I just went from a Suzuki DR 650 to a 23 Road King Special. Its my first "road" bike, and holy shit a giant leap from a dual sport! Absolutely fucking love my Harley!
I started with a 94 XL sporty damn nice bike rode it for 15 years then went to a 90 softail custom rode it for 5 years still have it then i fell in love with a 03 road king classic ( gun metal blue ) super nice ride barely showing 30 k on the clock out of all to me thats the one man i love my road king
@@scottdavis9318 yeah I got my cam tensioners changed at 29 k and went to hydraulic push rods and while I was there got new needle bearings should be good for a while its a Good practice to keep an eye on those tensioners its a pain but just one of those things with a twin cam 88 engine
Nice video. I own a Sportster/Heritage Classic/Road King Special. The Road King Special is by far my favorite Harley. I'm on it 99.9% of the time. BTW I'm 5'6" and trust me you get used to the weight. Very versatile and nimble model. My favorite bagger. Take care.
U own an 883, Slim, and Road King special! Could not part with any! I’m 6’4”, 260, look a little strange on 883, but all different rides. Oh, I upgraded the 883 to 1200👍 it hums! Ride safe!
I too migrated from Sportster to Road King. Like night and day. My progression went like this….Sportster, Softail Deluxe, Road King 103, Road King 107. Once you go Road King, you never go back.
Helluva leap from a Sportster to a Road King brother. I have the former right now and I love it. I can see myself on the Road King eventually but I think I’ll blend into one, probably via a sport glide. No other Harley puts a smile on my face like my Sportster does though.
My wife went from a 1200 Sportster to a Road King. It was literally double the price. She loved it though. At 5’11” she had no problem with either. Alan
In early 2007 I had to leave my 2005 1200R at the dealership one 34 degree morning. They asked me if I wanted to borrow a bike to get back home and I said "sure". They rolled a new Firefighter Special Edition Road King out of a C-can, gave me a quick tutorial, then said "have fun". With EFI, it started instantly and settled into a smooth idle. I clicked it into gear and rode off. No stumbles, no staggers, no misfires. Nothing that your car wouldn't do. It was a very automotive experience. No, I wasn't able to persuade the Office of Management and Budget to upgrade my ride, and it was too cold to go out riding.
@@TheMotoJawn , perhaps this story might be more relatable: When we started going to Myrtle Beach, our good car was a 1982 Rabbit. Four cylinder, four speed, no air. It was an endurance run and we drove at night so our son would sleep in the back seat. In 1988 we bought a new Dodge Caravan. The drive to Myrtle became more like watching TV for 12 hours. That's the major difference between a Sportster and a bagger: baggers are designed for 500 mile days in relative comfort. Earlier this year I was looking at a deal on a used Electra Glide but wasn't fast enough. One warning: maintenance costs on Big Twins are far higher than Sportsters. Oil changes and tires, and they wear tires out faster than Sportsters, will just gag you. A new front tire on the Sporty will run around $200, $300 for the rear.
Went from a 2001 rigid mounted 883 Sportster XLH (which I'd ride on the interstate year round) to a 2020 road king special and it's basically the difference between 1956 and today.
Dude, I feel like Motojawn is my other half. That's exactly what I've wanted. I love my sporty for my downtown living/riding, but would love a Road King for longer trips.
Yea I own a 2018 Iron 1200 and just traded in my 2017 Street Glide for a 2022 Heritage 114. It is so much more lighter and flickable then the Road King. I love it more then the Street Glide. I'm considering selling my Iron now. I do still enjoy my Iron for doing some moto camping though.
Recently bought a new Sporty 883, and I’m absolutely in love with it. Thanks for the videos! I remember trying a big kitted out Softail a long time ago and just felt unsafe on it. At the time I had a ZX6R.
I suggest test riding a Heritage Classic 114. I recently traded my Road King Special for a 2022 Heritage Classic in Redline Red and Vivid Black. The Heritage is more nimble, lighter, and smoother suspension vs Road King.
@@johnbelculf5441 I went on a 2 up test ride. Unfortunately, the Heritage I tested didn't have a Back rest. I thought it handled well with a passenger. I've not had a chance to 2 up since the test ride
Thanks for the vid bud. I realize I’m late to the party here. Interesting, because I too am 5’6” and recently test rode a road king and flat footed it. There are different inseams for the same height of course, but I was flat down. Anyway good perspective coming from a sportster. I’m on a Honda CB1100 and looking for something more long distance.
I swung by Brandywine a few months back. Someone helped me out when I sat on a few different bikes. Might have even been that specific guy. The Softails felt manageable, but the Road Kind still felt heavy enough that I'd be psyching myself out on a corner. It was COMFY though. I still just feel so apprehensive about test riding bikes that I know I can't afford, and feel concerned that I'd damage by screwing up a turn from a stop.
I'm debating upgrading from the Sportster 1200 to a Softail. I really like the '20 Heritage but used they're still like $20k. Everyone tells me the 2017 and older Softail lean angles are terrible. So I could get an old Road King for now. I'm always debating. lol
Why does everybody that has 4 inches of camera on the bottom of their helmet complain about having to really look down to see the speedo?Anything to do with the camera?I can look at my speedo without moving my head.....eyeballs look down(true story).
