I know several younger people who love classic HDs. They won't buy a new one mostly because they can't afford one, but they would certainly consider a recent model used. My son in particular, 21 years old, loves the classic look of the Heritage and Road King, loves chrome.. He'd buy one in a hot minute if he had the funds.

If HD keeps the RK around, I'd assume they would have the new style bags and tank, and all electronics except the IFCU. Single electronic gauge pod with all the information, plus Bluetooth. Not sure if their core RK buyer will go for that. Perhaps its days are numbered. It will be interesting to see how soon/if the police models receive the updates.

 

So I’m sitting on my patio, sipping my favorite brew, smoking ribs and thinking about this question and the Road Kings place in to world.

I could not afford a new motorcycle, not even a sporty for the first half of my riding. I rode used. My first bike was a ‘47 Knucklehead that I purchased from a farmers barn in 1963. My second, a the bike that made me was the next summer, a ‘61 XLH. My friends rode a BSA, a Norton, and another sporty. Oh, except Billy, he had a ‘52 Pan.

My point is that “new” bikes were not even considered. I was just starting life and I wasn’t a computer programmer, in fact we didn’t have computers yet. It was a struggle to find a used bike we could afford. Now, a new bike was achievable, but it would have been at the expense of everything else. This period of my life lasted 20 years. During that time I got married, divorced, and a new Harley kept just out of reach, except the ElectraGlide Sport, then Road King. It was a riders bike. Now my ‘80 FLH was used, as were most other bikes. Two things were different, be mostly used classified or word of mouth and that meant less competition for a bike. So used bikes were more fairly priced, mostly had been purchased with cash and a fair offer was heartily welcomed. Now fast forward to today, bikes are posted on Craigslist, marketplace, traders, etc. 1000’s of people get to view them. Also, many are financed, so the seller needs to recoup what the still owe or lose even more money.

So this brings me to the Road King. 90% of the Glides but has to be priced lower. No screen, now upsell, no complexity and new riders want an interactive ride experience. That’s different and the road king cannot compete in that space. It’s a space now being left open and filled by the likes of Royal Enfield, Triumph, Moto Guzzi, and even Honda. Harley is walking away from the entry level, sportster, basic touring market. As an aside, the 2024’s even look like metrics. That’s not bad or good, just different. Riders younger than me applaud the changes, riders my age for the most part shake their heads and think they know better.

Okay, got to go check the smoker. Enjoy and if you are not riding today, hope you’re having fun anyway.

 

I didn't see the HIGHWAY KING among the listings on the Harley web site. If it is still available, it is in reality a Road King with a solo seat and some fancier trim and paint. My guess is that they could sell a "Road King" for about $5000 more than if they called it a Road King. I came late to Harley, same money problems most face. Have been riding for over 65 years but 2008 was my first Harley and it was a Road King. My new ride is a 23 police Road King. If they stop making the Road King, the one I have will be my last bike. At 79 years old, it might be my last bike anyway.

 

If the MoCo made this, with better tires/brakes/suspension/frame and a 117, they might get my money.

 

RK maybe short lived. It does not fit HD marketing plan of higher end bikes. How did the Highway king sales pan out ? Police bike sales are not off the charts as they once were.

But you never know. The Sportster stuck around a long time.

We are in the second generation that can not live with out their phone in hand 24/7. Must have social media access at all times.
They ride crotch rockets with phone on a bag attached to gas tank. They ride scooters and part on the sidewalk like a bicycle.
Nothing much about a Harley interest them .

Older die hard Harley owners reaching an age where 30-50K for a new bike could go to better things. As retirement savings are spending down and earnings not growing. Even starting to except that the days of a 900 lbs bike are limited.

I just took the cash out of our bike fund to have the RGL limited triked. The balance left will go to picking up another RG to put detachable sidecar back on.
Still have two Bike on two wheels. But unlikely to ever purchase another new HD.

 

The Highway King was a limited edition bike that is part of the Harley Icon collection which are tribute bikes to models of the past. There were only 1750 Highway Kings made. Harley started the Icon program back in 2021 with the 2021 Electra Glide Revival. The current Icon is the 2024 Hydra Glide Revival: https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...les/icons.html

 

I am a former owner and big fan of Road Kings, it's the bike that always made me dream and which made me come to Harley 15 years ago.
I had the EVO version in 1340 and Twin Cam 103 Rushmore, but I abandoned the Touring in 2022 after trying the new Softail M8 chassis and at 65 I found it was better to move to a lighter especialy since as the Road King Classic with its 16" wheels was not particularly maneuverable at low speed and for stationary maneuvers, and today I am riding a 107 Héritage Classic which I love.
But I miss the majestic look of the Road King and it's smooth ride and I'm wondering about getting a Road King Special. I think it is more manageable than the old models and as I am tall with long legs, I tell myself that I could still enjoy it before I am too old and can no longer handle it.
I have always liked this very classy model with its black trim and its stripped down and simple side,
If in 2025 they adopt the body of the new Road Glide and Street Glide, I would not take a new model, I do not like the new tank which is too angular and the chopped and chubby saddlebags. In fact I prefer the classic look which hasn't gone out of style since 1994. In fact I don't want any changes on this model, just maybe to have the possibility of choosing chrome trim like on the other Tourings...

 

I'm feeling fairly confident that Industrial Yellow will not be making a comeback in 2025. Could be wrong, but.....

 

As to speculation, guessing we'll eventually see the new tank and bag design, suspension, and black/chrome trim option flow down from the RG, SG. Possibly the digital gauge from the Sporty will make it's way to the RKS.

As to wish list:

1. Stock 2024 RG Bars
2. Digital Gauge from the Sporty
3. Built in Phone Charger
4. Speakers integrated into bags with integrated bluetooth controller to stream tunes
5. Reverse Gear

My 2020 RKS is my first HD. Like most others, I could never afford a new Harley or any bike for that matter while I was starting a career and family. I started with used Hondas and Kawasakis in my 20's. Moved over to Triumph, and BMW sport tourers in my 30's. Then kids came along so for many years, I rented Harleys and test rode all models on demo days at Laconia Bike Week. This is what made me fall in love with the Brand and RKS in particular. Now in my 50's I am finally able to own a bike again. I love the RKS for everything it is and isn't. I like the simplicity of the design, the classic look, dare I say light weight feel wo the fairing, and overall comfort. The wife likes music hence my wish list above. I actually enjoy hearing that M8 114 lump - music to my ears. I like the digital dash on the Sporty so if they brought that over I wouldn't miss the old analog.

3 Hole Fluid change this past weekend. Joy to work on.

 

And a pony.

The good news is if you want a reverse gear, you can buy one.