2009 Road King versus Heritage Softail
#21
12-30-2008 | 08:12 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
Wow, were all the same height! I did the following: Profile lowering shocks, Mustang seat and RK Chrome high bars. Perfect fit!
#22
12-30-2008 | 08:15 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 1
From: Heart of Missouri
Really enjoyed my RoadKing, solid/strong bike. Love the Kings Looks. Have rode my wife's Heritage a time or two, not bad, but the Kings to me rides better. Wife rode my King a time or two, she likes her Heritage. I wish she would have liked the King better, but it wasn't set up for her and I think that is why I no longer have the King and she still has her Heritage.
#23
12-30-2008 | 08:26 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 11
From: Yokohama
I can't flatfoot my RK either but with decent boots on I can get the ***** of both feet down. The bike has excellent balance so I have plenty of stability even like that, and it's also dead easy to balance the bike flat-footing just one side. I would rather ride like this than lower the bike and have to deal with a harsher ride and less cornering clearance.
#24
12-31-2008 | 06:59 AM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,555
Likes: 119
From: Brockport, NY
Both Hertiage and RKC's beautiful bikes especially with it's nostaglic looks. I'd favor RKC over Heritage cuz of the Windshield and Bags when it comes to traveling. Owned '06 RKC for 3 years and truly loved everything about it. Now, I moved up to '09 Ultra for one main purpose and reason. Storage !. Gotta have them for traveling purposes.
You'll have to go over the deciding factors on why you want RKC or Heritage over $$$...Jot down the Pro's and Con's then decide.
Only if Money's not an issue...May I suggest Ultra ?.
Good Luck,
Thorey
You'll have to go over the deciding factors on why you want RKC or Heritage over $$$...Jot down the Pro's and Con's then decide.
Only if Money's not an issue...May I suggest Ultra ?.
Good Luck,
Thorey
#25
12-31-2008 | 09:09 AM
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
I had the Heritage and now I have a 2009 King. The heritage is good for scootin around the AO but the King, well, it's the King, ya know. 
With the 09 improvements it is better and has better pickup because it doesn't have the counterbalancers that the ST has 
The 96 cubic inch is supposed to be about the same as the 88 CI but it has a lot more get up and go to my seat of the pants observation.
With the 09 improvements it is better and has better pickup because it doesn't have the counterbalancers that the ST has The 96 cubic inch is supposed to be about the same as the 88 CI but it has a lot more get up and go to my seat of the pants observation.
#26
12-31-2008 | 09:12 AM
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Monett, MO
#28
12-31-2008 | 11:01 AM
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
There are five main differences between the Heritage and Road King:
1. BRAKES: A big improvement for the RK here, as it has TWIN discs with Brembos, as well as the option of ABS. I'd say the braking on an 09 RK will feel twice as powerful as the Heritage.
2. FRAME: The 09 RK has the new stiffer frame with the 180 series tire on the back. This will give you better handling and more stability.
3. TANK: The 6-gallon tank of the RK is so much more convenient than the the 5-gallon Heritage. Whether you want to travel the extra 40 miles or so is up to you, but when touring with friends, it's a great convenience. It also seems to save money on gas, as you fill up at cheaper gas stations near home, and don't have to refill at the expensive joints far from home.
4. CRUISE CONTROL: This is available as a factory option on the RK, and I high recommend it. It reduces fatigue way more than you would think. On longer rides on highways and superslab, you'll be glad you have it.
5. TC96: The engine mounts on the RK are rubber, and it is much smoother (to me) than the Softail's internal balance shafts. It bumps around at idle, but smooths out above 1,200 revs. On a long trip, it just feels less tiring.
1. BRAKES: A big improvement for the RK here, as it has TWIN discs with Brembos, as well as the option of ABS. I'd say the braking on an 09 RK will feel twice as powerful as the Heritage.
2. FRAME: The 09 RK has the new stiffer frame with the 180 series tire on the back. This will give you better handling and more stability.
3. TANK: The 6-gallon tank of the RK is so much more convenient than the the 5-gallon Heritage. Whether you want to travel the extra 40 miles or so is up to you, but when touring with friends, it's a great convenience. It also seems to save money on gas, as you fill up at cheaper gas stations near home, and don't have to refill at the expensive joints far from home.
4. CRUISE CONTROL: This is available as a factory option on the RK, and I high recommend it. It reduces fatigue way more than you would think. On longer rides on highways and superslab, you'll be glad you have it.
5. TC96: The engine mounts on the RK are rubber, and it is much smoother (to me) than the Softail's internal balance shafts. It bumps around at idle, but smooths out above 1,200 revs. On a long trip, it just feels less tiring.
I went through this same exercise when I bought my RK back in 2005. The RK comes with some many features that are either optional or not available on the Heritage for so little difference in the money. RK is a good value.
#29
12-31-2008 | 11:25 AM
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 380
Likes: 37
From: Parma, Ohio
Just my opinion
I've owned 3 Road Kings (83 Police Special, 06 Road King Custom and my 09 Road King Classic) and I've owned one 03 Anniversary Soft Tail, and in my opinion all these bikes seemed to ride different from each other, this could be because of the different handlebars and seats between each, but I think my 09 RKClassic tends to have a more upright seating position than the 03 SoftTail, but I also felt that the 03 SoftTail was a more laid back position that felt really good in the turns as if the center of gravity was lower for some reason. For me I believe that the RKC is better suited for the long afternoon rides that I usually take.
#30
12-31-2008 | 01:23 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 30
From: Lewisberry PA
I have an 08 Road King Classic. I really love it. The one thing I had with a Rental Road King in Calif was that the windshield blew off. One feature I really like is the cruise control. If you plan on long weekend rides 2 up, you may want to look at the Ultras that have the extra storage.