MotorBikes: Roadtesting the Harley-Davidson Road King Custom

King of the Road? Well, maybe - John Wheeler tests Harley-Davidson's Road King Custom

King of the Road? Well, maybe - John Wheeler tests Harley-Davidson's Road King Custom

It's the sort of machine you'd expect to see on the Santa Monica Boulevard or on Rodeo Drive in California. A muscly-looking machine, a bit of a bull in a chinashop look . . . It's the most radical version of Harley-Davidson's Road King - the Road King Custom Classic (FLHRSI).

Now with "sequential port" fuel injection, rubber engine mounts and a distinctive, chrome headlamp cowl, this 1,449 cc machine is guaranteed to attract attention. Typically Harley-Davidson, it is big, weighing in at 332 kgs (730 lbs). The engine is the famous 45º vee-twin, which may not be the last word in cutting-edge technology, but has been around so long that whatever could have gone wrong with it was sorted out years ago.

It is said that of all the Harleys made over 100 years of production, more than half of them are still running. In that sense you could consider it an investment. This is not a cheap machine, at €24,500 it costs as much as BMW's flagship K 1200 LT tourer. But you do get an awful lot of metal and chrome for your money. It is not a machine for mundane, everyday commuting, not that you could not commute with it. It is a recreational vehicle to be cherished and used for the sheer pleasure of polishing and riding a genuine all-American touring machine.

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The neatly styled but not very capacious panniers, make it into a tourer. This version of the Road King, unlike other Road Kings, does not come with a windscreen as standard. One can be fitted and in this climate, one day of our test being in very heavy rain, we would consider it appropriate. . .

The big engine is never going to feel stressed. The 69 bhp output is modest by today's standards, but that is more than made up for by the huge, 109 Nms of torque. Not meant to be the fastest thing on two wheels, this is all about laid-back, near effortless cruising. At 60mp/100kph it feels as if it would go on to the ends of the earth, time and again without the least strain. It will go faster, but around 70mph, especially with nil weather protection, it begins to feel as if it's being pushed.

The five-speed gearbox is not entirely silent on the changes, but the ratios seem well-chosen. Such is the torque that main road overtaking at legal speeds requires but a nudge of the throttle to waft away. Acceleration from a standstill is impressive. The smoked glass mirrors give a surprisingly good rearwards view, thanks in part to its wide-set handlebars.

Whilst congested city traffic is not its natural home, the smooth, precise action of the cable-operated clutch and good, low weight distribution made it entirely manageable. We'd criticise the appreciable vibration when stationary on tickover.

We liked the pleasantly subdued, deep-throated burble from the twin exhausts. With the standard exhaust you can trundle through any town or village without causing offence.

The provision for a pillion passenger is there, but we wonder about the rationale for a rearwards sloping pillion seat. Yes, it compliments the smooth lines of the machine, but the passenger might be less than appreciative on anything but a short trip. The rider's seat is comfortable, and needs to be.

This style of machine has a distinct appeal and a loyal following. It's not everyone's ideal, but for those who appreciate the uncompromising, massive build quality, the impressive looks and style, there are Harleys and then all the rest.

ENGINE: 1,449 cc, 45º twin-cam, Vee-twin, electronic fuel injection, producing 109Nm at 3,400 rpm. Five gears, toothed belt drive.

CHASSIS: Telescopic front, swinging arm rear suspension. Front brakes: dual 292mm disk, rear single 292mm disk. Dual cross over exhaust.

DIMENSIONS: Seat height: 663 mm, wheelbase 1,592 mm, fuel capacity 18.9 litres, weight 332 Kg.

PRICE: 24,500. Warranty two years parts and labour, unlimited mileage.