4 Must Have Mods For My Harley Davidson Road King Classic

I share the 4 must have mods for my Harley Davidson Road King Classic to make it more of a fit for me and the long distance rides.

[nvpoolshooter]

Late to the party, but here it goes. Still riding my 2002 RKC I purchased in November 2001. These changes were during the first 1000 miles. 1) ditched the stock handlebars for 12.5 inch mini-apes. 2) ditched the stock seat for the HD Sundowner touring seat. 3) HD back rest installed. 4) Stage 1 with Hooker slip-ons. A couple of other cosmetic changes. The new bars, new seat and backrest made the bike totally comfortable for all day riding. Here it is almost 23 years later and the old girl is still humming along nicely taking me on long trips in complete comfort.

[thangknowa]

When I ordered my 2011 RKC brand new, on the ride home I realized there was much to be done. They truly are a "Blank Canvas". Make it yours. I did Heritage Bars, Sundowner seat, longer mirror stems to see less arms and more road, Highway pegs where I wanted them, all LED lighting with Biketronics EQ to prevent hyper flash with led's, Head light relay to keep fog lights on with High Beams, Zumo GPS with Tire Pressure Monitoring, Long Ride Recurve Windshield of correct height, Jump Starter and air compressor in the left saddlebag, and Screaming Eagle performance upgrades galore to the 103. It never ends! I still run the stock 13" shocks at 10 lbs. solo for the sag and ride I like, more if with passenger. You could try 12" factory shocks and avoid the blocks unless you have to. Your riding boots should be thick soled lugged soles for good grip and help with good footing at stops. Lower chrome "Fang" deflectors in front to sweep the wind out, center chrome "Dog Bowl" to reduce "Beard Lift" of wind coming up and over the tank. Added two more horns up front, now 3 total to get attention when needed. It never ends!
BTW - if you see a stock heritage at the dealer, so sit on it and check out the bars for height and spread for comfort. Easy swap and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Stock Road King Bars are much lower, and that is a common swap.
Man, and so much more, all to make it fit YOU!

[josephlahood]

I tilted my 14s down and made a big difference on handling

[jasonholby]

Sweet bike. Do the seat first. You may get a seat that is more comfortable and set you lower. Then you don’t need to compromise ride for reach.

[Lycan__]

Mine came with a huge touring seat. Glad because i found a street glide seat on the cheap with craigsist. I keep both. Touring seat for touring, street glide seat for a tri-state run/bar hopping

[mikebenninghoff]

Throw a street glide seat on there. It’ll lower you. But keep in mind that’ll also change the bars you need. Seat first imo.

[fragtastic]

Nice Road King. Chapter 4-1 member here. Hope to see you in Colorado Springs in June.

[moushunter]

Harley makes a low seat for Road Kings that will get you an inch or so closer to the ground without changing the look of the bike. Mustang also makes some nice seats that will get you closer to the ground. My bike came with the low seat from the factory and I find it comfortable so I didn't change it. I removed the passenger boards and put foot pegs on to replace them. It doesn't lower the bike but it does narrow the bike so you don't have to reach out as far to get by the boards. I went from a 13" shock to an 11 1/2" aftermarket shock which gets me a lot closer to the ground. You can lower the front too if needed. Dropping the rear shocks and not dropping the front didn't mess with the jiffy stand any. It still sits over enough to not worry about toppling over. A Jiffy stand extension can make reaching for the jiffy stand a lot easier. Supposedly, lowering the front end may require a jiffy stand change. I'm 5'4" and I can flatfoot my Road King after those mods.

[gilbertmason]

If you're planning to do long distance I wouldn't recommend air-ride only because some have a tendency to fail

[stevesyncox]

I just bought a ‘99. Same apes. 5’7”. Likely go to 12” apes. Air shocks will need a shorter shock too. I like the LED idea. Mine has an after market seat with passenger back rest and a rack. Sweet ride man.

[louieysursa]

Looks alot like my roadking 2001 classic, 14 inch apes, solo seat, I've owned mine for 20 years.

[dcccharles]

I ride a 2003 Road King Classic, 100-Year Anniversary Edition, with the Screaming Eagle engine upgrade from an 88 V-Twin to a 95, done by Harley Davidson after the bike was purchased new. The instant producing torque and exhaust sound is exhilarating.

Some of my modifications include adding the Ultra Cool Oil Cooler which has turned out to be a great choice.  My engine's never been happier. Another mod was adding the Power Commander 6 Tuner. My Dyno Tune shows my horsepower rated at 88+ and my torque rated at 99+.  Not too bad for an 03' Road King Classic that thunders when ridden!

[njbluesgtr]

CVMA 38-2 NJ here. New subscriber. I ride a 2003 Road King Classic. I'm 6'1" so I don't have any issues with height but I went with 14" apes just because they are more comfortable to me than 16"s. I also put a Mustang seat on and I went with LED's all the way around the bike. Ride safe and I really enjoy your videos!

[JonV-rq]

My Man, Love the Road King looks great. Try a new seat 1st before you lower it. It might work better than getting a lowering kit. The blue is

[bensatterwhite]

I don’t know your age, but myself I’m getting on up there. If you ride the bike long distances you may find like a lot of us older guys, with the high handle bars your hands are above your heart and they go to sleep. The lower bars keep your arms in the zone where you have more strength and control when you get in hairy situations. That’s a nice clean looking Roadking. I’ve been looking at them lately myself and considering selling the metric cruiser and getting another Harley.

[KeShonMW]

If and when you take those bars off and wanna sell ‘em I’ll take ‘em!

[EZBNEZ]

I have an 03 RK and have Rinehart exhaust n it sounds incredible

[soldierboy]

That blue looks great! I’ve got the same bike in red, and silver. That things going to be with me until I can’t ride it anymore.

[tellytruth]

2006 FLHRI. I'm looking at the KST Straight Jacket bars 14". Check Saddleman seats. They sure give you great support. Have 1 on my FXSTS. And you can get them heated. Passenger LOVES me! I have detach windshield. Perfect easy on/off. 16" gives me some face wind (5'10"). Great bikes without all the bs on newer RKs.

[garyst.germain]

I am5’5” have an 06 RK, my 3rd Road King and have installed Progressive 944 shocks for rear and the mono tube cartridge front lowering fork kit and would not be se anything else. Put them on and check out how smooth it rides and you will be happy!!!