Harley-Davidson 1746 ROAD KING SPECIAL FLHRXS 2017 — Specifications

What drives Harley-Davidson to release three versions of the same model in a single year? In 2017, the Road King lineup fans out as a trio: the understated FLHR, the nostalgic Classic, and this FLHRXS Special, which plays a far darker tune. Where its sisters cultivate a quiet elegance, the Special projects a decidedly menacing attitude. A bagger dressed for the night, built to devour miles with a bad-boy swagger.

The styling treatment leaves no room for doubt. Harley dipped this Road King in a bath of ink. Engine guard, mirrors, turn signals, engine covers, mufflers, heat shields, fork: everything goes black. The Mini-Ape handlebar, raised and narrow, places the rider in a more aggressive stance than on the standard — arms slightly spread, torso upright. The seat, lowered to 695 mm, helps flatten the silhouette. But the most visible change concerns the wheels. Gone are the 16-inch hoops of old, replaced by 19-inch front and 18-inch rear, fitted with black Turbine rims that stretch the lines and give the nose a far sharper character. The rear is refined with specific hard saddlebags that hug the exhaust outlets. The result is cohesive, almost intimidating, without ever tipping into caricature.

Beneath that cloak of shadow beats the Milwaukee-Eight 1746 cc, the air-cooled 45-degree V-twin that replaced the venerable Twin Cam 103 that very year. Four valves per cylinder, a 10:1 compression ratio, and above all 149 Nm of torque available from just 3,250 rpm. Power settles at 89 horsepower at 5,450 rpm. On paper, that's modest next to an Indian Chieftain Dark Horse and its 95 horsepower. In practice, it's the massive low-end torque that defines this machine's temperament. Mid-range pull is decisive, the engine pushes hard between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, and the six-speed belt drive delivers it all with a smoothness the old powerplant never achieved. Harley claims a gain of over 10% in acceleration and roll-on response compared to the Twin Cam. The M8 also vibrates noticeably less, which is a game-changer on long hauls.

On the chassis side, the steel double-cradle frame handles the 372 kg wet weight without flinching, but don't expect Sportster agility. The 49 mm telehydraulic fork and twin rear emulsion shocks were revised for this generation, with noticeable improvements in ride comfort. Suspension travel remains limited — 117 mm up front, 76 mm at the rear — and that's worth keeping in mind on rough roads. Braking relies on twin 300 mm discs squeezed by four-piston calipers up front, with a single disc and two-piston caliper at the rear. Adequate for the intended use, though hardly reassuring when you pick up the pace with all that weight on your shoulders. The 22.7-liter tank allows a reasonable range between fuel stops.

This Road King Special targets a specific audience: the long-distance rider who wants Harley's touring DNA without a Street Glide's full fairing, with an extra dose of visual character. At €25,390 in 2017, it sits at the upper end of the segment, facing off against the Indian Springfield Dark Horse and the Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring. Its torque-rich V-twin, improved suspension comfort, and after-dark styling make it an endearing machine for those who accept its constraints: a weight that demands anticipation in every turn, a top speed capped at 160 km/h, and ground clearance that rules out any sporting ambitions. This is a touring machine, not a performance one. And in that role, it fulfills the brief with a certain nobility.