Harley Davidson Road King Vs. Harley Davidson Electra Glide

• Table of Contents
• 1. Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide
• 2. Detailed Specs Comparison: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide
• 3. Design: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide
• 3.1 Design: Harley Davidson Road King
• 3.2 Design: Harley Davidson Electra Glide
• 4. Engine and Performance: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide
• 4.1 Engine and Performance: Harley Davidson Road King
• 4.2 Engine and Performance: Harley Davidson Electra Glide
• 5. Comfort and Ergonomics: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide
• 5.1 Comfort and Ergonomics: Harley Davidson Road King
• 5.2 Comfort and Ergonomics: Harley Davidson Electra Glide
• 6. Technology and Features: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide
• 7. Pros and Cons: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide
• 7.1 Pros and Cons: Harley Davidson Road King
• 7.2 Pros and Cons: Harley Davidson Electra Glide
• 8. Colors and Cost: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide
• 9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• 9.1 Is the Harley Davidson Road King Good for Touring?
• 9.2 What are the Key Differences between the Harley Road King and the Harley Electra Glide?
• 10. Which is Better: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide

1. Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide

“No matter how bad your day is, your bike will always make you feel better.”

Motorcycle touring is a fun and refreshing activity. There was a time when motorcycles were only used for daily commutes and weekend rides. However, over time, custom builders started customizing motorbikes with windscreens, fairings, saddlebags, and crash bars to ensure comfortable long-distance rides. This trend was later adopted by motorcycle companies that started producing factory-made touring bikes.

Harley Davidson is one of the most popular motorcycle brands in the world, having produced several touring bike models with stock saddlebags, fairings, windscreens, crash bars, floorboards, and comfortable ergonomics. The Harley Davidson touring bikes are equipped with powerful and torquey engines, forward-mounted foot controls, and swept-back handlebars suited for long-distance and two-up riding. Most modern touring bikes have easily detachable saddlebags, fairings, and windshields if you wish to transform your ride into a stripped-down cruiser.

The Harley Davidson Road King and the Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard are simple yet powerful touring bikes. Both motorcycles are powered by a Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine capable of smooth power delivery and adequate throttle response. Despite sharing many similar features, both motorcycles have unique looks and ergonomics. This article is a detailed comparison between the Harley Davidson Road King and the Harley Davidson Electra Glide.

2. Detailed Specs Comparison: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide

2022 Harley Davidson Road King		2022 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard
Identification
Harley Davidson	Maker	Harley Davidson
Road King	Model	Electra Glide Standard
2022	Year Model	2022
Touring Bike	Motorcycle Type	Touring Bike
FLHR	Model Code	FLHT
$19,110	Base Price	$19,429
Engine and Performance
107 cu in (1,753 cc)	Displacement	107 cu in (1,753 cc)
Milwaukee-Eight® 107 V-Twin	Engine Design and Type	Milwaukee-Eight® 107 V-Twin
Air-Cooled	Cooling System	Air- and Oil-Cooled
Two	No. of Cylinders	Two
Four	Valves Per Cylinder	Four
93 hp at 5,020 rpm	Horsepower	90 hp at 5,450 rpm
150.5 Nm at 3,250 rpm	Torque	150.5 Nm at 3,250 rpm
4.37 in	Stroke	4.37 in
3.94 in	Bore	3.94 in
Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)	Fuel Injection System	Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
10:1	Compression Ratio	10:1
Six-Speed	Transmission	Six-Speed
Belt	Final Drive	Belt
Mechanically Actuated, 10 Plate Wet with Assist & Slipper Clutch	Clutch	Hydraulically Actuated with Assist & Slipper Functions
43 mpg	Fuel Economy	43 mpg
Dual Tapered Mufflers	Muffler	Dual Tapered Mufflers
Chrome, Two-Into-One-Into-two Exhaust	Exhaust	Chrome, Two-Into-One-Into-two Exhaust
Optional ($819)	ABS	Standard
Mild Steel Tubular	Frame	Mild Steel Tubular Frame; Two-Piece Stamped & Welded Backbone
Electric	Starter	Electric
No	Fairing	Front Fork-Mounted
-	Fairing Style	Batwing Fairing
Large, Front Fork-Mounted	Windshield	Small, Fairing-Mounted
Dimensions and Weight
6.7 in	Trail	6.7 in
26°	Rake	26°
6 gal	Fuel Tank Capacity	6 gal
5.3 in	Ground Clearance	4.9 in
37.8 in	Width	38 in
56.3 in	Height	55.3 in
96.5 in	Length	94.5 in
26.3 in	Seat Height	26.1 in
64 in	Wheelbase	64 in
828 lbs (375.57 kg)	Wet Weight	(820 lbs) 371.95 kg
794 lbs (360.15 kg)	Dry Weight	(781 lbs) 354.26 kg
32°	Lean Angle (Right)	31°
32°	Lean Angle (Left)	29°
2.3 cu ft	Luggage Capacity	2.3 cu ft

