nice looking bike, clean.

 

I guess we're talking you out of it, since you don't have one yet.

 

OK. When I was ready to buy my 1st Harley in 09, I rode my buddy's Road King for awhile. Glad I did. Wasn't comfortable to me. I had to reach for the handlebars, and lean WAY too far forward. I couldn't have ridden a 300 mile Sunday on it. Sure, I suppose I would've been able to put handlebar risers on it to bring them back toward me, or I could've gotten different bars, but I wanted it right without doing all that. I test rode an 09 EG Classic, and it felt like it was made for me. That's what I bought. I now have a Limited Ultra. Didn't even consider RK. Now, I like the fairing so much, I can't see myself on anything WITHOUT a fairing. Ride a Road King. Maybe you'll love it. Maybe you'll discover what I did. Also keep in mind that this is just MY opinion. Lots of RKs out there, and lots of guys love them. It wasn't for me. Take one for a ride.

 

Do it! You can go from Summer Riding


To Winter riding in 15 minutes

 

My favorite bike was my 2011 Road King Classic. That Silver with the white walls was a very classy looking bike.

 

Fall two up touring with the Road King is just too cool.
Seek out the fall colors and grin.
Stow the jackets and stuff for the ride home.
Smooth, powerful, and sharp.

 

My recommendation is to go for a RKC. Everything works on that bike. You won't be looking to put a Street GLide fender on it, or stretched bags. The wire wheels look great on it, so there is no need to change those. Everything just works together very well.

 

Buy the Road King, find a good used 14-16 with low miles now that the 17s are out or buy a new 16 for much less than the 17s. Either way, you get the 103 and a fantastic, classic bike.

 

Oh yeah. This is a huge thing to mention. At least for me. The pre Rushmore Road King handle bars are nothing short of Chinese torture devices. Absolute garbage. Just something to consider based on the years you are considering. The '14 up bars are a huge improvement.

 

There's a special feeling when you're riding an iconic motorcycle like a RKC, and it goes way beyond the steel, rubber and technology.

There's a reason why it's styling has been copied, poorly, by every other bike manufacturer who go out of their way NOT to display their badges on their bikes so people will THINK they're a Harley.

Buy a King. Learn the reason. Ride history.