Road King: The Best Harley-Davidson Ever?
Daily Slideshow: Dress it up, strip it down, or customize it, the Road King might be the all-around best Harley-Davidson.
Go-To King
Like BBQ and politics, opinions about motorcycles are about as varied as it gets. While it might be difficult to say which is the best Harley-Davidson, aficionados will usually agree that the Road King is without a doubt their favorite. In fact, most HD owners say if they could only own one bike, it would be a Road King.
Classic King
Introduced in 1994, the Road King has been the go-to choice for motorcyclists for decades. As an uncomplicated touring motorcycle favored by bikers and police departments alike, the Road King is a workhorse that can trace its roots right back to the 1936 EL Knucklehead. In Harley-Davidson's own words, the Road King is a “timeless classic built for today.”
City King
Critics of the Road King will say that the bike is great on the highway, but difficult to maneuver in the city. Police departments across the United States would beg to differ. Thousands of units operate in urban settings such as with the NYPD and LAPD. As a teaching tool, the Road King is the preferred motorcycle of the Yonkers Police Motorcycle School.
King Class
The Road King is a blank canvas for customizers. With a history dating back to parading horsemen, the 'Cholo' or Lowrider style is a staple for Road King customizers. Typified by adjustable air-ride suspension, extra long fishtail exhaust, and eye-catching panel paint jobs, the Lowrider style adds a touch of class to any Road King.
Nostalgic King
The Road King has long been a favorite among riders because it converts to a cruiser in just minutes. With a quick release windshield and tour pack, the Road King can turn into a city bar-hopper without much effort. As the Motor Company puts it, “This is where stripped down nostalgic style meets the performance and versatility of a modern Harley-Davidson touring machine.”
Ugly King
If the Road King has an Achilles heel, it is the hard sidebags. With the bags removed, the mounting hardware and bodywork are visible creating a somewhat awkward look. The Road King evolved as the FLHR from the early 1940s FL series. As the Duo-Glide, the FLH series received a rear suspension in 1958. The FLH Electra-Glide received the infamous Batwing fairing and molded body panels in the late 1970s.
King Competition
The Heritage Softail Classic is right on par with the Road King. First introduced in 1986, the FLSTC Heritage Classic is a distinctive motorcycle still on the market after thirty years. Envisioned by Willie G. Davidson, the Softail resembles a vintage hardtail, but with a hidden modern suspension. As a competitor to the Road King, the Heritage Classic looks good without its sidebags.
ADV King
As proof of the Road King's versatility, Bagger Magazine recently built an adventure bike version of the FLHR. Perhaps channeling the Motor Company's anticipated release of the Pan America, the Road King ADV project, now dubbed 'Frankenstein,' actually works as an off-road machine. The secret to traction must be the seventeen-inch spoked wheels wrapped in knobby Continental TKX80 tires.
Photos courtesy: Bagger Magazine
King of the Heart
It may sound odd, but owners will express a fondness for their Road Kings. Maybe it is the thousands of miles and all the memories, or the image of the Road King as the quintessential American motorcycle that riles up passions. Whatever the case the Motor Company knows —as they put it, the Road King is a “style that speaks of decades of love for the open road.”
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