Road King vs. Soft Tail
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Road King vs. Soft Tail
I'm looking to upgrade from a Dyna, and can't decide between the two. My group goes on long trips all the time. I am leaning toward a bagger (without a fairing) 'cause most of these guys seem to really enjoy theirs. But what are the real differances. The Harley website doesn't really say when it comes to specs and personal experience. Why did you guys/gals chose yours? -Thanks.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Omaha Nebraska
RE: Road King vs. Soft Tail
I went from a '03 FXD into my EGC. I thought alot about what to get. Looked at Heritage, Road King and ElectraGlide. Knew I was going to do some long trips by myself but I knew I would be doing some long runs two up also. At first I like the RK and Heritage because I could strip off the windshield. Then I thought about how many times I took the windshield off my Dyna. Ended up going with the ElectraGlide Classic. I love it so does the wife when she is on. IMO its the best bang for the buck Harley has. And having the radio is great on those 6-8 hour days in the saddle.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
RE: Road King vs. Soft Tail
If you're going on longer cruises, a bagger is definitely the way to go.
I rode an 01 Heritage before I got my current bagger & I absolutely LOVED it, I did quite a bit of long distance riding on it.
Now that I have the bagger however, I would never go back to a softail.
~John
I rode an 01 Heritage before I got my current bagger & I absolutely LOVED it, I did quite a bit of long distance riding on it.
Now that I have the bagger however, I would never go back to a softail.
~John
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 5
From: Currently the pig country of Arkansas
RE: Road King vs. Soft Tail
ORIGINAL: ladodgerdog
... Why did you guys/gals chose yours? -Thanks.
... Why did you guys/gals chose yours? -Thanks.
Both are great bikes and the differences are small. However, at 6'2" I think the Road King fits me better length/height wise. That's not to say another 6'2" guy will not pick a Heritage and love it.
The biggest differences I've seen are:
Ride Adjustability. The Touring models have easily adjustable air shocks in the rear while the Softails require you to get under the bike with a special tool (I never bought one) to adjust the preload on the shocks. Because of this I can get my ride adjusted to the weight more easily.
Passenger Space. The Touring models have a bit more front-to-back passenger room, yet my wife rides her own bike now.
Weight Capacity. The Touring models are rated to carry more, but I'm usually running it solo.
Brakes. Although I never needed more brakes, the Heritage only has 1 rotor up front while the Touring models have 2.
Seat Height. The Softails sit lower... Or, the Touring models sit higher... (glass half full/empty) The taller bike is more comfortable for me, but some rave about the lower seat height of the Softails.
Long Range Cruising. My RK Classic has electronic cruise control!
Bike Complexity. The Touring models have a lot of electronics and electrical wiring crap stuffed behind the side covers. The Softails are more basic and straight forward, IMHO. Not a bad thing, it is just because the Touring models are wired for more "goodies".
Maneuvering. My RK Classic is as nimble, if not more so, than my Heritage.
Hope this helps...
Edmo
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 792
Likes: 0
From: LQ
RE: Road King vs. Soft Tail
ORIGINAL: jmorton10
If you're going on longer cruises, a bagger is definitely the way to go.
I rode an 01 Heritage before I got my current bagger & I absolutely LOVED it, I did quite a bit of long distance riding on it.
Now that I have the bagger however, I would never go back to a softail.
~John
If you're going on longer cruises, a bagger is definitely the way to go.
I rode an 01 Heritage before I got my current bagger & I absolutely LOVED it, I did quite a bit of long distance riding on it.
Now that I have the bagger however, I would never go back to a softail.
~John
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,553
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From: Lebanon, Missouri
RE: Road King vs. Soft Tail
The only other thing I can add is that my wife absolutely hated the Heritage! Could never make her comfortable on it. She just adores Annie (02 RK)
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Road King vs. Soft Tail
ORIGINAL: Edmo
The biggest differences I've seen are:
Ride Adjustability. The Touring models have easily adjustable air shocks in the rear while the Softails require you to get under the bike with a special tool (I never bought one) to adjust the preload on the shocks. Because of this I can get my ride adjusted to the weight more easily.
Passenger Space. The Touring models have a bit more front-to-back passenger room, yet my wife rides her own bike now.
Weight Capacity. The Touring models are rated to carry more, but I'm usually running it solo.
Brakes. Although I never needed more brakes, the Heritage only has 1 rotor up front while the Touring models have 2.
Seat Height. The Softails sit lower... Or, the Touring models sit higher... (glass half full/empty) The taller bike is more comfortable for me, but some rave about the lower seat height of the Softails.
Long Range Cruising. My RK Classic has electronic cruise control!
Bike Complexity. The Touring models have a lot of electronics and electrical wiring crap stuffed behind the side covers. The Softails are more basic and straight forward, IMHO. Not a bad thing, it is just because the Touring models are wired for more "goodies".
Maneuvering. My RK Classic is as nimble, if not more so, than my Heritage.
Hope this helps...
Edmo
The biggest differences I've seen are:
Ride Adjustability. The Touring models have easily adjustable air shocks in the rear while the Softails require you to get under the bike with a special tool (I never bought one) to adjust the preload on the shocks. Because of this I can get my ride adjusted to the weight more easily.
Passenger Space. The Touring models have a bit more front-to-back passenger room, yet my wife rides her own bike now.
Weight Capacity. The Touring models are rated to carry more, but I'm usually running it solo.
Brakes. Although I never needed more brakes, the Heritage only has 1 rotor up front while the Touring models have 2.
Seat Height. The Softails sit lower... Or, the Touring models sit higher... (glass half full/empty) The taller bike is more comfortable for me, but some rave about the lower seat height of the Softails.
Long Range Cruising. My RK Classic has electronic cruise control!
Bike Complexity. The Touring models have a lot of electronics and electrical wiring crap stuffed behind the side covers. The Softails are more basic and straight forward, IMHO. Not a bad thing, it is just because the Touring models are wired for more "goodies".
Maneuvering. My RK Classic is as nimble, if not more so, than my Heritage.
Hope this helps...
Edmo
I faced the same decision when moving up from my sporty. Look at both... choose the Road King for the same reasons already mentioned above.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 546
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Road King vs. Soft Tail
Personally, I can't see the point in "upgrading" from your Dyna to a softtail. They are not "that" different from each other. A Dyna is probably as capable touring wise as a softtail is. I would add bags and a windshield and possibly a seat to a Dyna before I lost money trading it in. That said if you are looking for a touring oriented bike then by all means get a Bagger. I prefer my StreetGlide to a Road King(I ride a RK EVERYDAY at work) because of the addded wind protection and the radio but really it's all in personal preference. If you want to tour and like the 'King get it, you will not be disappointed.