I have a 2008 RK with a stick 96”. I’m looking to replace the cams but honestly, I’m not so worried about the power gain (I don’t hot rod around) as I am a good sounding set of cams. I want to run the stock valve train as well. I have looked at the S&S 551 & 585’s but what else is out there to choose from that will give my bike a great noticeable idle? TIA!

 

Beautiful Road King!

 

Agree , beautiful bike!
S&s 551s are good also look at the Andrews 48, woods 222, cyclerama 570-2 to name few. All bolt in cams for your 96”
check out the fuelmoto website they have great cam comparison feature.
if I hadn’t gone with the Andrews I’d have probably gone with the 222s

 

Thanks!!! I’ve also looked at the Woods 48. Which of those cams have the choppiest idle do you think?

 

Choppy idle is caused by low intake vacuum, created by long overlap between intake and exhaust.

So look for a cam with long overlap, preferably more than 40 degrees. Such cams are typically long duration high rpm power cams that require high compression.

So most likely to will sacrifice power to get that lopey idle

 

I’d really suggest sending a msg to Jamie at Fuelmoto. Tell them what you have and what you’re looking for. Great people who have been around the block and know their stuff.
im sure many factors can influence the resulting idle sound plus it’s pretty subjective to each individual. I’m happy with my Andrews 48s but can only compare it to stock cams and SE255s. You can only expect so much from a relatively stock efi bike and you don’t want to sacrifice performance just for lopey idle…or maybe you do. Talk to Fuelmoto

 

The 48 is an andrews cam set.

SE 204 will get a nice idle sound. Also pick up some mid range power on a 96". Bolt on.

Idle rpms are set by your ECM

 

None of these have a lopey idle. The guy wants chop.
look at the wood 999-6A or 888 or SE204 or if wanting both proper performance gains and some good idle try CR575

 

The 551 is way too much of low rpm cam and dead by 4000rpm. That said I wouldn't pay too much attention to the FM dyno charts referenced either. They were done on a 103. Your 96; has less compression.
As much as I would normally say stay away from SE cams, the 204 is an exception and would work well for what you want.
The 999-6A if it were a 103 but not in a 96. That's my opinion. Take it fwiw.

 

I realize yours is a 96 ci, but I always liked the way my 06 RKC sounded with the Andrews A21 cams. I know they're not "big" cams, but they worked well in the bike and I think they sounded great. I like 'em better than the SE203s currently in my Springer.