Why is my Harley Road King such a slug when riding with a passenger? This sucks.?

Question

So, after spending well over $20k for my Road King, I've become rather annoyed at the lack of performance and torque (this, after spending a tidy sum on making it more comfortable as well with a new touring seat). After riding two-up on a pretty long trip I go back to the Harley dealer and told them that the bike is way under-powered. I was told this is normal and he suggested that I purchase a set of performance mufflers, high flow air cleaner and a remap of the EFI all for only $1,200, so I did. After the work the bike still has a lack of power but gained more noise and backfire. I went back to the dealer and explained to him that I was very disappointed with the performance after the "upgrade". I was told that "this is the way a Harley is". He suggested a Screaming Eagle 103 conversion which would deliver the performance you'd expect after spending what most Harley riders make in a year. This, of course, would only cost $6,500. I feel pretty ripped off - I spend a lot of money on a large bike with a really large engine, and it’s a dog. Why isn't it built with the performance you'd expect as opposed to having to drop another $8,000 to get it to run the way it should out of the factory? Any similar experiences?

Answer 1

Sounds like a great deal. Ya spend $28,000 for an antiquated paint shaker and the right to dress like one of the Village People. I love it. And $28k later you've got something that still puts out less than 100 horsepower. You'll ride it a few years, putting less than 1,000 miles a year on it, spend another $3,000 maintining it/putting new HD approved accessories on it, and then sell it to some other ******** for about $20k and call it an "investment". You guys crack me up.

Answer 2

well the dealer was right to get you to go with a better breather and exhaust..and remap. But What I think you really at this point is a Terry components Terminal Velocity 2. It will convert your open looped EFI to close looped(auto fuel adjusting). And a better set of cams(they suggested the SE103?...never heard of em...but the SE203 are supposed to be pretty good. I went with the Andrews TW26.) Those cams are designed to give you more low end tourque. Perfect for 2 up riding. If that still isnt enough THEN start talking about moving up to 95 or 103 inch build.

Just warning...these upgrades arent cheap...but cheaper than than jumping into an engine build before your ready.

Terminal Velocity 2 around $400.00
Installing bung for O2 sensor $40.00
New cams (not sure...i put my own in)

Another bit of advice. Not all of Harley parts are the best out there. For a high volume breather I went with the Arlen ness big sucker(much cheaper) and installed it myself. The exhaust was one I had put on when I bought the bike. And for a long time used the Dynojet power commander to adjust the fuel. Whne I upgraded the cams I dumped the Dynojet for the Term. Vel. so far the combo works pretty good for me even when im riding 2 up.

Answer 3

My vote may be for the recent Kawasaki Concourse, notwithstanding the only thanks to understand for certain is to get obtainable and journey the motorcycles you're pondering. in case you're leaning extra activity, then i'd seem in the direction of the 'Busa or the ZX14. once you're searching at a activity traveling rig, then the Concourse, the Interceptor, or the FJR1300. If I were you although, if it is paid for, i'd keep that RK. that is positive to have a HD interior the storage and the RK is a very positive motorcycle for sluggish traveling and happening team rides with the Harley crowd. (surely a tremendous kind of thrilling if you are not haters.) Then, i'd go searching and get a used six hundred great activity. Then, you could experience some skill, p.c. and dealing with, and under no circumstances make any compromises. you also may have a huge relaxing traveling rig. even as different each man or woman is having to compromise with one mavching that isn't any longer truly that good at all of us component, you may have the acceptable motorcycle for both. it is just one opinion from a guy who's easily-known with why people like Harleys and who also loves organic activity motorcycles.

Answer 4

Well first of all William, what are your expectations of your Road King ? If you want power and speed, you shouldn't have bought a "touring" bike.

As the case with my 2003 Heritage Softail Classic, I never rode it "stock". Before I took delivery of it in 2003, I had th edealer install the Screamin' Eagle mufflers, Air filter kit and Stage 1 download and, was pretty much satisfied with it. About 1000 miles later, I decided that the S E mufflers weren't LOUD enough so I switched to Vance & Hines StraightShots, of course now I needed a re-map of the EFI but, instead of paying the dealer again, I decided to install a Power Commander USB-III and downloaded the correct map myself. Plenty of power for two-up riding and comfortable too.

