Road King or Road King Classic ?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12,359
Likes: 74
From: WI
Based on my recent searches, the RKC is usually more expensive than the standard RK because of CC & ABS as standard items on those.
I came darn close to getting a Classic, but didn't like the WWW tires and just felt like the hard bags would be better for me and my uses. Very pleased with my decision.
I came darn close to getting a Classic, but didn't like the WWW tires and just felt like the hard bags would be better for me and my uses. Very pleased with my decision.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Ruckersville, Va
I bought a RKC.
I wanted the ABS and cruise. I like the laced wheels and white walls.
I also wanted the hard bags.
Every way I priced it out I could buy a RKC and add hard bags cheaper than I could do the updates from RK to RKC.
Plus I could ride now and buy the hardbags when the funds became available.
Buy the one that calls out to you.
I wanted the ABS and cruise. I like the laced wheels and white walls.
I also wanted the hard bags.
Every way I priced it out I could buy a RKC and add hard bags cheaper than I could do the updates from RK to RKC.
Plus I could ride now and buy the hardbags when the funds became available.
Buy the one that calls out to you.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 10
From: Oklahoma
I have owned both and prefer the RK by a small margin, because of the locking hard bags. Something else to consider, if you put a four point docking station on a RKC, you bang up the lids unless you install a kit that limits the opening of the top - darn if you do, darn if you don't.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 10
From: Jacksonville
I have owned both and prefer the RK by a small margin, because of the locking hard bags. Something else to consider, if you put a four point docking station on a RKC, you bang up the lids unless you install a kit that limits the opening of the top - darn if you do, darn if you don't.
One other thing, the RKC's license plate is above the tail light and attached by 3 bolts, the RK has the license plate below the tail light which I think looks a little nicer.
6 of 1, 1/2 a dozen of the other, IMO.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Sin City
How good are you at identifying a RK or RKC? Can you tell what I am riding?
I do not like spokes on MY bikes, so I said I will buy the RKC if you put the RK wheels on it. The dealer had no problem making the change on the spot and crediting the price difference. The hard leather RKC bags definitely hold more and can be overstuffed to the point where the strap can be adjusted to the long position and still cover a bulging bag and still secure in place if needed. You might think a lockable bag is better and in some cases it may but I look at it like this.... If someone wants to get into your lockable bag then it will be broken into and cost you a couple hundred dollars for repairs and it probably was empty to begin with. If someone wants to get into my RKC bag they just have to unsnap the bag and not damage it, once inside they will find nothing of value. The valuable stuff stays in my hotel room or on my person when road tripping.
I don't care for the front fender light or the extra wires for it on the RK (only noticed the wires when installing the new handlebars), so I think the RKC front fender has a cleaner appearance. The RKC is going to have all the extras, you can't get a RKC stripped down like you can on a RK so the RKC will be a couple thou more expensive. But if you want a touring bike then cruise and ABS are excellent options for the bike to have anyway.
I do not like spokes on MY bikes, so I said I will buy the RKC if you put the RK wheels on it. The dealer had no problem making the change on the spot and crediting the price difference. The hard leather RKC bags definitely hold more and can be overstuffed to the point where the strap can be adjusted to the long position and still cover a bulging bag and still secure in place if needed. You might think a lockable bag is better and in some cases it may but I look at it like this.... If someone wants to get into your lockable bag then it will be broken into and cost you a couple hundred dollars for repairs and it probably was empty to begin with. If someone wants to get into my RKC bag they just have to unsnap the bag and not damage it, once inside they will find nothing of value. The valuable stuff stays in my hotel room or on my person when road tripping.
I don't care for the front fender light or the extra wires for it on the RK (only noticed the wires when installing the new handlebars), so I think the RKC front fender has a cleaner appearance. The RKC is going to have all the extras, you can't get a RKC stripped down like you can on a RK so the RKC will be a couple thou more expensive. But if you want a touring bike then cruise and ABS are excellent options for the bike to have anyway.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 21
From: Delaware
How good are you at identifying a RK or RKC? Can you tell what I am riding?
I do not like spokes on MY bikes, so I said I will buy the RKC if you put the RK wheels on it. The dealer had no problem making the change on the spot and crediting the price difference. The hard leather RKC bags definitely hold more and can be overstuffed to the point where the strap can be adjusted to the long position and still cover a bulging bag and still secure in place if needed. You might think a lockable bag is better and in some cases it may but I look at it like this.... If someone wants to get into your lockable bag then it will be broken into and cost you a couple hundred dollars for repairs and it probably was empty to begin with. If someone wants to get into my RKC bag they just have to unsnap the bag and not damage it, once inside they will find nothing of value. The valuable stuff stays in my hotel room or on my person when road tripping.
I don't care for the front fender light or the extra wires for it on the RK (only noticed the wires when installing the new handlebars), so I think the RKC front fender has a cleaner appearance. The RKC is going to have all the extras, you can't get a RKC stripped down like you can on a RK so the RKC will be a couple thou more expensive. But if you want a touring bike then cruise and ABS are excellent options for the bike to have anyway.
I do not like spokes on MY bikes, so I said I will buy the RKC if you put the RK wheels on it. The dealer had no problem making the change on the spot and crediting the price difference. The hard leather RKC bags definitely hold more and can be overstuffed to the point where the strap can be adjusted to the long position and still cover a bulging bag and still secure in place if needed. You might think a lockable bag is better and in some cases it may but I look at it like this.... If someone wants to get into your lockable bag then it will be broken into and cost you a couple hundred dollars for repairs and it probably was empty to begin with. If someone wants to get into my RKC bag they just have to unsnap the bag and not damage it, once inside they will find nothing of value. The valuable stuff stays in my hotel room or on my person when road tripping.
I don't care for the front fender light or the extra wires for it on the RK (only noticed the wires when installing the new handlebars), so I think the RKC front fender has a cleaner appearance. The RKC is going to have all the extras, you can't get a RKC stripped down like you can on a RK so the RKC will be a couple thou more expensive. But if you want a touring bike then cruise and ABS are excellent options for the bike to have anyway.
Leather bags work best for me, I'd have to leave too much stuff home with plastics.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
For me the choice was reasonably easy. Leather vs. hard bags - Laced wheels vs. solid wheels. I went hard bags vs. leather because they locked and chose to go solid wheels instead of laced because of maintenance. That being said I'm really liking the new Indian Chief Classic. Go figure!
