Road King Stanard all the way. For me the Standard has that timeless look. I juiced up my standard and it has more than enough power. At the end of the day you can't go wrong with either. Road King all the way!
I went from a blacked-out Fat Bob to a 2018 Road King Standard (I test rode both RKs). I love the blacked-out look but my Dyna taught me that blacked out parts aren't as durable as chrome. The 114 & 107 weren't much different, the 114 had a little more up in the revs. The RK Standard is just better equipped for less $. Lastly, I had a lot of guys approach me about my Bob. My chromed-out RK instead has women approach me about my "pretty bike". As much as I like talking with guys about HDs, I like attention from women just a little more😉
Both are gorgeous for what they are. Personally, i went with the 2021 Standard in the midnight crimson and pearl white. I love the modularity you get- more comfortable ride with my queen, detachables on the back are good, windshield on/off, etc. Stage 2 gives Plenty of pep for this old guy. Great video! Thanks for the honest take!
They replaced the midnight crimson/pearl white with the Gauntlet grey metallic/vivid black. The latter colour looked absolutely fantastic in last years FB but don’t think it works well on this year’s RK. Defo nowhere as nice as the 2021 midnight crimson/pearl white. That two-tone combination worked beautifully on the RK.
Road King Standard. I would be one to argue the better looking bike. Not even close for me. I like the 3 pack headlight look. Guess I'm a sucker for chrome as well. Glad they have different bikes for different people.
I had zero problem buying my standard Road King vs the 114 version. I've owned several 114s and a 117ci,,,,,I feel almost no difference in power. I also will say for some reason the 107s I've owned actually shift smoother and go into first gear quieter,,,,,I personally love the windshield, extra lighting, big engine guards and bag guards. I swapped out the rear floor boards for pegs because they hit the back of your legs when you walk it backwards, even folded up. Thanks for the video.
All of the styling differences you pointed out are exactly the reasons I bought a vivid black Road King Special in November 2021. I didn't anticipate any noticeable changes in 2022. Cost always varies depending on where you purchase. I wanted it, they had it, I bought it. I love it!
I just purchased a 2021 RK Standard with Police configuration, FLHP. You get the classic look, with the 114 engine, the additional handling performance software package and a tach as standard equipment. Plan to swap out the chrome crash bars with black mustache style bars as well as installing smaller blinkers and bullet windshield. Completely changes the look. Great vid... Thank you.
@@timscott70 Hi Tim, I found the 2021 Road King Police Special on Cycle Trader at a dealer in Texas. They shot me an amazing deal as I paid slightly over $19k all-in, out the door. They removed the police equipment and installed LED lights as part of the deal. It has the police springer solo seat on it, which I'll eventually change out. Happy to discuss if you'd like.
One point I don't think you mentioned is that the special has the 12" rear shocks vs the 13" shocks on the standard. I'd rather have the better ride with more lean angle and for that reason I agree with you on the standard bags. I actually like the nostalgic look of the fog lamps, not so much the huge turn signals though. I do wish they both came with the daymaker. The larger engine guard gives you the option to run soft lowers for cold weather and I do run highway pegs. I'm also a windshield guy, so unless I'm just puttin' around town that would always be on as well. I agree that aesthetically the Special is cooler looking, but the standard is more prepared for road trips. For that reason, standards should come with docking hardware for a luggage rack and both back rests. As far as the engine goes, bigger is always better but that 107 is sufficient for touring. For the sake of versatility to ride it right out of the box, I'd have to settle for the standard myself.
He did forget to mention the shock and comfort difference. If you ride 2 up that person will appreciate the additional travel and the passenger floorboards.
I like a little chrome on my bikes. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I would take the regular RK way over the special any day, even if the regular RK was 4 grand more. I think the extended bags are what turns me off the most. Plus spending more for less makes no sense to me. Thanks for great comparison.
Love your videos but in this one I think you're projecting your taste onto others when you say "....people are gonna have a hard time arguing the Special is not the better looking of the two bikes". I recall reading several times that - not including police models - the Standard outsells the Special 3:1. I went in thinking I was going to walk out with a special but after test riding both, got a new Standard. Laidlaw's comparison was spot on when all the riders said they loved the Special's look but after riding both back-to-back, they'd choose the Standard. Here are some things you didn't include in this comparison buyers really should know: First off, the bars on the Special are terrible, something mentioned on almost every test ride video here on RU-vid. The ride on the Standard is superior with the taller rubber and rear shocks - the Special tossed my 220 pounds off the seat on bumps the Standard glided over with ease. Also, with the low rear end and stretched bags on the Special, I was scraping a LOT. That's why the new Road/Street Glide ST models have the Road King Standard's bags, rear suspension, and rear fender - much better lean angle. Ride both in the twisties and it's night and day. I did the math and by the time you upgrade the Special with a windscreen and acceptable rear suspension, and bars, the price difference climbs to $7000-8000. I spent $1000 for full daymakers, clear LED turn signals, and the Special's seat and I'm still ahead $6000-7000. I ride my Standard with no windscreen mostly and looking out over the nacelle and passing lights I feel like Zeus. All that said, it's fantastic HD builds both! If I only needed a cruiser to go downtown, I might have gone with the Special, but for both the back roads, twisties, and highway, the Standard is king.
