Softail Chassis (Heritage) vs Touring Chassis (Road King)│Which is Better for you?
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- čas přidán 23. 09. 2020
- The two most popular Harley-Davidson families of motorcycles compared head-to-head. The crew at Laidlaw's give a detailed description of the strengths and weaknesses of these two Chassis. They use the most complex model comparison of the Heritage Classic and the Road King to illustrate their points. Are you struggling to determine which of these frames best suit your riding habits and body type? This video should help you decide which is best for you.
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#RoadKing #HarleyDavidson #HeritageSoftail - Auta a dopravní prostředky
A doctor should prescribe motorcycle's instead of antidepressants in most cases.
You never see a motorcycle parked outside a Psychiatrist's office. ;)
Unless the Doc rides. lol
Amen brother
Got that right!
2 wheeled wind therapy works.
It's actually working for me and my sanity during pandemic.
I am 5' 7 and after owning a Road King for 6 months I traded it for a Heritage. The Heritage is an all around better bike for me. The fit, the ride, the seating position and the ability to get flat footed at stops. I don't feel like I'm on the verge of dropping it when I have to put my feet down at a stop or moving it at slow speeds or pulling it in or out of parking. I just wish the salesman who pushed me in to the Road King would have listened to me rather than just trying to sell a bike and make his target for the month.
I’m 5’7” as well,I automatically went to a 03 Heritage Softail Classic,100 year Anniversary edition and the bike fits like a glove,the seat,the ride and the all out comfort,looking at buying a newer model Heritage just because I love the Heritage line of bikes
I'm 5'8" with 30" inseam 165 lbs.. I couldnt wait to get rid of the RK. It was all around too bigfor my size, no matter what these guys, or salsemen say. Stand over was too tall, and reach was too far out. I replaced the rear shocks to lower it, then a lower seat. The reach was still too long and the rear suspension was too stiff from the lower shocks. I recently purchased the Heritage and it is pretty much perfect for my size.
I just bought a 23 Heritage and love it! I’m the same height as well
@@Heritagejim5339 Happy motoring my friend.
Man I’m torn between these two bikes! I’m 5’7” and 150. I’ve ridden both. The Road King was an excellent ride, but I felt more confident at slower speeds and stopping on the Heritage. This will be my first Harley and just want to make sure I get the right bike! Help!!
Matt you do a WAY better job of advertising the brand than HD could ever do. I don’t even own a Harley (supermoto and sport bike guy) but now I want one!
Thanks man!
I love supermotos.
Thanks for watching.
Once you get over the performance differences you will find the comfort is unmatched. I bought an ultra classic this last summer. Grandpas touring bike!!!!🤣🤣🤣 seriously should have bought one years ago! Holly crap its comfortable. 400-600 miles in a day is nothing on my ultra. Even two up she is still good over 400 miles. Go rent one...
@@vf12497439 I ride a 107 Low Rider, not as comfy as an ultra but still like an armchair compared to my previous bike. No better therapy.
@@markhenry192 my ultra is a 2017 with that 107 Milwaukee 8 motor. Heard this and that... I planned to change the cam plate, oil pump and cam anyway. Still haven't got to it. No sumping issues that im aware of. I run fairly easy on it though. The hardest I roll is 90mph down the freeway at times. With these gas prices tho, 9mpg loss running 90 compared to 60 mph on back roads. 🤔
@@vf12497439 I don't know much about upgrades, I just ride as is. Although did an FP3 tune and put a K&N air filter element in the stock airfilter. I noticed a difference, better throttle response, bit quicker perhaps and some say runs cooler. No issues with oil/sumping I believe it is called. I have never hit 100mph on any bike I have owned. Taken the Low Rider up to 85-90 but get too scared to hit the magic 100. Maybe a wind shield would help. Happy riding Sir
I just traded my 19 Road Glide Classic for the 114 Heritage and I am loving it. Now i know my Road Glide rode better and had less wind on me. But it was so heavy for me that I just couldn't do it anymore. I have no regrets. Now my wife on the other hand misses the Road Glide's great ride and cushy seat. But she doesn't ride enough with me to keep the Glide. Thanks Matt and Stay Safe!
