H/D Roadking?
- Thread starter Davel
- Start date
The Phantom Pieman
Registered user
Rode one from LA to Vegas ...
I really liked it .... and it has brakes
I really liked it .... and it has brakes
As long as the extras are performance,handling and braking,it should be fine...
Seriously,it`s a case of `orses fer courses mate.
If you`ve never had one,and fancy it.....get it.....you may well like it.
And if in the end you don`t like it,sell it.
Seriously,it`s a case of `orses fer courses mate.
If you`ve never had one,and fancy it.....get it.....you may well like it.
And if in the end you don`t like it,sell it.
(RIP) Bin Ridin
Registered user
I think you would ride it once and then leave in the shed. Can't imagine ridin a hardly when I had a good GS or even a bad GS in stock.
885 Sportser for sale new here for abour 5,500 yoyos. Sat on it, reminded me of sitting on top of a gate. Got off.
885 Sportser for sale new here for abour 5,500 yoyos. Sat on it, reminded me of sitting on top of a gate. Got off.
Aurelius
Registered user
Davel said:
I'm not sure which year Road King you're referring to, but if its one of the new 'Twin Cam 88's', then its one of my top picks in Harley's current lineup. I rode one at last year's Daytona Bike Week, and was very pleasantly surprised. The last Road King I test rode was back in 1995, and it was pure shite: lots of vibration, dangerously weak brakes, little engine power, and it handled like a truck. The new one is a huge improvement in every respect. My only remaining complaint is the clunky gearshifts (yes, even compared to the GS). It doesn't miss shifts or pop out of gear, but it is noisy and requires a firm stab at the lever. The brakes too require a bit more effort than you'll be used to, but its something you'll quickly adapt to. They're very easy to maintain, especially since the valves are the hydraulic self adjusting variety, but they do require an oil change every 3000 miles.
I'm not sure, however, if its the bike I'd want for British roads. The Road King was designed for long distance travel on America's open roads, and its very well suited for that. But for quick acceleration and braking while filtering through traffic, I'd prefer to be on a GS, or perhaps something even more lithe.
Fanum
Toubab
So we did manage to anglicise you a bit on your visit Andrew 
Aurelius
Registered user
Fanum said:
Frisky
Guest
Did it make you smile Andrew??
custard tart
Registered user
I sold my S reg twin cam Roadking to buy my new 1200 back in June this year.
It had all the usual extras, lots of bolt on chrome and best I was offered was
£6500 from dealers.
Ended up selling it to my neighbour for that, but got an extra £450 for some of the chromey bits from another mate.
Least the £450 almost bought my set of zegas.
IMHO....for what its worth, look for one private. Bearing in mind the time of year there should be a few bargains to be had
It had all the usual extras, lots of bolt on chrome and best I was offered was
£6500 from dealers.
Ended up selling it to my neighbour for that, but got an extra £450 for some of the chromey bits from another mate.
Least the £450 almost bought my set of zegas.
IMHO....for what its worth, look for one private. Bearing in mind the time of year there should be a few bargains to be had
beemerman
Guest
The king is reckoned to be one of the best Harleys. i had a Dyna for a year 7 liked it apart from the weight. The handling / stopping thing isnt really that bad, but it is a completely different ride to any other bike. They all are very comfy, and ok if you are`nt in a rush. The biggest problem is the image.
Rollo
Guest
I traded my '02 Road King in for a new 1150 GS Adventure 16 months ago. At 18 months old it fetched £9,500 in px, so your deal is not that exciting.
Mine had the 1550cc conversion and 15,000 miles on the clock and a freshly powder coated frame under warranty. The HD Regional Service Manager said that the bikes are not made for this weather and esp the salt conditions and he was reluctant to fix the severe rust on the frame of a bike with 6 months warranty left.
The Road King is a great ride. Very comfortable, lots of grunt and pulls a crowd. It takes a lot of cleaning and it's not optional. Go out for ride in October and you have to wash it down, dry it and polish it. If you don't, the chrome pits and looks like shit.
As a second bike it is fabulous and brings with it a social life that is incredible, not matched anywhere and is fun. 600 bikes at a regional meet, 265,000 at the Centenary Celebrations in Barcelona.
Get the price right, use it in the summer months and enjoy it.
Mine had the 1550cc conversion and 15,000 miles on the clock and a freshly powder coated frame under warranty. The HD Regional Service Manager said that the bikes are not made for this weather and esp the salt conditions and he was reluctant to fix the severe rust on the frame of a bike with 6 months warranty left.
The Road King is a great ride. Very comfortable, lots of grunt and pulls a crowd. It takes a lot of cleaning and it's not optional. Go out for ride in October and you have to wash it down, dry it and polish it. If you don't, the chrome pits and looks like shit.
As a second bike it is fabulous and brings with it a social life that is incredible, not matched anywhere and is fun. 600 bikes at a regional meet, 265,000 at the Centenary Celebrations in Barcelona.
Get the price right, use it in the summer months and enjoy it.
