looking at Road King and Ultra Classic - help
#32
Up front, apologies.. new here.. I'm sure this has been beat to death but I don't know where to start here..
{clipped}
questions:
1) will a Road King get it done or will I wish I had the Ultra?
2) as I say, wind is part of riding, but do you get that "beat your head to death" buffeting on either model HD? is that Road King windshield enough?
3) how is stability in open plains cross winds?
thanks for any and all help and pointing me to this info if it's already here somewhere.. I appreciate it.
{clipped}
questions:
1) will a Road King get it done or will I wish I had the Ultra?
2) as I say, wind is part of riding, but do you get that "beat your head to death" buffeting on either model HD? is that Road King windshield enough?
3) how is stability in open plains cross winds?
thanks for any and all help and pointing me to this info if it's already here somewhere.. I appreciate it.
KSievers, thanks for posting this - and thanks to all for your replies.
#34
The Ultra's faring and lowers will give you more protection than the King's windscreen.
But it's a snap to pop the screen off the King for just riding around town.
I think the Ultra Tour Pack is slightly larger than the King's option.
I love my King, it's an incredibly versatile bike. I try not to do too much hiway (hate the boredom) and usually run river or mountain roads or around town, almost always without the windscreen. I can sort the King out solo or full on 2-up touring very easily. With accessories that are for the most part standard on an Ultra. A lot of folks love the speakers in the fairing and listening to music. I solved that on the King with a GPS and bluetooth receiver connected to ear buds.
Either bike will be 3 times the 650 you are used to. It's a great idea to rent each one for a day to see how you dig it. I rented a King a few years ago and started saving.
You can't go wrong.
But it's a snap to pop the screen off the King for just riding around town.
I think the Ultra Tour Pack is slightly larger than the King's option.
I love my King, it's an incredibly versatile bike. I try not to do too much hiway (hate the boredom) and usually run river or mountain roads or around town, almost always without the windscreen. I can sort the King out solo or full on 2-up touring very easily. With accessories that are for the most part standard on an Ultra. A lot of folks love the speakers in the fairing and listening to music. I solved that on the King with a GPS and bluetooth receiver connected to ear buds.
Either bike will be 3 times the 650 you are used to. It's a great idea to rent each one for a day to see how you dig it. I rented a King a few years ago and started saving.
You can't go wrong.
#35
#36
Ditto... I bought my FXDWG after renting everything Harley makes but a Sporty several times... Originally bought my RK for my two-up riding sessions only, the WG is just more funner. I like riding the RK without the windshield most of the time. Add to that a 3 hour ride is about as long as mine ever really get, I just don't need all the Ultra offers. The RK can be a lot more sporty, an Ultra can't (IMHO)
#37
#38
The King and I have been the best of friends for the past five years. A few months back the misses and I happen into the stealership on my birthday (a significant one at that). I spy a gorgeous street glide and she says to me, "you can have it but you have to get rid of your Road King". Insurance, room in the garage, trying to be a rodeo clown and ride two bikes at once, all good reasons not to have two. And I couldn't pull the trigger. I stayed with the King. She's sweet and always is rearing to go. Besides, she's got the class to dress up and go to a tuxedo event and get sloppy wet in a rainstorm and carry me and the misses safely home. The King, not the misses...
Radio? Why would I need a radio when I have the sweet sound of the engine roaring down the highway.
Fairing? Get's in the way of a great view of the road and scenery.
The king and I will have many more happy miles together.
I wish you luck and can't wait to see your new sig pic with you and your RKC.
Good luck...
Radio? Why would I need a radio when I have the sweet sound of the engine roaring down the highway.
Fairing? Get's in the way of a great view of the road and scenery.
The king and I will have many more happy miles together.
I wish you luck and can't wait to see your new sig pic with you and your RKC.
Good luck...
#39
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Manningtree, England
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Up front, apologies.. new here.. I'm sure this has been beat to death but I don't know where to start here..
Presently I ride a Suzuki V-Strom 650. I know it's apples and oranges to a big HD cruiser, not to mention the $$.
Just finished a 2k mile trip from mid-OK to Steamboat, CO and back. Looking for major improvement and would appreciate feedback from experienced HD distance riders.
my frustrations with V-Strom:
1) you get beat to death in the wind. Wind is OK but the buffeting sucks
2) working too hard at high speed... in rural "no-where" parts of the world it'd be nice to cruise at 90-100 and get 'er done
3) overall stability
questions:
1) will a Road King get it done or will I wish I had the Ultra?
2) as I say, wind is part of riding, but do you get that "beat your head to death" buffeting on either model HD? is that Road King windshield enough?
3) how is stability in open plains cross winds?
thanks for any and all help and pointing me to this info if it's already here somewhere.. I appreciate it.
Presently I ride a Suzuki V-Strom 650. I know it's apples and oranges to a big HD cruiser, not to mention the $$.
Just finished a 2k mile trip from mid-OK to Steamboat, CO and back. Looking for major improvement and would appreciate feedback from experienced HD distance riders.
my frustrations with V-Strom:
1) you get beat to death in the wind. Wind is OK but the buffeting sucks
2) working too hard at high speed... in rural "no-where" parts of the world it'd be nice to cruise at 90-100 and get 'er done
3) overall stability
questions:
1) will a Road King get it done or will I wish I had the Ultra?
2) as I say, wind is part of riding, but do you get that "beat your head to death" buffeting on either model HD? is that Road King windshield enough?
3) how is stability in open plains cross winds?
thanks for any and all help and pointing me to this info if it's already here somewhere.. I appreciate it.
If I ever need to change the RK I'll be buying another. I also like to have the option of taking the tour pack off when we stop fo a few day and hook it back up when I need it, and man that thing is large and can carry a lot of stuff. (Never enough for Jane though so hence the tour bag on top)
I am not sure which year your considering, but although I loved the 07 RK I have to say, that as a tool for the job the 09 model is much improved, I wont bore you with why as it has pretty much been cover elsewhere. Nut having said that I did the same sort of mileage on the 07.
Basically get what you like the look of, Ive never ridden the Ultra, but I doubt it will be any less capable than the RK, I just like the versitility of the RK and like to ride without a screen every now and then.
WB
Last edited by WildBill2566; 07-18-2009 at 06:28 AM.
#40
The Road King is basically for touring wannabees who aren't strong enough to hold up a full-size Ultra. Good for small riders with manicured fingernails, plaid socks and ankle-high boots. The big, nostalgic clip-on fairing is good for keeping the wind from messing up your $500 haircut, and the red checkered bandana you would generally wear around your neck riding this bike. The leather saddlebags come with very pretty tassles and cute little sparkly buckles that shine in the light from the Starbucks when you pul in, and don't clash heavily with the 1970 brown leather jacket most Road King riders wear. Basically, the bike is a step-up for a cruiser rider that isn't quite ready for an Ultra. Maybe when they grown up or eat their Wheaties.
Buy the Ultra like the rest of us he-men.
:-)
Cannon
Buy the Ultra like the rest of us he-men.
:-)
Cannon
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