Heritage vs Road King - which one is better for you?

[@RidersUnited]

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[@JamesSmith-qx2mz]

I think I can agree with your assessment of both bikes. I own a 2019 Heritage 114 and it’s handling is excellent but spending all day on it can get rough.

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you for watching and your comment. Yes, I truly loved my Heritage for real but after 500 miles I could feel it a bit. Both this bikes are really outstanding RK just need 3000$ of upgrades right the way which is hard pill to swallow

[@JohnnyRebKy]

I tried them both. I took home a 2016 heritage softail 👍. Just felt more at home and comfortable on the heritage. And it’s not because I’m short and can’t handle a road king…I’m 6’3. The heritage is more nimble too. Just took a 4 day road trip on it and it did great. It floats down highest like a Cadillac. The road king is a great bike for many people but I just preferred the heritage in both looks and feeling comfortable.

[@lovingmylifeasIage6741]

Good honest comparison. I love my 2022 Heritage compared to the 2017 Street Glide that I traded for it. I'm 5'6" and 150 lbs. and 69 years old now. I can ride my Heritage anywhere now without worrying about dropping it. I'll probably put more miles on the Heritage then I put on my street glide.

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you for watching and your comment I m glad you enjoyed it. Please subscribe for more weekly content

[@SB-mw1bg]

The Heritage will continue to be the best all-around Harley to buy. But if you are a highway focused rider, the RK is the ticket.

[@RidersUnited]

@SB-mw1bg agree

[@williamh5405]

That's what's great about you Artur. Honesty. Although you now own a Road King, you spoke honestly about both bikes. Great information! Thanks.

[@RidersUnited]

I appreciate that!

[@andrewvickers4487]

Second that!

[@RidersUnited]

@@andrewvickers4487 thank you sir

[@kimberlygatto]

Thank you for your honest review, your time and feedback is greatly appreciated!

[@RidersUnited]

Glad it helped

[@HDVIBE]

Great comparison of the two bikes Art. It is always great to get perspective from someone that has ridden both over the longer term to real world experience with both bikes. Thanks for sharing and ride safe.

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you and yes I was tempted to do it right the way but I wouldn’t get full experience. Appreciate your comment.

[@HDVIBE]

@@RidersUnited 👍✌️👊

[@bobmaslan2401]

Artur, Excellent video. I have a 2018 FLCH and have often thought about a touring class. You have reaffirmed the decision I made decision 5 years ago. I have been on very comfortable 500 mile trips with it. I now have a Saddlemen Explorer seat, which has made a big difference--very comfortable on a long trip. I have ridden all of the touring class Harleys, except for the Road Glide. They are also excellent bikes, but at my age (71) I will stick with my FLHC. Thank you for your very thoughtful, detailed commentary.

[@RidersUnited]

Really appreciate your comment and watching and yes I miss my Heritage for sure. It is serious adjustment to this new ride but I am slowly getting all the upgrades completed to increase the comfort so I already cant wait for the spring :)

[@kimberlygatto]

Hi Bob, you mentioned the Saddlemen Explorer seat making a big difference, it being very comfortable on a long trip. Thank you for sharing your input also, do you mind me asking which Saddlemen Explorer Seat you have. Thank you in advance!

[@bobmaslan2401]

@@kimberlygatto Explorer-LS. Normal height and reach, lattice stitch on the rider seat. The passenger part was smooth. Black stitching. No backrest and no heater. I ordered it directly from Saddlemen, and they put my name on the tag. I traded the bike in for a 24 FLHX. I wish I had a Saddlemen road sofa on it. Maybe in the future. If you order it from Saddlemen, they send you emails as it it being built. Good customer service if you have any questions. They sent me sample stitching so I could check the colors before ordering it.

[@kimberlygatto]

Thank You So Much!