There is a reason that a Road King standard keeps the same classic styling year after year after year. It is without a doubt the style that old school riders identify with. HD would break a lot of hearts if they changed anything on the Road King standard. I hope they don't lose their minds and stop producing it any time soon
I like both bikes but have to disagree. I have the ‘20 Special in black with the 131. Ive Been cross country three times, ride the twisty’s all the time, hardly ever scrape, and having owned 7 sport bikes, a ‘19 Fat Bob, etc I know a little about riding hard in the corners and my Special is actually quite good. But as you say both bikes are fantastic.
I have the 2021 Standard and I'm very happy with the bike. Love that classic look. I have been doing some mods but not changing the look too much. I would have liked the 114 but like you said there is still plenty of power.
Maybe I'm old fashioned (or just old) but I really can't imagine thinking the special is a better looking bike than the standard. For me there is absolutely no comparison. I am 50 yrs old and have a "98 Heritage full dress that I Love more than my wife so maybe I'm biased but I really like the newer look of the Harleys less and less every year. But to each his own. If you're on a Harley you're cool in my book😎
I like the Road Glide Standard I am 64 Years old and my First Harley Was a 1975 FXE 1200 and I loved it . I hated selling it but things come up in life and we have to do things , I said My next bike I buy would be the Road King . Thanks for the Video .
Thats nice to hear that their is a difference between the 114 & 107 . People have never ridden both bikes to know ,just saying 7cc does not matter . They are both good engines with enough power . Road Kings are my favorite bike .
Road King Standard 100% especially if you ride two up, the extra inch in rear suspension travel and more padding on the seat and you can’t beat the passenger boards. Ive owned both I had a 2017 special and now have a 21 standard. The classic look never gets old.
Thanks for the detailed breakdown. I've got a Special with the Screamin' Eagle 131 kit on order, and the wait is killing me! I'm hoping to hit the road with it in early March.
That green denim paint job is a winner. I have seen a smoke coloured windshield with a vent that I would opt for. It's a Harley Davidson factory product.
I have 21 Road King Special in the Snake Venom color scheme. I dropped a Memphis Shades, quick detach batwing faring with dark smoke windshield on it and it looks great. If you are out cruising the highway, you really need one.
Love these videos! I’m a visual guy myself and when I purchase I park cars, trucks & bikes side by side. Do that for the visual eye appeal and this one has this and this one doesn’t. Thanks for the video
I sure wish HD would show the Road King some love and offer it in more than 3 colors that being said I would go with the special I like the fatter bars on it.
Road king standard is a no brainer. What's even crazier is that you get all the stuff that I normally have to buy to put on a bike (engine guards, saddle bag guards, passing lights, etc.) for free plus its $4k cheaper!
Great 👍 side-by-side comparisons. I have always liked the Street Glide Special, but being ex-military I love that green with the all blackedout look...plus the more custom features right off the pallet. What I really need to see is the comparisons between this Road King Special and the Street Glide Special.
I got the standard. I ride with my wife. The windshield passenger floorboards and cushier passenger seat made a difference. I don't care for the bedazzling on the seat, but its not terrible. The extra lights on the front are also a big deal. I can see very well ar night. I can spend the money I saved on not buying all of those parts plus another 4000 on performance mods. I think I can make up the power difference. The 107 is more powerful than any of the past models anyhow. Its no hardship.
I'll take the RK standard for the plush ride. While you can change out the lower 12" shocks, you can't get a good ride out of the Special's lower profile tires. Also you get more fuel range with the 107.
I have owned many non Harley bikes and Harleys, but my Road King is the best all around bike I’ve ever owned. I like the 2022 two tone grey standard. I would buy it but my 1997 RK still runs great. Great videos btw I waste lots of time watching 😅
Great video. I've ridden the Road King quite a bit but def prefer the stripped down look of the Special. It's my future bike as far as as getting a bagger goes (I currently ride a Wide Glide). That said, would be nice to see the Special offered in more colors (white, light grey maybe).
Road King Classic for me. I have a 2003 RK Police, black and chrome and would never go with a Special. I don't even see how there's any purpose to a Special, as it seems that a Fat Boy would fill that niche. For looks, ride, comfort, performance, equipment, I could certainly add a 2022 Classic to my fleet. Those three headlights also add a safety margin.
