Wheels Of Grace Magazine

Volume 12, Issue 6

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WheelsOfGrace.com | Volume 12 Issue 6 | 11 the sleek hard bags provide generous storage for a day trip. The nine-inch ape hangers open the rider triangle, but that upright position isn't as commanding at high speeds. On a windless day, the Road King Special experience is unmatched. With your knees in the breeze, the unencumbered ride represents the purest form of motorcycling. However, in blustery conditions, the rider quickly becomes a parachute. Without a windshield to tuck behind, every air current and crosswind gust batters the rider's chest. The ape hangers only compound that effect. With the hands placed just below the shoulders, the rider absorbs the brunt of the oncoming wind. For that reason, I regularly set the cruise control at 70 mph while on the interstate. One hand on the bars, I would hunch over the tank, reducing the buffeting on my core. As previously mentioned, passing power is plentiful but speeds considerably over interstate limits aren't as sustainable (or encouraged). During a 400-mile road trip, a detour onto a backroad highway revealed the Road King's true domain. From sweeping curves to sweeping vistas, flowing one-lane highways showcase the Hog's strengths. Favoring gentle, constant-radius turns, the Special shines on the road less traveled. That doesn't mean it isn't nimble though. Handling The ape hangers might keep your sleeves flapping in the wind, but the leverage they create also keeps the Road King light on its feet. For a bike that weighs 807 pounds in running order, the bagger is eager to tip in. Side-to-side transitions are swift and smooth. At lean, the Harley remains planted and predictable. However, enthusiasm only goes so far. In tight, technical sections, the Special's dragging floorboards quickly remind the rider of its 32-inch lean-angle. The Brembo brakes have plenty of bite and overall stopping power, but the lever's short travel tempers feedback and feel. After a strong initial pull, the lever only nudges toward the handlebars. Without a linear progression at the lever, I learned to rely on the fork dive to properly calculate my braking force, but that isn't a poor reflection of the suspension. The hulking 49mm Showa fork gobbles up road irregularities without sacrificing steering. When preload is accurately tuned to the rider's weight, the dual rear shocks deliver an ultra-plush ride. Whether it's in the twisties or on the turnpike, the Road Glide Special stays stable and agile, at least for a big touring bike. Except for the rear shock's preload adjustment knob, the suspension is fixed, but those stock settings meet the bagger's needs. No, it isn't performance-oriented but it performs well at the main objective: touring. All while remaining playful. In many ways, the Road King Special satisfies classic American V-twin conventions. In just as many ways, it spices up the bagger recipe with innovative yet inconspicuous tech and an iridescent paint scheme. Despite its aggressive name, that Snake Venom paint shifts from green to purple when it catches the light, in turn, catching the eye of many a passerby. In my weeks with the Road King Special, the paint job received the most compliments from fellow riders and random motorists. It may push the MSRP up to $23,999, but for some, it's juice that's worth the squeeze. Similarly, the RDRS system tacks an additional $995 onto the MSRP, but the peace of mind it provides is priceless. No, the Road King Special isn't laden with fancy TFT screens or booming speakers, but it still has more than enough accommodations to rule the road in comfort.

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