The 2017 Harley-Davidson Road King Special motorcycle pushes the touring line in a dramatic new styling direction. Black colour replaces the chrome surafces, expressing a contemporary perspective on the classic Road King model.
Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice-President of Styling and Design, said, “The Road King Special pounds down the boulevard like a gleaming locomotive rolling through a train yard at midnight. The Road King has always reflected the purity of the Harley-Davidson FL riding experience. By exchanging chrome surfaces for black and lowering the bike’s profile, we’ve moved the traditional Road King into a new space that’s very current in the custom bagger scene”
The front end gets a massive gloss-black headlamp nacelle which is the signature styling element of the 2017 Harley-Davidson Road King Special. A new 9-inch-tall, 1.25-inch-diameter mini-ape handlebar puts the rider in an aggressive posture on the bike and is also comfortable for long runs on the highways.
“Chrome was retained only on some key engine components. The lower rocker boxes, pushrod tubes and tappet blocks are finished with chrome to emphasise the V-Twin shape of the Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine. We added a new engine-turned air cleaner insert, a finish that’s also featured on the tank console,” said Harley-Davidson Designer- Stylist Dais Nagao.
The engine guard, engine covers, air cleaner cover, handlebar, hand controls, mirrors, turn signals, mufflers and exhaust shields also get all blacked-out styling. The motorcycle runs on 19-inch turbine wheels in front and 18 inches in the rear. Both wheels get a gloss black finish for aggressive looks.
The stretched saddlebags flowing over the mufflers provide a low-slung appearance to the Harley-Davidson Road King Special. There is no reduction in suspension travel even with the low look. A rear fascia panel with custom lighting and low-mounted license plate between the saddlebags and rear fender gets a stripped down and minimal look to show off the tight, low lines of the rear end. The Road King Special features blacked-out 2-1-2 dual exhaust system with tapered mufflers for a sleek look.
The Harley-Davidson Road King Special model is offered in four colour options: Vivid Black, Charcoal Denim, Hot Rod Red Flake Hard Candy Custom, and Olive Gold.
The new Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine powers the 2017 Harley-Davidson Road King Special . It offers quicker throttle response, more passing power and a purer sound with a smoother ride. The Road King Special is also the first model to feature the Milwaukee-Eight engine in an all-black finish.
The new engine produces 10 percent more torque than the engine it replaces. In addition to increased displacement, the Milwaukee-Eight engine also features a higher compression ratio and four-valve cylinder heads with 50 percent more intake and exhaust flow capacity.
Furthermore, the design of the rocker arms allows valve lash to be set at the factory for life. More efficient combustion is possible with the use of dual spark plugs for each cylinder. In addition, the engine uses a single chain-driven camshaft which is lighter, mechanically less complex and creates less friction and noise.
The new engine also weighs the same as the engines it replaces, therefore directly improves acceleration performance. The Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine accelerates 11 percent quicker compared to the Twin Cam High Output 103.
The Milwaukee-Eight engine offers improved thermal comfort due to reduced heat absorption, increased heat rejection and a new exhaust system. To move heat away from the passenger, the rear exhaust pipe is repositioned and the exhaust catalyst is also relocated. Moreover, the idle speed is reduced from 1,000 rpm to 850 rpm. The rubber mounted engine features a single internal counter balancer that cancels 75 percent of primary vibration at idle.
The new slimmer drive cover and the low-profile shape of the air cleaner cover improve rider legroom. The engine comes with an assist and slip clutch with better hydraulic actuation and 7 percent less clutch lever effort.
A 6-Speed Cruise Drive Transmission provides smooth, quiet shifting and also reduces engine speed on the highway. The Isolated Drive System makes acceleration flow in a smooth, steady manner. The new Milwaukee-Eight engine is also mechanically quieter and has a richer exhaust tone. It also meets all global noise and emissions standards while allowing the unmistakable rumble associated with Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The new charging system delivers 50 percent more output to the battery at idle so as to support the power demands of touring riders which include the use of additional lighting, audio system, heated gear and other accessories.
The Road King Special models now come with an all-new front and rear suspension for more control and handling. New rear emulsion shocks, adjust with the turn of a single knob and thus require no tools. The front suspension features new double-bending valve suspension.
Reflex linked Brembo brakes together with ABS and the Harley-Davidson Smart Security System are standard equipment on the Road King Special. The touring motorcycle also boasts of a darkness-defying 986 lumens headlamp that ensures maximum visibility even in the darkest of nights.
2017 Harley-Davidson Road King Special – Image Gallery
2017 Harley-Davidson Road King Special Dimensions:
Length: 2420 mm
Seat Height: 695 mm
Ground Clearance: 125 mm
Wheelbase: 1625 mm
Weight: 355 kg
Luggage Capacity: 70 litres
2017 Harley-Davidson Road King Special Engine Specifications:
Engine: Milwaukee-Eight 107
Bore: 100 mm
Stroke: 111.1 mm
Displacement: 1745 cc (107 cu in)
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Fuel System: Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
2017 Harley-Davidson Road King Special Wheels and tyres:
Front Wheels: 19-inch Turbine Cast Aluminium in Black Finish
Front Tyres: 130/60B19 61H
Rear Wheels: 18-inch Turbine Cast Aluminium in Black Finish
Rear Tyres: 180/55B18 80H
