Harley_Davidson_FLHR_Road_King_MY_OPINION
I Bought a 2001 Road King last July, My last harley was a 71 electra glide that I sold in 1973 one trouble I have is the stock BrakePedel it is un safe and neede to be replaced.
Harley_Davidson_FLHR_Road_KIng_MY_OPINION
This is my first Harley. I bought it used with 950 miles on it and have put another 1200 on it in one month. I highly recommend the fuel injection. Starts first time every time. Great power and ride for highway travel. Handles well for a 730 pound beast.
You either seem to love Harleys or hate them. I couldn't be more pleased with mine. Other Harley riders you meet on the road are great people. -- Dave
Harley_Davidson_FLHR_Road_KIng_MY_OPINION
I've had my H-D for about nine months now and have enjoyed the new experience. This is my first Harley. I have owned a variety of machines both European and Japanese and in each case enjoyed their reliability, workmanship, and fun factor.
This Road King is uniquely different. It is very mechanical and emits sounds reminding you of this fact. My mechanic tells me the sounds are normal and only to worry if they disappear.
My wife and I have put 3,000 trouble free miles on her. She has adequate power and enough torque to maintain highway speeds with relative ease.
It is very smooth too. At 65 to 70 mph it is as smooth as any bike I've ever owned.
The bike came with several extra chrome pieces (dealer installed). They also replaced the standard mufflers with a Vance and Hines version which looks good but is a little loud for my taste. The carburetor had to be rejetted and a K&N filter installed to accommodate the new mufflers. It is supposed to perform better than stock according to the dealer.
The fit and finish appear to be very good. The two tone (luxury blue over impact blue) paint scheme is eye catching. The H-D emblems on the tank accentuate the paint scheme very nicely.
Ergonomics are good for me. I'm 6'3" tall and have long arms so the slight stretch to the bars is not bothersome. Many people replace these bars with ones that reach further back toward the rider.
My wife occasionally complains about the back seat although the backrest has increased her comfort level. My seat has aged nicely and allows me some lengthy seat time.
No bike is without detractions. I wish some of the chrome pieces would resist rusting better. This bike has never seen rain, is always garaged, and covered too. There is no lack of wax on her either.
My only other complaint regards the access to the fitting for adding or extracting air from the shocks. As it is you have to remove the left side pannier to make adjustments. It's not that annoying but is a detail worth fixing on future bikes.
This bike is highly recommended. -- Bill
Harley_Davidson_FLHR_Road_KIng_MY_OPINION
I have a new 2004 Road King with dealership "phase 1" breather and pipes. It is not at all loud or performance oriented. It just breathes a little better and the intake noise is of course louder.
What is bothering me is what I would call a top end excessive valve train noise. It sounds like tappet clearances and/or cam chain noise from Japanese cycles. I am a mechanical guy (I was a cycle/sled mechanic in the eighties) and I do have the service manuals for my King. My problem is that I can't find a sufficient answer to my problem on the web. My dealer is hush hush on the subject. And not being a person current with this particular engine I don't want to tear down my new motorcycle (It looks so good and it's still under warranty). -- Bob Wilton
Harley_Davidson_FLHR_Road_KIng_MY_OPINION
I bought my King in late February 2004. I have had a full season on it, (7000 miles in as many months) and can't wait for more. I've been riding over five years and have experience on many European and Japanese bikes (There's nothing wrong with a foreign model!). This is my first H-D. I'm in love.
The bike has better balance than any bike I've ever been on. My bike is carbureted and I wouldn't trade the sound quality for starting the first time any day! I have changed the air filter to a more high performance system. I have also jetted the carb. and changed the pipes. Other than that, as they say, "It's all stock!"
The bike likes to ride straight but that doesn't mean you have to fight it into a turn like some bikes.
I happen to be a very large guy, 6'4" and 350 lbs. I have experienced that the passenger seat seems to be a little small once I'm on the bike. The rider backrest makes a little more room for the passenger. The position of the saddle bag, rear highway bar, and the passenger floor boards make it a little difficult for the passenger to stand up when getting off the bike. "Personally, I don't really care, I'll never be back there anyway!" Other people may care though!
The only other problem I've had is with the front brakes. They wear out after 5000 miles.
I love my hog and plan on owning it for a very long time.
Remember to keep the shiny side up! -- Shaun
