Harley-Davidson has added an exciting new chapter by creating the Road King Special, a machine that exudes a bold new attitude and much darker edge.

Lower-slung it channels a fresh, contemporary energy from the streets and distills it into a something that looks, and feels, completely different, said a statement.

For many riders, the Road King is the classic Harley-Davidson touring motorcycle. And its silhouette outlines a storied history. This is a design that’s stood the test of time with roots that go back to 1949 when the first of the line – designated the FL – hit the highways.

Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice-President of Styling & Design: “The FL series has always reflected the purity of the Harley-Davidson riding experience. By exchanging chrome surfaces for black and lowering the bike’s profile, we’ve moved the traditional Road King into a new space that’s very current in the custom bagger scene. Built to ride, and ride hard the Road King Special also broods with menace. Just as we designed it to…”

Bathed in black and powered by the muscular 1750cc Milwaukee-Eight engine, the new Road King Special pushes Harley-Davidson’s Touring line in a dramatic new styling direction, expressing a modern perspective on the classic Road King model.

Matching the style and engine upgrade is the 19-inch front wheel and suspension. New fork internals offer improved damping control while the rear shocks are totally redesigned, with hydraulic spring preload (rather than air) adjustment.

The Road King Special will be available in four colour options:  Vivid Black; Charcoal Denim; Hot Rod Red Flake Hard Candy Custom; and Olive Gold.

Styling
A dark front end topped by a massive gloss-black headlamp nacelle is the signature styling element of the Road King Special, further highlighted by the lack of a standard windshield. And adding to the attitude a new 9-inch-tall, 1.25-inch-wide mini-ape handlebar puts the rider in an aggressive posture on the bike that’s also comfortable on long runs.

The Road King Special’s engine guard, handlebar and hand controls, mirrors, turn signals, engine covers, air cleaner cover, mufflers and exhaust shields also feature black surfaces. Chrome is retained only on some key engine components – the lower rocker boxes, pushrod tubes and tappet blocks to emphasize the iconic V-Twin form of the Milwaukee-Eight engine. There’s a new engine-turned timing cover insert, a finish that’s also featured on the tank console and air cleaner insert.

New gloss black Turbine cast-aluminum wheels include a 19-inch front topped by a low-profile fender. At the rear, Stretched Saddlebags flow over the mufflers to provide a slammed-to-the-ground appearance without reducing suspension travel. A rear fascia panel fills the space between the saddlebags and rear fender, and a low-mount license plate module completes the tight, low lines of the rear end.

The Harley-Davidson Smart Security System is standard equipment on the Road King Special.

New for all 2017 touring models, the Milwaukee-Eight engine offers quicker throttle response, more passing power, purer sound, a smoother ride and more of the feeling riders want from a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle engine.

Each Milwaukee-Eight engine produces 10 percent more torque than the engine it replaces in touring models. In addition to increased displacement, the Milwaukee-Eight engine features a higher compression ratio and four-valve cylinder heads with 50 percent more intake and exhaust flow capacity.

The Milwaukee-Eight engine weighs the same as the engines it replaces, so its extra power contributes directly to improved acceleration performance. The Milwaukee-Eight 107 accelerates 11 percent quicker from 0-60 mph, equal to a two-to-three bike length improvement, and 11 percent quicker from 60-80 mph in top gear, equal to a one-to-two bike length improvement, compared to the Twin Cam High Output 103.

The Road King Special’s surefooted handling ability starts with its rigid tubular steel frame; it features a two-piece stamped/welded backbone, with twin downtubes and cast and forged junctions. The rear subframe bolts on and the rear swingarm is constructed from two drawn and MIG-welded steel sections. Rake and trail is set at 26°/175mm, with wheelbase of 1625mm and dry weight of 355kg.  –TradeArabia News Service