[@Heritagejim5339]

Glad to know you liked the Heritage. Your thoughts were spot on, talking about the brakes, storage etc. Last week I bought a 2023 Heritage Atlas/ Silver Metallic with the chrome package. As I sayyour thoughts were exactly the same as mine. Stay safe😎

[@RidersUnited]

Heritage is awesome bike. You will love it. Thanks for comments and ride safe

[@gary8399]

After reading all the comments and as I stated, I 100% agree with summary of the vidoe as I swapped from the 2018 Heritage to the 2019 Roadking with the horrific 18/19" setup and thin sidewall tires. This is the issue with the suspension, as the low profile tires on the taller wheels kills the ride. I often ride a 2017 Limited Touring bike that has the fat 180/65/16" on back and a 130/80/17" on front. Now this touring bike rides much better than the Heritage with "exact" same suspension as the Roadking. THIS is the perfect set up, period! Which is same setup for the standard Roadking. So therefore comparing a Special is really not apples to oranges. Low profile tires kill a bike even worse than it kills a Camero with 4 wheels. Although the 200 tire is no taller, the extra volume of air compared to the 180 definitely helped me to a point of rideable on these Louisiana pot hole roads!

[@RidersUnited]

Yes you are so right, having taller side walls would help a lot. I was actually considering 107 RK Classic but couldn’t get over 107 engine after having 114” Stage II Heritage before so I went with RKS as this was only option for RK in 2022. I am in process of transitioning my RKS into RK Classic but with 114” engine and yes I would definitely prefer beefier tires. I wont lie I dig the look of bigger wheels but functionality always go over look for me it was just this smaller 107 that I couldn’t accept so I bought RKS and will be adding features that it is missing comparing to RKC. Great chat wit you sir.

[@rollingthunder_Woody]

Great video! I still LOVE my Heritage 114 but was considering the Road King. Glad I went with the FLHCS.

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you for watching and your comment and yes Heritage is great bike

[@alanbriggs7177]

Great review; you have covered many points that I had not heard from any other reviewer.

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you hope this helps

[@gary8399]

My friend, we are 100% in agreement! You were dead on with everything you said! As I myself made exact change. If and when you change the back tire, going from the 180 to the 200 all in it's own made my ride amazingly better! I will as well have the Legends suspension soon, but will be going with the 12" to hopefully get more of the Heritage feel as she will be about 1.5" lower with the sag. Ride Safe✌🏼

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you for watching and your comment. I will highly recommend 13” shock as you will gain 50% more suspensions travel (which is a LOT) comparing to 12”. There is a reason people selling their 12” shocks and you can never buy 13”. Glad you liked this episode

[@uwemeffle8057]

Great video, I am not really qualified to judge comfort etc but having owned a Fat Boy and a Road Glide before, I must say it was an easy decision. I test rode al the new 2022 models including the heritage a few times prior to purchasing the RK, Aesthetics and storage was the biggest factor. My Road King Special kind of looks like a Fat Boy on steroids !! 😎😎Love the Nacelle front. I disliked the stock handlebar and suspension the most, but these are the most common upgrades for Harleys anyway.

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you Uwe yes this is Softail on steroids for real and I love it.

[@bobrose3298]

Great video Art. Having owned both of these models, I can agree with a lot of what you said. The Heritage suspension is excellent, and as you stated, it's horrible on the Road King Special. I will say that the suspension was great on my Road King Standard. They are both great bikes, but I really love the Road Glide ST. Great job.

[@RidersUnited]

Yes this 1” extra travel in shock is huge. Thank you for your comment Bob

[@thecamdenyard]

I think a lot has to do with the weight of the rider!!! 150-180lbs rider on a touring chassis designed for 2 riders and their gear is going to feel rough. Where a 250lbs rider on a Heritage is going to feel overloaded and mushy going through corners. I’m 6’5” 270lbs and I test rode the new Heritage and Road King back to back… the RK was the clear winner for me!!! You feel every little bump in the road on the Heritage but the RK just floated over them and the chassis never got upset in rough corners. The RK ( all touring chassis’s) is designed to eat up miles and miles of roads at highway speeds with passengers and gear.

[@drainmonkeys385]

I’ve got the lowrider st. Everything about it is excellent…I’ve ridden RG, SG and RK ….on Highway FLXRST feels better after you put forward controls … btw heritage forward controls bolt right up but it requires the entire kit.. the bike is lighter,, faster, more maneuverable

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you for commenting and watching. Truly appreciate it. Lowrider is great option as well. I felt a bit cramped on it but yes forward controls would take care of this.

