Wheels Of Grace Magazine

Volume 12, Issue 6

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WheelsOfGrace.com | Volume 12 Issue 6 | 9 When it comes to Harley-Davidson's Touring lineup, flagship models like the Road Glide Special and Ultra Limited rule the roost. Equipped with colossal front fairings, the feature-rich tourers boast the Motor Company's latest full-color TFT display, 5.25- inch speakers, and Boom! Box GTS infotainment system. Harley doesn't throw the kitchen sink at all of its Touring platform bikes, though. For its Road King series, it opts for something more restrained. Favoring an old-school attitude and style, the Road King is a rolling time capsule of America's motorcycling heyday. Only a windshield separates the rider from the elements. Chrome coats the exhaust, handlebars, and even the blinker bracket. The Road King Special, however, is the black sheep of the bunch—in more ways than one. The windshield goes by the wayside. A blacked-out aesthetic replaces the chrome finishes. A 19-inch front wheel and streamlined fender modernize the silhouette. Of course, the brand's Milwaukee-Eight 114 truly makes the Road King special, taking the reins from the base model's 107ci V-twin. While the Road King Special is still a back- to-basics bagger, it's anything but basic. Resplendent in 2021 Harley-Davidson Road King ® Special Ride Review By Dustin Wheelen Harley's Snake Venom paint and decked out with the Bar and Shield's latest tech, the premium trim brings Harley's old-school tourer even further into the 21st century. As with any Hog, the engine plays the starring role, but Harley's Reflex Defensive Rider System (RDRS) turns in a surprise performance. Introduced on the 2020 Tri- Glide Ultra, Freewheeler, and CVO family, RDRS infuses Harley's latest trikes and high-end tourers with long- overdue riding aids. Also available as an add-on for all touring rigs, the system incorporates lean-sensitive linked braking and ABS. When it's time to get back on the gas, the cornering- enhanced traction control adjusts to the available grip in all conditions with Standard and Rain modes. If the rider gets into the corner too hot, the Drag-Torque Slip Control System (DTSCS) mitigates rear-wheel slip under abrupt downshifts and deceleration. Despite the wealth of features and lengthy proprietary acronyms, RDRS operates in the background. There aren't multiple settings to choose between and Harley doesn't complicate things with multi-layered menus. Yes, the features are always A back-to-basics bagger that's anything but basic WheelsOfGrace.com | Volume 12 Issue 6 | 9

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