HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD KING (1993 - on) Review

Version: Classic

Year: 2012

Annual servicing cost: £100

This bike is a shameless attention seeker. Gets noticed wherever it goes. Pros comfortable, powerful and the low speed handling is great. It's an absolute chromefest Cons noisy brake pads and it's a lot of polishing as I said it's a lot of chrome.

Buying experience: Main dealer good customer service and part ex fair price for the bike

Version: Classic

Year: 2017

Significant improvement on the 103cu in version. Smoother delivery of power. This bike is faster accelerating, runs cooler , handles better and (as standard) sounds great.

Buying experience: Dealer experience is normally good and you don't need to be retired and look like a member of a ZZ Top tribute act to be well looked after

Version: Standard model

Year: 2017

Annual servicing cost: £300

Only driven my new Road King a few hundred miles, but it's got everything I could ever have hoped for in terms of performance. Engine power and transmission marry seamlessly, and make for a great ride. Awesome torque. My only complaint is that the windshield stops right at eyeline, so you have to either sit up super straight to see over it or slouch a bit to see through it. Which is probably specific to my height (6' even).

Buying experience: Fair.

I have the 2010 road king classic with the 1584 engine. I was able to hire a standard road king in florida with the 1690 engine stock tune. I felt like a god riding on it but have to admit the performance was awful. My bike has the stage 1 tune with k&n filter, power commander and vance and hines full exhaust system: it is a different bike. It is amazing, it rasps, growls, has the Harley sound ("brook brook brook" when throttling off) and the performance is now excellent. I ride with friends on sport bikes and on the throttle I can keep up on all but the sharpest of bends. its an amazing bike, but get the stage 1 tune

You need to carry out a new review of this bike. Ive just bought a 2011 version of the Road King Classic and it now has a 1690 engine, with updated suspension etc etc etc..... Brilliant......

This is my second classic and I love it. I bought it in Alaska to ride Alaska and the the Alcan highway and just sort of kept on going after finishing! Now touring all of the states and what a machine to do it on. It is a joy to ride over long, over 500 miles, rides. It commands respect and always admiring looks from passers by. It looks a truly beautiful machine. Though I question the lack of proper touring equipment...like ABS as standard, music system, electric or adjustable screen, heated grips. Ok ok...most of these are extras and we all know where Harley make their money....extras, accessories and clothes. But this IS 1 of their 2 main touring models so it should be fitted out as one. Not a week end decoration. The speedo and warning lights are in a daf(no, dangerous) place. You have to take your eyes off the road to focus and check. really bad! Brembo brakes are ace.....much much betteer than my 2003 Electra Glide Ultra. About damm time. It does what it says on the tin and does it well. I feel at home on Lucy (her name!) every time I throw the old leg over. She never complains, is always ready, warms up quick, she does what I say, never answers back, and takes me anywhere.... the exact opposite of the GF! Buy one and enjoy.

I've had my road king classic just over a year and done nearly 12 thousand miles. Apart from warped front discs,(changed under warranty)i've had no problems.Cleaned regularily it's holding up quite well dispite all year riding. Ridden as it's meant to be, ie slowlyish, it's comfy, relaxing and enjoyable. Try to ride it hard it's bouncier than tigger on acid!! It's my first Harley and overall im more than happy with it. Fuel range is ok, between 165/170 miles per tank and so far it's not used a drop of oil. Ride it like a Harley cruiser and it does exactly what it says on the tin!

There is no sufficient luxurious gadgets to make you feel like a King. Bike is on the heavy side, poor rear suspension, fuel tank too small and useless original windscreen. Classic is better.

And loved it. I'd recommend the classic version - the custom model has a weird bar bend that is a bit of a strain on longer trips