Introduced for the 1994 model year, this Harley-Davidson touring nameplate was created as a stripped-down, windshield-and-saddlebags bagger that deliberately echoed earlier big-twin touring motorcycles, especially the classic Electra Glide-era look. Harley-Davidson’s own history materials describe it as joining the Touring line in 1994 and note its styling roots in earlier bikes such as the 1988 FLHS Electra Glide Sport and the older Duo Glide and Electra Glide design cues. Over time, it became one of the brand’s most recognizable long-distance motorcycles, valued for combining a traditional chrome-heavy appearance with real touring practicality. The nameplate also helped define a simpler, more “old-school” alternative within Harley-Davidson’s full-dress touring family, and it later inspired derivative versions such as the Road King Classic and Road King Special. Based on Harley-Davidson’s official model listings and owner documentation, the base FLHR Road King was still present in the 2022 model-year materials but no longer appeared in the later 2025–2026 lineup, indicating the original civilian nameplate ended after 2022.
MODEL HISTORY