+ Add a photo

Touring Motorcycles

2012Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King

Rate this bike

43 fields on record

The 2012 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King is a cruiser designed for riders seeking classic American styling with modern touring capability. Known for its iconic low-slung silhouette, comfortable two-up seating, and legendary V-twin engine, it excels as both a weekend cruiser and long-distance tourer. Its six-speed transmission and electronic instrumentation balance traditional Harley character with contemporary convenience.

Capacity: 1688.0 ccm
Engine: V-Twin, four-stroke
Gearbox: 6-speed
Dry weight: 351.5 kg
Seat height: 673 mm
Power: 86.0 HP (63.3 kW)

⇄ Compare with another bike ＋ Add to garage All model years ⚠ Recalls listed (1)

What’s new for the 2012 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King

vs the 2011

Spec	2011	2012
Engine capacity	1584.0 ccm (96.66 cubic inches)	1688.0 ccm (103.01 cubic inches)
Power	75.0 HP (55.2 kW)	86.0 HP (63.3 kW)
Torque	126.0 Nm (12.8 kgf-m or 92.9 ft.lbs) @ 3500 RPM	135.6 Nm (13.8 kgf-m or 100.0 ft.lbs) @ 3250 RPM
Wet weight	351.5 kg (774.9 pounds)	368.3 kg (812.0 pounds)
Seat height	693 mm (27.3 inches)	673 mm (26.5 inches)
Front suspension	41.3mm telescopic	41.3 mm telescopic
Rear suspension	Air-adjustable	Air-adjustable shocks. Mild steel; two-piece drawn and welded section; forged junctions; MIG welded swingarm.
Front brakes	Double disc. 4-piston fixed caliper	Double disc. 4-piston calipers. Optional ABS.
Rear brakes	Single disc. 4-piston fixed caliper	Single disc. 4-piston caliper. Optional ABS.
Compression	9.2:1	9.6:1

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 673mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with both feet flat on the 2012 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King, with a cramped knee angle of around 75 degrees and a slightly forward 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 750 mm or under — Short Kings →

Find bikes that fit your height →

Range and running costs

Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to us

Units

Currency

Fuel per litre

Riding a year

Based on the maker's published fuel consumption and tank size. Real-world figures depend on how and where you ride, and the last litres of a tank are reserve. Prices shown greyed are examples - type your own.

Full specifications

Engine

Capacity: 1688.0 ccm
Power: 86.0 HP (63.3 kW)
CO2 Emissions: 130 CO2 g/km
Torque: 135.6 Nm (13.8 kgf-m) @ 3250 RPM
Engine type: V-Twin, four-stroke
Fuel consumption: 5.60 litres/100 km (17.9 km/l)
Power/weight ratio: 0.2447 HP/kg (dry)
Bore x stroke: 95.3 x 111.3 mm
Compression: 9.6:1
Cooling system: Air
Fuel system: Injection
Starting: Electric
Valves per cylinder: 2
Lubrication system: Pressurized, dry-sump with oil cooler

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: 2413 mm
Seat height: 673 mm
Dry weight: 351.5 kg
Wet weight: 368.3 kg
Fuel capacity: 22.70 litres
Ground clearance: 130 mm
Oil capacity: 3.80 litres

Chassis & suspension

Frame: Mild steel; tubular frame; two-piece stamped and welded backbone; cast and forged junctions; twin downtubes; bolt-on rear frame with forged fender supports; MIG welded
Front suspension: 41.3 mm telescopic
Rear suspension: Air-adjustable shocks. Mild steel; two-piece drawn and welded section; forged junctions; MIG welded swingarm.
Front wheel travel: 117 mm
Rear wheel travel: 76 mm
Rake (fork angle): 26.0°
Trail: 170 mm

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Double disc. 4-piston calipers. Optional ABS.
Front brakes diameter: 300 mm
Rear brakes: Single disc. 4-piston caliper. Optional ABS.
Rear brakes diameter: 300 mm
ABS: Optional
Front tyre: 130/80-NW17
Rear tyre: 180/65-NW16

Other

Color options: Vivid Black, Big Blue Pearl, Midnight Pearl, Ember Red Sunglo/Merlot Sunglo
Warranty: 24

Specs last verified against published sources: October 2026.

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	2009	2010	2012
Capacity	1499 cc	1584 cc	1584 cc	1584 cc	1688 cc
Dry weight	345 kg	334 kg	349 kg	349 kg	352 kg
Seat height	692 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

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

Safety Recalls

⚠ 1 recall may apply

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCHOct 2011 · 11V506000

HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 TOURING, CVO TOURING AND TRIKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Risk: THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

These recalls cover some 2012 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 →