2019 Harley-Davidson Road King (FLHR) Test Ride Comparison with a Road King Special 

Just turned over 100,000 miles in 23 months on my 2017 Road King at 76 years of age. Love it! Great video. Agree with it 100%.

Great comparison. I love my Road King Anniversary Edition. You’ll never convince me that it’s more expensive for Harley to produce the blackout bike. Are you kidding? Black paint more expensive than Chrome?

Classic styling on the Road King. Why not offer the 114 on the standard ?.

Wish I lived closer so I could but from you. The dealers in Colorado refuse to give a price till you commit to buy and then they add $2500-$3000 in alphabet soup dealer costs over MSRP (what the heck is F&J $1350?). Horrible business practice in my opinion.

Can’t imagine not having that 114, with air ride suspension, along with the lengthened bags. I was always a fan of Metzlers versus the Dunlop tires, believing it handled like a sport bike with Metzlers. Go ahead and void my warrant with V&H full true duals with race tuner, Yaffe ape hangers, backrest for her, HD Nostalgic grips, and we’re riding 500 a day on road trips. Road King Special is the only bike for me.

Just bought a 2019 Road King standard last weekend and it's bloody awesome.

Alongside the Fat Boy, the Road King is THE Harley Davidson. A classic that never gets old, a true beauty. Will they put the 114 in it someday?

Heritage conversion all the way. My dad bought a road king to celebrate my birth in 94’ white wall tires, spokes - kept it clean and stock and I miss that bike/ my dad!

If i may ask but why does the road king have a analog gas gauge and ignition "knob" but no the softails for example?

Loved the intro song! Nice to see a Road King with hard bags, I personally don't like the leather looking ones, I didn't see one like this here in Brazil yet

Refreshing to here you say the sales people mean something to your dealership... they deserve to be treated well. Imho

Great detailed review. You covered some very important facts on suspension, wheel size, and handling. Like the 107 review as well. It is refreshing having a younger person actually prefer good old standard quality and practicality versus slickness and performance.

Great content once again Matt. I wish all dealerships had your level of expertise. I also wish HD would put a option for the 114 in the Road King Standard. Pretty paint, lots of chrome and big power would make the Road King the best bike in the lineup.

Best review of these 2 bikes. Thanks brother and God bless you..........one thing. 18 and 19 wheels are what modern sports bikes use. They may turn in slower, but they are more stable. If you have the same suspension. Also the sidewall of the tire will not flex as with tall tires. I realize this is at very high speeds. But I just wanted to point it out. 18 and 19 inch wheels are really not radical.

I bought a touring bike to tour, comfortably. No shield and a butchered suspension does not impress. Really enjoying my ‘19 Road King.

I have the 2019 RKS and love it. But look, if we were all the same we would be extremely boring. There will always be people that would choose the RK and there will always be people that choose the RKS. Don't really see what difference it makes as long as your happy with the bike. I personally do like the RK but just prefer the RKS. Both great bikes.

Nice comparison. Having ridden both I can agree with your comments. The RK special is great for quick rides around. I found it a fun bike. But I'm a high mileage person and already owning an RK I would go with the Road King. Boy, you can put miles on them.

It gets pretty good mileage average 38-40 mpg the 6 gallon tank is nice too...

There's not a better looking motorcycle than the Road King Special in my opinion. The way yall sell the standard in this video makes a good argument for it. Can't go wrong. Hope both are still available in a few years when I'm ready to buy.

I am really interested to know what I would be spending, the ROAD KINGS STANDARD REALLY LOOKS GREAT

Great video comparison. Thanks Bought my Road Kind Stndard and I love it. Road kings are classic HD

My only 2 issues I have with my Road King Standard 1) stock bars are garbage. Both height and angle 2) stock seat gets wider on the sides for some reason exactly where you do not want it to get wider Matt going back to the good old days when he used to roll a Road King. Just without 18 inch apes lol

I ride without a windshield. love it! it's a better experience of the road.

Honestly, I love'em both. My bike kinda splits the difference - it's a standard with stage 4, Legend suspension, 19" Enforcer wheel, LED lighting and Kraus riser and bars. Great comparison!

