Tag Archives: Road King

2020 Harley-Davidson Road King review

When it comes to no-frills traditional touring the first bike that comes to mind is the Harley-Davidson Road King.

That is partly because of the name: Road King by name, road king by nature.

Apart from auxiliary riding lights, lockable panniers, cruise control, a windscreen and some crash protection, the rest is simple and traditional motorcycling.2020 Harley-Davidson Road King

At its core is a hefty 107 cubic-inch (1745cc) Milwaukee Eight engine that is refined brute strength for hauling your ass and your luggage.

And it will ably haul two in more comfort now that the bike gets the fatter and wider pillion seat from the Heritage Softail.

The rider will also enjoy the slightly narrower seat so your legs are as splayed as before.2020 Harley-Davidson Road King

What I love about this bike is that it does everything in an understated manner. Nothing showy, just honest touring motorcycling.

Despite its simplicity, it is actually quite flexible and really a two-in-one bike when you consider you can easily remove the windscreen and panniers in less than a minute.

Road King power2020 Harley-Davidson Road King

Since 2017, the Touring models have the Milwaukee Eight engine which is not only more powerful, but also smoother, quieter and runs cooler!

The Milwaukee Eight is so called because they have gone from the Twin Cam to a quieter single chain-driven camshaft with four lighter valves per head. There’s eight valves in all, hence “Milwaukee Eight”.

The ignition thump is gone as is a much of the mechanical noise.

Finer internal tolerances and lighter components have made it mechanically quieter which means Harley’s engineers have legally been able to ramp up the volume and bass in the exhaust.

While the transmission is much less “agricultural” in feel, neutral can still be a little difficult to find. It’s easier if you try to obtain that green “N” light just before coming to a stop.

I’m a little disappointed to see that the convenient heel shifter is no longer standard. It would be my first accessory purchase.2020 Harley-Davidson Road King

I have been riding the bike around for a couple of weeks in fairly cool and wet weather, so I haven’t been able to asses its engine heat.

However, the ignition has been advanced to make it cooler, lowered the rear header down and moved the catalytic converter rearwards.

The last time I rode one a couple of years ago I found thermal comfort had improved, but there was still plenty of heat around the back of the leg. The pillion also complained about heat being directed at her right ankle.

However, you can remove the windscreen for better summer ventilation.

Ride and handling2020 Harley-Davidson Road King

The Road King is the best handling of the touring models with a light front end, the most clearance and a precise feel.

The taut chassis and good clearance allow it to be thrown around much more than you would expect of a 362+kg monster.

This is largely due to the Showa dual bending valve forks.

They have also removed some of the jackhammer effect in the grips, although the long mini-ape bars relay vibration and impact shudders to your hands.2020 Harley-Davidson Road King

I found gloves with palm padding mitigates the effects.

The new emulsion-technology rear shock absorbers improves the ride, but it’s still a little short over some of Queensland’s bumpy B roads.

The twin springs can be easily adjusted with a single knob, but you have to remove a pannier first.

They also offer 15 to 30% more pre-load adjustment for heavier loads.

Creature comfortsBorder Harley-Davidson Road King

Apart from better seats, the mini-apes are a good fit for me and the floorboards are generous for long-legged riders.

Instruments are simple and understated: a single round speedo with a small LCD screen showing a variety of information you can toggle through with the switch on the left bar.

There is also an analogue fuel gauge in the left “dummy” fuel cap.

The Road King has a minimum of chrome, but lush paintwork and don’t you love that mint-green colour scheme. Once again, understated and stately.

Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King2020 Harley-Davidson Road King

  • Price: FLHR Road King $34,495 
  • Warranty: 24 months, unlimited mileage
  • Service: 1600/8000km
  • Engine: Milwaukee Eight 107 (1745cc) twin
  • Power: N/A
  • Torque: 150Nm (111ft-lb) @ 3250rpm
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Cruise Drive
  • Brakes: 300mm discs, 4-piston calipers, ABS
  • Suspension: Showa dual bending valve forks (117mm travel), hand-adjustable rear suspension (76mm travel)
  • Length: 2450mm
  • Seat: 705mm
  • Fuel: 22.7 litres
  • Dry weight: 362kg
  • Tyres: 17″/D408F BW 130/80 B17 65H; 16″/D407 BW 180/65 B16 81H

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Harley affair is a real-life true love story

If you are interested in reading a true love story with motorcycles as a central theme, check out Mary Jane Black’s debut novel, “She Rode a Harley”.

The 256-page book is a tale of abuse, true love and loss. It is published by She Writes Press and goes on sale in October 2019.

You can pre-order the paperback at $US16.95 and Kindle at $US9.95 from Amazon.

Harley build is a true love story

True love

“She Rode a Harley”  starts with the school teacher’s account of her escape from an abusive marriage.

Mary Jane then meets and falls in love with Dwayne on a blind date.

Dwayne, a biker since he was 13, teaches her how to save herself by believing in her own strength, power, and individuality.

Harley build is a true love story
Mary Jane

They marry and Dwayne also teaches Mary Jane how to build and ride a Harley.

On our wedding day, Dwayne and I made a vow to love each other until death and to buy a Harley together,” Mary Jane says.

“Within a year we bought and rebuilt together our first Harley, a 1980 Shovelhead. It’s called that because the top of the motor looks like an upside-down shovel.

“Eventually, Dwayne brought home my first Harley which was a police Road King. Hesitant at first, I loved the feeling when the large motorcycle rumbled beneath me as we danced down the highway.

“Even though I don’t own a Harley now, I still see myself as a biker, a Harley rider.”

The bike becomes a symbol for Mary Jane’s newfound independence and strength.

Tragedy strikes

Mary Jane ends up following the white lines with Dwayne through 15 years of marriage.

Traveling together, they learn to be partners, both on and off the road, until Dwayne is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Mary Jane writes of caregiving, and the joy and pain inherent in a love meant to last.

She not only has to take on a new role as caretaker, but also bike mechanic.

The story I tell of my marriage to Dwayne was building inside of me from the moment we sat in a doctor’s office and received his cancer diagnosis,” Mary Jane says.

“We had a remarkable love story. know everyone probably says that. However, we were both over 40 and love had almost wrecked both of us before we got together.

“I escaped an abusive relationship before I met him.

“At my first memoir workshop three years after Dwayne’s death, the dam inside me broke, and I wrote the first essay for the memoir. By the time I went home, I had three essays completed. 

In the pages of my book, Dwayne lives again. I want my readers to meet this remarkable man, for them to join us on the incredible road trip that was our life together.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com