HarleyTechTalk

Other than the obvious difference of the RG having frame mounted fairing and the RK windshield mounted to the forks, what are the differences,  aren't the running gears, frames, forks, saddle bags all the same?

I think everything else is the same.

The fairing houses the stereo and speakers, gauges and a little storage space.  You don't get that with the RK.

RG also more stable at higher speeds with the stationary fairing.

Mix

03 and Mix have it right.  I have owned a RK and 2 RG's.

Also, it depends on which year you are talking, as well as RK model.  But, for all intents, most of the parts on the bikes are same-same.

menace

only one thing i can add - many like to remove the windshield on the roadking to run around town which is easily done.    looks a lot like a cruiser at that point rather than touring bike.

Until the 2010 model, RG's came factory with cruise control. I believe CC was only a factory option on the RK Classic, not the standard.

Zach

Quote from: dr dave on August 24, 2009, 11:03:30 AM
only one thing i can add - many like to remove the windshield on the roadking to run around town which is easily done.    looks a lot like a cruiser at that point rather than touring bike.

Yeah buncha bagger ridin' guys doing the Softail Poser stance LOL

I"ve had both, they run on the same frame with the same running gear and same fork setup for all touring ie an 09 RG and 09 RK have the same stuff, a 09 RG has a new frame, engine, trans, wheels etc than a 08, or earlier RG or RK....

Quote from: biggzed on August 24, 2009, 11:04:39 AM
Until the 2010 model, RG's came factory with cruise control. I believe CC was only a factory option on the RK Classic, not the standard.

Zach

My father 08 RK Standard came from the factory with CC.

I believe the RK is more stable. Never rode a fairing bike as good as mine. Never.

cling

...."My father 08 RK Standard came from the factory with CC."

My 07 RK-Custom also came from factory with CC, BUT it was a factory installed option.  The 07 RKings didnt come with cruise standard.  I paid an extra $270.00 for it, as I recall.  I ordered the bike from the dealer that way.  No security though, which was also an option.

My (and all) 07 RG had cruise standard.  They are indeed a factory option as of 2010 on the RG.

menace

Dennis has got it. My statement earlier referring to it as a factory option was not accurate. 2009 and earlier RG's it was standard. RK's (with the exception of the Classic starting in 2003 iirc) it has been an option. Not sure on the Custom. Never paid much attention to that one. Nice looking bikes they were though.

Quote from: 02roadcling on August 24, 2009, 01:54:15 PM
I believe the RK is more stable. Never rode a fairing bike as good as mine. Never.

cling

Man, your high. You ride a RG at 100 then ride your RK at 100 then tell me which bike is more stable!

RG at 115 and EG at 115, RG more stable by a long ways.  Too much wind pushing the batwing around at that speed, doing good to just hang on.

Quote from: roadglide08 on August 24, 2009, 03:59:21 PM

Quote from: 02roadcling on August 24, 2009, 01:54:15 PM
I believe the RK is more stable. Never rode a fairing bike as good as mine. Never.

cling

Man, your high. You ride a RG at 100 then ride your RK at 100 then tell me which bike is more stable!

LOL. Make it 121 and I bet I'm still the winner. Not kidding, I've never rode a fairing bike as stable as mine. The guys that have rode my bike are blown away and will agree too.

cling

I have to agree with Cling. My RKC is much more stable in gusting winds than any of the EG's that I rode for almost 20 years.
But then I never rode an RG and I have no doubts that the frame mounted fairing is alot more stable than the bat wing
style fairing. The biggest thing that I like about the RKC is that you have no fairing blocking your view. It's like getting to
look through the whole window instead of having the bottom half blocked.

It is a good thing that we all have different opinions on what styles we like best or Harley would only make one model !

John

OP.    No offense but why don't you decide on your own by test riding both RK and RG.....

>>> It is a good thing that we all have different opinions on what styles we like best or Harley would only make one model ! <<<

True, even tho it would be the RK, lol.

cling

Quote from: NETacomaFatboy on August 24, 2009, 08:53:37 PM
OP.    No offense but why don't you decide on your own by test riding both RK and RG.....

Right on, I've owned a RK, EG and now a RG.  I love the RG, IMO its the best riding bike of the three.  Some people don't like the fixed fairing of the RG, some don't like a fairing at all.  Its all what the rider prefers

With today's technology.....the radio/stereo becomes nothing more than an additional slot for a compartment.....and heck I ride with ear plugs so how would the "music" benefit most anyway.....most guys end up spending more and more on speakers so they can hear the music at speed....just another cost.....usually a couple of gauges will stop working or have no real merit to your riding experience......

The road king can have a windshield or not within seconds....which makes it quite flexible.....

But at the end of the day.....they are both very nice bikes....It all ends up being a matter of preference.....do you like looking down at the road.....or looking beyond a fairing to see the road.

I like the paint schemes of the newer RG's with the "Swoosh" look.....

But the RK will be lighter.....so I suppose some of it has to do with one's own comfort for handling of the bike at slow speeds as well.

Regards,

"Classic"

Fairing this and fairing that or windshield.  To me I HATE the fact that on the RG the headlight does not point where you are going!  I would rather light up the road in front of me than the bushes and trees I am passing.

funny on my RG the light has always been in front...

Traveling faster than the speed of light?   

Quote from: rawshog on August 25, 2009, 12:04:42 PM
Fairing this and fairing that or windshield.  To me I HATE the fact that on the RG the headlight does not point where you are going!  I would rather light up the road in front of me than the bushes and trees I am passing.

Last time I checked when I was going around a corner I was leaning NOT turning my bars.  Sooooooo............ My headlights are straight in front of me at all times.  I've heard that excuse before, like i've said before i've owned them all the only difference in lighting around corners is the RK and EG have passing lamps which puts a little more light on the subject.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


Let them believe when you turn right the light beam goes left and when you turn left the light beam goes right.  I like not seeing our wrong way headlight bikes on the road.