I'm on a Switchback, but I had test ridden the then new 2014 Road King, along with 3 or 4 other Dyna's. I thought the RK handled the best out of them all. Great bike.

 

I had a 2015 RK while my bike was being serviced. Hit a spot while riding to work in the morning and the whole windshield was covered in dew almost instantly. Could not see anything in front of me. I prefer to be able to see over my windshield not through it. Of course this is only my opinion but I thought I'd share.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, that is something to take into consideration.
I know I can get a taller shield but that makes the bike even more expensive.

 

I had a 2004 Fat Boy (95ci, 10:1 Comp, mid-range cams, V&H BSS exhaust, etc) which I enjoyed very much. I traded it for a '14 RK without ABS in July '14. I'm sure ABS is nice, but you can live without it. I like my '14 RK a lot. It rides and brakes just fine without ABS.

If you're looking to trade for a new RK, find as many HD dealers as possible that have what you want in inventory. Visit them with your FB and let them appraise it. Stay in touch with all the salesman/dealers. You'll find the hungriest dealer who has to sell another bike or two to meet the end of the month quota. Believe me...they'll call you! I've read a couple on-line sources that indicated that dealers pay HD 80% of retail price for the bikes. If you're trading, give them a little profit margin (over blue book) for your FB, and a little margin on the new RK, and negotiate your best deal. Your Fat Boy will likely be sold internally at the dealership. It looks cherry...it may never make it to the showroom floor.

Another alternative....keep the Fat Boy and look for a nice used '14 or later RK...best of both worlds...and likely the best bang for your buck. You can always sell the FB next season if you've lost interest.

BTW...If I had the cash right now, I'd buy your Fat Boy. While I really like my RK, sometimes I miss my FB. Two bikes are better than one if you can swing it. I've had bikes break down just before planned road trips...nice to have a back-up.

Good luck!

 

I went from a Slim to a '16 Road King in March. I don't regret the move for a single minute. I still have fun on twisty roads (especially with the windshield off), and am really really comfortable on the long haul.

I put 4 inch Rineharts on and the bike sounds aggressive but not obnoxiously loud. I added heated grips, fat bars, and a solo seat with a backrest.

Like you, the shaking at idle surprised me at first but I think I stopped noticing it before the first day was done.

You might not even need a new air cleaner/intake. There's some debate on the subject but some folks say the stock Rushmore A/C already lets in more air than the engine can handle. In my case, I changed out the mufflers, kept the stock headers (with the cat in them), kept the stock A/C and tuned it with a FP/3. I'm very happy with the performance I'm getting with this set up.

Every once in a while I think about a new A/C but then I look at the the stock one and realize I really like how it looks.

IMO the best thing about the road king is the convertible kind of feel... keep the windshield on and its warmer, more protected, and riding at highway speeds is effortless. Pull the windshield off and all of a sudden it feels like a smaller bike. I know it's all mental but with the windshield off I can see the big headlight nacelle shining in the sun and the road right ahead - the bike feels nimble, smaller than it really is.

I love my road king. Bought it March 12th and I just crossed 12,000 miles on it so far :-)

 

OP wrote:
"This model didn't have the ABS, and brake dive really did not make me happy."

Unless you're personally opposed to ABS, I wouldn't buy or trade for a new touring bike without it. Especially with the traffic in Westchester county!

The Road Kings -with- ABS have the Reflex brake system as well. A worthy addition in my opinion.

 

Traffic in Westchester? Noooooo way.

 

If your seriously looking to ride cross country, step up and get the Ultra. I have a Road King Classic and a Limited. I love my Road King and ride it every day as a commuter bike. It's a great ride. But if you are going to get on the highway for a couple of days or a week, nothing beats the Ultra for comfort and storage. The fairing and lowers keep the wind off of you and help with fatigue on those 500-700 mile days. You mentioned earlier you didn't like the fairing blocking your view. That goes away real quick. Hopefully you are looking as far down the road as you can and not at the front wheel. You don't even notice the fairing in your peripheral vision after a while. If you are going to spend all day on the bike, you'll love the fairing, the stereo, ABS, and the comfy seat.

Of course the best option is to do what I did and have two bikes. I ride all the time. Having purpose bikes ( Road King around town, Limited for trips) is the best thing I ever did.

Having said all that, the Road King is an awesome bike. You can't go wrong with it and it is my favorite of the two I have. But nothing beats an Ultra for long hauls.

You also mentioned the nose dive during breaking. You can change the fork oil to the SE fork oil and it will stiffen them up. But the dive is weight transfer to the front wheel which improves grip and helps with stopping power. As with anything new, you get used to it. I had a softail before the Road King and it's a big difference going between the two.

 

FWIW, went from a Heritage to a RK......never looked back. A few weeks ago completed my first road trip on it - 2600 mi, 8 days. Lovin it. BTW, ABS IMHO is a must have.

 

I'm going to have to officially put my bike up for sale, no room for 2 bikes. Not sure where I will advertise it, but will do so soon. If I can get a decent price for my bike I will get the Road King after I see what the 2017s have to offer. Don't want an overly loud bike, but I definitely want that rumble, and to be noticed by the people in cages. I could stick on a good pair of slip-ons and otherwise leave the bike alone until next spring. I looked at some project Rushmore, and want to know if there have been any changes from 2014 to 2016. If not, I'm not sure I really need a brand spanking new 2016.
What do you think?

 

I'm on my 3rd RK. I've had this one 10 years. They are the most versatile bike HD makes IMHO. Mine is stock except for an AC and 2012 factory mufflers. I installed a PV from Fuel Moto and I'm very happy. You'd be wasting money on an aftermarket A/C as the new ones flow more than the engine is capable of using. Ditch the header for a decatted one off Ebay for 129 bux. You may be presently surprised with the sound and the cooler running. ABS brakes are nice. Linked brakes are even nicer but ABS is not a deal killer for me. With the problems people have been having with ABS modules I'm quite happy to not have them. On my RK I've installed a fairing and tourpak for big trips sort of like an Ultra without lowers. Both are quick detach so around town it's stripped down. Sometimes I leave just the fairing on like a S/G. It's now 3 bikes in one. Just giving you some options. Good Luck