16 or 18 I would skip 17

 

Thanks for clearing that up. I feel a little better.

Get the new but get it in the color you want. ( you meaning your wife ) The dealers know well ahead exactly what's coming in the next few months. Look at the color choices on line and ask if they have the one you want coming soon. I knew exactly what I wanted for my first bike and they had one coming so I put a deposit on it. Waited 6 weeks but got exactly what I wanted.

Again...Good luck!!!

Either way, you can't go wrong with the Road King. Awesome bikes regardless of the year or mileage.

 

While they may look the same there's substantial differences between the 16 and the 17 RK's , hell the heat issue alone would put me off a twin cam motor you won't believe how much cooler the M8 engine runs and the counterbalancing is awesome rides seriously smooth at cruising speeds. No comparisons between them there, on the 17's primary's narrower by almost 2 inch's, it's sits better you feel more planted and not as bow legged at stop lights, suspensions been redone and the air shocks are gone. You don't have to get ABS or that damned FOB those are optional add ons.

Performance wise the M8's a tractor bone stock, torque right off the line and keeps pulling till redline, engines quiet I've had none of the upper end rattling my twinkie buddies live with. There's a number of other improvements and changes that put the 17 ahead but those I listed you notice immediately. Can't be happier with mine and I'm a picky bastard when it comes to spending money and the mechanicals of my machines, 17 Rk is a worthy machine.

 

2014 RoadKing here,have never had any kind of heat issues, she's smooth as silk at speed,also never felt bow legged when stopped. But if I had my choice I'd go with the 17.
Good luck deciding, you'll enjoy either bike.

 

to me its a no brainer get the 17 and because you have 2 months of lousy weather [just like me ]before you ride get the color and options you want ...........M8 and ABS is a must if your dropping new bike money.

 

Well I did it. I ordered the 2017 Road King. When the Mrs. saw a video about the new engines and how much cooler they ran, she was sold. They have to get one built with ABS and security. I will probably get it in March. Hopefully I will get to ride it then too. Just need all the snow to melt.

 

You won't regret it , I like mine more everytime I ride it and I'm the guy who you couldn't give a twin cam too.

 

congratulations
that m8 is the real deal

 

I'd say you made the right choice I purchased my 17 Road King in October and love the bike. The only problem is that I live just to the north of you and the winters are to long in Manitoba.