Harley-Davidson Road King Classic - 2008 Motorcycle Review

Overall 5.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

GeorgeChabot
Conyers, GA

2008 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic

City commuter, motorcycle rider, safety conscious, daily driver, value conscious, willing to pay for quality, looking for durability

Pros

Solid, Powerful, Stylish

Cons

Expensive

OCT

2008

Harley-Davidson Road King Classic - 2008 Motorcycle —

2008 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic

For traditional tastes you can't beat the Harley-Davidson Road King Classic motorcycle.

A member of the Touring line of Harley-Davidsons, the Road King Classic harkens back to the classic lines of the old motorcycles from the 1960s forward. For 2008, the Road King Classic has many standard features that would make the older bikes pale by comparison, though.

Besides the 96 cubic inch (1600 cc) fuel-injected V-twin motor with 6-speed cruise drive transmission rated at 54 mpg highway, the 2008 motorcycle has many refinements including a rubber isolated drive system to remove engine pulses from the feel of the motorcycle. This lack of pulse vibration makes the motorcycle easier and more comfortable to ride as the day goes on. Brembo disk brakes front and rear add stopping power and anti lock brakes (ABS) are also available. The touring gas tank is stretched and holds 6 gallons instead of last year's 5, extending the cruising range. The chrome console is redesigned also in keeping with the longer tank. The throttle control is now electronic and routed through the handlebars for a clean appearance and electronic cruise control is now standard, also. The dual exhausts lead to chrome mufflers under the saddlebags on either side of the motorcycle.

The styling of the bike is second to none, too. There are hard leather saddlebags with tooling and chrome hardware as standard equipment on the RKC. The windshield is large and easily detachable for days when you want the wind in your face. The large touring front end is led by a large chrome Hiawatha headlight with twin passing lights on a chrome light bar. The large Dunlop tires front and rear have wide white walls and are mounted on chrome laced wheels. The seat is leather, tooled to match the saddlebags. Back rests can be added for both rider and passenger. The gas tank has a big chrome Road King Classic badge, also. All in all a very beautiful machine.

Riding the bike is a pleasure with the pulse damping gear in the drive train making the bike less tiring over the long haul. This is a bike for the open road and eating up some miles is right up its alley. The bike I took out was just like the picture, in two tone Pacific Blue and Vivid Black an extremely attractive combination. The fuel injected Twin Cam 96 runs strong and the sixth gear makes the bike really smooth at high speeds.

Last edited on Oct 28, 2008

Harley-Davidson Road King Classic - 2008 Motorcycle is recommended by GeorgeChabot

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Comments about GeorgeChabot’s Review

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Nov 6, 2008 at 8:33AM:

Thank you, Anna!

It's nice to see that you're "back in the saddle again!" Have fun!

(-: I thought you would have caught that. I wouldn't even think about a passenger - esp a kid. I have not had the bike out in a couple of yrs now after my dad died in a traffic accident. I could handle it but barely. I think any extra weight behind me would tip me if they leaned. Maybe not so much with little ones (but wouldn't test it). I have boys. They weigh more than I do. If they leaned, I don't think my weight would offset it. I think the driver should prob be bigger than the rider. That's just my guess. I've never been willing to put someone on there and ride.

In response to CyndiA's comment from Nov 5, 2008 at 6:21PM:

Yes, I knew you were a Harley chick. I just meant seeing you around my Harley review. ;> Katrena told me you had a Harley, too. And she wanted to ride with you but her kids and her were too much for your Sporty. The big Harleys usually have crash bars which means they don't fall over quite so far as a Sportster. They are still heavy, though. :>

In response to GeorgeChabot's comment from Nov 5, 2008 at 5:46PM:

Lord hon. I thought you knew I was a Harley chick. I think the Sportster is narrow and high so takes some leverage to set up right. Mine is the Hugger to get it low enough to get my feet on the ground. I have not tried to push up any of the more expensive bikes. I know the weight is higher. But the balance might be better if I had the money to go for a bigger one.

In response to CyndiA's comment from Nov 5, 2008 at 5:28PM:

Hey that is a beautiful bike, Cyndi. Yep, the Sportster is heavy for its size. Glad to see you around the Harley area! :>

Now, I'm drooling. I don't think I could pick it up though. I can only barely get the Sportster up when I tip. Did I say that? Teehee. Yes. I still work on balance. It's the things like parking that I find hard.