HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC

1584cc Petrol Class 2

#1024 of 5426 overall #163 of 397 HARLEY-DAVIDSONs #197 of 465 cruiser bikes

89.8%

first-time pass rate

4.8%

failed outright

15,111

median miles at test

689

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2010–2023

The FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC's first-time pass rate has fallen 11.1 points since 2010, 90.0% to 78.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC passes first time 92.4% of the time; by 40k that's 80.6%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	11	20.8	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	10	18.9	0.6×
reg plates and vin	9	17	1.8×
lighting and signalling	8	15.1	0.2×
Identification of the vehicle	3	5.7	1.9×
suspension	3	5.7	0.4×
tyres	3	5.7	0.4×
audible warning (Horn)	2	3.8	1.6×
steering and suspension	2	3.8	0.1×
structure and attachments	2	3.8	0.4×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF, HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC, HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C).

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTF 88.9% pass · 30.1k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC 89.4% pass · 23.7k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL1200C 88.4% pass · 15.7k tests HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWG 88.7% pass · 14.6k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 2007 (90.2% pass). Weakest: 2006 (88.7%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC reliable?

The HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC is more reliable than average for its class: 89.8% of its 689 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1024 of 5426 models.

What does a FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 21% of all defects recorded against failed FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC tests.

What is the best year of FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (90.2%) and 2006 worst (88.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC last?

The median FLHRC ROAD KING CLASSIC shows 15,111 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 80.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.