Harley-davidson Road King
After a comfortable custom on a budget? Here are six of the best for half the price of a Triumph Speedmaster
The authentic one Harley-davidson Road King 1340 > £6000-£7000 > 1994–1999 > 1338cc V-twin > 65bhp > 314kg
WHEN IT COMES to living the American dream, there is really only one brand to go for – Harley-davidson. However there is one major issue when buying a used Hog and that is depreciation. Or more precisely, the lack of it.
Used Harleys, especially the big-engine models, hold their value incredibly well and that means finding one on a tight budget is tricky. But it can be done and, as long as you are prepared to buy an older machine, you can get this authentic slice of mom’s apple pie for half the cost of a new Speedmaster. And no model epitomises Harley like the classic Road King.
While you can get the likes of a Sportster
or Dyna within budget, your passenger won’t appreciate their small pillion seats so you are best opting for an older Road King instead. Designed to eat miles, it thumps along with that laid-back Harley attitude and is an extremely comfortable bike. The handling is set for stability rather than agility — and the brakes are lacking by modern standards — but this isn’t a bike to rush on. Slide back in the sumptuous seat, relax and just enjoy the ride…
The Road King continues to this day with increasingly larger engines. It’s worth remembering that official dealers offer a year’s warranty on any bike younger than 15 years old with less than 70,000 miles on the clocks, for a little extra peace of mind.
The British one Triumph Speedmaster 865
> £4000-£6000 > 2005-2016 > 865cc parallel-twin > 54bhp > 229kg With its feet-forward riding position, the Speedmaster is a lightweight British cruiser that, while lacking the sheer presence of a Harley, is a delightful bike to ride with bags of spirit. Unlike the Bonneville, the Speedmaster 865’s parallel twin has a 270° crank, giving an offbeat firing order that adds a raw note to its sound and feel. A great solo cruiser, pillions won’t appreciate the sloped-back seat, though a sissy bar can be added to ease their discomfort. You can opt for a carbed bike or the post-2007 fuel-injected model: RIDE recommends the later generation.
The elegant one Honda VTX1800
> £4000-£6000 > 2001-2007 > 1795cc V-twin > 85bhp > 320kg Honda’s VTX1800 manages to add a degree of refinement through linked brakes, shaftdrive and plush suspension to a class of bike that is supposed to be raw. The motor is pleasingly grunty but overall it’s a touch too polished to really pull on your heartstrings and stir emotions. A solid, but less inspiring, cruiser.
The big one Kawasaki VN2000 The short-lived one Yamaha XV1700 Road Star Warrior
> £4000-£6000 > 2003-2004 > 1670cc V-twin > 85bhp > 275kg The Road Star Warrior was only imported into the UK for two short years and was something of a sales flop. However that also gives it a certain degree of exclusivity nowadays, as it is a rare machine to see on the streets. Powered by a whopping air-cooled V-twin (the same motor as the MT-01) with bags of grunt, the Warrior is a power cruiser with high-quality running gear and an emphasis on performance over rider comfort. Surprisingly adept in the bends, it looks mean and moody and is certain to provide a talking point. > £5000-£6000 > 2004-2009 > 2053cc V-twin > 101bhp > 332kg In its day the mighty VN2000 had the biggest pistons of any production bike, a fact that sums up the Kawasaki’s outlook on life. Big, bold and packing a whopping 131lb·ft of torque, this is a cruiser where size certainly matters. If you want to make an impression, the VN2000 will certainly help you achieve this!
The other American one Victory Boardwalk
> £5000-£7000 > 2013-2016 > 1731cc V-twin > 89bhp > 306kg Victory may now be defunct but its bikes live on and their popularity is increasing. Targeting Harley’s Softail models, the Boardwalk uses the firm’s Freedom V-twin motor and delivers an impressive ride in a great-looking cruiser. Performance and ride quality put Harley’s equivalent to shame; it’s sad the company has now shut its doors.