Road King vs Heritage

[Nightrage]

I'm looking at getting a larger bike & like the looks of these two even though I've never rode either. I did have a chance to ride my father's Ultra Classic but I didn't like it's "big" feel nor did I like the looks of the fairing. I ride mostly around town but after the last couple of road trips I need a larger bike. I'm looking for the best all around town/tourer bike.

If anyone has rode both of these please give me a run down on the ride & feel between these two. FYI - I love the feel of a cruiser bike. Thanks!

[Motorcycle Forum]

[DrBob]

best advice I can give is to go to a demo day and ride both. The two bikes are completely differentM with different frames, suspensions, bars, and features. The seating position is different, and of course the Road King is much more of a touring bike, with hard bags and cruise control. I prefer the Road King, not just for the features but because I just don't like the softale frame. But others like the Heritage better. So try both- that's the great thing about Harley: unlike metric makes, they give test rides.

[Deno]

that's the great thing about Harley: unlike metric makes, they give test rides.

Huh? Never had a dealer turn me down for a test ride on a new or used metric bike. But the Harley dealer in Kokomo, instead of letting me take a test drive, suggested I rent one for an hour instead, at his relative's dealership in Plainfield. The Harley dealer on the Indianapolis northside said I could test ride any bike any time, though.

[Elvis]

Huh? Never had a dealer turn me down for a test ride on a new or used metric bike. But the Harley dealer in Kokomo, instead of letting me take a test drive, suggested I rent one for an hour instead, at his relative's dealership in Plainfield. The Harley dealer on the Indianapolis northside said I could test ride any bike any time, though.

Same here, test rode a C90 and 1300 Star this season. Most HD dealers I've been to in WA wouldn't even let you sit on the bikes. Luckily the HD dealers here in B.C. don't do that. I guess it varies from state to state (province to province up here). Can't wait for the HD demo day on Oct. 19.

[knucklehead]

I have a 08 heritage soft tail. My cousin has a road king, both are nice rides. I purchased the soft tail because for me it was more comfortable to sit on than the road king. My cousin feels the same way about his road king, so it comes down to what's right for you. Take your time and try both rides to find the right one ( these bikes are not cheap). Once you find the right one ride it and enjoy it, don't leave it sit in the garage.

[tallannie]

I test rode both of these about a month ago....and yes the dealer gave me grief about it which I posted elsewhere here. I found both bikes comfortable but would give the heritage the edge on seat comfort. Big difference for me was that the uncounterbalanced engine in the road king, for me, shakes way too much at idle... the softail heritage is counterbalanced(96b engine) runs much smoother, like the metric bike I am used to. for some, it isnt a Harley if it doesnt shake like that I am told.... And yes, it is an expensive machine.

I'm looking at getting a larger bike & like the looks of these two even though I've never rode either. I did have a chance to ride my father's Ultra Classic but I didn't like it's "big" feel nor did I like the looks of the fairing. I ride mostly around town but after the last couple of road trips I need a larger bike. I'm looking for the best all around town/tourer bike.

If anyone has rode both of these please give me a run down on the ride & feel between these two. FYI - I love the feel of a cruiser bike. Thanks!

[Davecm203]

Wow, I thought all HD dealers allowed test rides. My local dealer is really good about allowing test rides. It is owned by Ray Price. Too bad you are not from NC. They always treat everyone really well. They even treat me like a king and I have not purchased a bike from them. I tested out a V-Rod Street Rod a couple of years ago (decided it was not for me yet) and I tested rode a Buell 1125R (decided I should not spend the money right now with the economy the way it is and my job is economy dependent). I have purchased ridding gear from them and I will stop in once in a while so I can drip drool all over the pretty bikes.

Oh, they also have a Big and Rich bike there. It is modeled after their '8th of November' song very cool bike.

Oops, sorry. Got off topic. Anyway, sucks not all HD dealers are like that. When you pay more for a product, you at least expect better customer service.

[Dave Nadeau]

Oh,

I think I can see Annie drifting ever so slowly over to the "DARK SIDE"!!!
Annie you will be assimulated...............

[tallannie]

dang....it is that obvious? lol

Annie

Oh,

I think I can see Annie drifting ever so slowly over to the "DARK SIDE"!!!
Annie you will be assimulated...............

[Davecm203]

Oh,

I think I can see Annie drifting ever so slowly over to the "DARK SIDE"!!!
Annie you will be assimulated...............

Annie drifting over to the "Dark Side"? She is the Dark Side. She is the master controling us all. We just don't know it.

[tallannie]

Annie spins around in a circle looking for a dark side... where ? WHERE??? I dont see it? Is my tan not even or what???

Annie drifting over to the "Dark Side"? She is the Dark Side. She is the master controling us all. We just don't know it.

[Dave Nadeau]

Just come forward and give in to the rapture of the MOCO............Its painless!! They have a payment plan just for YOU!!

[Rickster]

For me the Road King was a better fit because the Heritage seemed to small, but I didn't like the bars or seat on the RK, anyway I fugured it would be easer to change the bars and seat on the RK than it would be to make the Heritage bigger, so I bought a RK and put on a Sundowner seat, and a set of bars off a FXD Wide Glide, now it fits just fine.