Need advice/opinions
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
What's to think about? Heritage. Most versatile of all of them. Makes a nice cruiser and 2up isn't bad yet it gets around in tighter places around town way better than the others and makes a killer bar hopper hotrodding around town. Can never go wrong with a Heritage. Everything you ever wanted in a Harley in 1 bike.
An evo would be nice but not in that bike.
An evo would be nice but not in that bike.
Last edited by 60Gunner; Apr 21, 2021 at 01:12 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 806
Likes: 1,141
From: West Texas
Coming off a Sporty and metric bikes, the Heritage will probably surprise you the first time you lean into a corner. They don't have a whole lot of lean angle. I drag the footboards on my Fat Boys pretty regular. Another strike against it is that the rear suspension isn't known for being great, and riding 2 up your wife probably won't enjoy it as much as one of the touring bikes. On the up side, it is a lighter bike with a lower seat height.
Hopefully you are mechanically inclined and don't mind working on your bikes a little. Any of the older bikes will likely take some work. The service manuals can be found on E-Bay and they really are not difficult to work on for the most part.
All the Twin Cams you have listed will have the same weak cam chain tensioners. Not the end of the world, but read up on their issues before you decide anything. 2002 and earlier have the stronger bottom end. If the Road King Police bike is not a actual former police department bike it is the one I would personally be the most interested in. As previously noted, if it has fuel injection pass on it. The 98 E-Glide would be something I would be interested in too. I love the EVOs. Honestly, you would probably do fine with any of them as long as they are in decent shape.
If your budget is tight factor in things like the age of the tires and battery before you make the deal.
Hopefully you are mechanically inclined and don't mind working on your bikes a little. Any of the older bikes will likely take some work. The service manuals can be found on E-Bay and they really are not difficult to work on for the most part.
All the Twin Cams you have listed will have the same weak cam chain tensioners. Not the end of the world, but read up on their issues before you decide anything. 2002 and earlier have the stronger bottom end. If the Road King Police bike is not a actual former police department bike it is the one I would personally be the most interested in. As previously noted, if it has fuel injection pass on it. The 98 E-Glide would be something I would be interested in too. I love the EVOs. Honestly, you would probably do fine with any of them as long as they are in decent shape.
If your budget is tight factor in things like the age of the tires and battery before you make the deal.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,388
Likes: 3,357
From: usa
I know this isn’t one of the choices , but I would like you to look a bikes that are at least 2007 . This way your get in to a Second generation twin cam 96ci with a six speed transmission . And a good many of the bug ironed out of the first gen motor .
But if you are a good mechanic and like to work on your bikes I like to Heritage . So take your time be patient and you’ll find the right bike .
But if you are a good mechanic and like to work on your bikes I like to Heritage . So take your time be patient and you’ll find the right bike .
Last edited by Iron lHorse; Apr 21, 2021 at 08:14 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Check if the cam chain tensioners have been upgraded. Who did the maintenance? A lot of times a bike can look good to you, but not to an experienced mechanic. Brake calipers, motor mounts, fuel connect, stator, shift shaft seal, bottom gasket, are all repairs I have had on my '03 Ultra Classic (52k miles) which I love. The main advantage of a newer bike is a six speed transmission which is nice if you ride over 70 a lot.
I would vote for the '04 Road King in your situation. What's the mileage?
I would vote for the '04 Road King in your situation. What's the mileage?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 356
Likes: 83
From: Plant City FL
Go for the 04 Road King. I had an 06 and it was a great bike. I had true duals, VH mufflers and a power vision tuner. Plenty of power. Only downside may be the 5 gallon tank if you go on a long ride with newer bikes.
Good luck either way.
Good luck either way.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 5,890
From: Syracuse NY
This is your answer brother. Happy wife, happy life.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 5
From: New York
1998
Is the Evo electra glide fuel injected. They made carb and fi bikes in those years. If injected it is Marelli injected and parts and knowledge on that system isn't easy to come by these days.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 444
From: South Florida
Dyna or softail? 2007 or newer. You'll want that 6th gear.
Touring bike. 2009 or newer. All around better frame.
To get in on any of those probably means another 2K in the budget. But IMO, it's worth it. The 6 speed, The way better handling of the frame. I rode an 03 RKC for 7 years. It was a good bike. But anything 09 or newer is simply that much better. The 96 motor likes to rev. It's a pretty good lump.
I'd avoid Evos. They are killer bikes, but they also have their share of issues. Rocker Boxes. Base gaskets. Inner Primary seals. Plus, they're getting older, so unless you have another ride, or like to wrench, you probably won't be as happy as you would on a Twin Cam.
FOr an all around bike, the Road King is hard to beat. But, it's a touring bike. Not the same as riding a Dyna, or a softail. But if I were you, before dropping any coin on any of the older rides, go ride the new ones. Check out the Electra Glide Standard or the new Road King. Ride the new softails. Then ride an earlier one. In fact, ride as many as you can before you make up your mind. It all depends on what kind of riding you mostly want to do, and also, what kind of budget you have. Not just for the bike. For repairs, and other things that may pop up.
I would even suggest you try the newer Sportys out. You can pick up an earlier Sportster model with the fat front tire, like a 12-14 Custom, with a bigger tank, for not too much bread, and, they are way improved with the new rubber mounts.
But any bike you get is better than no bike at all. Although, a 15-20 ears old bike is probably going to have some things that need done no matter what, and you should factor that into the actual price before making a decision.
Touring bike. 2009 or newer. All around better frame.
To get in on any of those probably means another 2K in the budget. But IMO, it's worth it. The 6 speed, The way better handling of the frame. I rode an 03 RKC for 7 years. It was a good bike. But anything 09 or newer is simply that much better. The 96 motor likes to rev. It's a pretty good lump.
I'd avoid Evos. They are killer bikes, but they also have their share of issues. Rocker Boxes. Base gaskets. Inner Primary seals. Plus, they're getting older, so unless you have another ride, or like to wrench, you probably won't be as happy as you would on a Twin Cam.
FOr an all around bike, the Road King is hard to beat. But, it's a touring bike. Not the same as riding a Dyna, or a softail. But if I were you, before dropping any coin on any of the older rides, go ride the new ones. Check out the Electra Glide Standard or the new Road King. Ride the new softails. Then ride an earlier one. In fact, ride as many as you can before you make up your mind. It all depends on what kind of riding you mostly want to do, and also, what kind of budget you have. Not just for the bike. For repairs, and other things that may pop up.
I would even suggest you try the newer Sportys out. You can pick up an earlier Sportster model with the fat front tire, like a 12-14 Custom, with a bigger tank, for not too much bread, and, they are way improved with the new rubber mounts.
But any bike you get is better than no bike at all. Although, a 15-20 ears old bike is probably going to have some things that need done no matter what, and you should factor that into the actual price before making a decision.