i own a 2008 sportster, a 1999 road king and a 1993 softail: i live in Italy so we have highways but the most riding i do is on normal road and i have to say that FOR ME, the most nimble and most pleasant to drive is the heaviest one, the road king which came to my surprise... it also taught me a lot about really riding and maneuvering in a proper way
I live in Milwaukee but I'd fly out to LA just to buy from Matt as a way of saying thanks for all the great content. Thanks Matt!
if I came out to LA to buy a bike from Matt he'd have to smoke a cigar and have drink with me..... and not block his speedometer
I also feel the same way and I'm coming from Philadelphia PA these guys are here are the worst hopefully a little discount on the nearest motel.. just for heading out..
I was thinking of buying it from it and writing it back home Philadelphia Pennsylvania if it makes it home I'm keeping it..
Awesome video. Cool, Honest, and Very knowledgeable staff w/ no crazy “dealer mark up” fees all in one place. Well, I found it and that’s why I’ll be picking up my bike on Saturday from Laidlaw H-D.
i bought a 2020 Heritage 114 and absolutely love it. Best of both worlds. The 114 in a softail is awesome. my only regret is not coming to get it from Laidlaws
Great video Matt I didn't start riding till I was in my fifties because I always thought I was too short till I took the riders class at the H.D. shop and they introduce me to a 2015 softtail slim and now I own a 2018 Heritage Softail 115 anniversary.
To start off with: I love most of your video’s!! These types of videos where you have the bikes on hand ride them, explain what is what are much more interesting and enjoyable for me. The type of video you have here are real and educational. Much better than your office videos (I am sure other people may disagree). Keep the videos coming.
There is just some magic to the touring chassis once you ride one you have to get one!!
Agreed!
I love both for different reasons
I'm not a big guy and will stick with my StreetGlide
I have a 2018 Road King, on the highway it is a sweet handling bike.
The 2020 is not a let down either. Pleasure to ride.
Great video that explains the differences between the two frames really well. Thank you!
Got my Heritage from you last December and still loving it. I thought I was going to do alot of road trips but reality is I use it to go to work and a few 1/2 day rides. I listened to your advice from a similar video and it's paid off. Still would love to own a Road Glide some day.
I had a 2018 Heritage but after test riding the Road King I traded the Heritage. The Heritage is a awesome bike but the Road King to me is more comfortable and still nimble enough for the twisties.
what makes the touring platform handle well is the 26 degree rake much more nimble then the 30 degree on the heritage
I had 2 softails and just rode the road king and was pretty amazed too. I leaned it harder in the test ride then my own bike I rode for months.... effortlessly. This this is smooth and awesome. Well i bought one lol even though i loved my quite modded fatboy 114.
Its just because road king is shorter instead of what they repeat long long long :)
Softail for me. The most I've ever ridden in 1 day is 300 km on my Breakout. I dont need bags, I dont need a windshield. For me having Navigation and music is taken care of with a telephone. The addition of the Sundowner pillion seat and docking system for a backrest keeps the missus happy. I like the style of the Breakout and being 5 11' I find it comfortable to ride in that aggressive stance. Granted, the big back tyre makes it harder to get through the twisties but in a straight line and between the lights and bars Im more than happy with the Softail Breakout.
Awesome man sounds like you got it dialed
Agreed; not much for locker room on wheels . I just can’t see shape of a bike under all the bags . Just my preference -
If I ever was to buy HD just wish was served by one of you guys, true advisors interested in finding best match instead of someone making his sales target closer
I'm so glad I found your channel. I'm a fairly new rider and seeing your videos has really narrowed down which bike I want. Thank you so much!
