Touring or not
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
They don't call it the King for no reason.... RK does everything the other touring bikes do but with a lot more flexibility to strip it down or dress it up. Most versatile bike Harley makes hands down.
Now if you absolutley KNOW you want a fiberglass fairing permanently mounted up front and all that goes with that (stereo, guages, gps) then go with the Ultra/SG/RG... but if you think you might want to ride without a fairing/windshield once in a while then that's something to consider.
Me? I like the touring platform and bags but hate windshields so the RK is clearly the way to go.
Now if you absolutley KNOW you want a fiberglass fairing permanently mounted up front and all that goes with that (stereo, guages, gps) then go with the Ultra/SG/RG... but if you think you might want to ride without a fairing/windshield once in a while then that's something to consider.
Me? I like the touring platform and bags but hate windshields so the RK is clearly the way to go.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
I disagree there is no bike HD makes with more mods available then to the Sportster. I've also seen some bad *** modded out Dyna's but they are not as customizable as the Sportster either. Street Glides are cool bikes as well but you rarely find anybody that mods them with anything other than maybe new pipes for noise making or barn. There is a reason SGs are the best selling bike HD makes because they are cool bikes out of the box.
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 389
Likes: 3
From: Third Coast TX
Oh I've had my share of the Kool-Aid..
2001 E Glide Classic wore it out and bought a 2009 Ultra Classic wore it out and bought a 2014 Road King last weekend.
For the record: I am a Geezer acording to Merriam-Webster
geeˇzer
noun \ˈgē-zər\ : an old man
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
I agree, a touring bike totally changed our riding habits.
What does "wore it out mean?"
What does "wore it out mean?"
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 389
Likes: 3
From: Third Coast TX
Spending 30% to 40% of the price to replace with new.
90K-150K + Time to spend large money ... All bushings & Mounts ... Motor Work (or crate motor) ...Then there's the internal trans parts bushings,forks etc...Stator, Compensator, etc. With the exception of the frame, sheet metal and wiring, a few sensors.... Everything Wears !!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 33
From: Upstate NY
I am going to write what I have told anyone considering a change in model. Go rent what you are interested in. Ride a couple of models but rent them and ride for at least a half day or full day. Ride the roads you like to ride and put the bike through your style of riding. Your ride or rides will confirm which model will fit your needs. It may seem expensive to rent, but look at the cost of the bike you want. If you are going to lay out any amount of money on new or used you want to make sure it fits what you want to do with it. As with anyone else who posted...just my 2 cents.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
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Likes: 2,528
From: CT/FL
Does the RK shield punch a big whole in the air or does it come with the same problem the Dyna's and Sportsters have with there windshield issues?
What I do love most about the Sportster is the ability to make it like no other. You rarely if ever see a different touring bike. Most are bone stock where they all look a like. Go to the Sportster forum and your unlikely to find any two bikes that even look similar let alone alike.
If you take the 2up equation out of the discussion as a primary requirement and add make it your own to it does it change recommendations?
Some other must haves are mag wheels, I don't do spoke wheels and never have. I also don't care for floor boards as foot pegs have never bothered me at all. Thanks again for all your opinions.
What I do love most about the Sportster is the ability to make it like no other. You rarely if ever see a different touring bike. Most are bone stock where they all look a like. Go to the Sportster forum and your unlikely to find any two bikes that even look similar let alone alike.
If you take the 2up equation out of the discussion as a primary requirement and add make it your own to it does it change recommendations?
Some other must haves are mag wheels, I don't do spoke wheels and never have. I also don't care for floor boards as foot pegs have never bothered me at all. Thanks again for all your opinions.
RK shields punch a big hole if you are under 5'10. But there are lots of aftermarket shields in other shapes and sizes if you are not. There is a vendor that puts a vent in theirs like the 2014 fairing bikes.
There may be a lot of stock touring bikes, but there are still lots of ways to customize them. Baggers are the new "hot" bike to customize. Most popular mod is stretched bags. Not my style; I went for the shovelhead look. Not sure what you are looking for - you added bags, bars, pipes and a seat to your sporty. Lots more choices of bags, bars, pipes and seats for touring bikes, plus wheels, suspension and more chrome than you can ever need. There is also a lot more "canvas" for custom paint with the hard bags and full fenders.
Solo seats look great on a Road King - the curve of the rear fender is beautiful. You can bolt on a passenger pillion in seconds.
I don't have any experience with Dynas - they remind me of my 79 Low Rider but that's all. They do beat the touring bikes in a power-to-weight contest. As you said for not much more money you can move "up" to a touring bike that you can be happy with for a very long time, and change it as your tastes change.
If you haven't noticed, I like spending other people's money. Ride some bikes, then see what you like best. Enjoy the search!
Last edited by Joe12RK; Apr 25, 2014 at 11:09 AM.