One other draw back for the hard bags is scratches. A friend has the Standard and has scratched his bags with his boots. I don't know if it is his height or if he just can't get his leg high enough to mount or dismount but he has scratches on both of them. I have done a light drag on my leather bags but after a light oiling and buffing you can't even see it.JMHO!

 

RKC all the way...


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Road King for me all the way.
redhwk44 any set of bags will get scratches on them if not cared for. As for the the cruise no thanks not on a Motorcycle, at least not on mine.

 

I've had both and prefer the RK. If you want the leather bags just buy a set. They don't lock and taking care of the leather bags is harder than the hard bags. The cruise control is easy to install as the wiring harness has all of the connections.

 

I have an RKC. If I could do it all over again, I still doubt I'd opt for the RK Standard. I like the idea of running tubeless tires but I think the stock wheels on the RK are butt ugly.
I believe the leather bags on the Classic hold a wee bit less than the 'glass bags on the standard, but that was pretty much moot to me. I always ride solo and have a trunk and take along a huge bag, so storage is never a problem for me.
I think the real issue for you, IMO, is that if you're going to ride two up a lot, you're likely going to want a trunk in order for the two of you to be happy with storage space. I have the leather covered trunk for the RKC and I don't like it much. It doesn't hold as much as the full glass tour pak, and opens forward. I strap a big bag on the passenger pillion and it gets in the way of opening the leather TP up fully. Are you gonna want a glass TP on a Classic? I doubt it. More likely the SE leather covered TP if that's the way you go. OTOH, a glass TP would be right at home on the standard RK.
I've ridden in the rain quite a bit and my bags are still in good shape. Once the leather dries out they're just fine.
As far as locking the Classic's bags, well, I wouldn't make that big a deal of it since there are a couple or three different locks out there for the Classic's bags. Bag locks were pretty much my first purchase after taking delivery.
Don't worry too much about the stock seats on the two bikes either. Maybe I just don't know any better, but I have put big miles in a day on the stock RKC seat with very little discomfort. I really believe that it's real important what you have on between your butt and the seat when you ride any distance. If you're gonna wear cotton undies under jeans and chaps you're asking for trouble in my books. However, if you're going to be setting your bike up primarily for two-up touring, well, I suppose you can go with one of those monster, ugly touring couches, but that's not something I want anywhere near my RK, so I wear clothes that work well when I'm anticipating riding any further than 100 or so miles.
Likely, you're going to change the seat out down the road anyway, so I wouldn't make a big deal out of which stock seat you like better in helping you arrive at what RK you're gonna buy.
So, if what you have set your heart on is an RK, then buy the one you like the looks of best. You're going to tailor it to your taste anyway, and you'll discover over time what needs to be changed and what can be left alone. Just make sure to choose an RK for the right reasons, and not find out down the road that what you really wanted was a Roadglide or an EG.

CN

 

Totally agree with Rambler on this one, check ebay for those leather bags if you have to have that look.
I have also had both, a 2000 FLHRCI, traded it in for an '06 FLHR back in May, hands down no contest the '06 with hard bags is much better suited for OTR/Touring use. We put 7k mi. this summer on the new 'King with no complaints, I like the hard bags ALOT better!
I put over 60k on the '00 with the leather bags, with a lot of use they do get beat up and do lose their shape and warp, no matter how well you try to take care of them, the daily rigors and weather of touring takes it's toll on the leather and cheezy plastic it covers, it has been my experience that they simply do not hold up as well as the hard bags do over time and miles. I can get the same amount of crap into the hard bags, actually maybe more, than into the leather ones.
I have also read here on the forum about guys with broken spokes, not good out on the road, I never had any issues with that though.
Go and look at some Roadkings with 30-50k on them and look at the bags and compare the durability of the leather to hard bags, that's what I did.
I could go on & on about the two bikes, each has their own look & features and that's why I bought the Classic, and it was a great bike, but now it's more about riding than cleaning whitewalls & spokes, so for me and what I use my bike for, the choice is the Roadking.

There's my opinion, you won't go wrong with either one, just weigh out the differences and go for it!

K.

 

One of the things I didn't like about my classic bags was, with the removable backrest on it was more difficult opening the lid up all the way. Went with the hardbags, I like that they lock and they do hold more.

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Thats a tough question. I purchased the Classic as I really liked the look over the standard. They both have their flaws but can be changed to soot your taste. I changed out the seat to a Sundowner, lowered the rear, added V&H headers/pipes and lots of chrome (well it needs more) and I still have a few things to add.

 

Before I decided on the Street Glide I was looking at the Road King. I had the same problems as I liked the cruise and leather bags but had to have mags and tubless tires. Long story short the dealer was going to switch the wheels out for me. The initially wanted to charge for switching them but after some negotiations said they would do it at no charge.

Try talking to the dealer and see if they will swap the tires.

 

Thanks for all taking the time to answer some of my questions. I don't think I'll have any regrets with which ever bike we get sooo I think I'll have the wife read all your posts and let her decide on which one we go for.