I prefer the Classic for 2 reasons--I think an FL front end ONLY looks good with a 16", and I like the leather bags much better than the hard bags. With the standard, when you stand behind the bike & look at the rear section, there's just TOO MUCH "PAINT". Too "Square" looking. I might consider the standard but only in black, for the same reason fat chicks always wear black. Not that noticeable. But it would hafta be an older model, 'cause there's still the issue of the 17" wheel.

 

Now that all FLs come with the 103" motor the difference is mainly that the RKC comes wirh ABS security and cruise standard while they are options on the RK. Other than that the RKC has spoke wheels whitewalls and leather covered hard bags that are a little smaller than the RK bags.

If you add the ABS and cruise option to the RK they're almost the same price.

Personally I like the look of the RKC better. Especially since the paint choices this year are a little slim and underwhelming.

 

Some small differences are:
1. 17'' front wheel on the FLHR, if that means anything to you.
2. License plate down low on the fender of the FLHR (looks better IMHO)
3. Hard bags are larger than the leather bags.
4. Of course color choices will be somewhat different.

Also depends on what you want the motorcycle to look like. The FLHR looks like a 1965 Electra Glide. The FLHRC looks a motorcycle that Marlon Brando would ride back in the 1950's.

It's not an easy decision - I've been fortunate enough to make the decision twice. Both times I bought the FLHR. It's all a matter personal preference. Either motorcycle will serve you well.

 

I bought a 2012 standard because i prefer the look of the hard bags. I did had cruise and security/abs. I love the look of the WWW's but didn't want to deal with cleaning the spokes. Even if i had of went with the upgraded wheels it would of still been cheaper the a RKC. I can also touch the ground flat foot on mine while the 2012 Classic in the showroom was a little taller. Different seat?

 

I preferred the standard, and that's what I got. Luckily, for me, it already had the cruise control on it. Unfortunately for me, it also had spoke wheels on it. But they're not the standard spoke wheels. They're the optional wheels that you can get. I'd prefer the standard mag wheels.

 

I went with the FLHR over FLHRC because-
1. I did not want lace wheels
2. I hated the license plate location on the classic
3. I wanted lockable hard bags
+ I think the FLHR is more versatile.
All that being said I was really close to getting a classic for the 103 and the cleaner front fender. Super happy with my choice, now that it's winter it's time to really make it mine.

 

I went with the RKC because of the cruise control
and the custom color

 

I went with the RKC because of the emblems on the tank and on fenders. But what really sold me was the color scheme, Big Blue Pearl over Vivid Black. I wanted hard bags but the leather is growing on me. Security, Cruise Control and the ABS were an added bonus. Never had cruise before but now that I have it I don't think I'd wanna go without it.