One poster suggested that you leave the wind shield on. I disagree because you are used to the wind in your face, but you aren't used to the buffeting you'll get from the shield. If they put wind deflectors on a rental you'll be OK, but I doubt they do that with rentals. The wind shield is easy to take on & off.
Plus, the bike looks better with it off.
Marsh

 

The FJR does a good job redirecting wind blast away from one's face, hence my suggestion. But I agree he should try both, and it looks amazing without the windshield.

 

Two worlds, but let us know what you think.

 

I have owned an 03 and an 06 FJR and currently ride an 08 Roadglide. I have also been luckey enough to own six other HDs over the years. The FJR was the only bike I have owned twice and I may buy another. If possable keep the FJR and buy an FL type HD. My RoadGlide is very good and I love it but the FJR was the best ALL-ROUND motorcycle I have ever owned. FJR sucks 2-up IMO but is better for daily transport, bags on the FJR I found way more usefull and seem larger, power and handling on the FJR were more than you need but less than you want. My RoadSlide is a very good all-rounder and I do'nt think I good live without stero and CC anymore (both things I thought were'nt for real bikers till I got them) power on the RG is ...well...800lbs and 67HP, enough said about that, the Harley is the only way to go for 2-up comfort and I do'nt even notice the wife on the back. Handling on the RoadGlide is much better than most think, you can have alot of fun with a big HD, new brakes are VERY good with excellant feel. Bags on Harley's are narrow and that limits use as opposed to FJR. If I could only have one or the other it would be the RoadSlide due to 2-up comfort and the fact that I now ride slower and am more relaxed riding, floorbourds are very comfy.. The radio and cruise are also worth it. In the end I think I need two bikes. Before I get flamed let me say I have owned alot of bikes and I like them all, I started on a 74 sport in 1975 and have had HDs thruout, most of the time I own 2 bikes and for me thats the way to go.

 

I know I 'm not telling most of you guys anything you don't already know about the Harley riding experience. But I'll go ahead and wright my review from my perspective as a first time Harley rider.

I took out a rented Harley Davidson Road King in Danbury CT for a ride last weekend. I got on the bike by 11:30AM Saturday with a planed return time of 5PM Sunday. I was soon under way for three hour tour. The weather started getting ruff, and the tinny ship was............ just kidding. It was a very nice day for my ride, a clear sky and about 55 to 60 degrees into the afternoon.

I planned my ride from Danbury Connecticut up to Kent. From Kent my plan was to ride west into rural Dutchess County New York farm country, then back into rural north western Connecticut to ride through Sharon, Lakeville (the home of Lime Rock Park raceway), Cornwall, Goshen and Torrington CT. All charming and beautiful old New England towns. The Last Part of my three hour tour was a ride on the Highway south down Rt. 8 from Torrington and west on I-84 back to Danbury.

Wile I was waiting to leave the dealers parking lot, I feared the Road King would fall over as soon as I leaned into the turn out into traffic. My bike, the 07 FJR1300, is the heaviest bike I’ve ridden at 640 pounds. The Road king is 775 pounds, thats only 135 pounds more, but Road King feels a lot heaver than that to me. I quickly learned its not an issue except when lifting it off the kick stand.

Before getting out into the better roads north of New Millford CT on Rt. 7, I had a bout a 15 minute ride through traffic with a series of stops at red lights . I felt very self conscious wile waiting in traffic for the red lights to turn green. I imagined all the cagers waiting in line with me were watching the the bike. I thought the must be wondering what the hell is wrong with that bike. The shaking in the whole bike was just unreal. The bike must be intentionally engineered to shake that much. Maybe not back in the old days when Harley Davidson got started, but I just can’t believe that much shaking can’t be brought more under control with todays advanced technology.

The next 20 minutes of my ride was a beautiful open road section of Rt. 7 following along the side of the Housatonic river up to Kent CT from New Milford. Remembering the reason I rented the Road King was to see if I could be more comfortable on all day rides compared to my FJR, it soon became apparent I had a new problem. Because of the upright seating position I had riding the Road King, I was slouching. I also think the slope of the rear section of the seat was causing my hips, or tail bone, to roll under. This further encouraged a slouched posture. But so far, my back did not hurt. So I was still enjoying the ride.

When I arrived in down town Kent, I stopped in a small gas station to top of the tank. Wile I was at the gas station I took a deep breath and concluded there was no reason to be nervous with the bike. The slow speed handling is really quite good, and it is very easy to balance bike wile slowly rolling in traffic. I had fallowed some slow traffic on the way up to Kent, so I still had not played with the bike much.

Leaving the gas station for a ride through some farm country in Dutchess County New York, I had my first traffic free ride on the bike. I found the bike to have good handling; it was much more flickable than I thought it would be. As rolled on the throttle in turns the bike felt very planted. The bike was awesome fun as I blasted off from the apexes in turns and let the big v-twin roar as the bike stood up for fast runs down the road to the next turn. And brakes were very strong and predicable. I did hit the rev limiter a few times before I knew what it was the rev limiter that was interrupting my blast off through the gears. The high speed handling through the twisties with powerful acceleration after each turn was really fun. I quickly became confident that I could really have fun with this big bike in the twisties. I also love the harley v-twin roar. Its not a high horse power sport touring bike like my FJR, but I still (at this point) was very enthusiastically liking the big Road King. Its was fun to push this big girl to see what it can do. I bet I could really surprise the sport bike guys with this bikes ability get down and boogie, but sport bike obviously would still smoke me.

Comparing my comfort level on the Road King to my FJR after an hour or so of riding, was going well. My legs were very comfortable, my *** was not sore and my arms and my wrists were also more comfortable. But my back was beginning to get sore. Consequently my enthusiasm for the bike began to fade a bit.