My wife prefers the floorboards. I like both styles of bikes. Old school is good, but the new stuff is good too. I do prefer the 114 over the 107 for sure.
@@throttleblip9854 I found the 107 to do pretty good off the line, in the lower revs, but it just kinda plays out too soon. The 114 has more power across the range. I’m wondering about the Stage 3 with the 107, the one that takes it to a 119. That should be fun.
Love your vids man. Totally cool, if it’s what your after, but would streamline things if you didn’t spend a lot of time giving your own preferences. “Road King standard appeals to nostalgia seekers, special to those who want the performance bagger look.” That’s all. Your offering a service. Appreciate your vids man.
I'm really sold on the Special. It's the green paint and all the black out. Unfortunately, the windshield is essential on a long bike. I've had two Street Glide in the past and I love the bat wing with the infotainment system. So needless to say I'm really torn. I always had the Black Denim, but it's kinda played out. So I really love the grey on the SGS.
Nice to have two to chose from. I bought the 2021 Road King Special. I had the Road King standard, great bike, I wanted a more less is better looking bike with more pop. I’m 6’4”, 270, I could notice a difference😂. Bottom line, you could not go wrong with either! Ride safe brothers and sister!
I'd like the special better if it had a windshield, passing/fog lamps, & I wouldn't mind the standard trim package on it, but blacked out...to me, that would make the special better, til then, I'd rather have the standard...just looks better to me with all that on it...paying more for a stripped down bike just because it's a different color & has a couple more CI, doesn't make any sense at all to me...I like the rims on the standard better too...only thing I don't like better about the standard is that air filter cover...that's the only thing I like better on the special...they should do a chrome version of that filter on the standard...or, basically, take the standard, paint it like the special with all blacked out engine, trim & rims, plus the air cleaner, & that would be pretty damn special to me...
I did go with the Special back in November pretty much based on the look and the fact that the Special sits a bit lower stock. I did like the look of the Special much better but if your preference is the timeless look, the regular is for you. Because you get the extra lights, windshield, and a little more suspension travel, if you take lots of long trips the regular is for you. The rest is a preference thing. So if you take lots of long trips or just love classic style, steer towards the regular. For looks, go with the Special and as I said you lose a bit of suspension travel on the Special. You can fox that with aftermarket shocks but it will cost you and you will compromise some ride quality with the special.
I like the looks of chrome over the black, but I like that the black is easier to clean. I don't like the denim paint, so I would go with the Midnight Crimson over this green. I do like the windshield and I do like having the extra lights, but I agree those lights don't look better. I also prefer the 114 over the 107. One thing you didn't mention wat the seat on the standard Road King is just terrible. It rolls my hips forward and is uncomfortable almost immediately. Lastly, I like the standard bags over the stretched bags. I would probably keep the dual tips though. With all that being said I would probably go for the Special over the standard. I would add a removable windshield. Definitely one that I would look over rather than look through.
It’s already been mentioned here in the comments, but riding and tour comfort is a big difference to me. I’ve had both bikes. The shorter rear suspension on the RKS is real. In addition, the Special comes with a larger front wheel (shorter tire profile). This makes for a much harsher ride on the Special. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a awesome ride. But the shorter suspension also has me scrapping parts a little sooner in tight sweepers, corners, etc.. and bottoming out earlier going over bumps, potholes. If you like chrome, or you’re just on the fence, I’d advise folks to get the standard. Better two up bike. For me it was also better for long distance touring. The typical RK Special rider spends a couple grand turning the front end of his bike back into a standard. Windshield, passing lamps, etc.. ask me how I know. But again, both awesome bikes for different reasons.
I wanted a Road King. I like the price and the looks of the Standard over the Special. I like the 114 over the 107. Definitely wanted RDRS. So I chose option 3, the FLHP Road King Police. My price was less than a Standard with RDRS so it was like getting the 114 upgrade for free. The dealership also threw in a Sundowner seat. With the $4000 savings, I upgraded to LED lighting and added Stage 1 and Stage 2 torque.
In my own opinion, the better buy is definitely the standard. Some of those parts just go much further than the little bit of extra juice in the engine. 🤷🏼♂️ just my own opinion Solid walk through comparison 🤙
I went with the Special. Reasons being I put the 131 on it. Can’t do it on the Standard. You can do 128 I know but the Special is also 20 pounds lighter, an inch shorter and it’s lower so you’re “in” the bike instead of “on” the bike so it feels better to me when cruising but Standard would be more comfortable touring. And if not touring the Standard windshield has to come off as it’s way too tall and looks terrible. I put a smoked smaller windshield on my Special as well. I love the look and especially the power.