[@michaelhefford6420]

Great review. As someone looking at a new purchase, I appreciate the time and work to put this honest review together. I have been debating the softail vs touring frame now for a while, but I think the vibration factor might make the decision for me.

[@RidersUnited]

I just pass 10000 miles on my RKS I think it is great bike especially for touring purposes

[@kilpel2]

Nice honest review. I felt the same way about the suspension on my new 2016 road king. It was terrible!!

[@RidersUnited]

Thanks man.

[@yannickguilloux7219]

Hello. Very good and interesting comparison. I'am waiting for buying my first Harley because a bad choice would be very expensive for me. My present bike is a 1200RT BMW, a very efficient machine but I am 67 years old and it is time for me to have a Harley, my dream from a log time, before to be unable to drive one. My wife and me are 120 kg weight and a softail heritage is convenient I think. I will test one this week I hope. I have to precise, I am French, and in France there is a lot of small roads for riding, even if we have boring highways. Electra glide, Road glide or Street glide are too heavy for me and I don't need radio or other expensive and heavy equipments. So Road king or Heritage classic are for me the most beautiful bikes. My main problem is mainly the luggage for travelling. I will had necessary a tour-pack but the suitable model for the softail is small and unable to contain integral helmets. I'am looking to a bigger one like the one on Electra or Road glide but not sure it is possible to install such an equipment on Heritage classic. For aesthetic reason and also due to the weight. And thank you for your clear job. I'am going to spend time on your interesting channel Merci beaucoup. PS : I have found your tour-pack review. Thank you. ( I use subheading to understand because I am not fluent)

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you for your comment. I actually also have video on Heritage tourpack and another video on how I pack this bike. We learned how to pack for 2 people on Heritage and were fine. Yes you can install Touring model tourpack on Heritage but doesnt look nice but it is doable. What you can also do is to install touring style saddlebags which are way bigger but it will require different exhaust set up so pipes are under rear axle. These saddlebag conversion look’s actually OK. Yea RK is heavy so it is important to consider if your trips are 500km a day Heritage might be better option but if you can manage RK for 2-up riding RK will be more comfortable for your lady and keep in mind this suspension and handlebar upgrade for RKS as these components are just bad. Road King Classic might be worth considering as this one have 13” shock (not 12” like RKS). Glad you found some value in my channel and yes I have a lot of videos on Heritage so hope this will help.

[@yannickguilloux7219]

@@RidersUnited Very pleased of your quick and clear answer. Thank you very much. It is 6 PM in France but not time to go bed for you and your lady ???

[@RidersUnited]

@@yannickguilloux7219 US is 7 hrs behind so it is noon here :)

[@yannickguilloux7219]

@@RidersUnited My God; stupid I am. Seven behind .... not before. Sun come from East not West.

[@RidersUnited]

@@yannickguilloux7219 no worries and you should never say this about yourself. I am sure you are amazing!

[@JA-zh5xi]

Both are solid bikes. Prefer the Road King for the hard bags, better suspension, and looks. I don’t know anyone who buys a Road King that would go back to a heritage. I do know a number of people who went from the heritage to Road King.

[@jasonbreedlove495]

Great question Art, and I can say I watched Matt Laidlaws video comparing both a few times when I thought about trading my 2018 Heritage. Having a 2018 FLHC and 15k miles and a ton of upgrades over the years I had, one amazing bike. Love the styling with a touch to Harley's beginning, but some modernization(LED headlight, cruise control). I could do a good 300-400miles in a day and still be able to move around, but daily driving it worked great as well. My heritage was a 107 with SE torque cam, fishtails and I added a mustang seat, so set up nice. I ended up trading for a 21 Roadking Special because my 22yr military career has worked my back, knees and shoulder hard core and I needed a bit more support. The touring frame is ment for that long long trip, even with the crappy stock suspension. Right off the bat I felt more connected and "in the bike" on the Roadking than I did with the Heritage. Another big reason for my upgrade was the RDRS as I use it as my commuter and riding in the rain here in MD, I wanted traction and more weight as I had slid alot on the heritage. The 107 with a cam and tune still had plenty of power, but that 114 with my full stg1 is a complete different ride. Smooth and easy power at the ready in all gears. I don't regret the 4 years with my Heritage, great freaking bike and just a cool look, but I am at home with my Roadking special, it handles and just holds a true line on the road. I've done 14" bars, mustang seat and FOX rear shocks on the RKS and its like butter. At times I miss the heritage bc of the weight to power ratio but I do not regret the decision to get my 21 RKS...plus it's a unicorn color, Blackjack Metalic that I loved on the 21 Heritages.

