Blog review HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING
Harley-Davidson Softail range offers a glimpse to the past with a slight hint to the future.That's exactly what Harley has done wih their updated line-up, now boosting a more powerful engine and a better chassis. It all contributes to easier handling and agile feel. And yes, it's still a Harley!
What's changed
Almost every part, but I feel like the Road King, along with the iconic Fatboy, still maintains that Harley feel to it.
Vibrations are less obvious, but some shaky bits still remain.
The all-new chassis now contributes to a more stable and less frigity ride.
Harley made their engines a little bit bigger, now the Road King is equipped with the new Milwaukee Eight 107ci air-cooled motor.
To be fair it offers nice and balanced power at the low-mid range (in perfect custom cruiser fashion).
It outputs just over 84 bhp (not very impressive), but it's always been about the torque, which is now 147 nm at just 3250 rpm.
The floor boards are massive and sit higher up than the earlier generation, making it easier to handle with a better leaning angle. I would have preferred them to be adjustable though, if they were in fact I would have set them a bit more forward. But an optional bracket to extend those is available.
Handling
Not so bad for a 375 kg motorcycle. Much improved thanks to its weight distribution and clever engeneering. Well done Harley for making the Road King a lot easier to handle at low speeds and cornering. Where it really shines though is long straight stretches. The wide and tall windshield offers all the protection you need even for taller riders and the rider seating position is relaxed and comfortable. Pleasant, long journeys can be made on the saddle of the King.
Suspensions are very soft and without any adjustment at the front, but at the rear only preload can be adjusted.
I feel like they could've done better considering the price tag.
The front-end seems to kick you back through the bars when ridden hard while occasionally passing over big bumps on the road. Nothing to worry about though, because the Road King feels so planted that nothing will move it off its track.
Brakes are Brembo branded with linked ABS system offering great stopping power at the front thanks to its dual disc set up and decent at the rear with a single disc.
Overall the latest Road King is the best King ever. Harley did a great job here keeping some of the raw feel and improving an already loved and appreciated icon and one of its generation.
You can now buy the Harley-Davidson Road King 107 at Bolton Motorcycles in amazing conditions for only £16,999.
It's definitely worth coming to check it out!
Gianluigi Mango
GM MOTO
