RK same comfortable ride as an Ultra?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 4
From: missouri
I think the first question you should ask yourself is what kind of riding you will mostly do. I started out on a road king classic. I thought I wanted tunes and I thought I would like the fairing, I traded my road king in on an ultra. I also thought I would be doing more over the road highway riding. It turned out I ended up getting a nice toy hauler and I missed my old road king. I liked the more open feel and I mostly like riding back roads and staying in campgrounds.. When they came out with the Cvo road king with the speakers and lowers the MoCo sucked more money out of me . I bought a tour pack for the back so Ivan haul as much stuff as I did with ultra if I do decide to take off on a road trip
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
I have been on 2011 road king for about 10K plus. I came off a long history of BMW touring bikes and those could do some long days. Last summer I rented an ultra for a week and the difference was there from the road king after the 1st 100 or so miles.
The ultra is definitely more comfortable for longer or two up riding. the base on all touring is the same but the total package is different. If I were still putting in long days I would have to trade the road king in for the ultra.
But for what I do now, typically less than 100 miles at a time, I would trade in a ultra for a road king.
Road king is riding a bike.
Ultra is touring on a bike.
The ultra is definitely more comfortable for longer or two up riding. the base on all touring is the same but the total package is different. If I were still putting in long days I would have to trade the road king in for the ultra.
But for what I do now, typically less than 100 miles at a time, I would trade in a ultra for a road king.
Road king is riding a bike.
Ultra is touring on a bike.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 790
Likes: 4
From: Internet
great point .. i know its costly, but at least the option is there. Are they quality? I remember looking into them some time ago and they seemed to be nice on the outside, but little more than a shell when looking at it from the riders view
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
The Road King feels like a bit more bike than a Heritage. Go ride your bike for a couple hours and then rent a Road King so you have a direct comparison. Judge for yourself then.
I just went the opposite direction. After putting 20,000 miles on my 2011 flhtk, I traded it for a 2013 fatboy lo and love the smaller more versatile fatboy. While the limited was really nice on my longer trips, it sucked locally. So being that 90% of my riding is 200 miles or less trips I decided to go for the softail and I don't regret it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 36
From: Georgia Mountains
http://recklessmotorcycles.com/index...duct_list&c=68
http://www.dragonflycycleconcepts.com/fairings.htm
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 646
Likes: 61
From: Raleigh NC
I test rode a 13 king and the bike feels smaller and More nimble. I'm not sure if the shocks on the king are tuned the same range as ultra. My ultra has a cadilac ride with air adjustable shocks. Maybe the king could be adjusted to that. Fairing provides better wings rain protection. Ultra more top heavy with tour pak and fairing.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 42
From: AZ
If you're really looking to be able to put down some miles, the Electra Glides and Road Glides are the bikes. Imo. Not saying it can't be done on the others but these bikes are the ones that will do it with the most comfort.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Mo.
I really like my RKC.I'm sure those Electra glides are really nice bikes,but they are so dang homely I can't make myself buy one.Part of enjoying my bike is admireing the looks of it,I just don't care to ride an ugly bike.This aint the 70's,Harley needs to update the styling of the geezer glides in my opinion.