Sunday, February 8, 2015
2009 Harley Davidson FLHRC Road King Classic – Motorbike Bicycle
The road, Highway 23 west of the LA sprawl, is an obscenely twisty stretch of classic California hill riding; all perfect pavement, roller coaster cambers and churning topography. Thing is, at the helm of a 2009 Road King Classic – the Harley tourer that mixes a little retro cool with its hard luggage and cruise control – all is well. After decades of glacial research and development,Harley-Davidson in the 21st century are keen spenders, ploughing great chunks of their profits into bettering their bikes. Over the last three years the touring model range, which runs from the basic but beautiful Road King to the range-topping
Ultra Classic Electra Glide(fullblown tourer, all the toys) has received numerous upgrades, including the more powerful 1584cc Twin Cam engine and 6-speed gearbox, 22.7-litre fuel tank and ABS-equipped Brembo brakes. For 2009 the bikes get a new chassis to meet the demands of the improved engine and brakes.
The 17” front wheel is also new as is the wider rear tyre, as much to boost tyre life as for increased grip.
The fly-by-wire engine is the perfect big-distance ally; torque-laden, smooth enough, responsive, pleasingly vocal when pushed, fuel efficient and possessing of an indefinable feel-good funk that sees time and miles slip by. The front brake lever may be unforgivably unadjustable for reach but it brings about safe and significant braking.
The Road King remains impressively easy to live with, too. The riding position may take some acclimatisation for those new to the foot-forward thing but the (frustratingly leak-prone) hard luggage, huge seat, enormous fuel tank, tall screen and the laid-back, undemanding character of the bike make covering ground easy. The Street Glide and Electra Glides may up the ante with fairings and toys but the Road King remains the pick of the bunch with its timeless looks and more modest weight; Harley quote 355kg dry for the Road King compared to a full 400kg for the Ultra Classic Electra Glide.
So that’s it then, if you want a tourer, buy a Road King. Next to such a device a Road King appears out-gunned, outbraked, less than perfectly finished (surface rust on the exhausts of brand-new bikes isn’t too clever) a little expensive and worryingly weighty.
General information | |
| Model: | Harley-Davidson FLHRC Road King Classic |
| Year: | 2009 |
| Category: | Touring |
| Rating: | 78.4 out of 100. Show full rating and compare with other bikes |
Engine and transmission | |
| Displacement: | 1584.00 ccm (96.66 cubic inches) |
| Engine type: | V2, four-stroke |
| Torque: | 131.00 Nm (13.4 kgf-m or 96.6 ft.lbs) @ 3500 RPM |
| Compression: | 9.2:1 |
| Bore x stroke: | 95.3 x 111.1 mm (3.8 x 4.4 inches) |
| Fuel system: | Injection |
| Cooling system: | Air |
| Gearbox: | 6-speed |
| Transmission type, final drive: | Belt |
| Exhaust system: | Two-into-One-into-Two chrome exhaust |
Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels | |
| Frame type: | New mild steel, single spar rigid backbone with |
| Rake (fork angle): | 26.0° |
| Trail: | 173 mm (6.8 inches) |
| Front suspension: | 41.3mm telescopic |
| Front suspensiontravel: | 117 mm (4.6 inches) |
| Rear suspension: | Handling |
| Rear suspension travel: | 76 mm (3.0 inches) |
| Front tyre dimensions: | 407/130-90 |
| Rear tyre dimensions: | 407/180-65 |
| Front brakes: | Double disc. 4-piston, ABS |
| Front brakes diameter: | 300 mm (11.8 inches) |
| Rear brakes: | Single disc. 4-piston, ABS |
| Rear brakes diameter: | 300 mm (11.8 inches) |
Physical measures and capacities | |
| Dry weight: | 355.0 kg (782.6 pounds) |
| Seat height: | 715 mm (28.1 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting. |
| Overall length: | 2,400 mm (94.5 inches) |
| Ground clearance: | 145 mm (5.7 inches) |
| Wheelbase: | 1,625 mm (64.0 inches) |
| Fuel capacity: | 22.70 litres (6.00 gallons) |
Other specifications | |
| Starter: | Electric |
| Color options: | Vivid Black, Pewter Pearl, Flame Blue Pearl, White Gold Pearl and Pewter Pearl, Deep Turquoise and Antique White; Red Hot Sunglo and Smokey Gold |
| Comments: | Black powder-coated engine with chrome treatment covers; Chrome, nostalgic fuel tank console; Clear-lens reflector-optics headlamp; Full-length height adjustable rider footboards; Full-length height adjustable passenger footboards; New redesigned rider footboard supports for increased lean angle; Stainless steel, “buffalo” handlebars; One-piece, two-up Road King® classic seat; Clear, large Lexan® quick-release detachable windshield; Leather-wrapped hard bags; Cruise control; |
| Modifications compared to previous model: | Retuned front and rear suspension for enhanced handling |
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