Motorcycle Tyres for my Harley-Davidson Road King Motorcycle
The classic Harley-Davidson wire wheels and white-wall tyres of the Road King are a throwback to a former age. You could be forgiven for thinking you were in the 1950s when you take in the running lights plated in chrome and the panel of instruments on top of the tank. The updated version of the Road King has been thoughtfully designed and has subtle improvements to the speed and practicality. You are left to enjoy a modern bike with a classic style.
Essential Road King Facts
In some ways, the driving experience is very similar to the models of the 1950s. The rider sits in a bolt-upright position, and the screen is practically vertical. The handlebars are wide and pulled back and the footboards are generous.
However, there are plenty of modern improvements. The Speed King is available with a 1 Milwaukee-Eight® 107 engine with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and a six-speed gear box which will give you around 45 miles to the gallon. It’s named after Harley-Davidson’s home town in Wisconsin. The design centres on four valves per cylinder, so the combustion is more efficient and torque is increased. The extra power is useful, especially when overtaking.
Incredibly, this new V-twin engine is only the ninth that Harley has ever produced in 114 years of producing bikes!
There is a useful new cylinder head oil-cooling system and a balancer which successfully reduces vibration. As a result, the V-twin engine will idle smoothly and there is no low-rev juddering.
The motorbike has a new suspension supplied by Japanese specialists Showa. The damping of the front forks is more sophisticated, and the twin rear shocks now have conventional springs which are adjusted remotely. As a rider, you get to enjoy the excellent ride quality and stability, particularly over bumpy surfaces and when cornering. It remains a long (96.5 inches) bike that is heavy (over 370 kg), yet it is easy to steer and handle even on twisty roads. The powerful brakes work reassuringly well.
In terms of comfort, the screen will deflect turbulence but can be removed for a bit more excitement on shorter trips. The fuel range (200 miles) is realistic for longer journeys, and the second seat is comfortable for the pillion passenger.
1. Edit size and type
Where to find your tyre size?
Looking for same day fitting near you?
Choosing the right tyres for your Harley-Davidson Road King
The front and rear wheels are impeller cast aluminium, and the front tyres are specification BW 130/80B17 65H whilst the rear tyres are specification BW 180/65B16 81H. At Protyre we have thousands of motorcycle tyres and can help to source specialist tyres for you at competitive prices.
Tyres are essential to the safety and handling of any motorcycle, and the Harley-Davidson Road King is no exception. At Protyre we can provide the biggest motorcycle tyre brand names, including Bridgestone, Metzeler, Dunlop, Michelin and Pirelli. The experienced and skilled technicians at our 30 fitting centres that offer motorcycle fitting services will be able to advise you further. Our aim is get you back on the road and keep you there.