I love the personal bikes you guys have featured, from the Storm Glide, to Nick's awesome Low Rider of old, and dang, even though Jamie's Heritage is wicked, his Roadster was an absolute bomb! (I don't even have to mention the Coast Glide series!) Keep up the great work fellas
Thanks Matt. I'm UK based and I find your reviews to be absolutely invaluable, as we don't have anything approaching the H-D knowledge and experience that you possess on our side of the Atlantic! Your review of the 2021 Street Bob 114 got me back to riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, after a 14 year break, my previous bike was a 2006 Fat-Boy. The Street Bob is an exceptional motorcycle and perfect for day-to-day riding on UK roads - we don't have interstate size freeways on our damp little rock! Hopefully 2022 will see European travel opening back up to us and I am already considering a Street Glide for touring adventures across France, Spain and Portugal - the Street Bob will be staying put though, I couldn't part with her!
Hearing perspectives from different riders with diverse riding requirements/desirements is very helpful since one size does not fit all, and your contrasting comments help fill out the trade space.
I agree with everything you guys are saying. I'm 5'6" at 150 lbs. at 69 and I traded in my 2017 Street Glide Special for a 2022 Heritage. Loving it.
The only Harley I've ever been on is when I test rode a Road King a few years ago. I'm 5'11" and 170 pounds and the bike fit me pretty well. The bike has a very low center of gravity and I had no problem cutting corners with it on the backroads.
I’m a Deluxe owner. It has a great feel while riding. I can put whatever I want on her and take them off. I think the Deluxe is the best looking Harley ever built. Second choice would be the Roadking.
Good brake down and enjoyed the muti-perspective.
For me it was a RKS and can't be happier.
Hope to ride my HD to your dealership someday.
Another great video as always! Picked up the beautiful Zephyr Blue SGS in July and absolutely love it!
Great honest review Matt.... One of the reasons I like your videos” Your candid and very honest my friend..!!! Keep them coming... And your camera and audio skills (STELLAR)
Thank you! I appreciate the comment. Thanks for watching.
I love my ‘18 FLHCS. It is my first Harley. I’m very impressed with the handling and engine.
I was tempted to go with the Road King special, but have had no regrets.
Glad to see good guys giving their opinion with property. They for sure know what they are talking since it is clear they are also riders. Thank you guys. Best comparison I've ever seen.
Thanks Matt and crew! In my experience (I’ve rode Harleys for 18 years), it’s more about the type of ride than the size of bike. I know a lot of smaller, lighter people (like myself) who ride touring bikes comfortably and choose them because of the type of ride they provide. But, in the end, beauty is in the eye of the beholder😎
At 6'2.5" and 218 lb, my stage 2, full Revo setup, 2020 Road King Special with the 114 is superb 🤘
Great video, great information. I’ve been riding my 08 Dyna for 3 years and 43,000+ miles. Would love to transition to either of these bikes. My bike is stock except for a riser/pullback to help me not be reaching on those 12 hour days. Maybe one day I’ll pull the trigger on one of these great bikes. Till then, love my Dyna and the open road.
Keep up the great job Matt!
My previous 2 bikes were Roadkings, and my current bike is a 2020 Softail Heritage 114, and I have to say it's my favorite motorcycle. The power is amazing,, as is the handling. I have enough storage if I want to tour, but the bike handles so well. Thank you for the comparison video. They are both beautiful machines.
My wife has toured on her older heritage for almost 90,000 miles with no problems and loves her bike. I hear the new ones are really nice. I’m 6’2 and 230 lbs and feel my Road king is a better fit for me with more needed leg and arm room to spread out in a relaxed riding position. Ride safe!
Great video Matt, I took my 2018 Road King on about 700 mile road trip this summer. I'm 5'8" 185lbs, and the bikes handling and comfort on the highway is awesome! I also feel it handles very well on twisty roads, much better than the 2018 Fat Boy I owned first. The Fat Boy was easier for me to maneuver around in my garage. but even with a different seat it just wasn't as comfortable for my wife as the Road King. I also love the hard bags and all the storage options I have with the touring chassis. Keep up the good work and take care!