On my first long road-trip ( riding two-up ) with the Heritage, I noticed that, while I had sufficient POWER, the bike lacked TORQUE for "twist of the wrist" passing so, during last winter's layover, I did some experimenting with engine mods and now I have ( in my opinion ) a good balance of comfort and exceptional performance.

Don't misunderstand me William ( and anyone else reading this ), these mods did NOT come cheap and, they were time consuming but, when complete, the results are immediate and significant.

-- First thing you need is the bible for YOUR bike (about $50.00)
-- Pull your jugs and send them to a reputable machine shop for boring and honing to 95 cu. in. / 3.880" bore (about $150.00)
-- Piston and ring kit, I used Wiseco 9:1 CR flat-top pistons (about $375.00)
-- Tooling required to do the cam swap ($400.00)
-- Gear drive cams, I used Andrews 26G. Cams, gear kit, bearing kit and adjustable pushrods (about $975.00).
-- S.E. HTCC cylinder heads and intake manifold (about $935.00)
-- Dyno time / custom EFI map ($210.00)

I also installed a Fueling Motors high-performance oil pump and hydraulic lifters while I was in the cam chest and a Kuryakyn 57 mm throttle body. Even including my oil pump, lifters and throttle body, I still spent under $4K and my bike runs like a scalded dog. Since, I believe, your R.K. is already 95 cu. in. ( 1550 cc ), it may be that all you really need at this point ( since you've already done the Stage 1 download, and S. E. mufflers and intake ) is a good set of cams and some dyno-tuning .... NOT at the dealer either !!! Those KIDS at the Harley dealer couldn't SPELL "Dyno" much less use one. Spend the money and go to a GOOD motorcycle speed shop with a dyno. PowerCommander.com has a "tuning center locator" on their website.

Expensive, but money well spent.

*** Well, the fact that the 2007 comes "standard" with a 95 cu. in. motor doesn't sizzle my shorts a bit. With all the emmissions bullsh*t that is being phased in on bikes now, I wouldn't have a new one ( My 2003 is as new as I am interested in ). Also, I'd be willing to wager that my modified TC-88 ( as outlined above ) can still out-power and out-torque a brand new factory 95 cu.in. stock engine .... 108 HP and 119 ft / lbs TORQUE. ***

Answer 5

This might sizzle your shorts a little. The 2007 harley line from the Dyna's all the way up to the Road king come Standard with a 96 cubic inch motor.

Answer 6

You started with a big heavy cruiser. You seem to want sport bike performance while carrying an extra 500lbs. It's possible.

Consider additional cubic inches and/or forced induction.

Performance is easily obtained by increasing your power to weight ratio through the input of cubic $$$.

The factory engine is that way for two reasons:
1) They need it to be maintenance free for warranty purposes.
2) They want to to void that warranty trying to make a cruiser as quick as a sport bike by spending big $$$.

Answer 7

I don't spend any more money on bolt-on performance like open exhaust or high-flow air filter, since all they seem to do is increase exhaust noise and reduce torque in the low-end (at least for street cruising).

Don't suppose there are any forced induction contraptions for motor bikes??

Answer 8

Ahhh, yes. I see your problem. IT'S A HARLEY. You're paying for a name. For that much money, you could have gotten a much better, more reliable, faster, smoother, quieter...well, anything. I think you're a candidate for a Goldwing or maybe a BMW LT. BTW, my little ol' Suzuki V-Strom 650 still shows all those cruisers the taillights...for around what that conversion would have cost...

Answer 9

Well
Im not a Harley fan but i think if you wanted a good ride with power and comfort you should of bought a Goldwing.

Answer 10

years ago, I bought a Harley to slow me down
14 years with the same bike {evo} seems like it has plenty of power
if you have the new twin cam it should be plenty, if not don't buy a bike for image buy what suits you