Cant believe I bought a Harley.

Attaway - How's the seat on the newer model you acquired?

[Reason for query: A few years ago, Aftermarket benefited from seats being a bit on the firm side]

To me - RK riders tend to look most pleased after a run.

 

What color Road King did you get?
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I love Road Kings! congrats

 

I test-rode a new Road King for a weekend last year, having only ridden a Sportster several years before then. It was an interesting experience. Getting off of the Road King back onto my '08 Yamaha FZ-1 was like getting out of an S-Class Benz into a Ferrari. I came to the conclusion that I was maybe 10 - 20 years away from wanting a full blown cruiser like that. My FZ-1 has enough of an upright position to make it a lot better than the R6 I used to have, and I absolutely love it!

Enjoy your Road King!

 

Many safe returns Sir.

Wrecked May 2012. Like prior crashes, I stand and lift the cycle as fast as I can. This time the left tibia (shin-bone) fractured and presently a metal plate is tacked to it. A finger amputated too.

If a car nearly grazes in "your" lane, it's best to let it go. Cars will swerve purposely if a bike attempts to get attention. Daily I sought maintaining a fair perspective, the battle would inevitably start with a neighbor tailgating out of my own street.

When legal in states for bikes to "split lanes" pass stuck cars, it's wise not reconvening up the road at a light or a station. They're known to throw projectiles. I get it, it's not what anyone likes seeing.

Fathom WW2, wire strung neck level across routes traveled by motorcycles, about the only thing traffic today hasn't yet resorted to bikers.
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I have 45,000 miles on my 2006 RoadKing. Great bike for touring. Have had mine shipped to both Scottsdale, AZ, and Las Vegas, NV, and road back to MN. Wonderful trips.

I put 16 inch ape hangers on mine and love them. Also switched to a Harley Davidson "Sundowner" seat with backrest. Very comfortable. Make sure you have cruise control, but I think that's standard now.

Only thing I wouldn't agree with are resale values. They are not holding their value anymore. Too many bikes on the market. My 2006 which I have ~ $25,000 into (including motor mods, chrome, seats, etc...) is now worth ~ $8000.

Congrats!

MDS

 

Full front fender on RoadKing and SoftTail Deluxe is awesome. Wouldn't change a thing.
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Good choice on the Road King. Mine is a '99 with 48,000 miles. Mods are Screamin' Eagle heads, pistons and cams with Vance & Hines exhaust.

You will find the RK very versatile. Road mine home 750 miles in one day from Evel Kneivel days in Butte. Needed to get home due to a preemie grandson. Was very glad I had a bike that was manageable and predictable.

 

What did you do with your Ducati rocket ship??!

 

Wish you'd rode it. Could've gotten some photos with the 1198. I'd like to see it sometime.

 

Recently I made a delivery to the York, Pa. Harley plant.
Upon driving in I noticed something kinda odd.
The trailers no longer said made in USA on them.
I asked a guy in receiving about this.
He told me that the only part of a harley that is manufactured in America anymore are frames for a few models and some engine parts.
Everything else has been outsourced to China, Brazil, Mexico and Japan, in that order.
The York facility did have manufacturing buildings on their site at one time, but like the former jeep plant that was on I-44 outside of St.Louis, those buildings have been long since razed.
The York facility is now a distribution center.
He told me a few other things but if I mentioned those here, I might invoke the ire of thousands of owners.

 

I'm probably the only Harley rider with an Alpinestars jacket/gloves and Bell Star helmet.
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You would be one of two with the Alpinstars jacket, I use an ARAI helemt.
Same as you, I never could see myself on one. Then saw the moded Sportster 48 with the metalflake tank and bycycle seat in Cycle world mag, thought it was the coolest bike I had seen in years, so un harley, no chrome. Walked into a Harley shop out of curiosity and there was the exact bike, the rest was working on the wifey.

I told her that this bike would be safe because well we all know Harleys are slow. She reminded me that the last bike I bought I had told her would be safe because it was fast had great grip and brakes so could get out of trouble.

Put on the K&N intake and the screaming eagle pipes, plus a FI dial in. It definatly outdrage my friends FJY 1300 up to 70 ish. Above 90 it weaves unless you hold it real tight, i think its those Ballon tires. Oh and the brakes suck, and there is way too little ground clearnce when turning right, the ride is horrendous.

I guess it is a modern antique. The motor is great and sounds great, the handling and brakes mean you have to think ahead and get into the grroove, all of which means its fun to ride on short day trips.

Harleys have their thing going. I just wish they would make a naked that has that stripped out 40's no chrome look but with great suspension and brakes. Kinda like a harley vesrion of the Norton 961. Because one thing for sure, if you let the harley motor brethe they aint slow no more.

Ride well.