First Harley - Road King - Recommendations?
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 187
Likes: 5
From: Michigan
First Harley - Road King - Recommendations?
I bought a 2013 Road King Peace Officer Special Edition last week and being in Michigan I have until March/April before I'll be able to take it out. I plan to leave it stock until the 1K check up. At that point what are some of the most recommended customizations? I see everyone seems to change the pipes or use a slip on. I know everyone likes different things, I just wondered if there is a consensus opinion on must have customizations? I'll be riding with my wife so comfort on the longer trips is a must for us. Thanks in advance.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 10
From: Jacksonville
Depends on what you want to spend. If you want the most bang for your buck:
A good seat is big. The seat you have might be fine, but finding a seat is like finding a wife. There are plenty of options but only 1 or 2 really work for you, and it will cost a lot to find the right one.
A set of highway pegs is good. More money here doesn't mean better. The cheapest one Harley sells works just fine.
The stage 1 (pipes, air cleaner and tune) are nice. It makes your bike faster and louder, but it's expensive. (about 2k or so).
Everything else is really just bling that no one will notice unless you point it out to them.
My riding buddy has a bone *** stock 2001 RKC except the handle bars and he is happy with it. I get to make fun of his quiet pipes every time we ride.
A good seat is big. The seat you have might be fine, but finding a seat is like finding a wife. There are plenty of options but only 1 or 2 really work for you, and it will cost a lot to find the right one.
A set of highway pegs is good. More money here doesn't mean better. The cheapest one Harley sells works just fine.
The stage 1 (pipes, air cleaner and tune) are nice. It makes your bike faster and louder, but it's expensive. (about 2k or so).
Everything else is really just bling that no one will notice unless you point it out to them.
My riding buddy has a bone *** stock 2001 RKC except the handle bars and he is happy with it. I get to make fun of his quiet pipes every time we ride.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
Good point on the bars, first thing I did on mine, the stock bars are torture.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 60
From: Greer, South Carolina
I went with comfort first - for me and my wife. So, for me it was new handlebars and grips first. I have the Heritage Syle bars (part # 56902-08). They are higher and have 3 more inches of pull back. Road King stock bars are famous for making the rider lean too far forward and thus the soon to be back ache. The bars are cheap - $80 + installation. The grips I use are H-D Aileron - very comfortable - $90.
After bars and grips, I had the 4-point docking hardware installed. This will set you up for any detachable accessories, like a back rest and pad for your wife. If she doesn't have a back rest YOU will not be happy:+) Now that you have the 4 point docking station, you can install the back rest and pad for her. I would recommend "standard" height. The shorty looks cool, but she'll be more comfortable with the standard height back rest.
If you're doing any road trips with your wife, you'll need a 2-up luggage rack to hold an additional travel bag. The rack fits behind the backrest on the 4 point docking hardware. The H-D Air Wing is a good choice. About $250. Travel bags are many. H-D has them as well as Dowco, Mustang, Saddlemen, etc.
Well, I just helped you spend about $1,000. That's enough for now. Oh, by the way, don't worry about performance yet. Do the comfort accessories first. That 103 will pull you down the road plenty good just the way it is.
Have fun with your new Road King.
After bars and grips, I had the 4-point docking hardware installed. This will set you up for any detachable accessories, like a back rest and pad for your wife. If she doesn't have a back rest YOU will not be happy:+) Now that you have the 4 point docking station, you can install the back rest and pad for her. I would recommend "standard" height. The shorty looks cool, but she'll be more comfortable with the standard height back rest.
If you're doing any road trips with your wife, you'll need a 2-up luggage rack to hold an additional travel bag. The rack fits behind the backrest on the 4 point docking hardware. The H-D Air Wing is a good choice. About $250. Travel bags are many. H-D has them as well as Dowco, Mustang, Saddlemen, etc.
Well, I just helped you spend about $1,000. That's enough for now. Oh, by the way, don't worry about performance yet. Do the comfort accessories first. That 103 will pull you down the road plenty good just the way it is.
Have fun with your new Road King.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 975
Likes: 14
From: Bayville, NJ
In no particular order for you: Sundowner seat, pipes (highly recommend the Vance and Hines Big Shots), highway pegs, and bars. Post some pics of your new bike!
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 10
From: Oklahoma
I suggest you just ride it for a while before making any changes. Then hopefully you just have to make the changes once.
Most of the Harley dealers I have been to have a bike on a stand where you can try the fit of seats before buying.
Most of the Harley dealers I have been to have a bike on a stand where you can try the fit of seats before buying.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
I agree that most people end up changing the seat for more comfort. Especially if you are going to have a passenger. My only suggestion is that you fine the seat you like first before you mess with handlebars. The seat cost more so get it right first and then find handlebars that work with your "new" seating position.