Road King vs Ultra : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

YoDA · 04-26-2004, 04:00 PM

I'm just came across this forum today and so I signed up because I have a boat-load of questions I need answered. I have been riding a Honda Ace Tourer 1100 for quite a few years, but it's time to move up to a more substantial bike so I'm taking a hard look at a Harley Road King or Ultra.

I know these two bikes are quite different, and they appeal to me for different reasons. I ride to work most every day, therefore I like the cruiser look of the Road King. I also take 2000 to 3500 mile trips with my wife and therefore the Ultra seems pretty attractive.

This weekend we rode down to the Laughlin River Run and I took both bikes out for a test ride. Loved them both, though I'd have to replace the RK handlebars because I have to stretch a little to reach them. (I'm only 5'8").

So, at the end of the day is it better/easier/cheaper to buy a Road King and dress it up with the Ultra's goodies, or buy the Ultra and strip it down for riding during the week. Can an Ultra be stripped down?? Can the queen seat come off and all the electrical disconnect with quick releases??

I'd like to hear from those who are in a similar situation. You ride to work most days, but also do longer trips often 2 up.

Thanks, YoDA.

bikertrashdude · 04-26-2004, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoDA

So, at the end of the day is it better/easier/cheaper to buy a Road King and dress it up with the Ultra's goodies, or buy the Ultra and strip it down for riding during the week. Can an Ultra be stripped down?? Can the queen seat come off and all the electrical disconnect with quick releases??

I'd like to hear from those who are in a similar situation. You ride to work most days, but also do longer trips often 2 up.

Thanks, YoDA.

Good questions.
about quick disconects and all that. I have a 04 Ultra that I removed the tour pack, and the front lowers from. The quick release harness was installed from the dealer. I also needed a Antenna relocation kit (about $100 from HD).
all in all my Ultra Classic looks like an E-Glide Standard. (but with a two tone color

) I still have my two front speakers and with the normal windsheild I have no problems hearing the tunes at hwy speeds. I still have my tour pack and It can be put on in short time. Not something I would want to do on the side of the road, but If I was cruising to a rally, had a Hotel room there, then yea it would be no problem to take the tour pack off to cruise around town all week then put the tour pack back on for the ride home.

On a King you can put a radio on the front of the bike behind the windsheild, but, no CD player. and you can put a tour pack on a king.
I would say go all out get the Ultra, and strip it down. Your wife will like it more when it comes to longer trips.

BTW here is what my bike looks like when I ride her everyday.

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=32341

BTD

YoDA · 04-26-2004, 04:48 PM

Thanks for your quick reply. Where did you relocate the antennas to? Is there any other electrical that must be disconnected/moved? (lights?)

YoDA

bikertrashdude · 04-26-2004, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoDA

Thanks for your quick reply. Where did you relocate the antennas to? Is there any other electrical that must be disconnected/moved? (lights?)

YoDA

the antenna relocates to right next to my license plate. never had a problem with it over there, you can put the standard whip antenna there, or you can get a $20 autozone one instead.

the electrical that needs to be rewired and tucked in under the seat
are two wires for the back speakers, one wire for the rear brake light, one for the antenna, one for the CB radio (that you loose unless you put another antenna back there), and one for the passenger intercom.
sounds like alot but it is not. When I bought my bike I told the dealer to install everything back there that I needed to do a quick release. they did put everything back there, except for the speaker wires, I had to go to autozone and cut my wires, and attach plugs.

you can also put a smaller more low profile seat on an ultra, Lepera makes a cool looking seat, so does HD the SE E-gilde seat can be bought to be put on a regular Ultra/E-Glide.

BTD

mdatthebay · 04-26-2004, 06:47 PM

What they said. I think the issue for me was the wife and the desire to ride long distances. I went with the ULTRA. But I have a softail for just getting around town. But the more I ride the ULTRA the less desire I have to ride the softail. The ULTRA is just so comfortable. I know, why not just get a car, but I am really liking me Geezer Glide. I have not had the desire to strip it down, although it does look better without the Tour Pac.

The King is real nice to and it can be real comfy for the wife. I convinced the wife that the ULTRA was all about her and she is now smiling, and so am I.

Good luck and you will be fine. The folk on this board can be of real help. Some have an altered sense of humor. LOL.

DaveinItaly · 04-28-2004, 01:15 PM

It's all in what moves you. I have a King and I love it. My brother-in-law has had his King for 4-years and he's talking about trading it in for the Ultra. Same reason as y'all....the wife. Any way you look at it, both bikes are comfortable cruisers.

BridgeBuilder · 04-28-2004, 09:15 PM

That is a tough decision. I own a King and love it. My wife and I ride long distances on a regular basis. It is smooth as silk. We have also done a fly n ride using an Electra Glide up the pacific coast hiway. Outstanding ride by the way. The Glide was the most comfortable bike we have ever been on. But...still own a King and proud of it.

