I am in a little bit of a dilemma so I thought to throw this out here to get some insight/opinions. Let me give you a little of the back story so that it can help to explain my situation:

I am active duty military stationed overseas and I have had my 2011 Deluxe on order for a while now. Harley really extends out to us military folk and have a great program for us overseas guys to get a US spec'd bike sent to us. The pitfall on this is that it is catalog ordering as they obviously do not have a showroom floor on the base over here. There is only one HD dealership within a two hour radius of where I am in northern Japan. So I dropped the order on a black and white Deluxe because I am a sucker for the nostalgic look and the Deluxe is dripping with that kind of style. The only problem is that I am 6'5" and weigh 225 with a 38" inseam. I finally got to take a Deluxe out on a spin by a generous individual that was sympathetic to my story. I loved the bike as I knew I would but MAN I was cramped up on the thing! A good friend of mine has a RK Classic and we often swap out as he gets a kick out of riding my Bonnie. The RK is pure comfort when I am on it...the bike fits me. I have been riding bikes for close to 36 years and I am well aware that the looks might be one thing but once the miles start piling on, then comfort suddenly becomes the most important thing you want.

The good part of this is that I can switch out my order and there is no harm/no foul. Harley doesn't care how many times I switch my order so long as it occurs before the actual shipment that won't be for another few months. So I want to get this right; either way a Harley is getting put into my shed alongside my Trumpet, I'm just having to make the decision of which one. I noticed that Harley does make a seat for the Deluxe for taller guys but I think it really alters the look of the bike. Any other tall guys out there that bought a Deluxe and had to make some mods to get the bike to fit you? If so, what all did you do and how much did it run you to get it right? At this point I am thinking of switching the order over for the RK Classic...the bike is already set up to fit me and is really comfortable. I get the Deluxe and will immediately have to do things to make it more comfortable and that would of been money spent where I would of rather have bags...the RK Classic comes with the bags. Am I missing something here that I should be taking into consideration as well? Anyone with a similiar experience and care to throw their two cents into the ring would be appreciated...thanks guys.

 

The RK classic is dripping with very much style as well. Either way good luck and enjoy the ride.

 

No...you're not missing anything. Order the King and be done with it! After a very short while of having the bike you'll wonder why you even considered anything else. It's hard for me to imagine a guy of your size being comfortable on a Deluxe. Have you considered the Road Glide? Those things have grown on me and I've read that they're ideal for tall guys. I love my Road King and wouldn't have anything else that wasn't in the touring line and I'm 5'6"

 

It's called a "King" for a reason.

 

you answered your own question. the rk is what you need

 

I have looked at the Road Glide and it is a good fit for me but the look of that bike just doesn't do it for me. I don't mean to harsh out anyone's ride but for me it's not the bike. Like my Bonnie, I want my Harley to have that nostalgic quality and the last thing I would ever put on it would be a fairing. Thanks for all your inputs though; I just wanted to ask and get some insight before I drop this kind of cash. This is definitely a one time buy for me; I'm not a rich person by any means and I get attached to my bikes.

 

The RK Classic is the bike for your... I've owned 2 of them... Now back on a Heritage cause I'm shorter then you.. 5'8" with a 31" inseam but the RK never was a problem for me to reach the ground from the seat.. Handlebars are more forward and the frame is a tad longer on the RK..

The Delux is a nice bike but as you said.... a little cramped for ya.

 

I understand...I use to feel that way about the fairings, but the Road Glide is really growing on me, and if buying new, I might consider one. Although, there are no plans to get rid of my 02 RKC. I was on my way to Japan (Okinawa) back in 1992, but got out of the Navy instead after a four years and 2 months. I was a Preventive Medicine Technician (Hospital Corpsman). Good luck with your future Road King Classic!

 

I think the RKC's are THE most nostalgic looking, but what do I know. Guess you can tell how I would vote.

 

Damn...that is one hell of a shed you have Indy. I was scrubbing the two lists side by side and comparing/nit-picking. I will be returning to the states in a few more years, my boy will be old enough to start going with me, and things like the rear air shocks that are adjustable as well as the crash bars, bags, and floorboards pulled me over. I will be going down to speak to the rep tomorrow and switching out the order. I think I will try a radical color and go with the black and chrome version Thanks again guys...I was pretty sure I needed to make the switch but this is what I needed to hear.

Oh yeah...I forgot about the 103 V-ponies