HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD KING
Though many will identify the Road King as the prototype for the other bikes we compare it to, the King could also be considered the prototype Harley. Before H-D tested the waters for more elemental cruisers with its Super Glide almost 30 years ago, its big twin was the Electra Glide, and the Electra Glide was typically configured much like the Road King is now, with a big windshield, saddlebags and a floorboards. The seat was bigger, but the profile was otherwise very much like this. The fact that many of today's riders first became motorcycle-aware during that era probably helps explain the popularity of the Road King today.
Like the other members of what Harley calls its touring family, the Road King gets the new 1450cc engine, a modern engine that retains the style and tradition or earlier H-D big twins. Called the Twin Cam 88 by Harley (a.ka. Fathead), the new engine brings an additional helping of horsepower, which is most welcome in Harley's touring oriented bikes. The twin-cam configuration is less important than the revised design and manufacturing processes that the engine introduced. Those aspects of the engine design promise greater reliability, speedier assembly (which should help Harley increase total production), easier maintenance, and quieter running. Despite its all-new design, the 1450's design parameters follow the traditions of previous Harley Big Twins: air-cooling, overhead valves operated by pushrods and hydraulic lifters, a 45-degree cylinder angle, with a single carburetor supplying mixture from the middle of the V, dry sump, and chain primary drive on the left side running to a separate (and also new) transmission case. The tranny uses the same shafts inside the new case though. Since adopting them over two decades ago, Harley raised our expectations for toothed belts as final-drive mediums, and the Fatheads all use them.
Harley's latest V-twin is...
Harley's latest V-twin is instantly identifiable as a Milwaukee product despite its entirely fresh design. The 1450cc Fathead retains family values like air-cooling, a 45-degree V angle, pushrod valve operation and a dry sump, while offering better power and simpler assembly and service.
Its Harley-trademark headlight nacelle that blends into the upper fork cover readily identifies the Road King. Spotlights bracket the headlight. The windshield attaches via unique mounts that allow you to unclip it in seconds. The 5.0-gallon fuel tank appears to have dual filler caps, but in an un-Harley-like bit of fakery, the left one turns out to be a dummy that simply houses a small fuel gauge.
The one-piece saddle features embossed logos. This model of the 'King has hard-sided fiberglass saddlebags and a 40mm carburetor, while the Classic version gets leather bags and fuel injection. Both ends have cast wheels and are completed with fender-tip lights.
Specifications
1999 Harley-Davidson Road King
Designation: FLHR
Suggested base price: $15,065, $15,330 in CA
Standard colors: Black
Extra cost colors: Red pearl, blue pearl, orange pearl add $265; two-tone blue/silver, orange/silver, red/black, green/black add $660
Standard warranty: 12 mos., unlimited miles
Recommended service interval: 5000 miles
ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
Type: Air-cooled, 45-degree tandem V-twin
Valve arrangement: OHV, 1 intake valve, 1 exhaust valve; pushrods, hydraulic adjusters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1450cc, 92 x 102mm
Compression ratio: 8.8:1
Carburetion: 1, 40mm Keihin CV
Lubrication: Dry sump, 4.0 qt
Minimum fuel grade: 87 octane
Transmission: Wet, multiplate clutch; 5 speeds
Final drive: Toothed belt, 70/32
The 2004 Road King, show above,...
The 2004 Road King, show above, has benefitted from a number of small changes over the 1999 model tested here.
CHASSIS
Wheelbase: 63.5 in.
Overall length: 95.6 in.
Rake / trail: 26 degrees / 6.2 in.
Wheels: Cast alloy, 3.0 x 16 in. front and rear (laced wheels add $320)
Front tire: MT90B16 Dunlop D402 tubeless
Rear tire: MT90B16 Dunlop D402 tubeless
Front brake: 2 single-action calipers, 11.8-in. discs
Rear brake: Single-action calipers, 11.8-in. disc
Front suspension: 4.6 in. travel, adjustable for air pressure
Rear suspension: 2 dampers, 3.0 in. travel, adjustable for air pressure
Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal
Wet weight: 761 lb
GVWR: 1179 lb
Weight bias: 53.1 percent rear wheel
Handlebar width: 34.1 in.
Seat height: 27.3 in.
Inseam equivalent: 33.7 in.
ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION
Charging output: 507 watts
Battery: 12v, 30AH
Forward lighting: 55/60-watt headlight, dual 30-watt passing lamps, position lights, front fender marker light
Taillight: Single bulb, rear fender marker light
Instruments: Speedometer, LCD odometer/tripmeter; warning lights for high beam, turn signals, oil pressure, low fuel, engine malfunction
PERFORMANCE
Fuel mileage: 35 to 45 mpg, 40.5 mpg average
Average range: 202 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top-gear: 2560
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 72.0 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 14.09 sec., 90.7 mph