This nameplate was introduced for the 1998 model year as a more nostalgic, trim-rich Touring variant of the modern Road King formula. It kept the upright, windshield-equipped touring character of the standard Road King, but leaned harder into classic Harley-Davidson styling with a more decorative, traditional look aimed at riders who wanted big-bike comfort without the full fairing of the Electra Glide family. Harley-Davidson’s own model listings place the run from 1998 through 2019, confirming a long continuous production period before the nameplate was retired.
Over its life, the model became one of the best-known members of Harley’s air-cooled Touring lineup. It was closely associated with the brand’s retro-cruiser ethos: lots of chrome, a nostalgic profile, and a deliberately old-school presentation that set it apart from the more stripped Road King and the fully dressed touring models. The designation also appeared in both carbureted and fuel-injected forms in early documentation, reflecting Harley-Davidson’s gradual transition through that era.
By the late 1990s and 2000s, it had established itself as the classic-looking choice in the FL touring range, especially among riders who wanted traditional Harley imagery wrapped around a long-distance chassis. After the 2019 model year, Harley-Davidson discontinued the nameplate and did not revive it as a separate production line.