Traded up my 1997 EVO FLHR for a 2005 Road Glide Ultra. Missing the Road King, and now looking to go back to one, bearing in mind the growing pains with the TC88.

 

95 to 98 EVO Road King
09 and up Road King
Skip the years in between...

 

04 is a good year, very few problems and great looks. If the other guty paided for upgrades thats a plus.

 

There is no "best" year for the Road King, because they were/are all equally outstanding. Still the best pure nostalgia bike in the line up bar none and the most pleasing to the eye.
Harley may make others that fit your needs better but everyone remembers and loves their first Road King.
They don't call them Road KINGS for nothin. BTW I rode my buddies '14 Road King the ohter day...it is awesome! I ride an Ultra because I know I will start missing the radio after the first hundred miles. (A man has to know his limitations)

 

i just bought my 2nd FXSTBI, 2005, but driven today a RK(CI) 2005, I might change to it

 

I would agree that there are no best years for the Road King. They are just different animals with different features. They are a tinkerer's dream bike as well. I am having so much fun riding and gradually building my dream bike from the bare bones stock '07 FLHP I bought 5 years ago, that I never have the urge to buy a newer one, and doubt I ever will, as long as the "take off" parts market stays as it has been. Just about every one of my upgrades were done using someone's takeoffs. This bike is pulling ahead as my favorite and most enjoyable of the 16 bikes I've owned over the years.

 

1999 with Andrews cams, also the crank was a better type being forged, less likely to slip round the conrods under heavy acceleration.
Its like most things in life, yes Harley have made improvements over the years in areas that may or may not change our views on the latest bike, but that's what selling is all about!

 

Nice Bike, what is the make of the single seat?

 

Thankyou. That is the stock HD police solo seat that came with the bike when new. I use a Utopia backrest with it on longer rides. Very comfortable.

 

I'd say 2009... 96" motor, new touring frame and no catalytic converter in the head pipes...