Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SPECIAL HARLEY PAINTS IT BLACK
Back in September last year, round-the-world biker and fellow writer of this column Geoff Hill said at the launch of Harley-davidson’s 2017 Road King that he felt he had “been born on it”. As he went on to say, there is no higher praise for a bike.
So, how could the iconic American firm expect to improve on what seemed to be an unbeatable cruiser? Well, for this ‘Special’ variant, it has stripped back the bike almost to the bare bones and bathed it in black.
At the front end, most of the lights have gone, to be replaced with a single huge black headlamp.
The windshield is also absent and indicators are now neatly tucked under the bar ends, and cased in black. Also now blacked-out are the engine guard, the handlebars, the hand controls, the mirrors, the engine covers, the air filter cover, the mufflers and exhaust shields.
Those “mini-ape” bars are new, with a 9.5in upsweep which gives a slightly more aggressive, but still comfortable ride position. The only remaining chrome is on the lower rocker boxes, pushrod tubes and tappet boxes, which serves to emphasise the V-twin motor.
Thankfully, that element of the bike – the 1,745cc Milwaukee-eight engine – is unchanged.
Compared to previous H-D cruisers, it produces 10% more torque, which equates to it reaching 60mph 11% quicker.
It also features oil-cooled cylinder heads, which make it smoother, cooler (especially at low speeds) and more responsive.
That sense of smoothness is further aided by the assist and slip clutch, and the fact the motor is rubber mounted to the frame.
Clever tweaks have reduced mechanical powertrain noise and air-intake volume, which means, out on the road, the deep rumble from the V-twin sounds glorious.
It’s a heavy beast, but it’s low, so you can easily plant both boots firmly on the tarmac and, once you set off, it is much more manageable than you might imagine. The torque is awesome and it pulls powerfully but smoothly in all gears.
It is completely dependable through bends at speed thanks to the low centre of gravity and an increase in wheel diameter over the standard King, with a 19in front and 18in rear. Brembo ABS brakes, which are linked front and rear, do a grand job of hauling it up.
So, does the ‘Special’ moniker stand up to scrutiny? The standard Road King is, in many ways, the perfect big V-twin cruiser – and yes, this version, genuinely is an extra bit special. Harley-davidson Road King Special
Price: £19,995
Engine: 1,745cc V-twin
Torque: 111 ft lb @ 3,250rpm
Power: 92bhp @ 5,020rpm
Colours: Black; gold; charcoal; hard candy red