Or just go for the best of both worlds RKS with a legend 13 inch shock.

Sharp presentation with emphasis on form following function!!! Two party review is unique and I like the slightly different perspective!!!😎

It feels heavy until u get it rolling takes some getting use to...

Very good review. I like you both commenting. good structure. I do have a comment though. I wonder why Harley put a toggle switch for those lamps. why did they not do it like they did on the 2018 Heritage. it is part of the controls. sort of weird and looks off. a toggle switch uggggh. I don't know why Harley does not just go to the 114 in all their bikes. would be from a process standpoint much better and the economy of scale works. sort of like when gm had Pontiac and chevy. camaro and firebird ya know. oh well.

I ride all weather and any where I want to go .. you did straight up review ...I like the standard .power is great but over all ride is what its about . and at 58 years of age I have ate to many insects to not have windshield on my bike ...from building a 41 chopper from the bare frame up . to a new 2020 ride . I still like the standard RK ..great review guys ...

Proud owner of a 2018 107ci H-D RKS (IGD), and I love it to bits. Have had it for a little over a year, and just passed the 20,000 mile mark. I don't care what Matt says, the RKS is crazy comfortable, even on long rides. Rode it from Italy to Holland in 5 days, clocking in over 7 hours a day, and I was comfortable the entire way. Sure, a windscreen will help at higher freeway speeds, but it's by no means necessary if you stay below 80mph. I also love throwing this thing through tight hairpin corners.

The only reason I bought my road king standard was for the CHROME lol

A lot of information and that’s a good thing. Retro flashback pictures allow me to realize how much has changed, a more custom look now a days. Liked the way your video was done. Thanks Matt!

The classic seat looks plush but there is a plastic panel that squares to your tail bone and the foam there is thin unfortunately. Loving my 2019 RK standard with 107. Stage 1 wakes up the 107 pretty good and it's far better than my 2012 103. Great vid and really appreciate the review to learn more about the bikes.

I absolutely love the HD Road King Classic (I wish they were made in the US). The simplicity, the spoked wheels, the white wall tires, and the avalanche of aftermarket parts. Such a joy and beauty to behold. For my retirement, I purchased a brand new 2012 Road King Classic (blue/black) that I configured with my preferences. It had the touring trunk, the HD GPS, the BOOM audio twin speakers, adjustable backrest, etc. Unfortunately, in 2017, the divorce lawyers required a sacrifice and my dream motorcycle was lost on the chopping block. But I digress. I’m 56 years young and have been riding since I was 13. I’ve lost count of the number of motorcycles I’ve had the pleasure to ride and own. Having said that, my 2012 Road King Classic was the best riding experience I’ve had on a motorcycle. I’m retired now and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to own one again, but at the very least I have my fond experiences. No one can ever take those away. If you own one, enjoy the good times and make lots of memories. Needless to say, I highly recommend one.

I have the Barracuda Silver 19 Standard and am loving it. I Really like the 107, better than my Wife's 114 Heritage. It has plenty of power and is pretty smooth as well. I dislike the clutch as it only engages for about what seems like 1/2 inch. I'm have always been a function over form guy. I do like lots of chrome, but I like the blacked out as well. I went for the standard because I would have to buy all the extras not on the special as well as not having as good a ride. As in the video, the windshield also was right in my line of sight. I had to get new plastic for it. I had no buffeting, even with a full face helmet. I was surprised at that. Typically, me and full windshields don't get along. Thanks for such a good review as always Matt. I never miss one of your videos.

I have had 3 Harley-Davidson’s to date but still some major changes need to happen. 1) LED headlights and turn signals. 2) gear primary in lieu of chain. 3) gear cams , gear cams. I had a 1987 springer with 88 evo. 1997 96ci road king, and my current 2017 street glide special that I love. If changes are made standard Harley-Davidson will sell better if they can control dealer pricing.

Matt, what gloves are you wearing? I'm looking for a light color glove since I live in Texas.

I like the classic paint jobs or the style throw back paint jobs. After riding a few new bikes honestly the 114 needs to become the standard motor. While the 107 is nice. These bikes need to have the cubes and the power to make them contend with the metrics.