Fantastic. Very well done! This is a topic I've heard debated numerous times and you've cleared everything up.
Glad I could help. Thanks for the positive feedback.
I love those blacked out heritages. Thinking about building another one.
I'm 5'9" 170. I had a '16 Road Glide Special that I just LOVED: big, smooth, nice...a little more work in town and it felt heavy, but was wonderful at speed. I sold it but when I was looking again, and given any bike, I picked the Heritage. It's just 95% of everything I need, weighs a hundred plus pounds less, feels even lighter and for the typical riding I do, It's perfect. Hell, I spent 6 weeks all over Europe 30 years ago on a '74 FLH, no windshield, two bags shovelhead with one bag all Harley stuff and the other bag half Harley stuff and the other half everything i needed. The Heritage is a limo compared to that. It's pretty fast, it's really nimble.
Road King 👑 no contest.
Hi guys, thanks very much for your helpful video. I was steering toward the Heritage but was a little unsure and now I've taken a couple of them for a ride I'm convinced. I'm sold. :) Chris. NZ.
Great Information. I appreciate the in-depth details given. Definitely will help when I make my purchase.
Hands down best comparison video on CZcams. Well done dudes!
Thank you!
Great comparison between the two now I'm glad that I chose my 19 road king thanks guys 👍🏻
Exactly the bikes I have been trying to figure out for myself! Definitely leaning to the Road King
I have been tossing up between a road king and the heritage. This video has answered a number of questions for me and confirmed the heritage is the right one for me. Thankyou
Another great video from Laidlaw. Thanks guys!
This video is GREAT and helped me in making a decision. Picked up a 2021 Road King... Thanks for your great videos!
Thanks for the video Matt. It gave me a greater appreciation of the Heritage. I always wanted a Road King and bought a 20 RKS with a windshield and Revo A shocks. I chose a Road King because of the RSDS rider enhancement, saddle bag capacity, latching system, and color match, cast wheels, and of course, I just like the look of the RKS or RK more than the Heritage.
Great comparison, very helpful information!
Thank you for taking us all into the shop gentleman! Too late for me though. I am 5’3, and I love my touring! ❤️
140lbs here and was wondering if the heritage or road king would be more comfortable and I got my answer! Thanks guys keep up the good work!
Thanks for posting this comparison. It's helpful
This was a great video! Really appreciate y'all!!!
I love my heritage it douse all I want. I ride it to work 3 or 4 days a week and on weekends 1 day is always my ridding day 3-400 mile rides are no problem. Just riding to my harley dealer I'm nearly 300 miles round trip. I'm 5'5 160 lbs great rideing bike
This is an outstanding video.💯
Like so many answers to such questions, the answer is always “it depends“. I’m 5‘11“, but I have a relatively short inseam of only 30 inches. So for me the softail was worth the small sacrifice of road comfort, for what I found was a better seating position and all around maneuverability.
Even if a person wasn’t interested in Harleys, it’s still great conversation on the trade-offs between pure touring and cruising.
I loved this breakdown comparison do more of these please.
Very helpful guys . Thanks for making this video
Got a Slim and have done 45 000km in just under two years. My next ride is going to be one of these two bikes featured in this video. I'm leaning more towards the RK at this point in time as the kids will be off our hands, and I'll be doing even longer distances. Great video by the way✌✌✌.
I have had both. I feel more comfortable on the highway on my Street Glide Special. No issues in the twisty Love the GPS, music, and look. Having the touring gave me more confidence. But both chassis are great
Great video.... informative and honest. Keep it up.
Great video! I have been riding a softail Slim S for six years now. Just did a trip from Denver to Lubbock with no issues. I have looked extensively at either a road glide or road king. It all comes back to fit. At 5"6" the softail just fits better. I modified the bike to fit bags and it does everything I need. The slim S comes with the cruise control which is a great plus. No issues with 1000+ miles over a four day period. Would I still love a road king? Of course, however, to all comes back to fit.
