|
|
 |
Beach Cruiser
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 Harley-Davidson Road King Custom
Virginia DeMoss
Summer 2004
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Adding to the style, Harley’s air-cooled, vibration-isolated, 1,450cc
Twin Cam 88 engine is powder-coated in black and sports chrome covers. With a
relatively mild compression ratio of 8.9:1, torque is actually rated at a
significant 86.0 ft lbs at a mere 3,500 rpm. That considerable power is tamed
via the excellent Harley-Davidson 5-speed transmission found on all Road King
series engines, and then transferred to the rear wheel via the quiet
running and very reliable carbon fiber belt final drive. The Custom comes
standard with a 40mm constant velocity carburetor with enrichener and
accelerator pump, but H-D’s Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) is
available as a welcome option.
|
 |
(Click to enlarge) |
|
|
|
More Pamela Anderson in Bay Watch than
Annette Funicello in Beach Blanket Bingo, the curvaceous Custom weighs in at a
voluptuous 721 pounds dry weight translating to 757 pounds with the vehicle in
running order. Wheelbase is a leisurely 63.5 inches, overall length is 93.7
inches, and—although the Road King has never suffered from handling
problems—claimed lean angles of over 30 degrees on each side should help keep
the hardware from touching down on all but the tightest of corners. For those
who like to do the geometry, rake is 26 degrees, and trail is 6.2 inches, both
of which will further enhance straight line stability while at the same time
helping turn-in on corner entry and keeping the handling pleasantly neutral.
With a rider in the saddle, seat height is an easily accessible 26.1 inches—the
lowest in the Harley family.
For the style conscious—and isn’t that what
this motorcycle is about, after all?—the smart-looking two-up seat matches the
brand-new smoothie leather-covered saddlebags that boast no visible rails or
guards. With a generous carrying capacity of 1.85 cubic feet, the bags provide
plenty of room for towels, sunblock, and other beach essentials.
Suited up in
basic Vivid Black, the newest Road King carries a suggested price tag of
$16,995. But you can further customize your Custom in Brilliant Silver Pearl,
Luxury Teal Pearl, Smokey Gold Pearl, Real Red Pearl, Luxury Blue Pearl, or Lava
Red Sunglo for an additional $250. Of course, The Motor Company offers other
custom options, including a passenger-pleasing backrest, and you can bet the
aftermarket will follow suit with a slew of products to allow you to put your
own signature on this already unique motorcycle.
With its worry-free
two-year, unlimited mileage warranty; roomy luggage; generous 5.0-gallon fuel
tank that promises a range of 185 to 230 miles; comfortable seating for two; and
a look and sound that will elicit stares, the FLHRS/I Road King Custom is
destined to be the laid-back beach cruiser of choice this summer. It may come
out of Milwaukee rather than Malibu, but this is one hang loose
Harley-Davidson. Harley-Davidson
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