A little off the subject. You offered a great video comparing the light weight motorcross type Zero bikes to the Harley Livewire. No comparison with the beautiful Harley. How about an update comparison with the new Zero SR/F. It looks more like a motorcycle. How does it compare to the Livewire? Thx

The Road King Standard doesn’t work as well in silver - there is minimal contrast with the chrome. A black or dark color really makes all that chrome pop.

Great video I have always been drawn to the Road King my 2015 Road King is perfect for me at 5 feet 7 inches

Thanks for the comparison video. Makes me love my RK Standard even more. My 107 with the stage 4 is awesome!! Keep these cool vlogs coming!!

Three bikes im considering. Softail heritage (114ci.) version, Street glide standard, and Road king special. Great content as always Matt. Oh, and another thing, Nick has the dopest hair ever. i bet that dude pulls chicks like crazy. LOL

Really appreciate your videos bro! I'm looking for a 2018 RGS now. Keep making great videos.👍

I talk yourself later ? Cool I love silver motorcycles. I don't tell 😗😗😗😗

Great video Matt. Thank you. I just bought a 2019 Road King Special in midnight blue. I couldn’t be happier. Keep up the great work!!

Both bikes awesome but for 2019, LED’s should be everywhere especially the headlights.

Another great review, now you have thrown a spanner in my decision process ( in a good way, ref my remark on your 2017 RK Special ride review).

The Cadillac of the lineup 👌😎

Very good video guys RK is a great bike for guys that don’t want that geezer glide look... classic timeless look!!

Matt has to be making some people uncomfortable because he's telling the straight truth about dealerships in their last 2 videos. As always, great vid!

As always, great content with some hidden easter eggs somewhere along to make it interesting. It helps me to increase my knowledge of some obscure HD model history details. Matt, you're always spot on with your spoken content and I love some of the geeky content details, but don't forget to consider using Nick on a bad hair day! He did a fantastic job clearly explaining all the details and differences! Kudos! You guys rock knowledge wise, bar none ! The first choice in my book to take my scoot and do technical work on It !

Thanks Matt and Nick for the in depth review of these two great bikes. I like the absence of all the infotainment and fairings on these two machines. I Love the silver color but makes the bike invisible, that’s how James Dean got it in his sports car. On a lighter note.. I still would go for the Standard and add upgraded front and rear lighting. One thing about the New Harley Davidsons.. I can never make up my mind once I step into a dealership. But I do know my Dyna is getting to small and cramped for me. After watching your video I think I need to go bigger! That touring chassis looked really comfortable!

The RK standard is all day comfort, and the reason I own one. The special is beautiful though and makes me drool.

All you have to do to get the Standard to look like the Special is take the windshield off and put the Special seat on it (not taking into account chrome vs black of course). The profile totally changes instantly, and even looks better in my opinion. I have one, and random people always ask what it is, or why it looks so different. It's just a regular old Road King! The seat has a lot to do with it. Those stock "Special" touring seats Harley uses right now look really, really nice. And it's easy to get other people's cheap take-offs! Thank you for the video!

Matt As a real Harley Davidson guy. I'd like to ask this question I want to buy either the New Road King Standard I love chrome I also Like hard Bags. I want a Road King but I am not thrilled with the color choices this year. I really liked 2017 with the Hard Candy but I have had great difficulty finding one. I would prefer the Hydraulic clutch. If you wear going to buy a Road King what year do you think I should be looking for.If I can't find the 2017 .

I was really attracted to the special but I didn’t know about the better ride etc on the standard. I love chrome so I’ll go with the standard. I however already have my honey “blue” my 18 Deluxe.

