGHT anything from them. Yet. Did you have a bad experience?
I have experience with both heated grips (on a BMW) & heated gloves (Gerbing). Trust me, go with the heated gloves! They warm both sides of your hands. That & investing in good heated gear (Gerbing) will solve all your warmth requirements.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 1
Over the year I've had my RK, it hasn't mattered if I was in downtown rush hour traffic, going over a high mountain pass or running down the street for a gallon of milk, I've never found myself thinking another bike would be better suited for the job.