Road King.. a misnamed tourer
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
The only thing keeping it from being a bar hopper is you. Of course, if you need that excuse to get a WG, then by all means. But the King can do it all, even if you leave the bags on.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 572
Likes: 110
From: under the bridge on the sunrise side
Why is it any thread like this turns into a defend my bike thing? If the OP does'nt like his bike he should sell it and move on, that simple. I have been on Eglides since 1984 with the exception of one "fugly" in 2005. I like the way some guys say the will buy an Ultra when they get "older". One thing they may want to think about is the extra weight gets harder to manage as you age. The big plus with the King for me is the lighter feel of the bars and having the weight lower. The older I get the less I find myself getting out on those 4-5K rides where the Eglides really shine which makes the King more atractive to me. The answer to the OPs question has been answered several times, it is a touring bike because it shares the frame and suspension with the other touring models. I also marvel at how someone can spend the kind of money we do on these bikes with out being sure it is truly what you want.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Why is it any thread like this turns into a defend my bike thing? If the OP does'nt like his bike he should sell it and move on, that simple. I have been on Eglides since 1984 with the exception of one "fugly" in 2005. I like the way some guys say the will buy an Ultra when they get "older". One thing they may want to think about is the extra weight gets harder to manage as you age. The big plus with the King for me is the lighter feel of the bars and having the weight lower. The older I get the less I find myself getting out on those 4-5K rides where the Eglides really shine which makes the King more atractive to me. The answer to the OPs question has been answered several times, it is a touring bike because it shares the frame and suspension with the other touring models. I also marvel at how someone can spend the kind of money we do on these bikes with out being sure it is truly what you want.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
As stated earlier it uses the touring chassis. I limit my Road King touring to 1000 or less miles per day. I am not a fan of the stereo and all of the lowers and such. I do use a Memphis Shades batwing but for 100 or less leave it off. I like the wind. I have ridden with a guy who thought his sportster was a touring bike. He put 100K on it in 5 years so I don't argue with him. A label is just that, and for me the FLHR series is THE touring bike of choice.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Most other bike makers would class this as a cruiser don't you think? Sure it has the suspension and frame, I love those features but having to ad thousands to make it long haul "tour worthy" I think it should be classed somewhere in between the touring and softail line-up. A small set of saddlebags and windshield does not a tour make
MORE comfortably.
And there are certainly many things that can be added to make a bike more
comfortable.
I do see little difference in the comfort features (stock) between a softail
heritage and a roadking. But I would give the touring edge to the rk just for
the better frame and suspension, so I do think that matters. It would seem
to me to make a difference as miles piled on.
Other makers have supersport tourers. Those bikes have little more than
a windshield and bags. Having owned one I would take a rk for
real long distance anytime, especially if two up.
In the end the name tourer on a bike means nothing and you can certainly
tour on a rk.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Houston area
It comes down to your definition of tour worthy. Your opinion is different than mine. You mention heated grips, protection from the rain etc etc. Sounds like if you don't have them it's not to be classified as a touring bike. If you want all the protections and comforts why not just get in a cage and be done with it.
You also mention a couple times having to spend thousands to make a RK a true touring bike. Again, I guess you have a more narrow definition on what you have to purchase in order to make a RK a touring bike. I take issue with that. I bought a detachable rack and a Kuryakyn Ultra Tour bag for my '03 RK for about $300 and had all the room I needed on many 3-4 week trips I took. Oh and if it rains I can snap on my $50 rain guards and pull out my rain suit.
You should check out this site: http://www.advrider.com/forums/ and read some of their road trip stories. Try telling these guys, as they ride around the world on a BMW 650GS and the like, that they are not really on "tour worthy" motorcycles because they lack all the bells and whistles you find on an Ultra or your Goldwing.
You also mention a couple times having to spend thousands to make a RK a true touring bike. Again, I guess you have a more narrow definition on what you have to purchase in order to make a RK a touring bike. I take issue with that. I bought a detachable rack and a Kuryakyn Ultra Tour bag for my '03 RK for about $300 and had all the room I needed on many 3-4 week trips I took. Oh and if it rains I can snap on my $50 rain guards and pull out my rain suit.
You should check out this site: http://www.advrider.com/forums/ and read some of their road trip stories. Try telling these guys, as they ride around the world on a BMW 650GS and the like, that they are not really on "tour worthy" motorcycles because they lack all the bells and whistles you find on an Ultra or your Goldwing.