RKS all day long. I’ve added Windsplitter to mine and it’s been my commuter since day 1. Ride 60 miles on the interstate daily and it’s not too bad. Of course stock windshield on my old 13’ RK offered more wind protection, but RKS looks so much cooler to my taste. Installed 13” Road 6 bars and now it’s a perfect bike for me. Big thanks to Matt and Nick for great reviews and hard work.

my son just bought a 2019 Road King Special. first thing installed 15'' T bars/ FAB-28 Exhaust / air filter / Vance & Hines Fuelpak FP3 Fuel Management System... club style faring 12'' smoke windshield at $700 From San Diego HD. then had it painted gloss black $300 because it was a flat black... had to in stall a $200 taller smoke windshield 15'' ... that is just a little to short. now ordering a 2'' taller windshield... what is next Mr.Matt ??? i am just watching the show here at the pad. i just bought him a motor cycle Handy SAM 1200 Air lift table so he can work on the 1990 FXRP in the air & not on his knees poor guy. laying on his back to change oil ??? get a air lift table man... i retired a Master Mechanic auto/truck/motor cycle tech... i try to tech him what i know spending quality time with the kid...

I've had all those bikes and to me my 2018 heritage is much better.

Another great bike review. You and Nick work well together. You're getting very creative, I like having the two different views of the bikes. On another note, there is a big difference between the M8 107 & 114. Can you go over the difference of making a 107 a 114, either Stage III or IV and a 114? I have a 107 with a Stage III, and it rocks, and from what you said the '20 will all have 114's. Just asking. You, John Maxwell and Doc Harley @ Low Country H D are doing great work.

Can't imagine anyone paying 30k for any bike, no way in hell is it worth it, i love Harley Davidson, they are pushing every one into buying Japanese, fucking sad

Matt & Nick, you guys consistently produce the best videos. Intelligent, informative, meaningful. Great analyses, comparisons and recommendations. Comprehensively useful information. Thank you for your professionalism.

Greetings Matt! Are you aware of an upcoming MY20 Harley dealer meeting this summer, and if so, will you be live-streaming it?

I have taken the Road King Special! And I'm pretty happy with it! Perfect handling! As I go often on the German Autobahn (high way). I added a "blacked out" windscreen and a single seat.

They look like a 1960s EL Panhead with modern engine. Softail looks like a 40s knuckle hardtail. Personally I think it's great you can buy a bikes that look like legendary classics. I'd buy a 57 Chevy too if they made new ones 😅

Awesome video, very informative and history aspect cool. Things I haven’t known about my favorite style of Harley Davidson. Flhr

I think I just fell in love with the Road King 👍

Thx Matt for your video.... no matter how bad your roads might be... ours are great, by the way.... - I would always opt for the FLHRXS .... tain‘t anything cooler out there as stock by the MC.... good Job - appreciated a whole lot! Keep going !

Thx Matt for your video.... no matter how bad your roads might be... ours are great, by the way.... - I would always opt for the FLHRXS .... tain‘t anything cooler out there as stock by the MC.... good Job - appreciated a whole lot! Keep going !

Estoy loco por tener una saludos

The handlebars on the RKS are my favorite in the touring lineup. Of course they don't make them in chrome for use on their real touring bikes...

I came off a 2016 low rider and I love my 19 RKS it handles awesome runs smoother and has great power.

Matt, I like the way your dealership works...keep the faith!

It's very easy to do a 3 hole service, one you've done it a few times. The cruise control works flawless...

Oh man ! Barracuda Silver on a Road King Classic is so good looking. Silver Classic with a Stage 3, "Dream Bike"!!!

Once again a great review of the bikes in the video, with thoughtful comments and aspects of the bikes. Sport Glide 😎-2019

This video puts an end to my selection between RK and RKS. Great video. Thanks!

Good review. Road King is most versatile bike in the lineup. Mr Laidlaw, you need to wear boots when riding. With tennis shoes, if you crash you will break your ankles, or worse. You have all the safety gear but ignored the boots.

I'm a hospice Chaplain and riding is my primary stress-buster. Hands down the best review and reviewer I've heard concerning the Road King. Great, great job. I've been going back and forth discerning whether to get the standard or special. Finally someone intelligent with good verbal skills has done one. Though I'd like a 114 cu on a standard, it's practicality and rideability seems a better bike for me. Thank you and again GREAT job!

Man that Special looks and rides AMAZING!!!!

Wished I lived closer to visit your shop good points made 😁

I was debating so hard between the road king special and street glide special. I went with the sgs but I still love the look of the king. I do want to ride a road king though to figure out what the comfort difference is. I came from a Dyna. So the sgs is a huge comfort difference for me. Before being out for 2-3 hours I was coming home feeling like I got jumped. Now I can go out for 5+ hours with barely stopping and be perfectly fine. The seat could be a little better but still night and day compared to my Dyna.