[@RidersUnited]

Yes I cant agree more. While it is painful to spend money on these shocks and few extra upgrades right after the purchase I feel after this initial financial pain RK/RKS is solid touring platform that I truly enjoy. Really appreciate your comment and sharing your experience as I am sure it will help someone make the right decision as well.

[@jasonbreedlove495]

@@RidersUnited always appreciated your encouragement for followers to comment and add thier 2 cents. I do hope it's enough to help others stuck on that decision. I actually found a company on ebay who had new in box previous year 13" FOX racing shocks for 350 shipped. Didn't have the ifp rebound adjustment like the newer years, but still night and day.

[@RidersUnited]

@@jasonbreedlove495 it is all about rhe community for sure

[@bikeknight54]

Excellent review. The Road King Standard was better than the Heritage (for two-up especially) and more comfortable (less $ in modifications) than the RK Special. I’ve owned all three late model editions.

[@RidersUnited]

If I could buy RK with 114 engine at the time that would be my first choice 100% but they didn't offer RK with 114” unless it is police edition

[@brantgareau2635]

best bike : Road King Standard 119 ( Stage III Kit - 107CI to 119CI $2,567.00 ) $ 23,999.00 & $ 2,567.00 ( $ 26,566.00 ) ( Heritage $ 26,499.00 ) ( Road-King-Special $ 28,599.00 ) i love my 2021 Road King 119 Midnight Crimson/Stone Washed White Pearl that's my pick

[@RidersUnited]

Yes this is beautiful color for sure

[@Big_John_C]

Road kings suspension is stiffer to handle 2 up plus luggage for touring, the Heritage is capable of doing occasional trips but it's suspension will be overwhelmed

[@RidersUnited]

Agree on long trips RK all the way

[@125saito]

Art this is a very well thought out and informative video. I'd like to ask how tall you are. I think the Heritage may be slightly lower than the RK. Also what is the difference in price between the two? I own a RK standard and am very surprised that this model has been discontinued for 2023. Anyway good vid.

[@RidersUnited]

I am 5’10” and yes you are right Heritage was lower comparing to RK especially with 13” shocks set up. After I installed 13” shocks I am still able to flat foot the RKS but have to tilt it a bit which I don’t like but this shock was needed to increase comfort as 12” woudnt be much more comfortable. Price of 114” Heritage was almost the same as RK Classic while RKS is additional 3k so still really close. I miss lightness of the Heritage for sure but on long trips crown will go to the King and RDRS was nice touch. HD hit home run with Heritage and sometimes I truly miss it - especially on parking lot :)

[@TheJdbuell67]

Went from a road glide to a heritage and will never go back. The rear suspension is so much better!!😊

[@RidersUnited]

I agree out of the box it is not even close. Hands down Heritage

[@High_Desert_Tanner]

I owned a Heritage 114, and I traded it for a Road King Special. There are things I miss about the Heritage... But the RKS is just a little better all around.

[@RidersUnited]

Yup I miss my Heritage and I am still new to RKS so eager to evaluate further this season. Thanks for your comment and watching, greatly appreciated.

[@JMurugayah]

Thanks for this video ♥️

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you for your comment. I am always happy to help.

[@davidstankiewicz717]

Great review 👍

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you glad you found it helpful

[@yeast1000]

Thank you 🙏

[@dylanvisitacion8618]

Great information 👍 Thanks.

