Went to Biketoberfest.

Didn't have a lot of time so I couldn't ride there. Decided to rent a bike (not sure if it's worse than trailering ) and figured a RK would be nice for 2-up riding. My wife has her own bike and therefore is not real keen on riding b#tch anymore - but a RoadKing should be more comfy than my Fatboy.

WRONG!

What a piece of crap. Damn. I though I had alzheimer's the way that rubber mounted hulk jiggled. Sure, everyone says they're sweet at 80 - BFD. If you spend all your time at 80, you're not enjoying the ride. Sorry to offend the FLH crowd. Top heavy. Way top heavy with a passenger. My wife thought she was trapped the way the bags restrict your leg position. The damn rear boards, or more like stairway landings, clips your ankles as you waddle through Main street traffic. Had them remove the windshield because when that thing starts shaking at idle your sure to strike an epileptic fit. Only saving grace was the bags. I know that it's a Harley and it should vibrate. Vibration is fine. Shaking sucks.

Not for me. Give me the counter balanced, well balanced, full wind-in-the-face sculpture that is a Softail. I can't believe I owned one of these things before my Fatboy.

I'm sorry I sinned. Forgive me - though I may have to try a Dyna next time. Oh, and don't take your wife on the back of a standard V-Rod. The seat will make sure you're, well, um, on your own for a few days.

-DO

 

I hear ya about the shaking of the twin 88. I recently rented a Dyna Wide Glide and it took me a while to get used to the violent shaking below 40 mph. I've rented Road Kings in the past too. The last one I rented I ended up putting almost 1000 miles on it.

Once you get used to it it's not bad. I found both bikes to be really comfortible when in the upper gears.

 

Your forgiven, but for penance I hereby sentance you to ten laps around the block on a Softail.
As for the wife problem and V-Rods, your on your own there fella. But thanks for the warning.

 

I had the exact same experience and opinion when test riding a new '07 Road King a few week ago. I couldn't wait to get off and get back on my good buddy Fatboy. I know just what you mean about the ride and totally agree. Sorry, RK'ers.
BA

 

I have to agree...the "A" motor shaking is WAY worse than any small vibrations the "B"motor may have at 80+! In fact, I don't feel much, if any, difference in vibrations ("A" to "B") at 80+.

The touring bikes do ride smoother over bumps. As for passenger comfort, each time Paula has rsat on or idden with me on a Touring bike, she comments on the cramped postion. She's only 5' 3"!

 

i have a softail standard and a road king custom. until this past weekend (changed the seat, lowered rear peg, upgraded rear shocks) the softail destroyed the road king. now that i tweaked it, the RK is better on the long haul, and the softail is great for ripping around.

only thing better than a harley...is two harleys!

 

I couldn't agree more. Even though I've never ridden the King with a passenger, solo it really doesn't shine until you get it out on the superslab (which isn't my idea of a good time anyway). I spent some time on my bro's '06 RKC during a trip together this fall. We switched back and forth over differing road types and conditions over a 3 day, 800 mile trip. My 2004 FatBoy is basically stock with a SE Stage 1 intake and SE 16 gauge double barrel pipes being the only "performance" mods. I'll admit that the stock FB seat is less than stellar for any long trip and the lack of a windshield makes it more tiring to ride on the slab. But for the bulk of the trip we ran on 2 lane roads with speeds from 50-65 mph and my FB was way more fun to ride than his RKC in those conditions. I thought it was just my short, stubby legs that had a problem dealing with the bike in traffic. You are correct that between the driver and passenger floorboards there's just not enough room to move your feet comfortably on the ground. Even though I love the looks of the RKC, I'll stick with my Fatty, thank you very much!

-Randy

 

Citoriplus,

The funny thing was that we got off the plane and headed home we dropped the bags in the house and headed out on the bikes. Did a 2 hour ride in 45 degree weather to help the memory fade.

ilmanzon,

I agree. There are too many times when another bike is necessary. There were things that I would have changed on this RK. Since it was a rental and I assume that Rossmeyer will sell it for full book value in the coming weeks, it still had the crappy bars, small grips, semi-comfortable seat, questionable brakes, and so on.

I guess it comes down to the fact that we take the time to personalize our bikes that when we have to hop on to a "stock" one, we miss the things that make it our own.

DMSC,

My Wife's 5'9" and it really cramped her. We eventually went back to the dealer and she grabbed a StreetBob for the last day. Of course now I have to hear about how much nicer the SB was than her Sporty...

-DO

 

I own a 06 Street Glide. I love the bike but I wish it had a "B" motor. I don't know why they even make an "A" motor. I have a SERT and have had the bike Dynoed in an attempt to smooth it out but that hasn't worked. I sometimes find myself riding faster than I should just to get above 2800 rpm's cause that's where my motor runs best. On the highway it's pure luxury but in traffic my teeth rattle. If I wouldn't loose so much cash I would trade it for a Heritage Softail. If I only were wealthy! LOL!

 

Amen to that! I honestly can't understand why the Motor Company even builds the "A" motor anymore. The "B" motor is so much smoother you'd think it would be a "no brainer" to just put it in everything!