09-19-2020, 06:02 AM
I have a nearby friend who is a collector and mechanic on antique Harleys. He and other serious old school Harley guys have told me that the Evo engine was superior to the Twin Cam that followed for various reasons. Not having ridden your friend's Road King Custom, it's hard to say if it has the "normal" vibration. There are several things that could make the usual vibration characteristics become extreme and very irritating, one of which is worn or damaged engine mounts (the engine on a 2007 is rubber-mounted in three places; not unusual for the front lower mount to fail). I am not one of the Harley "faithful", and if my experience with my first H-D in 2007 had been unsatisfactory, I would have dumped it immediately. You shouldn't find the vibration to be in any way painful or irritating once above a slow walking pace; it should be smooth and pleasant at any speed.
If your friend should find the bike to be irritating to ride, I urge him to determine whether the bike is "normal" (like, have another experienced Harley rider take it out for a ride) and make any repairs or changes needed before concluding that it's a bad bike.
(I like most motorcycles. Only brand I cannot deal with is Moto Guzzi; I've owned two and never will again. Lots of people are passionate about them; I hate them and will never own another. Maybe it's body chemistry.)
If your friend should find the bike to be irritating to ride, I urge him to determine whether the bike is "normal" (like, have another experienced Harley rider take it out for a ride) and make any repairs or changes needed before concluding that it's a bad bike.
(I like most motorcycles. Only brand I cannot deal with is Moto Guzzi; I've owned two and never will again. Lots of people are passionate about them; I hate them and will never own another. Maybe it's body chemistry.)