When I got out onto Rt 8 highway in Torrington and roared up to highway cruising speed I immediately discovered a new challenge to my riding comfort. My head was vibrating. I was glad I just got my bad fillings fixed at the dentist. I had my my Arai Profile helmet on. The wind buffeting from the top of the stock Road King wind screen was causing a very annoying downforce type vibration on my helmet. I did ask the dealer several days before picking up the bike if they could provide a taller wind screen for my rental, but they said they don’t accessorize the rental bikes. But they added that the Harley wind screen was angled correctly to send the wind over my head. Unfortunately for my first Harley riding experience, they were wrong.

After about 30 minutes on the highway, I really wanted get off the bike. My back was sore from slouching and I was getting a head ache from the vibration on my head form the wind buffeting from the short wind screen. The bike took care of my discomfort issues with the FJR but created two new ones. A sore back and a head ache.

I did try the bike out on the highway on Sunday with no wind screen. The vibration on my head was gone, but I thought I was about to be blow off the bike a 70 mph. I’m 6’0” tall, I guess its my tall profile with the upright riding posture of a Road King that caused the wind to have such a big impact.

I took the Road King home Saturday night and hoped my back and head ache would be better in the morning.

No such luck, the next morning my back quickly worsened after starting out witch resulted in my loss of enthusiasm for the Road King. Toward the end of my riding day I wanted to get home sooner. I got out onto the Tatonic state parkway followed by Interstate 84. Big mistake, the vibration on my helmet gave me a head ache for two days. And my back did not fair much better.

The next day after I returned the bike I call the dealer and told them about my experience with the Road King. They told me I should try a Road Glide. I refocused the conversation to the issues I had with the Road King. I told him I believe I would have the same issues with all the Harley touring bikes with a wind screen too short for my hight and no back rest. I again asked about getting a backrest and taller wind screen for another test ride. I even told the dealer I would pay for parts and labor and would sell the parts on my own if I don’t by a bike. But they still would not budge. So, its a no sale for them.

I will not buy a Road King or one of the other touring Harley's until I know, first hand, that these problems can be solved. I think they can be, but I have to try one first with a tall wind screen and a backrest, or it no sale. And I wont budge on this.

I like the looks of the Comfort stitch seat and backrest from Harley Davidson, but its not available yet on the 08’s and up due to the bigger tank. The Comfort Stitch seat dose not appear in the pictures to have a slope at the rear of the riders seat that would roll my hips under to cause more slouching. I would need a ride on a Harley touring bike with a different shaped seat, a back rest installed and a taller wind shield before plunking down the big bucks Harley’s command.

My last and related concern is potential violent shaking of a back rest at idle; and what that will feel like? It might feel good. The whole point of getting a big cruiser for me is to have a very comfortable all day rider.

Now I just need a cooperative dealer. One with the courage off a fearless crew, so the sale won’t be lost.

 

I am sorry to hear it didn't live up to your expectations. I am sure there are things that could be done to fix the issues you had. I know they have a new seat out, I believe its the signature series or something. It is a real cushy looking solo seat with a driver's back rest. You also may want to try to get a ride on a 09. They made quite a few changes. Mine is a 09 and I don't experience all of what you said you did. I did ditch the stock seat for a badlander and I don't typically ride with the shield. I still find 70 mph to be fine. Also, my bike vibrates at idle, but not nearly as violently as you described. The vibration it does have goes away as soon as it gets throttle. I hope you can get your hands on another RK and its to your liking. It truly is an awesome scoot.

 

It was better than I expected. I liked the bike a lot.

The engine vibration was ok, I just don't understand why it has to be that extreme. It was not the motor vibration that got to my head, it was the wind buffeting from the wind screen that was too short for me.

I'm fairly sure my back would be happy if I had a backrest. I'm also carrying a 40 inch gut on my six foot frame. I'm sure thats not helping.

I'm just not sure enough to put down the big money untill I try out a better set up for me.



It was the wind

 

It's too bad about your dealer. The one I go to the most will mount back rests and such on rentals. The idle vibration you speak of probably just seems like a lot to you because you're not used to it. I thought it was bad too when I first rode mine (switched from a Heritage), but after a few days I didn't even notice it anymore. I think the stock seat (and handlbars for that matter) on all Road Kings are horrible. I switched to a Sundowner seat and I love it. I'm sure that everything that you didn't like about the bike could be easily fixed.

 

I have noticed that the vibration through your head and neck can be caused by lugging the motor in 6th gear (anything under 65).Sounds crazy but it's true. To help eliminate some of the vibration at stoplights is to not hold the front brake if possible . This allows the "whip of the motor to be absorbed by the rocking back and forth of the front tire. If you get on one again stop and hold the front brake then leave off and see the difference.I also agree with Nitroshark on the vibration issue too. I came off a softail so it was bad until I got used to it. I also moved my handlebars forward to change my riding position and it helped my back . I am only 5'9" so I dont have the windsheild issues you do but the RK may not be the bike for you.

 

I just wanted to point one thing out. I've had many many bikes and every new bike I get requires me to strengthen the muscles being used for the position I am now riding in. In the case of a Harley touring bike it takes about...say a week before all aches and pains go away.

I'm not saying it happens to everyone. It does happen to me.

The wind issue you have can be fixed pretty easily and the stock seat on about any HD touring bike pretty much sucks. If you were in my area (Charleston, SC) I'd let you borrow one of my bikes for a few days to see what a Sundowner, better bars, and a recurve windshield will do. I don't even need a back rest now.

Point is, give the bike some time, and make the bike fit you. You'll be comfortable, Promise....

lp