3. Design: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide

3.1 Design: Harley Davidson Road King

The Harley Davidson Road King is a classic touring motorbike with hard saddlebags, a large windscreen, and a chrome finish. It has chrome handlebars, front forks, side mirrors, an air filter, and two-into-one-into-two dual tapered mufflers. To improve the classic look, the Harley Road King is fitted with chrome Hiawatha headlamps with a large headlight in the center and two additional small headlights on both sides. The front turn signals are also attached to the rod supporting the Hiawatha headlamps.

The Harley Road King also comes with a chopped front fender with a classic Road King logo on both sides. A classic tail light, rear turn signals, and a license plate holder are mounted to the large rear fender. There is a dip in the rider’s seat ensuring a low seat height of 26.3 inches. The Harley Road King is fitted with a step-up seat for two-up riding. It has mid-mounted, swept-back handlebars and fuel tank-mounted gauges. The Harley Road King is fitted with forward-mounted floorboards for a comfortable touring experience and crash bars.

3.2 Design: Harley Davidson Electra Glide

The Harley Davidson Electra Glide is only available in a vivid black color scheme with a chrome finish. This motorcycle comes with hard saddlebags, a batwing nose fairing, and crash bars. The Harley Electra Glide has a simple design and look. It is also an easily customizable motorcycle that can be stripped down and transformed into a stylish cruiser. The Harley Electra Glide is fitted with a large round headlamp, enclosed in a wide batwing fairing with an air vent and a small windshield. The batwing fairing also has a small storage box and four analog gauges. Despite being a bulky touring bike, it only comes with a solo rider seat. The chrome side mirrors are attached to the mid-mounted, slightly pulled-back handlebars.

4. Engine and Performance: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide

4.1 Engine and Performance: Harley Davidson Road King

The Harley Davidson Road King is equipped with a 107 cu in air-cooled engine that can produce a torque of 150.5 Nm and a horsepower of 93 hp. It is a bulky motorbike that is difficult to maneuver at low speeds and ride through traffic. The Harley Road King is designed for long-distance rides on smooth roads. Riders not used to riding a heavyweight motorbike may find it difficult at first to ride this motorbike through traffic. However, while cruising on highways and straight roads, the Harley Road King does not feel heavy. The Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine provides quick throttle response and better linear performance.

For an experienced rider, the Harley Road King is not difficult to handle. However, for a novice rider, it is difficult to maneuver in slow-moving traffic and turn corners. The Harley Road King’s braking is also adequate. However, it is difficult to make sudden stops in traffic as the rider has to apply the brakes early.

4.2 Engine and Performance: Harley Davidson Electra Glide

The Harley Davidson Electra Glide is also a hefty motorbike with a wide batwing fairing, crash bars, and saddlebags. It is difficult to balance while making U-turns, maneuver at low speeds, and reverse due to being a bulky motorbike. However, as soon as the Harley Electra Glide reaches a stable speed, it becomes easier to ride.

The Harley Electra Glide is equipped with a 107 cu in the air- and oil-cooled, Milwaukee-Eight engine capable of producing a horsepower of 90 hp and a torque of 150.5 Nm. While cruising on highways and linear roads, the Harley Electra Glide does not feel heavy and has a good throttle response.

The Harley Electra Glide comes with standard cruise controls that ensure effortless cruising on highways. The standard ABS and Electronically Linked Braking (ELB) ensure reliable braking.

5. Comfort and Ergonomics: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide

5.1 Comfort and Ergonomics: Harley Davidson Road King

Photo Credit: @laidlawsharley

The Harley Davidson Road King has low ground clearance with a seat height of 26.3 inches. This motorbike is comfortable for taller and shorter riders. The mid-mounted, pulled-back handlebars are also within comfortable reach of the rider. The Harley Road King also comes with stock floorboards to ensure a comfortable cruising experience. The position of the handlebars, forward-mounted foot controls, and low seat height ensures an upright riding position. Overall, the Harley Road King is a comfortable touring bike suited for longer rides. For better touring performance, the storage capacity can be increased by installing luggage racks and sissy bars.

