AIM Story 2008 Road King Review March - Harley Forum

PaintedFace · #1 01-10-2008, 10:25 AM

I just read the March 2008 issue of AIM. I really like the "New Bike Review" By Sam Whitehead.
Could you possibly elaborate more about the front end.... "feels vague" & " a bit musshy" while hammering down the road. What would be a fix in your opinion ? What exactly should the moco do ?
Also which modeL Road King is pictured in the story ? Looks like the Road King Classic w/ hard bags instead of the hard leather ?
I just might get me one in 2009 or 2010 !: D

Thank you, PaintedFace

StevieP · #2 01-16-2008, 03:17 PM

It's the 'standard' FLHRI motorcycle. If you read the article carefully, the author points out that it has the optional spoked wheels. They are similar to the ones on the FLHRCi, but not the same as the stock 'classic wheels.

PaintedFace · #3 01-21-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieP

It's the 'standard' FLHRI motorcycle. If you read the article carefully, the author points out that it has the optional spoked wheels. They are similar to the ones on the FLHRCi, but not the same as the stock 'classic wheels.

Hi StevieP,

I now remember that bike having the optional spoke wheels.
It would be nice if Buzz would get a hold of Sam Whitehead & ask him my questions concerning the front end.

Thanks, PaintedFace

#4 01-21-2008, 02:55 PM

PF

With touring Harleys like the Road King you have fat front tires, soft springs and valving in the front forks and rear shocks, and a shallow steering head angle. These factors were put into the bikes to make them comfortable riding and easy to maneuver at slow speeds. Unfortunately, they also result in a little sloppiness in medium to high speed corners. You could change all that stuff in search of more precision and stability in the corners but you'd lose some of that Cadillac ride.

Of course you could have it all and more if you bought a Honda ST1300 but then it wouldn't be a Har-r-r-ley would it?

JCourneyaP · #5 01-21-2008, 11:23 PM

You gotta remember folks... Mushy to some may not be Mushy to someone else. Suspension is a easy thing to fix to ones liking. I have seen some hopped up Kings that have stiff suspension. Do you wanna race or tour with it.......

Sonic · #6 01-24-2008, 12:54 AM

I've got a black '08 Classic in the garage with 1.4 miles on it. Ordered it back in August and it was delivered in December right after an ice storm, so needless to say I haven't ridden it yet. I didn't "scrimp" and went ahead and invested in the ABS and the chrome spokes, so I really liked what Sam had to say!

I also install some detachables over Christmas break and am patiently waiting for the first heavy rain to clear the salt and sand off the streets. It wouldn't hurt to be above freezing (it's -2F tonight). So, about 50 degrees and 50 days to go!

Now, all I I need to do is finish it off with some nice 16" apes and the fixin's, then I'll be ready!

Sonic

PaintedFace · #7 01-25-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milindh

PF

With touring Harleys like the Road King you have fat front tires, soft springs and valving in the front forks and rear shocks, and a shallow steering head angle. These factors were put into the bikes to make them comfortable riding and easy to maneuver at slow speeds. Unfortunately, they also result in a little sloppiness in medium to high speed corners. You could change all that stuff in search of more precision and stability in the corners but you'd lose some of that Cadillac ride.

Of course you could have it all and more if you bought a Honda ST1300 but then it wouldn't be a Har-r-r-ley would it?

Hello milindh,

I do not want a honda ! :>)
But as far as comfort I would not want to lose that. I do not need speed for corners any more. But I do like to get down on it on the open road.
Thank you for your reply.

PaintedFace

PaintedFace · #8 01-25-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCourneyaP

You gotta remember folks... Mushy to some may not be Mushy to someone else. Suspension is a easy thing to fix to ones liking. I have seen some hopped up Kings that have stiff suspension. Do you wanna race or tour with it.......

JCourneyaP,

True, mushy to one may not be mushy to another.
I would like to keep all the comfort of a RoadKing and be able to hammer it when ever I feel a need for speed ! So race or tour ? Both of course !

Hey, thanks for your reply.

PaintedFace

#9 01-25-2008, 03:43 PM

Honestly, I'm grateful for all of you taking me to task and then some of you helping me out. That's a tribunal in its greatest form, and I appreicate the hell out of that. Please feel free to zing me any time I might be wrong, or misinformed, or just existing in my own universe. We all need a slap upside the head on occasion.

As for the the Road King being "mushy" in the corners, I can only relate what I felt while blasting the (first-rate) machine from Los Angeles to Sturgis, and am comparing it to other motorcycles I have ridden over the years. I suppose I could have zeroed in solely on the bike's touring capabilities, but I think that's a bit obvious. Hi-po supenson is always on the table, if you've got the cake. In fact, a lot is on the table if you've got the...

I'll come clean. The Road King (a standard Road King, with spokes) that I rode was a classic example of the Motor Company's renowned prowess. I'm not going to say that I didn't attempt to push it to its limit. I did my best. I hope that's all you can ask of me.

When riding a stock motorcycle on the road at post-legal speeds, we might have a different experience than the average touring rider. Straight lining the King is the king!

Stay in touch. Don't blow me off because I felt the RK to be a bit mushy during high-speed sweepers at, well... I'll shut up.

You all rock---------------Sam

PaintedFace · #10 01-30-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamW

Honestly, I'm grateful for all of you taking me to task and then some of you helping me out. That's a tribunal in its greatest form, and I appreicate the hell out of that. Please feel free to zing me any time I might be wrong, or misinformed, or just existing in my own universe. We all need a slap upside the head on occasion.

As for the the Road King being "mushy" in the corners, I can only relate what I felt while blasting the (first-rate) machine from Los Angeles to Sturgis, and am comparing it to other motorcycles I have ridden over the years. I suppose I could have zeroed in solely on the bike's touring capabilities, but I think that's a bit obvious. Hi-po supenson is always on the table, if you've got the cake. In fact, a lot is on the table if you've got the...

I'll come clean. The Road King (a standard Road King, with spokes) that I rode was a classic example of the Motor Company's renowned prowess. I'm not going to say that I didn't attempt to push it to its limit. I did my best. I hope that's all you can ask of me.

When riding a stock motorcycle on the road at post-legal speeds, we might have a different experience than the average touring rider. Straight lining the King is the king!

Stay in touch. Don't blow me off because I felt the RK to be a bit mushy during high-speed sweepers at, well... I'll shut up.

You all rock---------------Sam

Hey Sam !

Don't ever feel the need to shut up ! Your story & review was great. I do not own a Road King yet, & I have been thinking about getting one say around 2010. I pay attention to what people say & or print. Your quote I was referring to did not really mention corners. "For all of the kings glory, its front end often feels vague and a bit mushy when eating up sweapers at speeds over,say, 70 mph. It's not terrrifying by any means, but it does'nt inspire you to gun harder & blah, blah but thats my ONLY complaint"

Now, my original question to you was this........
What would you specifically have the moco do to the front end of the road king to solve the problem (or complaint) you mentioned ?

Thank you for you "showing up" & your reply !

PaintedFace