Road Kings an Heritage Softails ?

Hi everyone I hope we are all well, I'm looking to tap the collective knowledge again if that's ok as I look for two motorcycles one for myself an one for my dad.

I'm currently trying to help my dad decide on what motorcycle to get next, the three we have been looking at is the Road King, Heritage and Dyna Low Rider.

for some context we were actually planning on a trip across a route called the trans Euro Trail to Norway and the Nordkapp, I'd Prepped a 1150GSA and had purchased my dad a Tenere 700 for motivation when we initially found out he had prostate cancer but didn't know how bad it was just as unfortunately we got a shock diagnosis of stage 3b/4 prostate cancer at 64.

Dad's been really optimistic about stuff an has always had one of those amazing mindsets. Just had an opp called a turps which he's recovering from an is waiting on the radio therapy.

I'm currently in the process of selling my 1150GSA an the Tenere as we move down to Honiton in Devon in the next few months an our trip plans have totally changed to a really nice road touring trip stopping in hotels to Norway etc. Which has lead us to a change in bike.

A few years ago I very nearly bought a TC88 Heritage 2002 an I've had a Harley 883 Iron that I unfortunately didn't' have for to long before i had to sell it when we lost our family company a few years back as I had it on finance.

I've actually been daily riding a 1967 Norton 650SS for 4 years n 4 winters an rode a 1927 Norton 16h till I bust a nerve injury again from years ago so been healing that an getting it right ready for some kickstarting next year.

We've kinda narrowed it down to three motorcycles

The Dyna Low Rider (dad loves the 2002 anniversary)

I was watching Kevin Baxter's videos about post 2007 runout which was interesting before an the cam chain tensioner issues people had mentioned to me on here in the past

The Road King Pre pre 2007

The Heritage Softail pre 2007

I keep thinking about whether to go evo as well for myself on my motorcycle choice but I'm thinking the convenience of FI will be good for dad.

I'm curious has anyone had any of the above over here in the UK any tips or pointers on anyone that's owned all three on our rubbish roads or things to watch out for that are inherent to the models an anyone that's been in a similar issue prostate cancer wise about what's manageable between the three.

I'd say my fav an Ideal Harley is probably the Shovelhead Electa glide which one day I hope to get an run instead of a few of my Norton's always good to have goals.

Just a bit unsure at the moment on my dad an thought I'd put it to the forum I'm very unsure still myself between the three models as well so we were thinking once the T7 is sold I'll get one bike in for us to try.

I'd say at the mo it's quite a split between the road kings or Heritage.

Thanks in advance

My mates got a 12 year old Heritage Softail he’s had from new, he’s done over 70k on it. He replaced the cam chain tensioners last year. It’s never let him down. All he’s done prior to the tensioners is basic maintenance and regular oil changes.

I had a Dyna Low Rider S, and loved it! I sold it, regretted it, and now have a Fat Boy S, which I actually prefer over my ole Dyna to be honest.

I rode a Road King from Chicago to Santa Monica on R66. 3,000 miles on a brand new bike and never so much as a sore arse (unlike the Dyna). In fact, the only issue I had with it was it was so comfy and relaxed, I had trouble staying awake !

But, the Road King is on a touring chassis, so it’s a freakin big heavy thing. For me, I decided they’re just too big for the roads around me. Filtering is effectively impossible. I’d strongly suggest an extended test ride, inc taking it home and getting it in / out of the garage, etc, before deciding.

On balance, reading your needs and wants, I’d recommend a softail, there are many variants but on the basic same platform, the Fatboy is on the same basic platform even.

I’d suggest a 103 Twin Cam, very strong engine. Loads of grunt, NOT slow by real world standards and loads of character.

OF COURSE you’re never gonna ride any big Harley like a sports bike! If you expect razor sharp flick-ability and endless ground clearance, you’ll hate it. But the handling is sound, and scraping the hinged foot boards is fun !

My FB:

My Brother has had a couple of big Harley D's and (sorry I don't know for sure which models at the moment). One was the biggest touring bike they make, and it was over 800 lbs. So, what was said above about that is very relevant (neither of us are small guys I'm 61 now but it was about 8 years ago when he had the touring bike, but living with one of those bikes is challenging ...parking lots, garages etc... Anyway, we'll be looking forward to what you guys decide on and get. Cj

Find some place to test ride one. I had a Road King for 6 months. Worst handling Harley I ever owned! Went to a Street glide ( on my fourth one ) and have no complaints.

Thanks guys really appreciate the replies very informative

Has anyone rode the older chassis Heritage Softail before they went to the Monoshock?

Thanks in advance,

AFAIK they only went monoshock with the M8s in 2018?

