I have been looking for a RoadKing Classic for about 6 months now. Tomorrow, I am looking at an '07,mint condition, only 5K miles, and 12 grand, which I think is a really good buy. It is a private sale. I specifically wanted an '07, because I don't like the "throttle-by-wire" in the new ones, and '07 is the only year that has the 96" motor,6-speed tranny, but NO throttle-by-wire. I have heard bad things, however, about the '07's--heard they have tranny bearing problems & heat issues. Anybody out there have any experience with these bikes?

 

dickey I think you are a smart and lucky man I love my 07 RKC
and I have 30k on it with no major problems with any of it.
Well i had a few costley problems with it 1 It didn't look like a
RK Custom 2 I wanted not needed more torque 3 I wanted both
pipes to come out on the same side and last I wanted cast wheels

 

It was the 06 with the transmission main bearing trouble. The fifth gear in the 07's through 08's was a straight cut like the 6th gear. The bagger boys claimed they could hear it whine. They whined enough that HD put a helical cut fifth gear in 09.

There was no problem with the Dyna's and Softails as without a fairing or big windshield they could not hear any whine.

My 07 FXSTC sounds great and I have never heard the alleged whine. But then for some reason I don't stay there long and shift into 6th. Some of the bagger boys ran fifth gear under 80 mph. There has not been any major issues with the TC96 that I am aware of.

That is a great price for the bike as described. Jump on it and run.

 

Don't hesitate. I have a '07 RK and I have put over 30,000 on it with no issues. It's had a Power Commander on it since 13 miles, and that does away with the heat issues. Yeah, 5th gear makes that whining sound, and sometimes I wish it was geared lower, but I guess that's the only kinda negative thing I can say. I'm with you, I'm oldschool and have a silly belief that my twist grip should be connected to my throttle plate by a good old cable. However, I know guys with the new cable less FI, and they say it isn't an issue. That's cool.

Anyway, my '07 is the best bike I've ever owned. You'll be happy with it.

 

I love mine. Its still stock with 18K. It does get hot as far as heatin up the thighs in stop and go. One other thing about 08 and up was the mileage got quite a bit better.

 

Inspect the bike after it has been ridden for at least 30 minutes so the trans is heated up and then ride it and see if you hear 5th gear whine. Some of the 07 baggers had a "box of rocks" trans noise as well. So, be overly cautious.

 

Good luck, be sure to post pics when you pick it up

 

We picked up a cherry 1385 mile 07 RKC for the wife last summer. 5th gear whine went away when I put a good multi syn in the tranny. I did replace rear tire at 6500 miles due to cupping (tire bad, not bike) and added the IDS like my 08 has. She saw the Phoenix news "death wobble" broadcast so for her piece of mind I added the Progressive Link.

Took it for a shakedown 100 mile cruise through steep mountain sweepers, hard twisties through Oatman, AZ in the Black mountain range and opened up to 90 mph for 5 miles or so on a flat long section of Rt 66 on the way home. It performed flawlessly through all. IMO sounds like a deal, wouldn't hesitate to buy another 07.

 

Get it!! My 07 has 32k on it and have had no troubles worth reporting. The heat issue has probably already been fixed on an 07 by now I would think. When we gonna ride?

 

I have an '07 classic also. Mine has the SERT stage 1 and is running a 13.4-13.7 AFR most of the time. Dyno tuned. SE Touring mufflers. I have had one leaking seal, the inner primary. I fixed it myself sitting on the basment floor. $4.65 seal. The gaskets and bolts were the big cost. All together $125. The bike runs perfect. I have been very pleased with the bike. $12K for the bike you are looking at is a deal. I have never had a wobble, but then I don't take curves at 80+. I have hit bumps at 65 on an off ramp and the bike tracked perfect with no trace of wobble.