Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Harley Davidson Fatboy or Road King

If you are just going to go to Hooter's for wings with the boys on a Wednesday than a Fat Boy all.
If you and mama are going to hit the road for a weekend trip.........any FLH frame is a better ride.

It's amazing to me how nimble those big bikes can be. That said, when in turns rubber up, you will need help to get it back on the stand.

Road King

Sold my Road King last year as I got 100 less than I paid for it new 3 years prior on trade on my 2021 Road Glide.

Sold my Road Glide last week (currently bikeless) as it went for 4k more than I bought it for brand new.

Owned a Dyna Fat Bob before the Road King.



Road King all day - don't look back, not even a consideration. Pull the windshield off (easy to do) for a stripped down bar hopper with space to pack a spare hoodie for the ride home. Windshield on, cruise control set for hitting long trips on the highway. IMO - Road King does everything the FatBoy does and can do more, easier. Why not have the capability?


Pan America intrigues me as the next bike but unlikely. Next one is probably a Road Glide CVO which isn't really what someone who's looking at the RK/FB would be cross shopping anyway.

I ride a 97 Soft Tail- - - - -EVO engine, Vance & Hines longshot pipes (with baffles), 87K miles, and just as reliable as the day it rolled off the assembly line. It's tricked out with a medium sized windshield, 16" spoke wheel up front, Road King front fender, a tombstone tail light, and a set of 100th. anniversary hard leather saddlebags, the small ones that don't scream "Bagger!" to the whole world. The nice part is that it's paid for. The local Harley dealer had it parked in the back room because none of the man bun crowd wanted a 20 year old high mileage bike, and I didn't have to borrow a huge pile of cash- - - -just write a check and ride it home!

I’ve had a couple Heritage softail’s, superglides and electroglides and the Fatboy is better in my opinion. If you plan on long trips the road king might be better because of storage and the fairing. Hard to beat the big soft tails for a do it all bike.

if you ask this question to ten people you will most likely be told what they are currently riding...
only you can answer that question ..go to a dealer and set on both of them and see how they fit you ...test ride if you can
a windshield and bags are never a wrong decision

I will say - the Road Glide completely out classed the Road King for highway comfort. IMO and JMO - it's the best damned highway bike HD makes. BUT - it's quite the step up in price from the Road King. Road King is still the cheapest way I know how to get into the touring frame/class of bikes from HD.

Middle age crazy…..

About the only diff between the Road King & Electraglide Standard is the RK's lexan winsdshield(which I personally hate) & the EG's small fiberglass fairing that is much more effective IMO. Although it does cost a few feet of forward visibility.

If not wanting a front screen, the Fat Boy is a a lot sportier & over a 100 pounds lighter, therefore quicker. Easier to maneuver IMO as well. RK will likely ride better, & the bags can be handy if you need them.

FWIW, I ride an older FB & if I were to change I'd jump over the RK & go EG Standard or Streetglide. But slapping some bags on the FB would negate the need to change bikes.

Then OTOH... if one looks way better to your eye than the other, then specs & practicality go out the window. Get what YOU like best.

I’m getting better than 50MPG out of my old Fat Boy. That alone makes me smile.

My Dyna - I got 44-47 mpg and that was a 103 Twin Cam
My Road King - I got 44-47 and that was a 107 M8 (got into the 50's a couple times but mid 40's was average)
My Road Glide - I got 43-47 and that was a 114 M8 (once at 50 - one tank)

My father just picked up a CHEAP Soft tail - he gets, 44 mpg to 47 ant that is an 80 in Evo

Crazy consistent

A well tuned Evo will get near 55 mpg everytime on the highway. Shy of big momma & a 100 pounds of junk in the boxes.

I think Harley missed the mark on advertising through the years. You can arrive in style while still being thrifty and eco friendly. On second thought, that might not be the clientele they’re aiming for.

I love the fat boy, but if you plan on riding it longer than 30-40 miles at a stretch, you'll like the RK better.
I have a Heritage as a compromise bike, but will definitely upgrade to a RK or other bagger in the near future

I’ve owned 5 over 40 years and had to sell my last one 2 yrs ago after a 3 level fusion. My Road King was by far my most comfortable. Even more so than my Street Glide Special which was my last one.

1973 Norton 550.

Because you actually need the windshield and bags on virtually every ride.

If you're only going to go to the local hangout and park the bike where you can sit and watch it, get the Fatboy.

This ^^^^

I love the FB too, & it's good for a lot more than 40 miles a trip, if only easily, but the RK is an all day ride & handles better as well.

I have a RK & a Super Glide, one for around town & short rides, the other for serious travel.

Plenty of good, low mileage, used bikes available right now of all flavors.

MM

Especially when/if yer goin' on a long ride across country.. That...