The M8 was a big redesign, 4 valve heads, bigger cc, new chassis, lighter, more power, etc. The downside is they basically have a lot less character. The Roadking I rode was a M8 107 and I really liked it. I rode a M8 Fatboy and hated that, the tyres are just too wide and the handling was frankly horrible.

So up to 2017/18 the softails were the twin cam 103 platform which is great motor. Mines the 110 which is basically a bored out and hot rodded 103 (by the factory).

Sweet thanks Eddie,

Yep it’s the earlier TC88’s up to 2006 before the crank run out probs in 07 I was looking at, from what I’ve read up on the heritage the shocks work on extension not compression on that age range I’m looking at so just been trying to do some research on that.

Then the evo is rigid mount an none counterbalanced on the heritage vs rubber mount on the Dyna an road king.

Was also looking at the evo bikes a lot depends on what I wind up getting for the t7 an 1150gsa I’m selling

The biggest problem is I like the Road king, the Dyna low rider a the heritage seating position wise. Thought one might jump out more for dad I’m kinda thinking heritage or Dyna is the better option.

Although I’m quite partial to all 3 being used to the weight on the 1150gsa found the leg room nice on the heritage an especially how low the seat was an the road king was roomy to.

Quite tricky that’s for sure as they all seem good in unique ways

The older Heritage Soft Tails have a 'Low' seat height, which has many advantages.
Combined with the wide Tiller handlebars allows easier manuevering and leverage.
The Heritage's are solid mounted engines and carry their weight low...

Road King is a different breed from the Heritage.
Rubber mounted, sit higher etc etc.

Over here in the 'Colonies', when you see females on Runs, chances are they are on a Soft Tail Heritage.
Does not make them a 'Girls' bike, just an observation.

Not sure why you are looking at Pre 2007, unless it's cost.
Like anything, you'll roll the dice and see.

I have owned a 95 Electra Glide Standard, 98 Soft Tail custom, and 02 Road Glide.

If you were to ask me to pick a Harley for traveling for your Dad, without any input,
I would pick a Street Glide. preferrably post 07. They come Factory lowered with saddle bags and
Fairing protection. Then again, Fairings are a whole nother topic.....

That being said, the Dyna's are about 150-200lbs light than the 'Baggers'.
Oh the Decisions..................

Don’t get hung up on that crank run out thing. Not saying it’s BS but am saying there are literally hundreds of thousands of 103s out there running jus’ fine!

The 88 is a good motor though, if you can find a well maintained low miler, def worth looking at.

BTW with the twin cams, the softail has a solid mounting engine with twin balance shafts, the Dyna has a rubber mounted engine without balance shafts. Of the two, the softail is smoother in my experience.

If you do get a late Dyna, I have a couple of nice aftermarket seats and an S&S exhaust system lying around somewhere !

Thanks guys really appreciate the replies brilliant info as always an its mainly cost on a pretty limited budget as I've just gotta work within what I get out of the Tenere in the next few days.

Be aware, when cornering left, the primary cover touches down, levers the rear tire up off the contact with pavement.
Low side slide ensues.
I first became aware with hooning my '74 SuperGlide. (I didn't go down, instead butt-clenched the seat until it straightened out)
I've shared with any new riders that may entertain notions of greater than parade speed.
These images are my Nephew (an accomplished and skilled rider) last week, when a buddy insisted he try the "fast harley", he went down.
The design has not been improved to provide more clearance.

Cheers Concours good info. This is just for relaxed rides my fast track days are long behind me

Anyone ridden a TC Wide Glide?

I think dad's leaning towards a Dyna either WG or Low Rider

An I'm leaning towards a Road King all in a Twin Cam thinking is that'l be a nice compliment to a Generator Shovel FLH Electra Glide next year when budget allows. Where as evo / shovel would be kinda close to have bot

Having a flick trough some of the later road kings to incase something comes up good.

I owned a 1440 twin cam year 2000 Road King for a while about 15 years ago. I liked the engine and drive train a lot, what I couldn't live with in the end was the amount of time it took to change the rear tyre - exhausts, panniers off just to get at it, and the fact that I had to get my van out the drive to get the Harley out it is so wide.

Something to consider are the two different Fuel injection systems.
The current system is great, Delphi. They integrated in various years. I think the RK is 02 and up.
The older or original is the Magnetti Marelli.
Guys were pissing and moaning about the MM's when they first came out, mostly because they were Modification 'Unfriendly'.
Carbs were much easier to live with at that time, for 'Hot Rodding' mods.
I can't speak personally for either as I ran Carbs.
Do your research. Plenty to read about.

cheers everyone we actually ended up buying a Honda NX500 on Monday just waiting on it being delivered should be the perfect fit for dad.

Well that's certainly quite a different bike from a big V-twin Harley. I owned a NX 650 and liked it. Cj