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Touring Motorcycles

2008Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King

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The 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King is a heavyweight cruiser touring motorcycle designed for riders seeking classic style with practical long-distance capability. Its 1573cc air-cooled V-twin engine delivers strong low-end torque ideal for highway cruising, while the 6-speed transmission and comfortable ergonomics make it well-suited for extended touring adventures.

Capacity: 1573.3 ccm
Engine: V-Twin, four-stroke
Gearbox: 6-speed
Dry weight: 335.7 kg
Seat height: 759 mm
Power: 75.0 HP (55.2 kW)

⇄ Compare with another bike All model years ⚠ Recalls listed (2)

What’s new for the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King

vs the 2007

Spec	2007	2008
Wet weight	348.8 kg (769.0 pounds)	352.4 kg (776.9 pounds)
Fuel capacity	18.90 litres (4.99 US gallons)	22.70 litres (6.00 US gallons)
Front suspension	41.3mm telescopic fork	not listed
Rear suspension	Air-adjustable	not listed
Front brakes	Double disc	Single disc. Bremo. 4-piston calipers
Rear brakes	Single disc	Single disc. Bremo. 4-piston calipers

Other years 2000 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail3%

Cornering40%

City riding35%

Daily riding60%

Touring92%

Two-up90%

Track5%

Best for: Classic American highway touring and relaxed cruising, with removable windshield and hard bags for long-haul two-up travel.
Built for: Big-torque Twin Cam 103 V-twin that lopes down the highway with effortless roll-on, chrome charm and stately, unhurried presence.
Not ideal for: Not for off-road, track days, tight-city darting or riders seeking nimble sporty handling and quick lean-angle cornering.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Will it fit you?

Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to us

Your height

Inseam (optional)

Units

At 759mm, a rider of 175cm with a 79cm (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with both feet flat on the 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King, with a cramped knee angle of around 85 degrees and an upright riding position.

Assumes about 30mm of suspension sag once seated. This is an approximation from category-typical geometry, not a measurement of this bike or of you - sit on one before you buy.

More bikes at 751-820 mm — Middle Ground →

Find bikes that fit your height →

Full specifications

Engine

Capacity: 1573.3 ccm
Power: 75.0 HP (55.2 kW)
Torque: 125.6 Nm (12.8 kgf-m)
Engine type: V-Twin, four-stroke
Power/weight ratio: 0.2234 HP/kg (dry)
Bore x stroke: 95.3 x 111.3 mm
Compression: 9.2:1
Cooling system: Air
Fuel system: Injection
Starting: Electric

Transmission

Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type: Manual
Final drive: Belt
Clutch: Multi-plate with diaphragm spring in oil bath

Dimensions & weight

Wheelbase: 1613 mm
Overall length: 2380 mm
Seat height: 759 mm
Dry weight: 335.7 kg
Wet weight: 352.4 kg
Fuel capacity: 22.70 litres
Ground clearance: 130 mm

Chassis & suspension

Rake (fork angle): 26.0°
Trail: 157 mm

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Single disc. Bremo. 4-piston calipers
Rear brakes: Single disc. Bremo. 4-piston calipers
Front tyre: 120/70-ZR19
Rear tyre: 240/40-R18

Other

Color options: Vivid Black, Black Pearl, White Gold Pearl, Dark Blue Pearl (New), Crimson Red Sunglo (New), Two-Tone Suede Blue Pearl/Vivid Black, Two-Tone White Gold Pearl/Pewter Pearl (New), Two-Tone Crimson Red Sunglo/Candy Red Sunglo, Two-Tone Olive Pearl/Vivid Blac

Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

What changed, year to year

Differences highlighted

Specification	2000	2007	2008	2009	2010	2012
Capacity	1499 cc	1584 cc	1573 cc	1584 cc	1584 cc	1688 cc
Dry weight	345 kg	334 kg	336 kg	349 kg	349 kg	352 kg
Seat height	692 mm	759 mm	759 mm	673 mm	693 mm	673 mm
Fuel capacity	18.9 L	18.9 L	22.7 L	22.7 L	22.7 L	22.7 L

Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.

Safety Recalls

⚠ 2 recalls may apply

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUIDJan 2018 · 18V076000

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all 2008-2011 Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), including Road King (FLHR), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHP), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHPE), Electra Glide Standard Police (EFI) (FLHTP), Electra Glide Classic (EFI) (FLHTC), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (EFI) (FLHTCU) and Street Glide (EFI) (FLHX), 2008 VROD (VRSCAWA), CVO Road King 4 (FLHRSE4), Night Rod (VRSCDA), CVO Ultra Classic 3 (FLHTCUSE3), Night Rod Special (VRSCDXA), 2008-2010 Road King Classic (EFI) (FLHRC), 2008-2009 Road Glide (EFI) (FLTR) and Electra Glide Standard (EFI) (FLHT), 2009-2010 V-Rod (VRSCAW), 2009 CVO Ultra Classic (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owners Manual.

Risk: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAPJul 2008 · 08V357000

HARLEY DAVIDSON IS RECALLING 47,579 MY 2008 FLHP, FLHPE, FLHR, FLHRC, FLHRSE4, FLHT, FLHTC, FLHTCU, FLHTCUSE3, FLHTP, FLHX, AND FLTR MOTORCYCLES. THESE MOTORCYCLES MAY EXPERIENCE A CRACKING OF THE FUEL FILTER SHELL LEADING TO LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE. THIS LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE CAN CAUSE DIMINISHED PERFORMANCE AND, IN SOME CASES, MAY CAUSE AN ENGINE STALL OR A NO-START CONDITION.

Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER SHELL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

These recalls cover some 2008 bikes of this model. Whether one applies to a specific bike, and whether the repair has already been done, depends on its VIN — check your VIN with NHTSA or ask a dealer.

Source: NHTSA. View all Harley-Davidson recalls →