Blair, I know you did the '21's but would love to see a comparison between the Road KIng vs Heritage. With highway ride & handling comparison included. Keep it up. Thanks
Bought a 2021 Soft Tail Slim in River Rock and Denim and am already scheming on how I can sell it and get the Road King Special in that colour that you showcase. And good point on the the blacking out costs. My blackout mods have pushed the Slim cost 1/2 the distance to the price of the Road King Special. So yeah, wtf was I thinking…
RKS, fo sho! I respect the Standard and those who love it; I'm just a "less is more" kinda guy. Thanks for making the video, man...always great comparisons and appreciate you getting into the nitty-gritty.
If all you want is black or you hate chrome, the special is the way to go. If you're on the fence or like chrome, there are few reasons to choose the special over the standard. You get A LOT more for your money with the standard. If you ride a passenger, the standard is far better set up for that as well.
I would go for the standard,the special looks complete whereas the standard has plenty of scope to put your own touches to,the only thing that has stopped me putting my money down is waiting for Harley to put the 114ci and rdrs on as standard
Totally agree. Was really hoping that they would have dropped the 114 into the standard this year. At a guess think they will do that next year and then move the 117 into the Special. I’d imagine that sales will be down this year on this model, whilst a lot of potential buyers wait out for the same.
I think it would be cool If Harley offered the Roadking Special in chrome, like the Streetglide and Roadglide. It would be a great starting point for a vicla.
I've had both and liked them both. It seems it would cost Harley more to build the standard. And yet they sell the special for more. I also take the crash bars off also.
the Standard is one of HD's all-time best bikes to live with everyday. Rides great on the interstate and in town. The styling touches kind of disappear after a while. I am also not a fan of the seat, but always intended to put a Mustang on it anyway, which is highly recommended.
Good video. I'm on a Sportster Custom 1200 now, and am planning to move into a Road King later this year. I've been debating with myself whether I want the Classic or the Special. I still don't know. I think that I want the 114. I've gotta have a windscreen for longer rides though. I'll keep my windscreenless Sporty for bopping cruising around town, but want the windscreen for the more serious rides. Honestly, I don't know if I like the blacked-out Special or the chromed Standard better. I'm pretty sure that I could be happy on both. Will definitely test ride both before making a decision. The colors of the bikes will also play into my decision.
The RKS would be perfect for me if HD did it in a chrome option like the SGS or RGS. Beautiful bike regardless though. But saving 4 grand on a standard leaves alot of room for customization for personal taste. First world problems. The struggle is real!!!!!!!!!!!🤣🤣
Sick bikes, in their own style. I totally agree, if you go to customize significantly, maybe the standard is a better option. You mentioned the noticeable difference in performance but is there a difference in sound too? I mean, does the 7 ci difference in engine size produce a noticeable difference in the sound of the engine? Obviously, if you get some aftermarket pipes, both will sound much better than stock, but with the same exact exhaust system, do they differ in sound? Thanks man, your vids are always very informative and entertaining.
Appearance is purely subjective-I don't care for all blacked out anything but obviously many do, so to each their own, but the classic look to me is a lot better look and especially the passing lamps...I like the 114 engine and the lack of the lollypop turn signals on the special as well as the led headlamp being stock...I replaced the lollypop rear signals with custom dynamics license plate relocation kit, panel filer signals and bag light/signal, looks AWESOME and very high visibility...
For me the standard looks better. Only thing I would need to do is add pipes plus 4000 cheaper and it has floor boards which will be more comfortable to my wife and comes with windshield. Other bike I would have to add pipes and windshield and floor boards and it is already 4000 more expensive.
I really like both of them and I guess I'm getting older now But they both appealed to me. I still like that new look though I think here soon I will go ahead and trade out my 98 fat boy and get me a road king special.
I'm not sure if you EVER want to get a shield to look through. One time I took an early morning ride when it was a cool moist morning and my shield fogged up. Would have been dangerous if I couldn't see over it.
Yeah that would. I’d imagine that would be fairly rare. I also use anti fog wipes made for goggles. In a pinch you could just look around it to pull over I suppose.
I like both bikes. From my point of view, both lag accessories the other has. The Special stock seat is crap. No windshield is crap. No chrome version is crap. For the standard, the engine is crap. Unfortunately, the MoCo didn't follow through with our wish 😕 I replaced the engine guard on the standard with a chopped aftermarket. Agree on the turn signals. It gets a little better if you throw in CD or simular brand LEDs. In general, I think the Road King is the super tourer that is easiest to ride when you have no experience or little with a bigger V twin. Good video. Ride safe 🤙
I like my crap seat and crap engine on my Road Glide Standard...Of course I could like a different seat and engine...But I love my bike so freaking much!
Ride the 107 and 114 in the Road Kings and the difference is negligible. Ive had multiple bikes with both motors and the lighter crank on the 107 makes it more free-revving
Hello dear friend. I prefer RK Standard without doubt. Best regards from Medellín Colombia. I would like to found another comparisons between both. What do you recommend me. TKU. Best regards.