I just went from a Suzuki DR 650 to a 23 Road King Special. Its my first "road" bike, and holy shit a giant leap from a dual sport! Absolutely fucking love my Harley!
That's awesome love the road king special
I started with a 94 XL sporty damn nice bike rode it for 15 years then went to a 90 softail custom rode it for 5 years still have it then i fell in love with a 03 road king classic ( gun metal blue ) super nice ride barely showing 30 k on the clock out of all to me thats the one man i love my road king
I have a 03 se roadking and love it . Has yours ever had any problems? Have you changed the cam chain tensioners? Thanks
@@scottdavis9318 yeah I got my cam tensioners changed at 29 k and went to hydraulic push rods and while I was there got new needle bearings should be good for a while its a Good practice to keep an eye on those tensioners its a pain but just one of those things with a twin cam 88 engine
@@dougfisher1885 Thanks for the info. 👍
@@scottdavis9318
Take a look at them..
It’s real.
Nice video. I own a Sportster/Heritage Classic/Road King Special. The Road King Special is by far my favorite Harley. I'm on it 99.9% of the time.
BTW I'm 5'6" and trust me you get used to the weight. Very versatile and nimble model. My favorite bagger. Take care.
Man I would love a road king special. All black.
@@TheMotoJawn All Black is nice. With that said my 2020 Billiard Burgundy Road King Special checks all the boxes for me. Love It. Enjoyed your video.
U own an 883, Slim, and Road King special! Could not part with any! I’m 6’4”, 260, look a little strange on 883, but all different rides. Oh, I upgraded the 883 to 1200👍 it hums! Ride safe!
I own🤪 big fingers!
I too migrated from Sportster to Road King. Like night and day. My progression went like this….Sportster, Softail Deluxe, Road King 103, Road King 107. Once you go Road King, you never go back.
You love a road king special
Helluva leap from a Sportster to a Road King brother. I have the former right now and I love it. I can see myself on the Road King eventually but I think I’ll blend into one, probably via a sport glide. No other Harley puts a smile on my face like my Sportster does though.
You got that right! 🤟
Watching this to decide for which one to dream and work for.
Did you get your dream yet?
My wife went from a 1200 Sportster to a Road King. It was literally double the price. She loved it though. At 5’11” she had no problem with either. Alan
In early 2007 I had to leave my 2005 1200R at the dealership one 34 degree morning. They asked me if I wanted to borrow a bike to get back home and I said "sure". They rolled a new Firefighter Special Edition Road King out of a C-can, gave me a quick tutorial, then said "have fun".
With EFI, it started instantly and settled into a smooth idle. I clicked it into gear and rode off. No stumbles, no staggers, no misfires. Nothing that your car wouldn't do. It was a very automotive experience. No, I wasn't able to persuade the Office of Management and Budget to upgrade my ride, and it was too cold to go out riding.
Bigger bikes do seem like that type of experience
@@TheMotoJawn , perhaps this story might be more relatable:
When we started going to Myrtle Beach, our good car was a 1982 Rabbit. Four cylinder, four speed, no air. It was an endurance run and we drove at night so our son would sleep in the back seat.
In 1988 we bought a new Dodge Caravan. The drive to Myrtle became more like watching TV for 12 hours.
That's the major difference between a Sportster and a bagger: baggers are designed for 500 mile days in relative comfort. Earlier this year I was looking at a deal on a used Electra Glide but wasn't fast enough. One warning: maintenance costs on Big Twins are far higher than Sportsters. Oil changes and tires, and they wear tires out faster than Sportsters, will just gag you. A new front tire on the Sporty will run around $200, $300 for the rear.
Went from a 2001 rigid mounted 883 Sportster XLH (which I'd ride on the interstate year round) to a 2020 road king special and it's basically the difference between 1956 and today.
Sounds about right 👍
That would be the perfect combination. The sporty for little, around town, rides and the Road King for everything else!
Both would definitely be nice!
Dude, I feel like Motojawn is my other half. That's exactly what I've wanted. I love my sporty for my downtown living/riding, but would love a Road King for longer trips.
Fuel tank capacity on all touring bikes since 2009 is 6 gallons.
Yea I own a 2018 Iron 1200 and just traded in my 2017 Street Glide for a 2022 Heritage 114. It is so much more lighter and flickable then the Road King. I love it more then the Street Glide. I'm considering selling my Iron now. I do still enjoy my Iron for doing some moto camping though.
Recently bought a new Sporty 883, and I’m absolutely in love with it. Thanks for the videos! I remember trying a big kitted out Softail a long time ago and just felt unsafe on it. At the time I had a ZX6R.
Thanks for tuning in 🙏
Gorgeous bike and I love that color. I wouldnt mind upgrading to a King someday, but I'm not ready to yet.
Great color. I would need a road king special if I did it. But definitely don't want one in the city lol.
