By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser vs Tourer
Indian Chief (MY2014) vs Harley-Davidson Road King Classic FLHRC (MY2014)
Tip the Indian Chief into a fast sweeper and it's planted on its line, heavy yet willing to turn. The Harley-Davidson Road King Classic FLHRC's lighter front end drops into the bend and doesn't need a shove on the bar. It's just as easy to wheel through a parking lot.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Chief if…
Keeping running costs low
Strong pick: Chief
On running costs, the Chief pulls clearly ahead. It's the easier one to own on a tight budget.
Which one's the smarter buy
Apples and oranges
The Chief costs less, but the Road King Classic FLHRC brings different touring gear to the table. Neither is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
Chief
Down low, there's enough torque in the Chief's big air-cooled twin to haul all that weight along. The gearbox clicks home cleanly, and the clutch pulls light. A roll of the throttle off idle brings a hard pull. The grips don't buzz at all.
Road King Classic FLHRC
The Road King Classic FLHRC's plush seat and relaxed reach to the bars keep long hours from wearing you down. Passing on the highway doesn't call for a downshift, since the twin's torque is there barely above idle. Corner entry comes without a fight, and the chassis settles into its arc on Iron Mountain Road. The twin rumbles low all day.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Chief has the lower seat: 26.0 in (660 mm) vs 27.2 in (690 mm).
- The Road King Classic FLHRC has the lower wet weight: 814 lb (369 kg) vs 831 lb (377 kg).
- The Road King Classic FLHRC makes more peak power: 88 hp (65 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Wrong job for both
Daily traffic duty isn't a fit for these two. Keep them for the weekend and commute on something easier.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not suited: Chief
The Chief isn't built for long days on the road, so it sits this one out.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both miss here
A first bike should forgive mistakes, and these two don't do that well enough. Come back to them later.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Chief
What owners say
Strengths
- Mighty Thunder Stroke 111 engine
- Surprisingly agile handling
- Outstanding fit and finish
- Smooth, positive transmission
Road King Classic FLHRC
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptional comfort for long-distance touring
- Surprisingly nimble handling despite its weight
Known problems to check before you buy
Chief
- VCM connector failure causing loss of forward lighting Recall 22V635000 The electrical connection for the Vehicle Control Module may fail, which can cause loss of forward lighting. The high beam indicator will flash if this occurs. A recall (22V635) was issued for 2014-2020 models to inspect the VCM connector and update software.
Road King Classic FLHRC
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 10-year-old Chief with a 10-year-old Road King Classic FLHRC.
- Chief
- about $9,600
- Road King Classic FLHRC
- about $12,200
At ten years old, the Indian Chief sits around $9,600 while the Harley-Davidson Road King Classic FLHRC runs about $12,200. That's a $2,600 gap in the Chief's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- 45° V-twin
- Cooling
- Air-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Belt
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Front brake
- 300 mm
- Rear tire
- 180/65-16
Where the spec sheets split
| Chief | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 26.0 in (660 mm) | 27.2 in (690 mm) |
| Wet weight | 831 lb (377 kg) | 814 lb (369 kg) |
| Chief | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1811 cc | 1690 cc |
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) | 88 hp (65 kW) |
| Torque | 119 lb-ft (161 Nm) | 105 lb-ft (142 Nm) |
| Chief | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (20.8 L) | 6.0 US gal (22.7 L) |
| Chief | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 130/90-16 | 130/80-17 |
| Wheelbase | 68.1 in (1730 mm) | 64.0 in (1626 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Chief | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Keyless System | Standard | Not offered |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