Great Videos Matt. Shame your west coast. I'm east coast. I have great dealer ship and salesman. Keep up great videos. I bought 2020 RKS. I had them install 19' 1 1/2 La ape bars. I Change the seat. I did have the wheels change to hawks. I got Brilliant Burgundy. All colors nice. I'm going have quick on/off windshield going install. I'm changing those chrome fuel cap, fuel gage. To black flush make sense for that bike. Lol. Lot other mods im doing during winter time to.

I have a 2019 FLHR.. basic bitch Vivid Black. It’s the perfect all around bike. It can be so many things and excel at anything from pulling off the windshield and cruising around and riding hard. OR put the windshield on and ride tons of miles on the highway with no fatigue. Couldn’t be happier with a bike

Your thoughts.....The Road King standard vs Electra Glide standard on riding comfort. Thanks

Which engine did the Twin Cam road kings have? Did the have the "B" motor or the non counter balanced engine?

Great review guys, I’m a Standard model fan, windshield, suspension and seat checks the right boxes for me personally as I’m a freeway flyer mostly. I would like to see the standard optioned with the 114, I think that would be a good seller but probably cannibalise sales of the Special. 🤷‍♂️

The guy doing the review who said that they're all well-informed and experienced people they're just told everybody that it's 10% more power and 13 more foot-pounds of torque from the 107 to the 114 which is complete utter nonsense it's about half maybe a little bit less than what he said maybe he should check his manuals and you know his homework before he just throws numbers around wildly to potential customers

I have an ‘06 road king and I wouldn’t change it for anything. Bike runs great. Has a batwing and removable tour pak. Don’t use the tour pak much. Those new RK’s are nice bikes but not like the old ones. No engine shake. Pipes are too quiet. I know that can be changed. Not enough chrome. Gotta be shiny.

2.5k-3k more for the Special. Buy the Standard& give it a Power Upgrade for roughly the same costs, just thinkin'... Maybe HD could offer the 114 as an option. Probably Not...

HD Road King in barracuda silver. This is the most beautiful motorcycle ever. Nothing compares to Harley Davidson's paint and chrome. With care this bike will look this good 50 years from now. You and I probably won't. 😉

Nick and Matt, nice job on this comparison video. Keep up the good work. 2020 bikes coming soon!!

What's with the Simpson helmet?

I don't have a clue what you are talking about, road king no road king classic not on the road king might like the road king special, I am totally confused seriously get a guy that talks English. I am adding some serious logic, your running a jumping video short shot back to the other motorcycle and your at the dealership talking back and forth like the video just jumping around, I do suggest take one bike out and describe the length of the shock and if it is the best comfortable seat of all the others, one at a time I can learn fast, but two or three and all of them have a first name of road king.

Buy the bike for the engine as the engine is the costly to modify vs suspension. Plus aftermarket stages really not offer that much more unless your running the engine at higher rpms that Harley’s really not made for. All motorcycle companies should only offer full LED’s for safety vs dirty T shirt colored halogens.

Why doesent harley davidson update the gage cluster on the Roadking to lets say like the same one on the Heritage? It "seems" like a more "easy" upgrade for them, to do to make the bike feel more modern/uptodate. With all the newer softails out there the roadkings speedo feels really outdated to be honest.. thats what has keeping me from buying the special, cus i want to wait and see..

I am interested in the difference in the motors, no one so far has answered that question I have heard several people ask the same question, my question is what is the horse power rating of the largest engine possible with I guess stage 4 and what is the cost of the longest shock biggest cushion seat and tallest handlebars that can go on the motorcycle, full black clear coat paint and no chrome.With all these add on products, what motorcycle fits this combo and what is the estimated price, do not include tax title and shipping out of state.

I have an 05 RK Police Interceptor. It lacks cruise control. Dealership told me over $1000 unless I wanted throttle lock instead. I don't. Is that price for real?

Hey Matt, another great review! I am looking at getting a RG in the future, do you think HD will do the RK in a 114 at some stage like they have done in the RKS?