Road King vs Heritage
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: Road King vs Heritage
The Road King has my vote. More preceived power, smoother ride, better handling, and it looks just about as good. The Heritage is a great looking bike, but for doing a lot of riding, the Road King is better.
My wife has been riding a Heritage for the last 4 years, and she just ordered a Street Glide. She was tired of scraping the floorboards every time we got in the twisties and not being able to keep up.
Regards,
Bill
My wife has been riding a Heritage for the last 4 years, and she just ordered a Street Glide. She was tired of scraping the floorboards every time we got in the twisties and not being able to keep up.
Regards,
Bill
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 14
From: Bay Area 41510 To Vegas!!!
RE: Road King vs Heritage
After her feet goes numb from the vibration on the highway pegs her mind will lean towards a king!
Lmao>seth and saggy ****
Lmao>seth and saggy ****
ORIGINAL: Couper
The way my dealer explained it to me was that the Heritage uses a balanced engine with solid engine mounts, and the Road King uses an unbalanced engine with rubber mounts. The Road king will be smoother at highway speeds, while the Heritage will be smoother around town. They also said that Road kings are also a little better for 2 up riding, and have different suspension geometrys. I test rode a few of each and went with a Road king with no regrets. I also feel that my bike feels smooth around town as well as at highway speeds. I'm sure it'll be smoother yet after I ditch the crappy download and install the PCIII.
The way my dealer explained it to me was that the Heritage uses a balanced engine with solid engine mounts, and the Road King uses an unbalanced engine with rubber mounts. The Road king will be smoother at highway speeds, while the Heritage will be smoother around town. They also said that Road kings are also a little better for 2 up riding, and have different suspension geometrys. I test rode a few of each and went with a Road king with no regrets. I also feel that my bike feels smooth around town as well as at highway speeds. I'm sure it'll be smoother yet after I ditch the crappy download and install the PCIII.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 83
From: Southern California
RE: Road King vs Heritage
Having riden both the Heritage and Road King, I am in favor of the Road King. That is to say if I had to choose between one or the other. I see the Heritage as being a completely different bike. Different frame, seat height, motor (counter balanced) and style. The RK was built to be a touring bike, whereas the Heritage is not. Of course plenty of people do tour on Heritage models, so they can certainly get the job done, but if you plan on long rides, then I'd go wth the RK.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Road King vs Heritage
My 03 RKC did 18,000 miles last year almost exclusively on the highway. Having ridden my brother's 02 Heritage on a couple of 400-500 miles trips IMO there's no comparison. I can actually see in the RKC's rearview mirrors at 75mph for one. Out of the box the Heritage's sitting position is a little more comfortable, but nothing a different set of handlebars and rider's backrest doesn't fix on the RK. And I definitelyendorse the dual caliper front brakes... a healthy set of whoa when you need it.
This year I look forward to my Ultra being the highway sled and 2 up workhorse, the RKC will be my work "beater" ... and Ican't think of amore pleasant way toleave work in the morning (night shift).
This year I look forward to my Ultra being the highway sled and 2 up workhorse, the RKC will be my work "beater" ... and Ican't think of amore pleasant way toleave work in the morning (night shift).
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 480
Likes: 1
RE: Road King vs Heritage
ORIGINAL: Couper
The way my dealer explained it to me was that the Heritage uses a balanced engine with solid engine mounts, and the Road King uses an unbalanced engine with rubber mounts. The Road king will be smoother at highway speeds, while the Heritage will be smoother around town. They also said that Road kings are also a little better for 2 up riding, and have different suspension geometrys. I test rode a few of each and went with a Road king with no regrets. I also feel that my bike feels smooth around town as well as at highway speeds. I'm sure it'll be smoother yet after I ditch the crappy download and install the PCIII.
The way my dealer explained it to me was that the Heritage uses a balanced engine with solid engine mounts, and the Road King uses an unbalanced engine with rubber mounts. The Road king will be smoother at highway speeds, while the Heritage will be smoother around town. They also said that Road kings are also a little better for 2 up riding, and have different suspension geometrys. I test rode a few of each and went with a Road king with no regrets. I also feel that my bike feels smooth around town as well as at highway speeds. I'm sure it'll be smoother yet after I ditch the crappy download and install the PCIII.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
RE: Road King vs Heritage
I have owned both, I had an 01 Heritage that I absolutely loved:
Heritage
I rode that bike everywhere & eventually swapped it for an:
04 Roadking
I do occasionally miss the low down seating position of the ST(I a 5'6" with short legs), but the RK is definitely the better all around distance cruising bike.
~John
Heritage
I rode that bike everywhere & eventually swapped it for an:
04 Roadking
I do occasionally miss the low down seating position of the ST(I a 5'6" with short legs), but the RK is definitely the better all around distance cruising bike.
~John
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 5
From: Currently the pig country of Arkansas
RE: Road King vs Heritage
rrhall,
I've owned both bikes and loved each one, however for some people the biggest challenge as theychose a touring modelcan beseat height and extra weight.
The stock Heritage seat heightis slightly lower and it is about 40-50 lbs lighter than the Road King. Somesmallerridersaren't comfortable with this extraheight/weight.However, if your wife liked her brother's RK and had no problems with it, go for the Road King... She'll love it!
Like another poster wrote, the RK starts out cheaper and comes stock with a lot of the extras you willeventually want to boltonto a Heritage. Either way, she will love the bike andeither will handle long trips and in-town use with ease.
Let us know which she chooses.
Edmo
I've owned both bikes and loved each one, however for some people the biggest challenge as theychose a touring modelcan beseat height and extra weight.
The stock Heritage seat heightis slightly lower and it is about 40-50 lbs lighter than the Road King. Somesmallerridersaren't comfortable with this extraheight/weight.However, if your wife liked her brother's RK and had no problems with it, go for the Road King... She'll love it!
Like another poster wrote, the RK starts out cheaper and comes stock with a lot of the extras you willeventually want to boltonto a Heritage. Either way, she will love the bike andeither will handle long trips and in-town use with ease.
Let us know which she chooses.
Edmo
ORIGINAL: rrhall
Okay, I think I know the answer being this is a touring forum, but need to ask anyway.
My GF rides a sportster and wanting to upgrade. She road her brother's road king for a week end a few months ago and decided that was to be her bike. The dealer the other day was talking to her about a Heritage. Thoughts?
90% of our riding is on the road and we are moving to a windy part of Montana.
Thanks. Roy (I have a wide glide and looking to switch to a SG later this year, and have no experience on a RK)
Okay, I think I know the answer being this is a touring forum, but need to ask anyway.
My GF rides a sportster and wanting to upgrade. She road her brother's road king for a week end a few months ago and decided that was to be her bike. The dealer the other day was talking to her about a Heritage. Thoughts?
90% of our riding is on the road and we are moving to a windy part of Montana.
Thanks. Roy (I have a wide glide and looking to switch to a SG later this year, and have no experience on a RK)
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 168
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Road King vs Heritage
Well, I certainly loved my Heritage but not so much for touring. As a cruiser, I'd take it any day over an RK. It's just such a cool looking bike. BTW, there are solutions to the saggy bags, that shouldn't be an issue. Fit and function ought to be her primary concerns. Good luck, both great bikes. Oh yes, the B motor buzzes at high rpms.