I have been around a bit reading up, finally took the plunge and got a 2011 Road King FLHR on Friday. I love it. I am moving from a Yamaha Roadliner, so I miss a bit of the pickup, but this is surprisingly more responsive than that was, so I am happy.

I have a few questions, I searched for them but didn't find an exact match.

First, I like the hard bags for their utility, but like the looks of the soft bags from the classic. If I buy the leather ones as spares will they attach to the QR clips that the hard bags attach with?

Second, I don't love the decal on the tank, are their any less modern looking decals that are big enough to cover it, or is it with me until I paint the tank?

Finally, I find the riding position to be great for my legs, and at lights, but I am finding I reach a bit and my back is getting sore after short trips... I am only 5'7", would risers move them close enough or am I looking at a new bar and is that something that's easy enough to replace?

Thanks for your answers on this, and for all of the valuable threads that realy are what convinced me to take the plunge!

 

Matt,

Welcome to HDF, from the UK!

I can't help with your other queries, but can offer some advice on your riding position. You and I are almost exactly the same height and I had problems with my Glide when I bought it (many years ago now). The bars are adjustable and by rolling them back towards you a little you may find that is all you need. I made minor adjustments to mine, back and forth a few times, then one day, when I had owned the bike several months, we just clicked and have been happy together ever since!

So don't throw any new parts at it just yet. Find how to adjust your bars and see if that works for you. If you reckon on doing work on your bike, get a factory service manual. It may look expensive, but it costs no more than an hour at your dealer's workshop!

 

the classic leather bags will go on with a little adjustment

 

A big congrats to you on your new bike and welcome to HDF. You'll learn ALOT here if you stick around - an amazing amount of experience and knowledge here.

I was in the same boat when I bought my FLHR. I liked the look of the RK Classic but the utility and sturdiness and water-tight hard bags were of paramount importance to me so I went with the RK standard. I use the hell out of my bags and ride daily all year around so gotta have maximum use and room for my bags and be able to lock them.

Have fun with your new bike and chime in when you can.

 

I had my stock seat reupholstered so that it moved me forward by 2 inches. You could do the same or if interested I could sell you mine as I then bought a Mustang.

 

Hey congrats!! What color did you end up with?

Congrats again from one 2011 RK to another (well I gotta wait a little but.....)



Dawg

 

I had an '08 FLHR, loved it! I'm 5'11" and had problems reaching for the handle bars, had dealer rotate bars back, but that didn't do it, had them install Heritage bars, and wow! what a difference. Traded RK in for 2010 Ultra Limited, but still miss that bike, enjoy!

 

I am 6'3" and still found the stock bars uncomfortable on my '05 FLHRI. I went with the Road King High Bar, and the problem was solved. No more pain in between my shoulder blades. No more fingers going to sleep. It is a common problem that many of us fix soon after buying the bike (that and a saddle that doesn't murderize your buttocks).

 

The Heritage bars will move you a couple inches closer. The Sundowner seat will bring you another inch closer and lower.

I also hate the decal, it's so cheesy. The Classics emblem is much nicer. Haven't heard of anything you can do easily with the decal.