I got old (77) and my Road King was just too heavy. I had to rig a lever device to pick it up if I dropped it (lots off gravel in my life).. So now I'm riding a Heritage and an old Fat Boy, and loving both of them. I can pick 'em up! AND I don't have to mess with the R.K. air shocks AND there's an endless choice of saddle bags without the road king's side rear shocks that get in the way.
That tricked out heritage that Jaime built awhile back was so awesome. I got a 2019 Electra Glide Standard based on Matt’s review of it. I love that bike but Jaimie’s Heritage made me want one so bad.
2 FLs and 2 Softails. My problems are solved
I hate you... in the best possible way. lol
frame it self plays a huge part.. great video
had a couple of baggers, and a glide, Love them...now I'm 65 and 170 pounds, 5 6. Have a 19 Heritage....love it.. really love it. bought afterarmarket fairing w radio and usb ports...it's wonderful.. I also chopped down a used set of lowers. I know have my mini-bagger...great for trips, just need bit more storage. Love the bike.
Great content as usual. I went from a 2001 EFI Road King to a 2012 Street Glide (oh.....and added a V-Rod to the stable too!). Was considering a Heritage, but now ready to lose the Street Glide and get back to a Road King just to get away from that heavy front end feel, and to get back to the more classy, full vision up front Road King. I'll still have a detachable tour pack to have all the conveniences of that full touring machine, but I definitely like the nimbleness feel and better field of vision of the Road King.
ideally own both. i have the 2018 114 Heritage and probably will buy the road glide too. one thing that was mentioned and lightly was the power to weight. i think you mentioned it some but it sure makes the Heritage a fast bike for sure. i dont like riding with a passenger so not a big deal for me. great video. glad there were the 3 of you giving opinions. good job.
@Mr. Merle J. Stadnyk just got the 131 kit put in 2 days ago. wow. so nice. i am not a crazy man with my bike. i dont ride in the high rpm range but it sure has all i need.
@Mr. Merle J. Stadnyk im in north florida. been raining last day or so so stuck inside. uggggh. that is the bad thing about florida is the rain.
@Mr. Merle J. Stadnyk you definitely have a variety of riding there. only good thing here is we can ride in the winter. up north it is bad.
Very informative. I really want a road king special. I took a trip from Ohio down to Texas and then around the entire country on an 08 heritage. It was tough but it can be done!
Just remember the RK special has less travel in the suspension than the standard so it has a very noticeably stiff ride compared to the RK standard. Good luck!
@@rodzimmerman1979 thanks rod! That's good to know.
Excellent take on two different frame. Good job guys!
Thanks for watching
Decided on the Road King myself and love it. Apart from the stock suspension that is crap. Will be buying either ohlins or wilbers suspension for it.
Thanks Matt and crew.
I grew up riding smaller bikes. My first two were a sportster custom and a sportster low. I went from there to a road king. I currently am on a 19 roadglide special. I feel more at home on a touring model. I find them much more maneuverable than the sportster that I once had. Though they were fun.
Great explanation, thank's. I own the new Heritage, she is the best Harley i ever had, i love this bike and for me she looks so much better then the Road King
Outstanding explanation. Thanks!
I absolutely love my Heritage Classic, but I want a Road King too. I just can't bring myself to trade in the Heritage. I'm sick. I want both!
Solid comparison and breakdown!
awesome video, great job!
Thanks a lot brothers, it was a great help make up my mind
Super informative video and responses to questions in the comments.
This and other videos are/have been extremely helpful in helping me make my decision…. Knowledge is power… I didn’t really understand what was what..I do now..
I kept going back and forth between the SportGlide and Road King. Ended up with the SG and love it. It would have been a tougher call had the Electraglide Std come out about 6 months earlier.
Great video and fully agree with all points. My two fave bikes
Excellent info. I own a Heritage that I purchased because of that old school look. After watching this video and not taking into consideration anything discussed turns out I made the right choice. Thanks...
