road king custom 07
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
road king custom 07
For all intensive purposes im a new rider, had a ninja at age 20 but only for a short time.Im 39 now,Im getting a bike and i want to buy a "cruiser". I thought about a sporty then EVERYONE i talked to said dont because the kind of riding i want to do is more long distance cruising, and the sporty wont cut it. Then thought about the Dyna wideglide. Im to short (5ft 6)for the forward controls. My favorite bikes are the cruisers, heritage softtails, roadkings etc etc. The Road king custom fits me like a glove. Here is my question is it too much bike for a newbe? I am taking a safety course and then the advanced course afterwards....i have a year to plan this since i will be station in korea while my bike is on order. Is this bike too much???.....or does it realy matter? getting used to a bike id think is the same if it was 500 lbs or 600lbs. eventualy there will be a passenger on the back....(wife) ....and she has been fantastic about giving her input on which one she likes......big purchase dont want to get the wrong or "too much" bike starting off.....
***Thanks all! im glad i found this forum....i had alot of questions floating around and this is a huge purchase for me....the RK custom was really the only bike i felt like i was ready to go riding with right there and then.....that bike is gorgeous....im on leave right now (army)and went to savannah HD and sat on a cobalt blue one....when a really attractive young lady walked by and said that bike is YOU...i was sold...wife wasnt...lol...but i was....lol.....I was going to wait til i had retired from the army in 2010. But after the last few tours overseas i said im not waiting....after walking away from a UH-60 Blackhawk crash im not waiting to enjoy my life.....as the saying goes .....Sieze the day, it is yours to take.
***Thanks all! im glad i found this forum....i had alot of questions floating around and this is a huge purchase for me....the RK custom was really the only bike i felt like i was ready to go riding with right there and then.....that bike is gorgeous....im on leave right now (army)and went to savannah HD and sat on a cobalt blue one....when a really attractive young lady walked by and said that bike is YOU...i was sold...wife wasnt...lol...but i was....lol.....I was going to wait til i had retired from the army in 2010. But after the last few tours overseas i said im not waiting....after walking away from a UH-60 Blackhawk crash im not waiting to enjoy my life.....as the saying goes .....Sieze the day, it is yours to take.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 11
From: Lorton, VA
RE: road king custom 07
I have a 2007 RK Custom, you will love it. I'm short too, 5'8. I actually learned on a Dyna FXD. Just don't try to get your liscense using the Custom, use a smaller lighter bike.
Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: N.J. !!!!!
RE: road king custom 07
Hey man, I have an 07 FLHRS coming tomorrow.
I am going from an 05 Wide Glide to an 07 Road King Custom, and I took the MSF course a few years ago on a 125cc jap crap bike.
Bottom line; 125cc was like riding a lawn mower, 05 Wide Glide was like driving a Vette, a Road King is like driving a Caddy.
The Wide Glide was easier to ride than the 125cc crapper, and the Road King is easier to ride than a Wide Glide IMO.
Hope this helps. Good luck, thanks for your service, take care of yourself.
I am going from an 05 Wide Glide to an 07 Road King Custom, and I took the MSF course a few years ago on a 125cc jap crap bike.
Bottom line; 125cc was like riding a lawn mower, 05 Wide Glide was like driving a Vette, a Road King is like driving a Caddy.
The Wide Glide was easier to ride than the 125cc crapper, and the Road King is easier to ride than a Wide Glide IMO.
Hope this helps. Good luck, thanks for your service, take care of yourself.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,335
Likes: 0
From: Tidewater
RE: road king custom 07
I had many bikes over the years, mostly jap and british ones. I didn't have a scoot for the last 20 years, and my lovely and talented wife bought me a Road King Custom for my 50th birthday in February. I took my time, rode the back roads and got used to it. Although this bike is big, it is easier to handle then I remember bikes half this size being when I was half this age. Point is, for my money, these are some of the best balanced and well mannered bikes I have ridden. I can come to a complete stop and do not have to put my feet down until the last 6 inches or so and also make a lock to lock turn and a slow speed without any wobble. This took practice. I am a bit bigger that you, but I am sure you will get used to it and eventually love it. Whatever you buy, make sure you can plant you feet on the ground and you will be fine, IMO
Good luck and Enjoy the Ride,
Mike
Good luck and Enjoy the Ride,
Mike
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From:
RE: road king custom 07
I've owned a few bike and ridden many and the first time I rode a RK Custom I new it would be my next bike just wasn't sure when....when they came out with the 96" 6 speed I knew the time was now. Haven't regretted one second of it.
