Hi all, I am about to buy my first Harley (2nd hand) (been solely Ducati loyal for the past 37 yrs) and I’d love to hear any pros and cons you guys might know of to help me decide between a Road King or a Softail. I rented a Road King when I was in the US a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it but test road a Softail Deluxe on the weekend and was pretty damn impressed with that too! I don’t intend on doing a great deal of touring but I want a real fat, comfy ride.

Had both models over time, Deluxe to a lot lower to the ground and tends to scrape regularly, road king has stood the test of time, buy both ? you wont be disappointed which ever way you go.

Welcome to the forum.

I am lucky to have one of each in the shed mate, but as Mickle said above, the RoadKing will out handle, out carry, any Softail Delux.

The new 2018 model Delux's are a lot better in the handling department, but as you stated you were looking for a used model, go the RoadKing, and make sure it is no older than a 09 model, as that year model was a huge update to the frame and running gear.

Good luck with you choice, and welcome to the forum

welcome, if your not doing any long distance, I would take the softail as I would expect it to be a bit lighter. it's not the bike but the rider that makes a bike go faster in corners. also softail have the counter balancers so the motor should last longer.

I’ve had both,well still got a Road King, and I found it head and shoulders better than my 15 Deluxe......handles better, carries better, much more comfortable for me too. Both are nice but the Kings rule!

Roadie, and welcome to the forum

Road King by a mile...............but it has to be a RED one!

Road King , much better handling . Big upgrade to frame in '09 .

Had a (red) 2010 Road King after having a softail. Way better bike all round. And yes make sure you go post 09.

If your old the roadking would be a good choice 

Buy the one that adds the most carbonation to your gentleman's relish.

Thanks all so much, I am happy with the overwhelming lean to a Road King, it's definitely the model for me. Now I just have to find the right one. Thanks too for the warm welcome to the forum, I'm sure I'll have more numby questions as time goes on. BTW, I'm 51 and it don't feel old!

If your a serious rider the choice is as stated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibrC5cAPZT4   3 good softails

Lol, yep I’m hearin ya

I once saw chriso grin when riding. It turns out he was just letting a bit of gas out 

Haha gold 

Nuf said lol......

B.I.L has the heritage soft tail. It's a dream to ride and you can easily remove screens, leather bags etc for the cut down look. Being a soft tail, I think it has the counter balanced engine so it's smooth. Exhausts generally out one side
The RK has the hard bags which I do like and is closer to a Tourer but I think it has the "rougher" engine. You can also strip that down. Dual exhausts look and sound a treat. Good luck in your decision. Its a good one to have to make