King in the City
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
If the Dyna's were better in traffic, the police would be using them instead of the RK. Having ridden over 150K mi. on RK's in many major cities across the country they are very easy to maneuver and you just can't beat the ride.
I ride my classic into downtown Cleveland everyday. Very easy to handle no matter what traffic conditions I encounter. I have a tour pack on back and my brief case fits inside it perfectly. As far as the leather bags go - they are a hard bag wrapped in leather, no worries about leaking. You won't be disappointed with a Road King!
Novice
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 10
From: Moon
...Is a Road King going to drive me nuts in an urban environment? I don't tend to be an aggressive rider but the sheer bulk of an RK is a bit of a concern. I understand that "...they're surprisingly nimble for a big bike" but day-to-day is it going to be a huge PITA to take around a city?...
I live in London and have a Road King Classic. Fabulous machine, my sixth Harley and my second King, bought from Warrs Chelsea branch. But, it is the very last bike I would use to commute into the centre from the suburbs. It's way too wide to be able to filter (ie. lane splitting in US parlance) in most cases, and that is a crucial requirement in town for making progress on a bike. Plus it's way too heavy for the sort of nippy handling required for getting quickly through London traffic and parking etc.
If it was me, I'd have a second bike for commuting, a lightweight 125 or 250, perhaps a scooter, which are absolutely ideal for London streets and traffic. In fact for many years I always had something like that in addition to my hog for precisely that reason.
Our American friends here refer to riding big Harleys in their cities which many of them say is no problem. But their city streets are generally totally different to London so their experiences are not necessarily similar. London streets are typically far narrower than US city streets and and massively more congested as a result. Some of the boulevards in Los Angeles CA for example are so wide that each side is in a different time zone.
My view is that a King in London, especially during rush hours, is a pig, not a hog, and I am speaking from experience. A small motorcycle or scooter on the other hand will be able to leave the King far behind in such circumstances due to its narrow profile and light weight, making it hugely easier to negotiate London style traffic conditions.
Last edited by DonkeyHotey; Jul 9, 2011 at 07:51 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 241
From: Highlands, NJ
Switched from a Fatboy to a RKC last year. The RK handles much better.
I live in NYC. Does that answer your question about how it handles in traffic?
Just have to get used to having the bags when you squeeze between cars
I live in NYC. Does that answer your question about how it handles in traffic?
Just have to get used to having the bags when you squeeze between cars
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 241
From: Highlands, NJ
Yeah, but you have to watch the trailing edge when you're leaning. The rear tends to cut in closer. Found out the hard way.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Mass.
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Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
No, no bad experience with Warr's! I actually enjoyed my visit there. It was just that my friends dealer ,Riders in Bridgewater, was amazingly friendly.
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.
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.
Heated gear has also seemed kinda "mad professor" to me, dunno why. Everyone who has heated gloves raves about them, bon't they leave a dangling wire on the bike when not in use? And don't the elements wear out being constantly flexed?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
That's exactly where we want to be after a year. And our bike will have to do all those things, although probably more getting milk than mountain passes.