Great video. This makes me miss my 18 Road King. What a great bike!
King of the road! 👍
I suggest test riding a Heritage Classic 114. I recently traded my Road King Special for a 2022 Heritage Classic in Redline Red and Vivid Black. The Heritage is more nimble, lighter, and smoother suspension vs Road King.
Would love to try one of those as well
how about 2 up? bike 17 coming up and looking.
@@johnbelculf5441 I went on a 2 up test ride. Unfortunately, the Heritage I tested didn't have a Back rest. I thought it handled well with a passenger. I've not had a chance to 2 up since the test ride
Try a Heritage 114....the lightest touring bike with some major power!
I own the XL1200T , it is the mini RoadKing I love it. Definitely in the future I'm getting a roadking or a BMW 1250RT
A gorgeous bike, and a gorgeous colour, a thumbs up from me.
Thanks for stopping by!
What’s the color
Started on a RoadKIng and still have it 20 years later....Never own anything else..
That's good stuff.
That's wonderful
just made the jump from a 48 to a roadking and everything he says it's about right
That's awesome!
Love the color.
I'm 5 foot seven inches tall I love the reach seat .You might want to ask the dealership for a demo reach seat. You might like it
That might help.
Thanks for the vid bud. I realize I’m late to the party here. Interesting, because I too am 5’6” and recently test rode a road king and flat footed it. There are different inseams for the same height of course, but I was flat down. Anyway good perspective coming from a sportster. I’m on a Honda CB1100 and looking for something more long distance.
Interesting on the height
Had a 1200.
Hell of a bike..
now I ride the king..
Nothing but respect for a sporty.
And the weight is a massive issue..
I love my Road King but it is starting to feel too heavy if I have to ride it in dirt, gravel, push it or pick it up.
Learn to ride?
@@stevencorry5790 I have been Harleys since 1978. I had this RK since 2008. It's my muscles and joints are wearing out. after 70 years.
@@EasyRiderGreg fair enough
It’s a big bike for sure. Floorboards are odd for me, and the brake pedal is kind of cool.
I kept forgetting to use the rear break cuz I wasn't finding it 😂😂
I swung by Brandywine a few months back. Someone helped me out when I sat on a few different bikes. Might have even been that specific guy. The Softails felt manageable, but the Road Kind still felt heavy enough that I'd be psyching myself out on a corner. It was COMFY though. I still just feel so apprehensive about test riding bikes that I know I can't afford, and feel concerned that I'd damage by screwing up a turn from a stop.
I'm debating upgrading from the Sportster 1200 to a Softail. I really like the '20 Heritage but used they're still like $20k. Everyone tells me the 2017 and older Softail lean angles are terrible. So I could get an old Road King for now. I'm always debating. lol
Definitely worth the upgrade 👌
fantastic two tone paint...
Do you think putting a windscreen on the sporty would cut down on the wind noise around the helmet a lot on the highway?
Aye another pa boy! Shout-out from Pittsburgh. 👍
Love the burgh too!
6 speed, cruise, ABS, smoother 107. (70% reduction in vibration)
I just rode a bagger for the first time too! Indian Challenger 107, it was a beast
I bet man! It was taking me a while to get used to it. Wouldn't want it in the city though.
@@TheMotoJawn no but I wouldn't have minded having it for the TX trip haha
Haha that is fa sho
Nice color ❤
I’m debating on selling my m109 and 99 electra glide to get a king. My girl loves music when we ride, i figure in helmet speakers covers that
It's the King. What else can I say?
It's 6 gallon tank.
Oh 6 even better. Confused with lrs
Very nice review 👍👍👍
👍👍
🤟🤟🤟
The question is would you trade your sporty for it?
Keep the sporty and just buy the road king to have 2 bikes 😂
No radio music source though. If I’m on a long trip I want some sounds.
True, road king the more basic bagger.
What’s the color of the bike in thumbnail?
That is spruce green. I think it was a model year 2020 color
Yeah I want to go from my forty Eight Sportster to a Road King
Why does everybody that has 4 inches of camera on the bottom of their helmet complain about having to really look down to see the speedo?Anything to do with the camera?I can look at my speedo without moving my head.....eyeballs look down(true story).
Buy it.
I was thinking it was more your type of bike.
@@TheMotoJawn ☹️
Awesome video!
Nice
Tiny man on big bike :) Thing looks awesome though!
Why you gotta do me like that 😂😂😂
@@TheMotoJawn I swear it's the big man syndrome I suffer from making me do it 🤣🤣🤣
A little bit of a shorter rider? Bro Im 5’6” on a good day when it comes to big bikes we are basically midgets!
Lol true
Once you go floorboards you never go back
I did
I agree, floorboards are game changing
"it's heavier than a Sportster"
Gov. Fix The Roads!!!!
In
America ! Peace/;-)) I Hope
Testing out Indians, Low Rider S, Roadking...it's almost like you're shopping for a new bike 🤔🤔
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
Grown man bike.
Not the new gloves and stupid music
I have one in Black. I love that color tho.
It's a beaut