Bottom line it rides and handles like a dresser without the excess baggage, looks cool too.
Bottom line it rides and handles like a dresser without the excess baggage, looks cool too.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
RE: road king custom 07
Went through the same pain! Quit riding when I was 20 now almost mid 40's got back in the saddle. Been thinking about it for years and looking at bikes, but family wasn't for it. Came across 2004 RK Custom with 2600 miles at great price, he wasn't riding it. To my surprise family said yes! So I looked at all kinds of different rides, took the MSF course, and bought the Custom. Haven't regretted a day! Been exactly one year and I am at 10K miles. Took it slow at first, amazing how it comes back. She handles like a dream! I remember in the late 70's when 1000's and 1100's ? were the biggest and fastest. IMO - pick the look and fit that is comfortable for you. You can also lower which may help. I am 6 2 and everytime I think about the Ultra Classic, I get on my RKCustom and think no way - I've got it the way I like it. Someday though.... Good Luck with your new bike whatever it is!
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 316
Likes: 2
From:
RE: road king custom 07
To me, once your feet are up, the weight of the bike minimizes. They all 'ride' the same.
Countersteering, braking, throttle... Its all the same. Getting out of a chevette and getting in a caddy takes a bit of getting used to in the parking lots, but out on the road, is there really that much difference?
Get the RKS, It'll take a week or so to get truly comfortable on it at all speeds, then never look back!
Tim
Countersteering, braking, throttle... Its all the same. Getting out of a chevette and getting in a caddy takes a bit of getting used to in the parking lots, but out on the road, is there really that much difference?
Get the RKS, It'll take a week or so to get truly comfortable on it at all speeds, then never look back!
Tim
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RE: road king custom 07
I would suggest taking one out for a test ride. Any dealer worth their salt should be able to help.
I think you will be surprised how easy the RK's are to ride. They are surprisingly manouverable for a big bike. The hold the road well, and have good suspension straight out of the box.
Look at it this way, there is a reason why a lot of cops love em, and since they use them as a tool and not a toy, its not just because of the looks.
You can do big miles on any bike, but to eat the miles in comfort, and with confidence, a RK takes a lot of beating.
I do have a very limited experience with HD's as I came to them late in my motorcycleing life. 27 years riding Triumphs, Kawasakis, and Yamahas. I had a train for 3 years, and while I loved it and did a few 300+ mile days, I wouldnt go back now I've ridden the RK. These bikes are aptly named as they truely are kings of the road.
WB
I think you will be surprised how easy the RK's are to ride. They are surprisingly manouverable for a big bike. The hold the road well, and have good suspension straight out of the box.
Look at it this way, there is a reason why a lot of cops love em, and since they use them as a tool and not a toy, its not just because of the looks.
You can do big miles on any bike, but to eat the miles in comfort, and with confidence, a RK takes a lot of beating.
I do have a very limited experience with HD's as I came to them late in my motorcycleing life. 27 years riding Triumphs, Kawasakis, and Yamahas. I had a train for 3 years, and while I loved it and did a few 300+ mile days, I wouldnt go back now I've ridden the RK. These bikes are aptly named as they truely are kings of the road.
WB
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
RE: road king custom 07
Mech...IMHO here is what happendto me. I had never owned and had very little moto experiance before I bought a 05 dyna wide glide. For me it was great and made a great military retirement gift to me. I took the Riders Edge safety course with a Buell Bandit which was fun to ride and easy to get use to. One thing about the Riders Edge is the instructors are harley riders and they really did a great job in teachingthe harley ropes. That aside, my girlfriend now wife did 956 miles on the back of the dyna (stock seat a.k.a 2x4) going to the Durango CO MC Ralley and back. Needless to say we went and bought a new touring seat which was ok for while. The more we talked about it and figured that we wanted to take longer rides together, the more a RKC or EGlide Classic was the answer. Last week we picked up a 07 EGlide Classic. What a dream to ride. I never thought it would make that much of a difference but it does.Good luck and you will surely find a bike that will fit what you wanna do.
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