Harley-Davidson FLHRS reviews

This is a beast and looks absolutely awesome! I have heads turning eveyrwhere I have taken it. The Road King Special is built on the classic Harley touring chasis which is very highway capable. It comes with the REFLEX™ DEFENSIVE RIDER SYSTEMS (RDRS) which will keep you safe. This bike is nimble enough for the streets and yet highway capable for high speeds on the freeway! I am sad to let this one go! You will be happy! Show less

This is the firt truly big bike that I've ever owned. I've owned quite a few bikes, mostly sport and standards. I figured that this Road King Custom would be comfortable, but I was afraid that it might be a whale and cumbersome. Well I was wrong. It is comfortable, but it is also incredibly nimble for such a big bike! What a great surprise! The streamlined floor boards give you much more lean angle than other baggers. It is no sport bike, but it will move. I put the stage one kit on and a pair of Bassani true duals. I've had it up to 115mph. One tip: Get rid of the Beach Bars right away. They are awful(unless you want to feel like you are pushing a wheel barrow and you enjoy not being able to steer at slow speeds). I put Harley Dresser bars. They are great. They made the Road King into a completly different bike (manuverable and comfortable). Show less

This bike is a beauty...performance, style, reliability...more smiles per mile. I took my bike on a 26 state Posse Ride and its performance was spectacular. I was a former V-Star 1100 rider and while that bike fulfilled my needs, I have never looked back after getting my Road King Custom. Loading the bike with luggage and riding it long and hard, it took it all and was ready for more of the open road. Electronic Cruise control made the ride a breeze. Power to pull and climb up mountains came effortlessly, and manueverability at slow speeds came naturally. This bike wanted to stay up on its own, a balanced and beautiful beast. The Road King Custom is an awesome partner for the longer rides in your life. One suggestion, forgo the stock seat and purchase a Corban seat for true comfort. Show less

Had this 05 bike for two months and I've put 2,500 miles on it. Feels great,looks great and the retro look and feeling has a overwelming power over common sense. Have not shaved or had a hair cut since I bought it. My wife is still waiting for me at home. Honey I promise I'll be back soon. Embarrassing front brake squeal Show less

For me the handlebars were the most uncomfortable thing about the bike. It sets like your pushing a wheel borrow and killed my back. I changed the bars out the second week I had it. The Road King Screaming Eagle fat bars did the trick for me. I have ridden sun up to sun down and have the usual aches and pains for a middle aged guy. The Custom Road King is one of the best bikes I have owned. ken Az Show less

I bought my FLHRS on June 26, 2004. It has 26 miles on it when I rode it away from the dealership. I have taken on some short road trips (approx 200-250 miles each way) and have not had too may issues with it. It has remained reliable and always started for me. Its design and appearance turn some heads. and overall, I love riding it. Some of the things I am not fond of, but can live with are: 1) It isn't as nimble as some of the other bikes so moving around the urban landscape can be a bit daunting 2) isn't as peppy as some, but hey when you look this good going down the road, what kind of rush could you be in to get there? 3) Brake noise. When I apply the brakes (and no, I do not mean the usual brake scrape sound) I get a loud squeak from the front brakes. I have taken it to the dealer twice and they are unable to resolve. The breaks work fine, just noisey when used. All and all, it is a great bike, comfortable, easy to ride, low center of gravity, ample storage in the saddle bags, unique design que's only found on this model. It is not a bike for the novice rider or someone who has problems holding up some weight. At 750lbs (when you get me on ther, over 1/2 ton), it needs some experience and strength to handle in traffic. Show less

Brand new and going through the break in phase so I'll update this as I feel the need to... I absolutley love this bike's looks and the way it handles for a large bike. I bought the Pearle Yellow, which I think looks great on a motorcycle and helps you get noticed by the idiot cagers for a little added safety factor. I gave it a 4 star on performance because it's not really a performance bike and if I wanted this I would of bought 2 Hayabusa's. People that complain about its lack of speed or quickness just don't get it, plus there are several stage kits available to help out if wanted. The perfomance is adequate and functional for today's roadways though. I have the EFI version and it's fired right up everytime so far with just a little tap on the start button. I actually like the stock beach bars and think they fit well for me, most don't, but I do. Just a cosmetically beautiful, comfortable bike, and I get compliments every time I've ridden and I hope to have this motorcycle for a long time. Show less

The RK Custom is sort of a cross between a Softail and a full-fledged Tourer. It has the triple discs and the air adjustable rear suspension of the Tourers but the low center of balance and easier handling of a Heritage Classic. High points--the aggressive looks without all the chrome accents are, to me, refeshing. Also like the streamlined way the trim pieces fit together. I even like the wide bars because they fit my size. Low points--The original seat is stylish but not comfortable for more than 50-75 miles. The floorboards are too small for my size 13 feet. Had to remove the rear shifter for more space. Bags are too small for helmets and you have to buy locks for them ( the bags) from HD--another small but irritating rip-off. No tach or other gauges except speedo and fuel. Overall--Fit and finish are perfect and with the addition of Stage 1 kit and new SE offroad pipes and Sundowner seat, it is nearly done. Handles like a dream on the road and is very capable on mountain terrain--due in part to EFI, which I strongly recommend wherever you live. Show less

This bike is the nicest bike I have ever ridden. The seat height is perfect when riding or sitting at a light. The beach-style bars are more comfortable when riding then when sitting stationary. It handles the twisties as well as any 750lb bike could ever. I have a removable windshield which I only use for trips or to get out of the cold. For cruisin' I take her out bare. When the wife wants to come along I put on the two-up seat, slip on the padded backrest and the windshield. It is the most versatile bike in the Harley family. Mine is a carbuerated version with the slash cut slip-ons and the stage one kit. It sounds great whenever I roll on the throttle. When under way it just purrrrzz along. The fit and finish is typical Harley with just the right amount of chrome. Damn, I love my Custom. If you have the dough and are on the fence, do not hesitate any longer. I promise you will be a happy person. Show less

Love this bike! When they announced the 2005 bikes I saw the Pearl Yellow Road King Custom had to have one! I sold my 2004 Pearl White Fat Boy and bought the custom. This is my 10th Harley and all have been flawless, have never needed warranty work on any of my Harleys. One thing had to go. I removed the chrome visor and replaced with standard Road King trim. Other than that, it's perfect. Show less