Tourning bike questions?
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 224
Likes: 4
From: Hamilton Ontario
Tourpak? Why?
Both bikes will do the job but while the Ultra is more luxurious, the RK looks cooler imo - I'm with Dickey in that I'm not a fan of the faring look. You can get a RK with lockable hard bags, but why use a tourpak? You can use a Deemeed 100 litre travel bag or the new 103 litre Grantour bag from Kuryakyn which gives you that non-faring cruiser look on the back of the sissy bar. Take the wind shield off and you have a cruiser.
The trick is to get a comfy seat. I bought the Mustang super touring 4 piece so my wife gets a nice puffy seat with sissy bar and goes with me everywhere, and I get a comfy seat with a backrest that comes out if I want, and the whole thing converts to a single riding seat in less than a minute with a single phillips screw driver. I put 16" apes on it too so I look good, feel good and ride for hours touring with the wife with no issues, but can look like a boulevard cruiser in minutes if I'm staying in town or going solo.
The trick is to get a comfy seat. I bought the Mustang super touring 4 piece so my wife gets a nice puffy seat with sissy bar and goes with me everywhere, and I get a comfy seat with a backrest that comes out if I want, and the whole thing converts to a single riding seat in less than a minute with a single phillips screw driver. I put 16" apes on it too so I look good, feel good and ride for hours touring with the wife with no issues, but can look like a boulevard cruiser in minutes if I'm staying in town or going solo.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,020
Likes: 69
From: Twin Cities, MN
Warning! if you get a Road King, your Sporty will eventually be the one sitting in the garage. The versitility of a RK is its strengh, and stripped down it is a fun, nimble, really good "around town" bike and Blvd cruiser. Don't say I didn't warn you!
Ultras - good for some, but too bulky for me, even though I have detachable everything for my bike..
I didn't read every post, but the last year you could get a carb was in 2006. Me, I have my carb dialed in on my RK and have no interest in EFI. Last summer I took the bike to the Rocky Mountains and the CV carb never missed a beat, even a 12,000 feet. My EFI friends were amazed.
Ultras - good for some, but too bulky for me, even though I have detachable everything for my bike..
I didn't read every post, but the last year you could get a carb was in 2006. Me, I have my carb dialed in on my RK and have no interest in EFI. Last summer I took the bike to the Rocky Mountains and the CV carb never missed a beat, even a 12,000 feet. My EFI friends were amazed.
Last edited by Pumba11; Apr 16, 2012 at 09:28 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 53
From: Gladys, VA
I went from a 2007 RKC to a 2009 Ultra and love it. Should have done it sooner. Dosen't matter if it is local or a all day cruise the ride is great. Wife loves it too. Feels good to arrive at my destination and not tired from the wind beating on you. Nice to listen to tunes and the CB for group communication.
Last edited by tibadoe; Apr 16, 2012 at 07:43 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 90
From: NE, Ohio
I do a lot of riding with my wife similar to what you are describing of your future intentions. I would have to say a dresser of some sort. I had a fat boy several years ago with a backrest and a detachable windshield and bags. My wife was not comfortable on that at all. Made the trips a hassle. Bought an Ultra Classic and now she loves to ride. Most of my friends with full dressers and wives say the same thing. Good luck.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
I just did a week on my RKC. It was great. I used a Kurayakin Full Dresser bag which had plenty of space for a weeks worth of clothes AND a FF helmet in the top section. (See my signature pic) If I'd left the FF at home, there would be room for the wife's stuff as well. (I didn't take her on this one.) The bag was rock solid on the luggage rack and pops on and off quickly. Go with the Road King.
(I may have a very slight bias for Road Kings.
)
(I may have a very slight bias for Road Kings.
)
I have a 2007 Street Glide and I bought the King Tour Pack...and many other accessories. I love it, but it cost a lot with all of the accessories (though I did buy them a couple at a time).
If I had to do it again, I would buy the Ultra straight off, I love the full dresser. I love that tour pak...it is so handy!
You have a bar hopper already, so you're good to go there.
However, I have always loved the road king classic, so I bought a 2012 and will be picking it up in a couple of weeks. This bike will have a solo seat and never see a windshield. It's just for me...to stare at in my garage for the several months of winter I have here in ND.
I've seen some pretty cool aftermarket fairings for the road king, so you could have the best of both worlds, but that Ultra really is decked out...I don't think you can make a wrong choice either way.
Either Harley touring model will be a joy. I like the suggestions people made about renting first...that is good advice.
If I had to do it again, I would buy the Ultra straight off, I love the full dresser. I love that tour pak...it is so handy!
You have a bar hopper already, so you're good to go there.
However, I have always loved the road king classic, so I bought a 2012 and will be picking it up in a couple of weeks. This bike will have a solo seat and never see a windshield. It's just for me...to stare at in my garage for the several months of winter I have here in ND.
I've seen some pretty cool aftermarket fairings for the road king, so you could have the best of both worlds, but that Ultra really is decked out...I don't think you can make a wrong choice either way.
Either Harley touring model will be a joy. I like the suggestions people made about renting first...that is good advice.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
My wife and I put 30k miles two up on a 2006 wideglide and we thought it was heaven. In 2010 we bought an Ultra,and it is like night and day. The comfort, the tunes and radio,THE COMFORT, (did I mention COMFORTABLE RIDING?) and we sold the wideglide to my son who loves it now. If you plan 600 mile days on the bike for any traveling, get the Ultra, The road king is comfortable bar hopper, but the ultra was designed and built for what the OP says he and is ol lady are going to be doing.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Ok I need a suggestion. I’ve been riding for as long as I can remember. I was raised on 2 wheels. I will be purchasing another HD in about a year. This bike will be specifically for touring. It may not get ridden very often except for when we go on long trips. I have a 93 Sportster 1200 for around town. Here is our situation. My wife and I want to start touring in the next year or so we are planning on doing things like driving 6-8 hours to a destination and spending a few days their then heading home. As well as a 2 week tour once a year for our vacation. I have always wanted a Road King but I just don’t know if it will fit my bill. My wife likes the Ultra Classic. I think it might work out better. I have done overnight and weekend trips on other bikes in the past and the Road King would work out great for me I don’t really pack much just my tooth brush tooth paste a razor and a change of clothes. On longer trips in the past I just purchased cloths on the way and mailed the dirty ones back to my house. But now I have to consider her. Which bike would be better for me? I'm stuck between the two? Also when did HD start using Fuel Injection? I don't want a bike with a carburetor I'm hassling trying to get my sporty dialed in.