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[Racerdj]

Just curious who might have had Road King ownership and then onto the Ultra? Likes and dislikes? I ride most of the year without the front windshield on as I love to be in the wind!

[PHAZE]

My first Harley was an '03 Road King Classic.  When the Road King was totalled, I took the insurance check and bought an '04 Ultra Classic.  If I could only have one bike, it would be an Ultra Classic, but I've managed to hold onto a second bike since '03.  I know what you mean about riding without the windshield.  I have one for my Fat Bob, but usually ride without it.  I did put the windshield on for a ride to South Dakota and back last year on the FB, so it's nice to have for more serious road work.  If I did trim back to one bike though, it would be the Ultra Classic.  I can live with a little less wind in my face to have the tunes, saddle bags, and tour pack. 

[wiseasp]

My second Harley I owned was a 99 Road King Classic.  I loved the bike without the windshield, but once I got the stereo kicking I would never turn back.  It is just bad ass cruising down theroad listening to your favorite tunes and setting the cruise control and just fly.....  I never regret going to FLHT's after my road king.

[1sharprdkg]

My first Harley was a 99' RKC, bought a 03' RKC from a buddy. Wife is currently riding the 03, traded the 99' to get the 09SEUC. I did not think any bike could ride and handle better than the 03 RKC BUT I was wrong. Other than feeling a little heavier to pick up off the kickstand the UC rides and handles way better than either Road King or any other bike I have ever ridden. For me I did not like riding the RK's at freeway speeds without the windshield, around town was OK mostly when it was real hot weather. I'm still getting use to having a radio and the other bells and whistles on the UC. I still ride 'her" Road King every now and then, you know just to make sure it is running OK, but 100% no question if I could only have one bike it would be the SEUC.     

[Harley Guy 5]

Thrid bike was a 2003 S/B RK Classic. I Started to go on longer trips I was thinking adding stuff But i Traded the RK in for the 09UC very nice upgrade,  and then i started to thinking about upgrading 09 UC but by the time i did any upgrade on the engine and few other things i was getting close to the CVO price
And then the 2011 CVO UCEG came out with the paint and color i was looking for  it was like HD asked me what i would like.

I was thinking it was time for ME to have the best.

[kraut]

owned 2000, 2002 and 2005 FLHRCI before the present FLHTCUSE4.

When I had rentals or dealer bikes during mayor works on my bikes I always picked Ultras and liked them but they seemed just a little bit too much bike for my taste.

When my 05 broke in mid season I had to take the Ultra as virtually no other touring model was left or even availiable till September. Had never before even thought about such things as heated grips or seats, stereo on a bike and the like - but now will never ever again ride without them

The Road King is the most difficult to handle bike of all Harleys - the Ultra even as she's heavier handles much easier.

We are surrounded by mountains over here so even on a 100 m trip you may pass through 2 or even 3 different weathers and Central Europe is not exactly like California 

The Road King is great fun riding with the free wind in your face but gives you no real protection if weather turns bad. We got in some really chitty weather last year in the Alps - with the Road King we definitely would have had to seek shelter but with the Ultra we just rode on 

I'm old enough now for the Ultra I believe 

[napalm]

My first Harley was a 2033 Road King Classic....should have never got rid of it.  The RK Classic is a cool looking scoot...

I have had three CVO Ultras...liked them all..

I have a 2009 CVO Springer, so best of both worlds...go fast in the wind scoot and a bagger for those long trips...

napalm

[DESERTBEAR54]

I had a 2006 RK Custom that I had for 13 months and put 25,000 miles on before I dove into the 110 08 SEUC. The RK was an awesome bike to ride but today I love all the bells and whistles and comforts of the SEUC. With that comes head aches but as they say once you step up to the SEUC its hard to go back!!

[Chains]

Had a 1995 custom RK, chromed out front end and everything else, lowered 2 inches all the way around, great bike just wanted too have a fairing and radio so went to my first a 1996 Ultra.  Should have kept the RK as a around town bike as it was sweet.  May buy one again in the near future if price is right.

[Fired00d]

My first Harley was a 2033 Road King Classic....should have never got rid of it.  The RK Classic is a cool looking scoot...

I have had three CVO Ultras...liked them all..

I have a 2009 CVO Springer, so best of both worlds...go fast in the wind scoot and a bagger for those long trips...

napalm

Damn Skippy you should've never gotten rid of it... finally we would have known for sure what a bike would look like and features it would have before it came out... we could've even bet with or against Willie G's poolboy.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Spiderman]

Just curious who might have had Road King ownership and then onto the Ultra? Likes and dislikes? I ride most of the year without the front windshield on as I love to be in the wind!

You can't really compare a Road King to a fully faired Harley. While they share a frame and drive train in common, there's so much difference in handling, visability and other issues that it's not apples for apples. As such, in this member's opinion, your question should be whether anyone has owned both a batwing and a sharknose faired Harley. Myself I've owned all three. Do not like the batwing fairings even a little bit. Too much weight on the handlebars and too much wind resistance being born by the handlebars. That's just my opinion however as I know lots of riders love their batwings. Out on the open road putting in 750 mile days riding cross country in all types of weather, nothing beats a Road Glide.  A Road King is the pefect Harley for the day tripper who makes an occasional long distance trip. Around town with no windshield in 2011 geometry, they handle almost as good as sport bike with the advantage of having somewhere for your BSR to put her purse etc. (no mention of us riders actually needing space  LOL ) Out on the open road, the RK windshield provides decent protection in reasonable weather. That means wind, an ocassional shower etc. Beyond that, you can't compare them to a bat wing with lowers and wind deflectors or a shark nose with lowers.

All in all, just my $0.02 worth

B B

[brhulen]

Here's a little different twist on the answer.  I've owned an 02 Heritage, then the 08 SEUC, picked up a 88 FXRS because on a trade and then a few days ago I picked up an 04 Road King Classic.  The previous owner did everything I could ever dream of short of the stage 2 kit.  He had over 31k invested in it.  I bought it for my fiance but I've got to tell you I love the ride and handling.  It's not an Ultra by any means, but it sure is sweet.

[Racerdj]

I hope I'm not sorry as I've decided to trade.

[mr_magoo]

I went from an 02 road king classic to an 04 eletra glide and it was a big differnt but all good.  Less wind noise better ride.

[BUCKNUT GREG]

Damn Skippy you should've never gotten rid of it... finally we would have known for sure what a bike would look like and features it would have before it came out... we could've even bet with or against Willie G's poolboy.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d