Cool to hear. Enjoy the bike!
Great video and explanation of the differences. But I'm mystified there was no mention of rider comfort around engine heat. The single major drawback of a Softail is the scorching hell of heat from the rear cylinder being situated right there between your legs. Especially so when its 80 plus degrees out and worse yet if you have to be sitting at a stop light for any period of time. The longer chassis of the Touring bikes opening up those extra few inches between that rear cylinder and your legs is a big deal. And also adding in an aftermarket heat shield on top of this is even better still. Come to think of it, why in the bejeezus doesn't Harley just include a heat shield for the rear cylinder on all Softail models as a stock OEM feature I'll never understand.
Nice job. Really liked it
I understand if you’re taller you’d most likely want a touring bike and if you’re shorter you’d probably consider a softail. But don’t ever let weight be a deciding factor. I’ve watched 110 pound 5’4 women ride ultras. It’s all skill, you keep your bike straight up coming to a stop and put your feet down correctly you will never feel the weight. Even low speed maneuvers aren’t as scary as you may think even on the 800+ pound touring bikes. Once they’re rolling they’re as light as the softails. I’ve ridden both extensively
I think the issue around rider weight isn’t about the bike being too heavy to ride, but rather that for a light, solo rider the factory suspension on a touring bike is going to be too stiff and make for a choppy ride. The softails are more lightly sprung. Not a problem as long as you budget for aftermarket shocks.
Have had 2 RoadGlides, 1 ElectaGlide, a V Rod & a Low Rider S, just got an old Road King and love it. Kinda the best of both worlds. Lighter, more maneuverable but very comfortable out on the open road.
Great video matt!
This is the video I have been searching for!
Awesome. Glad I could help!
Got my Electraglide for touring gonna get Heritage for my girl and bonus I get to ride it when we go on day trips.
Get both!
Thats mad level genius!
Best vlog ever comparing Road King to Heritage Softail. Clearly, the Road King is the right bike for me.
I was at a HOG rally years ago ... and I was fixin to upgrade my shovelhead to something new (pre-fuel injection evo). I test rode both a Softail Standard .... and I rode a "dyna", thinking the ride of the Softail would be much better. ... I actually liked the ride of the Dyna .... over that of the Softail. I wonder if it was just my prejudice for dual shocks, or if it really *was* better. It was the styling of the Softail that sold me over the Dyna (Wide Glide) .... but for me, the Dyna was the better highway ride. Weird, I know, but .... I had never ridden the new-gen dressers (Road Glide) until much later ... by then my Wide Glide was gone and I couldn't legitimately compare. But anything Harley is gonna give you a great highway ride. Always believed that .... and all the riding I've done has proven that. Yep - getting old sucks, but it sure beats the alternative!! Thanks for a great vid! :)
If your like me I'm 5'8" 195lbs. But I have long legs and arms. Riding a smaller bike is cramped for me. I realized this after doing an 8 hour ride on a sportster custom. I later did a 10 hour ride on the road king I had and wasn't cramped or stiff like when i rode the sportster for long periods of time.
Thank u Matt the info u provide truly helps me in making my decision for me a road king is in my future !!!!!
Good informative video, well done.
Im 6'6" too and this video was exactly what I was looking for... road glide it is! Thank you
This was just what I needed to see. I was wanting to step down from an Ultra and trying to decide between these two. I am going to stick with the touring platform.
This one helped so much. THANKS!
Glad I could help! Thanks for the comment!
Agree with everything. I've got the 18 heritage and it fits my 5'7 height perfectly. Would be awesome if they came out with a road glide or ultra on the softail frame for us shorter guys.
Well.. you can basically make it one
Finding this video was perfect timing for me because I'm getting ready to test ride a bunch of bikes before dishing out the cash. I'm already leaning towards the Heritage based on my weight, height, age (75), and my love of that classic look. I'm looking for a cruiser mainly for local riding fun.