By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser vs Tourer
Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC (MY2005) vs Road King Classic FLHRC (MY2007)
Parked at the curb, the Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC's whitewalls and wire spokes pull eyes before it's even running. Beside it, the Harley-Davidson Road King Classic FLHRC wears a chrome nacelle and color-matched leather saddlebags. It's dressed for old-school American touring.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC if…
Keeping running costs low
By a mile: Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC
On running costs, the Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC pulls clearly ahead. It's the easier one to own on a tight budget.
What makes each one tick
Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC
A counterbalancer inside the Heritage Classic's twin tames the shake at highway speed. There's plenty of torque right off idle, and a small twist of the throttle gets the bike rolling at low revs. You'll settle onto the plush seat and floorboards for a long day. It'll haul two up without revving.
Road King Classic FLHRC
The Road King's ride is plush, and its heavy chassis doesn't wander off a steady line. The brake lever's got 761 lb (345 kg) to haul down. The fuel-injected Twin Cam 96 doesn't need to spin hard to find its shove. It'll lope along with the engine barely ticking over.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC has the lower seat: 25.5 in (647 mm) vs 29.5 in (749 mm).
- The Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC has the lower wet weight: 739 lb (335 kg) vs 761 lb (345 kg).
- The Road King Classic FLHRC makes more peak power: 73 hp (55 kW) vs 62 hp (46 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Look elsewhere
As commuters, both miss the mark. Daily traffic isn't what either was built around.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Wrong job for both
Both of these ask too much of a rookie. Spend your first year on something lighter.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Neither one fits
Neither of these lives for a twisty road. If that's your thing, there are better tools for it.
On long days, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable long-distance touring with standard luggage and windshield
- Smooth counterbalanced engine reduces vibration
- Strong low-end torque
Road King Classic FLHRC
What owners say
Strengths
- Classic, timeless styling
Known problems to check before you buy
Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Road King Classic FLHRC
- ABS brake fluid degradation (2008 model only) Recall 18V076000 NHTSA recall 18V-076: brake fluid may degrade and cause loss of ABS function. Affects 2008 Road King Classic models with ABS; remedy: free fluid flush using new H-D Platinum brake fluid.
- 5th gear whine Due to straight-cut gears in 1st and 5th, the transmission emits a pronounced whine in 5th gear. Using heavier gear oil or adding the IDS system helps, but the noise remains characteristic.
What they share
- Engine
- 45° V-twin
- Cooling
- Air-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 5.0 US gal (18.9 L)
- Final drive
- Belt
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Front brake
- 292 mm
- Front tire
- 130/90-16
Where the spec sheets split
| Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 25.5 in (647 mm) | 29.5 in (749 mm) |
| Wet weight | 739 lb (335 kg) | 761 lb (345 kg) |
| Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1449 cc | 1584 cc |
| Power | 62 hp (46 kW) | 73 hp (55 kW) |
| Torque | 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) | 95 lb-ft (129 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 3,000 rpm | 3,500 rpm |
| Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Rear tire | 150/80-16 | MU85-16 |
| Wheelbase | 64.1 in (1628 mm) | 63.5 in (1613 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Softail Heritage Classic FLSTC | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Option |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Luggage System | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
