THE NEW 2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON® ROAD KING SPECIAL
Many fans consider the Road King® as the classic Harley-Davidson® Touring model par excellence. Its silhouette is deeply rooted in the brand's history: the design dates back to the F and FL Hydra Glide® models, which were launched in 1949.
In 2017, the Motor Company is opening a new chapter in the evolution of this look: the Road King® Special takes the stage—with an even more confident character and an even darker style. She takes style elements currently found on the streets around the world and transforms them into a look that is as new as it is determined.
Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Styling & Design, explains:
„Our FL models have always stood for pure Harley-Davidson Driving and travel experience. By replacing chrome surfaces with black ones and giving the machine a particularly flat silhouette, we have set new standards in classic Road King® Styling with powerful new accents influenced by the custom excavator trend. The new Road King® Special is much more than just an attractive machine to ride; it also scores points with its powerful and unique visual presence.“
2) Highlights
With its powerful 1,745 cm3 Milwaukee-Eight™ V-Twin engine and all-black outfit, the new Road King® Special brings a breath of fresh air to the Harley-Davidson Touring series – a powerful and contemporary appearance.
The high-quality chassis components underscore the high standards of the new machine. The fork layout ensures excellent damping, and the shock absorbers feature hydraulic preload adjustment.
The Road King® Special is available in four paint schemes:
• Vivid Black
• Charcoal Denim
• Hard Candy Hot Rod Red Flake™
• Olive Gold
3) In detail
3.1 Styling
A dark front end that does without a windshield and is crowned by a glossy black headlight fairing is one of the Road King Special's striking style elements. A 9-inch (approx. 23 cm) high mini ape handlebar with a tube diameter of 1.25 inches (approx. 3.2 cm) puts the rider in a relaxed yet comfortable long-distance riding position.
Engine guards, handlebars, handlebar fittings, rearview mirrors, turn signals, engine covers, air filter covers, exhaust, and exhaust covers are among the components that have been dipped in deep black. Only a few engine components are adorned with a chrome layer: the lower section of the rocker covers, the pushrod housings, and the tappet blocks emphasize the unique V-Twin design of the Milwaukee-Eight™. Brushed aluminum surfaces adorn the ignition cover, air filter, and tank console.
The new „Turbine“ cast alloy wheels also feature a glossy black finish. A large 19-inch wheel rotates at the front, covered by a slim front fender. At the rear, the extensions of the panniers create a low-slung look without compromising the suspension travel. A cover fills the gap between the panniers and the rear fender, and the low-mounted license plate holder emphasizes the flat lines of the rear.
Of course, the new Road King® Special with the Harley-Davidson® Smart Security System, which activates and deactivates the alarm system and immobilizer fully automatically.
3.2 Engine
All 2017 Touring models feature the new Milwaukee-Eight engine unveiled in 2017, which offers improved responsiveness, torque, sound, and smoothness compared to the High Output Twin Cam™ 103, its predecessor from the 2016 model year—exactly the feeling that Harley fans expect from their engine. This engine is being used for the first time in an almost entirely black version in the new Road King® Special.
More torque
Depending on the version, the Milwaukee-Eight™ V-twin around 10 percent more torque than the engine it replaces. In addition to the increase in displacement, the Milwaukee-Eight™ has a higher compression ratio and four-valve heads, which provide around 50 percent more gas flow in the intake and exhaust areas. As with all Harley-Davidson® Big Twins Hydraulic valve clearance compensation eliminates the need for valve clearance adjustment. Dual ignition increases combustion efficiency. The chain-driven single camshaft is lighter, less mechanically complex, and generates less friction and noise than the two camshafts of the Twin Cam™ engine.
Better acceleration
Since the Milwaukee-Eight™ weighs about the same as its predecessor, the High Output Twin Cam™ 103, the additional power directly benefits performance. The Milwaukee-Eight™ 107 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 96.5 km/h) and pulls from 60 to 80 mph (96.5 to 128.8 km/h) in sixth gear around 11 percent faster than its predecessor. This translates into a two- to three-bike-length lead in the sprint from a standstill and a one- to two-bike-length lead in the last gear.
Optimized temperature management
The Milwaukee-Eight™ offers riders and passengers greater thermal comfort than the Twin Cam™ thanks to reduced heat radiation, improved heat deflection, and a newly designed exhaust system. The thermally highly stressed outlet area in the cylinder head is liquid-cooled: the outlet channel is flushed with engine oil. New knock sensors for each cylinder also allow extremely precise control of the ignition timing. The modified rear manifold routing, in conjunction with the repositioned catalytic converter, helps to protect the passenger even more effectively from waste heat. In addition, the idle speed has been reduced from around 1,000 rpm to 850 rpm.
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More InformationErgonomics and usability
A slimmer primary drive cover and a flatter air filter cover give the rider more legroom in the engine area, which is particularly noticeable when stopping. All models with the new Milwaukee-Eight™ are equipped with a hydraulically assisted „Assist and Slip“ clutch, which reduces the hand force required on the clutch lever.
Reduced vibrations
The Milwaukee-Eight™ is mounted in silent blocks and also features a balance shaft. This means that even when stationary, the new engine conveys the classic pulsation of a genuine Harley® V-Twin, while riders and passengers benefit from smoother running at higher speeds.
Even more pleasant sound
Lightweight valves, a single camshaft, an optimized engine cover layout, and various other improvements help keep mechanical noise from the powertrain to a minimum in the Milwaukee-Eight™ compared to its predecessor. The intake tract and air filter are characterized by a particularly low intake noise level at high throughput. These measures result in a significant reduction in background noise, allowing the typical exhaust sound of a genuine
Harley-Davidson® Big Twins sound better than ever while complying with all acoustic emission regulations.
Optimized charging system
The Milwaukee-Eight™ electric charging system is designed for a 50 percent increase in idle power. This means that 2017 Harley-Davidson® Touring models are ideally equipped to power additional lighting, high-performance audio systems, heated accessories, and all kinds of other electrical equipment.
3.3 Chassis
As in all 2017 Touring models, the Road King Special also features the new chassis components, which have been perfectly tuned for use in this series.
The spring base of the emulsion shock absorbers can be easily adjusted without tools using a control dial on the right shock absorber. Compared to previous models, the adjustment range has been expanded. The front wheel is guided by a telescopic fork with „Dual Bending Valve“ technology, which improves damping performance and weighs less than the previous design.
An ABS-assisted braking system with three brake discs and electronic brake force distribution is responsible for the deceleration.
Harley-Davidson Road King Special (FLHRXS)
• Displacement: 1745 cm3
• Power: 66 kW (90 hp) at 5450 rpm
• Max. torque: 150 Nm at 3250 rpm
• Recommended retail price
Germany: starting at €25,255 including transport and installation fees, 2-year warranty
Austria: starting at €29,895 including transport and installation fees, 4-year warranty
• Expected availability in Germany and Austria: March 2017
Text & image credits: Copyright Harley-Davidson
