By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser vs Tourer
Triumph Thunderbird Commander (MY2014) vs Harley-Davidson Road King Classic FLHRC (MY2014)
You'll feel the Triumph Thunderbird Commander's parallel twin swell with a smooth, even pulse as you roll on in any gear. Crack open the Harley-Davidson Road King Classic FLHRC and there's shove waiting just off idle. It doesn't need a downshift to merge.
So which one do you buy?
The Thunderbird Commander has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Inches ahead: Thunderbird Commander
Day to day, the Thunderbird Commander works out slightly cheaper to own. The saving is small.
Which one's the smarter buy
Different bikes, different deals
These bikes sit in different classes, so the money doesn't pick a clear winner. You're trading a cruiser's lower entry price against a tourer's higher one. Neither is the better buy for the cash you spend.
What makes each one tick
Thunderbird Commander
Hours into a long day, the Thunderbird Commander's deep seat and its separate lumbar pad still haven't worn you down. There's a heavy pull from low revs as the throttle comes up, with a rumble all its own. Passing doesn't take a lower ratio. The twin-spine frame holds its line through long sweepers.
Road King Classic FLHRC
Across a full interstate day, the Road King Classic FLHRC's plush saddle and relaxed upright stance don't wear thin while the wind breaks around it. Corner entry doesn't take much from the bars, and the lightened front end tips in cleanly. Parking-lot crawls don't turn into wrestling. The air-cooled V-twin rumbles on, mile after mile.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Thunderbird Commander has the lower wet weight: 767 lb (348 kg) vs 814 lb (369 kg).
- The Thunderbird Commander makes more peak power: 93 hp (69 kW) vs 88 hp (65 kW).
- The Thunderbird Commander makes more peak torque: 111 lb-ft (150 Nm) vs 105 lb-ft (142 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Both fall short
As commuters, both miss the mark. Daily traffic isn't what either was built around.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not suited: Thunderbird Commander
The Thunderbird Commander isn't built for long days on the road, so it sits this one out.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for this
Neither of these is a sensible first motorcycle. Learn on something smaller and lighter, then come back.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Thunderbird Commander
What owners say
Strengths
- Monster torque with unique parallel-twin character
- Stable, predictable handling for its size
- Supremely comfortable saddle
- Top-notch build quality and finish
Trade-offs
- Floorboards too short and scrape easily
- Massive weight can be intimidating
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
Thunderbird Commander
- Fuel injector unintended activation recall Recall 14V694000 NHTSA recall 14V-694: unintended activation of fuel injector by the ECU could cause engine stall, increasing crash risk. Affected 2014-2015 Thunderbird models need ECU reprogramming.
- Engine knocking / piston noise (thunderbird knock) A harmonic chatter or vibration from the engine, often traced to piston skirt or cylinder liner issues. Triumph has reportedly addressed this with a replacement kit. Some owners report the problem requiring engine removal and piston/cylinder replacement under warranty.
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 Thunderbird Commander with a 10-year-old Road King Classic FLHRC.
- Thunderbird Commander
- about $8,200
- Road King Classic FLHRC
- about $12,200
At ten years old, the Thunderbird Commander sits around $8,200 while the Road King Classic FLHRC runs about $12,200. That's a $4,000 gap in the Thunderbird Commander's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Belt
- Fork
- Telescopic
Where the spec sheets split
| Thunderbird Commander | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 27.6 in (700 mm) | 27.2 in (690 mm) |
| Wet weight | 767 lb (348 kg) | 814 lb (369 kg) |
| Thunderbird Commander | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1699 cc | 1690 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Power | 93 hp (69 kW) | 88 hp (65 kW) |
| Torque | 111 lb-ft (150 Nm) | 105 lb-ft (142 Nm) |
| Thunderbird Commander | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.8 US gal (22 L) | 6.0 US gal (22.7 L) |
| Thunderbird Commander | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 310 mm | 300 mm |
| Front tire | 140/75-17 | 130/80-17 |
| Rear tire | 200/50-17 | 180/65-16 |
| Wheelbase | 65.5 in (1664 mm) | 64.0 in (1626 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Thunderbird Commander | Road King Classic FLHRC | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Heated Grips | Option | Not offered |
| Luggage System | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
