Road King.. a misnamed tourer
To be a true "bar hopper", it's got to be fast, nimble, loud, spartan, and mostly fast. Bobbers, choppers, hard tail customs, etc. A bar hopper is by definition, uncomfortable over long distances, but good for short blasts from joint to joint on a Friday or Saturday night. Sorry, guys, I love my Road King, but it's just not ever going to be a "bar hopper", no matter how much I pump up the motor.
To be a true "bar hopper", it's got to be fast, nimble, loud, spartan, and mostly fast. Bobbers, choppers, hard tail customs, etc. A bar hopper is by definition, uncomfortable over long distances, but good for short blasts from joint to joint on a Friday or Saturday night. Sorry, guys, I love my Road King, but it's just not ever going to be a "bar hopper", no matter how much I pump up the motor.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
To be a true "bar hopper", it's got to be fast, nimble, loud, spartan, and mostly fast. Bobbers, choppers, hard tail customs, etc. A bar hopper is by definition, uncomfortable over long distances, but good for short blasts from joint to joint on a Friday or Saturday night. Sorry, guys, I love my Road King, but it's just not ever going to be a "bar hopper", no matter how much I pump up the motor.
I gather the cafe racer thing is catching on in the US again, though.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
That's funny, I'm 50 and upgraded from my Limited to a Road King. It's amazing how much more nimble and responsive the RKC is over the Limited. I don't think I'll ever go back to a fairing bike unless it is a Fugly. The fork mounted batwing is just horrible in the wind. But hey, that's why we have choices.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
First of all, I own one and love it but here are my thoughts. Last June I traded in my little '08 Dyna WG on a new '11 RK Standard. I liked the Dyna but for my age, (51), the WG was too much of a shakey hay wagon and I opted to go for a King. It is such a huge step upwards in the suspension department I can't believe the ride now.Now Harley classes this as a touring bike. Do you think that it should be in that class? To me, a hard core touring labelled bike should offer more protection. I put on a set of Harley vented lowers to keep my feet reasonably dry in rain storms but to me, a touring bike should be like a big Beamer or an Ultra or my other bike which is a Goldwing, they all offer cargo carrying capabilities, (somewhat more than the King), but also offer protection from the elements, hence the batwing etc. I appreciate and understand it has air suspension and somewhat of a windshield but a "Touring" bike, I'm not sure.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
Round Town Scooter!
You can get a lot of comfy miles on a King. You can add to your cargo on a King. You can add an aftermarket fairing on a King. You can go without shield or fairing on a King. The King is the most versatile of them all IMO. Even stock, I believe it qualifies nicely as a touring bike. Long live the King!
ON THE OTHER HAND -
I also use it as my daily commute. 15-20 minutes of local, either way, every day. It works well for me in both roles. I wouldn't let the lack of all the extra plastics (or should I say different) make a difference. As stated before me, any or all of that can be added on later. I chose my King because of its "traditional old school" looks.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Classy, hang around somewhere else yourself you narrow minded putz.