The 2023 Road King FLHR Lives On As The FLHP
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Motorcycle Mike (06-20-2023)
#33
The FLHP has the same 13" shocks.
These shocks are actually a modern design that has a stiff spring and rebound damping only on one side (with the preload adjuster). The other side has a softer spring and compression damping only. Under dynamic conditions the damping forces tend to balance out the uneven spring forces. Having only one type of damping on each side improves damping performance when the shock reverses direction from compression to rebound.
These shocks are actually a modern design that has a stiff spring and rebound damping only on one side (with the preload adjuster). The other side has a softer spring and compression damping only. Under dynamic conditions the damping forces tend to balance out the uneven spring forces. Having only one type of damping on each side improves damping performance when the shock reverses direction from compression to rebound.
These shocks ride amazing with the 16" wheel that IMO should be on back of all HDs.
Same goes for a front wheel without much sidewall.🤦♂️
#34
I traded the Heritage. I had to either keep it forever or move on before it gets too many miles for resale. My garage has four bikes in it now and I have no room to add more.
I probably ride a little harder than I should. I want to have the new Rider Safety Enhancements that work when cornering.
I also want dual front brakes, the single front brake is not quite enough and gets really hot. I've had to replace the front rotor twice.
I probably ride a little harder than I should. I want to have the new Rider Safety Enhancements that work when cornering.
I also want dual front brakes, the single front brake is not quite enough and gets really hot. I've had to replace the front rotor twice.
Last edited by Hulkss; 02-15-2023 at 12:20 PM.
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#35
I traded the Heritage. I had to either keep it forever or move on before it gets too many miles for resale. My garage has four bikes in it now and I have no room to add more.
I probably ride a little harder than I should. I want to have the new Rider Safety Enhancements that work when cornering.
I also want dual front brakes, the single front brake is not quite enough and gets really hot. I've had to replace the front rotor twice.
I probably ride a little harder than I should. I want to have the new Rider Safety Enhancements that work when cornering.
I also want dual front brakes, the single front brake is not quite enough and gets really hot. I've had to replace the front rotor twice.
I am having a hard time being as comfortable as I was on the Deluxe in stock form. Thinking the taller ride height is my issue and will be swapping to the Legends 12" in hope of getting my natural feeling I got from the low slung Deluxe.
Too many years on the many hardtail shovels and pan I still have but are now basically models that starve for attention in my lazy old age.🤦♂️🤷♂️
I also have a 2008 Street Glide with the stock air ride but it has had the 3" lowering blocks since day 1, so she feels great but still not as natural as the Deluxe.
#36
The biggest issue with these stock shocks are because of the bikes "running" the 18" rear wheels and the loss of sidewall compared to the true blue 16" that the bike is engineered around, is too hard to accommodate.
These shocks ride amazing with the 16" wheel that IMO should be on back of all HDs.
Same goes for a front wheel without much sidewall.🤦♂️
These shocks ride amazing with the 16" wheel that IMO should be on back of all HDs.
Same goes for a front wheel without much sidewall.🤦♂️
Sidewall height on RK Special: Front: 3.1" Rear: 4.1"
Sidewall height on RK Police: Front 4.1" Rear: 4.6"
Taller more compliant sidewalls not only make a bike more comfortable to ride, they improve cornering grip with a larger contact patch, the ability to better conform to uneven road surfaces, and stay in contact with the road. Bias ply construction keeps the tires stiff enough for good agility, handling, and road feel.
The police model has the wheels/tires it does for good reason.
Last edited by Hulkss; 02-15-2023 at 12:45 PM.
#37
I'd like to see a little digital speedometer in the big analog tach and get rid of the separate speedometer. I prefer a minimum of interactive displays on a bike. I'm too tempted to look at them when riding and that is inviting disaster. I do use a smart phone navigation app called Scenic. The phone will be in a Quad Lock mount on the bars, but I ignore it as much as possible and rely on voice prompts in helmet speakers for navigation.
#38
#39
The biggest issue with these stock shocks are because of the bikes "running" the 18" rear wheels and the loss of sidewall compared to the true blue 16" that the bike is engineered around, is too hard to accommodate.
These shocks ride amazing with the 16" wheel that IMO should be on back of all HDs.
Same goes for a front wheel without much sidewall.🤦♂️
These shocks ride amazing with the 16" wheel that IMO should be on back of all HDs.
Same goes for a front wheel without much sidewall.🤦♂️
#40
There have been big improvements to the Touring chassis since 2004: in 2014 (Rushmore) and 2017 (M8). Also, motorcycle tires continue to improve. I currently favor Metzeler CruiseTec tires on the Heritage and will try those after I run off the H-D Dunlops, unless the bike is very well balanced with the Dunlops.
I define good handling as being balanced or neutral in a curve. After entering a curve, the bike should stay on line in the turn without perceptible rider input, neither falling in or standing up. Control input should only be required to change the cornering line or exit the curve. Transitioning into and out of curves should feel natural, the bike should just seem to go where you look.
The bike also has to make me feel safe and capable to handle the unexpected situations that happen. The rider safety/cornering enhancements should help with that.
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Rollbar (04-27-2023)