Ride and enjoy it
I've not ridden a Road King but I had a Harley Dyna Superglide Sport for several years, great bike, loads of character, and comfy. The thing to look out for is the brakes on the pre 2001 model year, they were a bit on the weak side.Post 2001 (or was it 2000 had improved 4 piston stppers on the front.) I put Harrison billet 4 pot calipers on, made a huge difference. Harleys are like BMW's in that the more you ride them the more you begin to like and understand them. I've usually found the biggest critics of Harleys to be people who've never ridden one or maybe for just a short while. believe me they do grow on you Just be careful of the 'Hog fever' you can end up spending a small fortune on all sorts of accessories, far more than what most people on this board spend on tarting up their GS'es. Just don't expect to ride it as quick as a GS. That said my Superglide had no problems keeping up with a friends enthusiasticly ridden GS1200 around northern Scotland last year.Harleys have pretty good tuning potential though, but it's very expensive to do. And yes they are very easy to maintain yourself, far easier than any of the numerous BMW's I've had over the last 20 odd years.
I've not ridden a Road King but I had a Harley Dyna Superglide Sport for several years, great bike, loads of character, and comfy. The thing to look out for is the brakes on the pre 2001 model year, they were a bit on the weak side.Post 2001 (or was it 2000 had improved 4 piston stppers on the front.) I put Harrison billet 4 pot calipers on, made a huge difference. Harleys are like BMW's in that the more you ride them the more you begin to like and understand them. I've usually found the biggest critics of Harleys to be people who've never ridden one or maybe for just a short while. believe me they do grow on you Just be careful of the 'Hog fever' you can end up spending a small fortune on all sorts of accessories, far more than what most people on this board spend on tarting up their GS'es. Just don't expect to ride it as quick as a GS. That said my Superglide had no problems keeping up with a friends enthusiasticly ridden GS1200 around northern Scotland last year.Harleys have pretty good tuning potential though, but it's very expensive to do. And yes they are very easy to maintain yourself, far easier than any of the numerous BMW's I've had over the last 20 odd years.
Hi there.
I've had about 10 HDs and a similar number of BMWs and I've still got a 96 RK as well as a 1200GS and an 1150RT (soon to go I expect..). I have to say I love them all for different reasons. My RoadKing has been all over Europe many times and is smooth as silk and stops...but it does have Billet 4 brakes, aftermarket cam, carb, ignition and pipes but no extra chrome! I don't tend to ride it when there's salt about as it does need to be kept clean to maintain a decent appearance. That said they are not half as susceptible to corrosion as is rumoured. The later twin cam models are a lot smoother, quicker and stoppable out of the box. The social scene with Harleys is good and varied but so it is with BMs. There is a startling array of events in the Harley calender and you could easily organise your life around it...some do. My biggest problem is trying to find enough opportunities to do decent length trips on both makes every year. Good problem to have I suppose.
I've had about 10 HDs and a similar number of BMWs and I've still got a 96 RK as well as a 1200GS and an 1150RT (soon to go I expect..). I have to say I love them all for different reasons. My RoadKing has been all over Europe many times and is smooth as silk and stops...but it does have Billet 4 brakes, aftermarket cam, carb, ignition and pipes but no extra chrome! I don't tend to ride it when there's salt about as it does need to be kept clean to maintain a decent appearance. That said they are not half as susceptible to corrosion as is rumoured. The later twin cam models are a lot smoother, quicker and stoppable out of the box. The social scene with Harleys is good and varied but so it is with BMs. There is a startling array of events in the Harley calender and you could easily organise your life around it...some do. My biggest problem is trying to find enough opportunities to do decent length trips on both makes every year. Good problem to have I suppose.
maddave
Guest
Davel said:
My mate has just had his Roadking stolen London area If you go and see it, could you check out if it matches any of this??
Mod: FLHRCI Harley RoadKing Classic 1998 Anniversary Edition
Reg: R699 TGC
Eng: 1340cc Evolution number 1HD1FRR41WY612178
Frm: FRRW612178
Col: Burgundy & Champagne (Red/Cream)
Distinguishing features:
Lighter socket installed on right side panel,
Vance & Hines Headers and Porker Pipes mufflers (no crossover 2 into 2)
Right hand footplate has spacers to avoid headers
"Tiger MCC" sticker still on headlight
Crystal smear on inside of LCD speedo
"wood effect" lock surround removed , match for dashboard.
Avon venom whitewall tyres not Dunlops
Braided front brake lines but standard rear
Additional LED stop lights installed inside rear indicator lenses.
Rear Clip-on Rack (removable) overhanging licence plate
Chrome cover for starter motor has hex-head bolt not cross head.
Right turn Clyde...... 
Rod
Registered user
I have also been looking at Harleys, and took a 2006 Dyna Super Glide Custom for a ride on Sunday. I must say that I realy enjoyed it, as a second bike to my 1200GS. I would not consider it as an only bike, but of course that could change with ownership, but I doubt it.
I think it is nice to have a second bike that is very different to the GS, but one that has a lot of character. I found the brakes quite scary, but the engine was great. I think I will probably get one for sunny day cruising when I have no where in particular to go.
I think it is nice to have a second bike that is very different to the GS, but one that has a lot of character. I found the brakes quite scary, but the engine was great. I think I will probably get one for sunny day cruising when I have no where in particular to go.
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