The brand that defines cruiser motorcycles is Harley-Davidson. For long-distance rides, the cruiser is the best weapon of choice for most. While Harley-Davidson has been synonymous with cruisers, in recent times, the American motorcycle brand is branching out to unchartered waters with electric motorcycles and even adventure tourers.
However, theist current lineup still consists of a long list of cruisers, roadsters, and touring motorcycles. The Road King is one of the more popular choices from the brand’s touring lineup, and the Road King Special brings some modern sportiness to the mix. Harley-Davidson claims the Road King Special is easier to live with everyday, but still manage to munch miles on the long highway journeys.
Let's go over what makes the Harley Davidson Road King Special a good touring motorcycle.
Update April 2022: This article was updated with more information about the Harley-Davidson Road King Special.
The Specialty Of This Road King
The Road King is part of Harley’s touring line of motorcycles. This range includes Road Glide, Street Glide, and Electra Glide models. These large-framed touring or FL Series of motorcycles are usually termed as ‘dressers’ or ‘baggers’. While most Touring motorcycles feature fairings at the front, the Road King range offers a more simplistic style for a grand tourer.
The Road King is the third bike from the touring family to get a “Special” model, after the Road Glide and Street Glide. While the standard Road King uses the 107 Milwaukee V-twin engine, the Special uses a slightly bigger motor. The 114 Milwaukee Eight V-twin that powers the Road King Special offers 118 lb-ft of torque from the 1,868cc engine. The revised transmission has made neutral much easier to find, while the gearshifts are now smoother.
The Road King Special also features wider 180 section rear tires, and beefier front forks usually found on bigger Harleys. Most of the chrome elements on the Road King have been muted to a non-conventional blacked-out treatment for the Special. However, there is still some chrome around the engine components, pushrod tubes, and tappet blocks. The Special further differentiates itself from the standard Road King with handlebar-mounted turn signals and newly designed Gloss Black Prodigy alloy wheels.
Harley removed the auxiliary passing lamps, windshield, passenger footboards, and rear saddlebag guards for a cleaner look. Unlike the bigger touring motorcycles, the Road King Special does not feature a proprietary audio system. However, the overall design of the Road King Special is sporty and slightly aggressive in comparison to the standard Road King.
Harley-Davidson Road King Special Rides Like A Charm
The Road King Special is built around Harley’s Touring line chassis. But with most of the extra ancillary components removed, it allows for more athleticism from the motorcycle. The lack of a front fairing allows for better maneuverability, offering more direct, nimbler steering, and improved visibility to the rider.
While the Road King is geared towards highway cruising the Special is tuned for shorter but more aggressive excursions. The lack of the windshield might make it a touch more unpleasant for long distances.
Harley has also included its Reflex Defensive Rider System (RDRS) with the Road King Special. The electronics from the system allow for advanced chassis control, electronic brake control, and power train technology making rides safer and more comfortable. The tuning of the rear suspension is on the softer side but is hand-adjustable. The lack of added ancillaries means the motorcycle is lighter. Where the Road King weighs 828 lbs, the Special is lighter at 807 lb.
Road King Special Designed To Be Comfortable
Like most Harleys, the Road King Special is available with multiple accessories and electronic aid options to make it even more special. A 26.4-inch seat height and 9-inch-tall mini-ape handlebars allow for an upright but aggressive riding posture. The footboards are generous enough for long riders and so are the relatively slim seats.
The design of the rider instruments make it easy to read. It features a round speedo with a small LCD screen that offers the rider information regarding the motorcycle. Cruise control makes it easy to let loose on the highway while ABS and Electronic Linked Braking are standard. The Road King Special offers hill hold assist, tire pressure monitors, and traction control as optional extras.
The Road King Special leans more towards short-distance riding, but Harley has balanced it to still be a great touring motorcycle. While the other bikes like the Road Glide or Electra Glide might be better suited for long journeys, the Road King Special makes it easy to use every day as well.
Priced at $23,429, the Special costs a premium over the standard Road King that retails at $19,929. While the Road King is an old-school tourer, the Special caters to a younger demographic with a sportier personality.
Sources: Harley-Davidson