Potential end of the line for RKC?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 791
Likes: 2
From: Canada
Should be interesting model year coming if this info turns out to be accurate. Models come and models go, as one might expect to a changing market. Take a look at the number and type of softail models today compared with just a few short years ago. The HD Marketing types keep a close eye to the demographics of buyers (despite majority of aging buyers being prime targets) and trends of course, so guess you have to expect some changes. Shame of it is some pretty cool models get discontinued just simply because the market conditions and the buyers are buying other models but so it goes.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
It is also interesting how Harley deals with International markets. For example we still get the 883R and we had the 1200X before it was released in the US market. However we don't get all the range that you chaps do.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 172
From: Clarksville, TN
I'm gonna go with the RK going HD-1. You pick the bag style and the other stuff but they will all just be RKs. They should do the same with the EG. Why have two or three of the same bike with different trim levels and different names when you can just have one and let the customer decide what levels of trim they what to have. Sounds more cost effective to me.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
Yeah, it's hard to believe that they won't have something like the RKC available in some way. Look at the Japanese wannabe Harleys--they all make something intended to look like the RKC, with a windshield, leather wrapped bags etc. It seems unlikely that the MoCo would want to cede that slice of the market to the competition.
My guess is that this is just the typical winter rumors, but if not, I'll bet it's a naming change or, as some of you have suggested a shift to an HD-1 program so that you can upgrade a RK to an RKC with factory customization.
My guess is that this is just the typical winter rumors, but if not, I'll bet it's a naming change or, as some of you have suggested a shift to an HD-1 program so that you can upgrade a RK to an RKC with factory customization.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
Discontinued in all global markets
XR1200X
FXS SoftailŽ BlacklineŽ
FLHTC Electra GlideŽ Classic
FLTRX Road GlideŽ Custom
FLTRU Road GlideŽ Ultra
Discontinued in North America only
FLHRC Road KingŽ Classic
Dropping these models has a lot to do with standardizing parts for rapid assembly, thereby reducing completed inventory. It is part of Harley's new managemant scheme to make bikes efficiently and to demand. Specialty stuff does not fit into a lean manufacturers world. Lean is how a bean counter ekes out every last penny out of every step. Quality also suffers, but this is as much Wall Street driven as it is practical inhouse savings. Look for changes in Mother Harley and your dealers. Look to aftermarket for innovation and quality parts.
XR1200X
FXS SoftailŽ BlacklineŽ
FLHTC Electra GlideŽ Classic
FLTRX Road GlideŽ Custom
FLTRU Road GlideŽ Ultra
Discontinued in North America only
FLHRC Road KingŽ Classic
Dropping these models has a lot to do with standardizing parts for rapid assembly, thereby reducing completed inventory. It is part of Harley's new managemant scheme to make bikes efficiently and to demand. Specialty stuff does not fit into a lean manufacturers world. Lean is how a bean counter ekes out every last penny out of every step. Quality also suffers, but this is as much Wall Street driven as it is practical inhouse savings. Look for changes in Mother Harley and your dealers. Look to aftermarket for innovation and quality parts.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,526
Likes: 15,407
From: West of Texas
I hope they will offer a choice of bags on the Road King standard. Besides the ABS, cruise control and the 103 one of the main reasons I went with the Classic is the bags. I can't stand the look of the hard bags. Too modular and cheap looking. Oh well, I got mine and plan on keeping it the rest of my life. Like said earlier, if the motor goes I will rebuild or replace.
Last edited by Drilln'Boss; Jan 30, 2013 at 03:24 PM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 172
From: Clarksville, TN
I hope they will offer a choice of bags on the Road King standard. Besides the ABS, cruise control and the 103 one of the main reasons I went with the Classic is the bags. I can't stand the look of the hard bags. Too modular and cheep looking. Oh well, I got mine and plan on keeping it the rest of my life. Like said earlier, if the motor goes I will rebuild or replace.
Just think about offering different bar options alone. If I'm a MoCo big wig I'd have to think I'm making money buy offering a guy different bar choices so he not going to the aftermarket to buy them.
I say Road King is an HD-1 bike next model year. And it will be called...drum roll please. Road King.