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you so much Dylan it is always so nice to see your comment. I hope this info will help someone out make the right decision.

[@chuckytherapper]

This video answered every question

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you and I am glad it was helpful

[@michaeljoseph9881]

I'd rather have a heritage lot later and more nimble.

[@Driftuner]

I think maybe the problems you had with the suspension on the RK was due to lack of weigth? Cuz i rode one extensively with a passenger and the susp was very good. Didnt get to ride a softail though...

[@RidersUnited]

I believe my shocks were damaged from the moment I bought the bike which I discovered while upgraded to Legends

[@Driftuner]

@@RidersUnited that would explain it, cuz honestly speaking everyone that ive seen comparing the two will praise the susps on the rk very high, and when i rode my dads Ultra, which has pretty much the same chassis/susps as the rk, i thought it was very good. I did take a couple of softails for a spin (streetbob and fatty), but didnt ride them long enough to get a proper feeling for it.

[@jerrymulcahy4254]

Enjoyed the video but I have to say that after spending 25000 to 30000 K on a new bike I wouldn’t be real happy to have to spend another 3k or more to make it tolerable for riding. I know we all spend $ on making them our own with “ stuff” here and there but to me that’s more of personalization things.

[@RidersUnited]

Thank you for watching and your comment. Yes unfortunately suspension and handlebar is just unusable so this $3K is a must for many but I agree for this kind of money these bikes should be way better.

[@hellydavidson7598]

Don’t forget the taller guys on bikes: myself felt’s very cramped on the RK when comparing it with a Softail. Not sure if a different seat can fix it

[@RidersUnited]

Good point and I should mention this in video. With proper seat and maybe forward controls it would be probably possible. Appreciate your input.

[@hellydavidson7598]

@@RidersUnited Foreward controls are available for touring Modells?

[@johankerstens7165]

Taller people look at these bikes differently, that is a valid point, I'm six feet eight inches tall, 203cm, and I fit better on a Road King than on a 114 Fat Boy for instance, I've tried several models at the dealer, and went for a Road King Classic, and I love it, the styling with the white wall tires and all chrome is just beautiful, I have to admit I didn't try a Heritage Classic however.

[@RidersUnited]

@johankerstens7165 100% agree with you

[@DamianS1893]

I have owned a 2016 and 2017 Road King. I traded the 2017 RK for a 2022 Heritage Classic 114... I prefer the Heritage Classic over the Road King

[@RidersUnited]

Both. Are great bikes and each one have great features depending on what rider wants

[@DamianS1893]

@@RidersUnited It's the weight, suspension and seat width and height difference that really stands out. The Heritage Classic wins in all categories mentioned

[@whatsinanamethatthecaptive577]

How does the seat height compare, Heritage vs Road King?

[@RidersUnited]

Heritage is lower just a bit if thats what you are comparing

[@davidefland1985]

On softail models the final gear ratio is taller than the touring models

[@RidersUnited]

Agree

[@donfinkey692]

Ha ha…. no one ever mentions backing up your bike.😮

[@RidersUnited]

Definitely Road King

[@patrickbayne8845]

Yeah harly f up and made a great bike don't tell them

[@RidersUnited]

Nothing is perfect and both of these models are actually great bikes

[@johncadogan9450]

None, there both slow dont handle overweight overpriced and underpowered, anyways only overweight old men and transvestites ride Hardleys truth be told.

[@ania4132]

🤣🤦🏼‍♀️

[@aussiemotolife347]

It's they're (they are). So if you can't spell it undermines your credibility.

[@RidersUnited]

Well thank you for making me laugh. I feel the power is appropriate after HD introduced M8 and you can squeeze much more of these engines if you only want. Didnt notice any handling issues in 22K miles I did on these models. You might be right on old and overweight man riding them as I sure check both of these boxes myself and wont comment on sexual orientation as this is personal matter. Appreciate you watch video for sure and good laugh is always ok 👌please share with us what you are riding as I am genuinely curious.

[@gfunk63901]

@@aussiemotolife347 not necessarily because I’m a transvestite and I ride one

[@darrenbeavers8099]

And I'm a overweight old man