A King can be both...great on the Hwy and at home around town. I couldn't imagine riding around town with a full fairing out front.

 

I'm biased toward the Road King (Classic). But even discounting my bias, I've certainly noticed that most riders end up on a Touring bike (Road King, Electra Glide, or Road Glide) eventually. You just cannot beat the handling, comfort and styling.

Of course all the Harleys catch one's eye, but in the long term the Touring motors seem to be where people wind up. May as well save money, and start there.

Harris
Denver, CO

www.youtube.com/conedown

 

Solo! This works for me...

 

Lots of options ! I have a Memphis Shades quick detach for the long hauls AND hard bags. I ride solo too. Do some test rides, but make sure you include a softail just for comparison !

 

At least you are researching. With the influence of my friends who had Harley's and my time away from being on a bike ( 20 years or so ), and the compelling urge to get a HD before I became worm food, I jumped in and got a new 2007 FLSTF.

I made a costly mistake, by not taking the time to figure out what type of riding I wanted to do, the FLSTF was not the best best choice as I discovered, for the riding I soon evolved in to doing.

I am satisfied with my 2011 RKC, it's what I needed to roll like I do. If you are in to 300 mile plus rides, and want to ride 2 up touring frame family is where I would go.

So, demo ride the FLH series and compare with the soft tails, and etc, and decide what type of riding you will be doing.

 

Yes it’s confusing, when I started out looking for a Harley (after 25 years away from motorcycles) I was told something different by every salesman I talked to.

1st salesman was pushing a Heritage (that’s what he drove)
2nd salesman was pushing the Deluxe (he was about 5’ 6” and that’s the only one he could reach the floor on)
3rd salesman was pushing a Touring bike (that’s what he had)
4th salesman (actually an owner) said Touring bikes are only for touring, not good for anything else.
One friend was pushing the Dyna that’s what he had (but after 5 years he only had 2,200 miles on it, what the hell did he know?)
Another friend was pushing his Springer, but after I read a few articles about how much better the new front end on the Springer handled. I figured there must be something wrong with a Springer if they have to talk about it.

I never even test rode a Touring bike since the owner said it wasn’t for me.
Well a year after I bought a Fat Boy and I had put more miles on it than I thought I would (9,000) I test rode a Road King at a Demo Days. I didn’t even make it two miles down the road before I knew I was going to trade.

The Touring bikes rock, I can ride it around town no problem, the cruise control itself was almost worth the trade up. I never listen to music in my truck (just Sports Talk) so I thought the radio was not big deal. But on the bike I never turn off the music.

One main difference with the Touring bike and the other bikes is just how much better you feel after a day’s riding. It doesn’t beat you to death. smooth smooth smooth

 

I actually ride solo almost all of the time, but I am not young anymore and very much in to comfort. Started out on a Deluxe but very soon found myself trading up to an FLHTK so as you are finding each person has their own reasons for doing things. Like everyone said you can't go wrong on a Harley, you just may go there several times. Enjoy!

 

Just like in the song "the heart of the matter", "the more I know, the less I understand, all the things that I knew, I have to learn again". When it comes to choosing a bike (and most other things as well), I just go with what my guts tells me!