5.2 Comfort and Ergonomics: Harley Davidson Electra Glide

Photo Credit: @laidlawsharley

The Harley Davidson Electra Glide has a low seat height of 26.1 inches and pulled-back handlebars, ensuring an upright riding position. It also comes with forward-mounted floorboards so the rider can comfortably rest their feet while cruising on highways. The fork-mounted batwing fairing makes the front end heavier, which makes handling tough on twists and turns. It is not an ideal touring bike for novice riders due to being difficult to maneuver when turning corners. To increase storage capacity, Viking Bags has specially designed luggage racks for the Harley Electra Glide.

6. Technology and Features: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide

2022 Harley Davidson Road King		2022 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard
Technology and Features
Optional	ABS	Standard
Standard	Electronic Linked Braking (ELB)	Standard
Standard	Cruise Control	Standard
Fuel Tank-Mounted	Gauges	Fairing-Mounted
✓	Speedometer	✓
✓	Fuel Gauge	✓
✓	Low Fuel Warning	✓
✓	Low Oil Pressure Indicator	✓
✓	Trip A & Trip B	✓
✓	Odometer	✓
✓	RPM / Gear Display	✓
✓	Passenger seat	✕

7. Pros and Cons: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide

7.1 Pros and Cons: Harley Davidson Road King

Harley Davidson Road King Pros	Harley Davidson Road King Cons
Smooth gear shifts	ABS is optional
Good linear performance	Heavyweight
Classic Harley Davidson look	Difficult to maneuver at low speeds
Comes with Hiawatha headlights	Not a beginner-friendly motorcycle
Aesthetically pleasing	Difficult to ride through traffic
Stock large windscreen and saddlebags
Stock forward-mounted floorboards
Good for both taller and smaller riders
Comfortable touring bike

7.2 Pros and Cons: Harley Davidson Electra Glide

Harley Davidson Electra Glide Pros	Harley Davidson Electra Glide Cons
Stock hard saddlebags and batwing fairing	Midsized windscreen
Customizable	Heavier front end
ABS is standard	Not beginner-friendly
Smooth power delivery	Solo rider seat
Ideal touring bike	Heavyweight
Comfortable ergonomics	Difficult to maneuver at low speeds
Stock forward-mounted floorboards and crash bars	Difficult to ride through traffic

8. Colors and Cost: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

9.1 Is the Harley Davidson Road King Good for Touring?

The Harley Davidson Road King is ideal for cruising on highways and light touring. Being a heavyweight, large-sized motorcycle, it is difficult to maneuver at low speeds and when riding through traffic. Novice riders may find it difficult to turn corners. However, due to its low seat height and center of gravity, the Harley Road King provides better linear performance. It also comes with a large windshield, hard saddlebags, a passenger seat, and rider and passenger’s floorboards.

9.2 What are the Key Differences between the Harley Road King and the Harley Electra Glide?

Key Differences: Harley Davidson Road King Vs. Harley Davidson Electra Glide
2022 Harley Davidson Road King	2022 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard
Large windshield	Batwing fairing with a small windshield
Fuel tank-mounted gauges	Fairing-mounted gauges
Rider and passenger seats	Solo rider seat
ABS is optional	ABS is standard
Classic look	Modern and classic looks
High ground clearance	Low ground clearance
Air-cooled engine	Air- and oil-cooled engine
Greater lean angle	Smaller lean angle

10. Which is Better: Harley Road King Vs. Harley Electra Glide

The Harley Davidson Road King and the Harley Davidson Electra Glide are classic touring motorbikes with simple color schemes and chrome finishes. Both motorcycles are powered by the 107 cu in Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine capable of smooth power and torque delivery. However, what makes both these motorcycles differ from each other is their design and styling. The Harley Road King has more classic styling and is better suited for cruising and light touring on linear roads. Meanwhile, the Harley Electra Glide is also capable of cruising and light touring.

Both motorcycles are difficult to handle and maneuver at low speeds due to their bulky build. However, at high speeds, you hardly notice these motorbikes’ heavyweight. Both the Harley Road King and the Harley Electra Glide have similar performance and handling. If you love touring and can handle a heavyweight motorcycle, then both the Harley Davidson Road Kind and Harley Davidson Electra Glide are good options.

Photo Credit: @rallypointharley ,  @harley-davidson