They are very similar machines. The king can be stripped down to bare bones without the batwing faring. I wanted that. It becomes a clean cruiser. Someday I will undoubtedly own a Glide, but not until we are much older than today.

PS. if you want all of the features of the Glide it is much more cost effective to buy one rather than try to build a King up to a Glide. The Glide can be stripped down - , but not all the way without some serious time consuming adjustments.

Cheers!

Nate

UncleDevious · 04-28-2004, 10:31 PM

Whats the real difference between the two? It seems, by looking at the HD specs, its really just some bells and whistles in the instrument panel (i.e. CB, stereo, etc)
I am looking at my first HD soon, I thought I wanted a Dyna Glide Super until everyone started saying I would be happier with the Road King Custom... now the Electra Glides come into question... Jesus, its like trying to pick the right PC to last you for at least the next ten years...

Can y'all give some serious detail comparisons... beyond just "I like this one"... I want to hear that, but tell me why too.

thanks

bikertrashdude · 04-29-2004, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleDevious

Whats the real difference between the two? It seems, by looking at the HD specs, its really just some bells and whistles in the instrument panel (i.e. CB, stereo, etc)
I am looking at my first HD soon, I thought I wanted a Dyna Glide Super until everyone started saying I would be happier with the Road King Custom... now the Electra Glides come into question... Jesus, its like trying to pick the right PC to last you for at least the next ten years...

Can y'all give some serious detail comparisons... beyond just "I like this one"... I want to hear that, but tell me why too.

thanks

I went from 4 years on a sportster, to an Ultra. main reasons are, well comfort, and price. when on the sportster I found myself taking lots of long trips and they were killing me. Getting off of the bike after a 450 mile day and just well hating life, while my friends (one on an Ultra, and one on a BMW) were just smiling. and both those guys being 15-20 years older than me.
when it was time to move up, I think I spent about a year trying to decide on what to get. I went from a Night train with apes to a softail standard (with apes) to a dyna wide glide (again with apes), I thought about the dyna because I heard it was more comfortable than a softail. then from there I started thinking about a heratige, really because of the saddle bags, and I wanted something to put "stuff" in. well I began pricing all the bikes and weighing in everything and well, the heritage was about the same price as a train, and the glide. well then I looked at the King, also about the same price as the heratige, but with the added + of a better ride, due to a different touring frame, and the hard bags.

Then well came in the factor that I could buy a Peace officer special Ultra or E-glide, at a discounted price than MSRP. well I figured that if I didn't jump on that I would regret it later, and the price I paid for the Ultra was the same price someone else would pay for a Wide Glilde or a King. so I figured what the heck I'll go all out!

but Really, do you plan on putting alot of miles on the bike? ie around 10,000 a year? and will alot of those be with the wife? and so is it in your budget to spend $23,000 (after TT+L) on a bike, or will that break the bank? Me I love the Ultra because of the comfort, the saddle bags to place stuff, and the tunes.
But if I didn't get the Ultra for the price I paid I would have gotten a Heritage instead. just because $23K was not in my price range.

BTD

Vettster · 04-29-2004, 01:49 AM

Or, you can get the Road King and order one of these.......
http://www.dragonflycycleconcepts.com/fairings.htm

So many choices. Whichever one you make is going to be good.

Ride Safe,
Vettster

bikertrashdude · 04-29-2004, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vettster

Or, you can get the Road King and order one of these.......
http://www.dragonflycycleconcepts.com/fairings.htm

So many choices. Whichever one you make is going to be good.

Ride Safe,
Vettster

that is preety cool, if you ask me.

BTD

JCZ · 04-29-2004, 08:20 AM

Front fairing and leg fairings are a big difference, so is the stereo. And, you can certainly pack a lot more in an Electra Glide or Ultra Classic. The stereo is a nice feature too.

You can take the Electra Glide or Ultra Classic add the quick relese kit for the tour pack and a low profile seat such as Corbin and you'll have the best of both worlds.

YoDA · 04-29-2004, 09:27 AM

Hey thanks to everyone who commented, I appreciate all the opinions. This forum is great!! This weekend I've rented both a Road King and ElectraGlide Classic and plan on running the wheels off both. I'm starting to lean towards the Ultra because of the intercom. I have an aftermarket intercom/cd unit and it works great, but it's a pain to take off every time we stop for a bite or go somewhere away from the bike. If I could get the RK Classic with an intercom system wired in then that would be great!

YoDA

Warhawk · 04-29-2004, 11:17 AM

Hey Yoda, Your profile says Northern Utah?

I'm in South Weber (Ogden)

I'm about to buy an Electra Glide myself.

UncleDevious · 04-29-2004, 12:52 PM

$23k+ is a lot. The RK Custom is about top end for my budget, but things can be worked out

. I think I need to do what Yoda is doing, rent them and give them a whirl.

Yoda, I would like to hear your opinions on the difference in ride, handleing, etc. It wont be until later this year that i will able to try for myself.

thanks