upgrade or replace?

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Feb 6, 2012 | 07:23 PM

Bertha's Boy

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 127

Likes: 5

From: Denver, Colorado

upgrade or replace?

I'm debating on putting a couple grand into the motor, cruise control, and a Baker direct-drive 6 speed into my 98 Road King (no more than about $8,000), or trading the Road King in and getting a newer one (probably 15000-19000 depending on how new I go)

Considering I own my Road King outright, is there any reason why I shouldn't just upgrade my current Road King for less overall money than obtaining another bike and getting all the little things put back on it?

Feb 6, 2012 | 07:31 PM

sharkey

Grand HDF Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 3,870

Likes: 499

From: Alberta

Sad to say the EVO is essentially obsolete...a fine motor, but over 30+ years old in design. I "fell in love" with my '01 FXDXT and have spent a lot of coin and really enjoy it, but I realize it's mostly a loss and it's an old bike getting older...I can live with that...but if I'm going to ride for many more years it will have to be replaced for servicablity and reliablity on the road far from home. Just my opinion.....

Feb 6, 2012 | 07:38 PM

maskedstranger

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 4,056

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From: San Antonio Texas

You might be better off putting that 8,000 and the value of your bike into a newer bike. I have a 2003 Road King, was thinking of trading it in for a newer model but decided to drop 3,000 on mine and keep it a few more years. If it was older than 10 years old, I would have probably just traded it in for a newer bike. Like Sharkey said, reliability and serviceability are important to me. I put more miles on my bike every year than I do my truck. I currently have roughly 68,000 miles on mine right now. Still runs good but I am beginning to wonder how much longer my luck is going to hang in there.

Feb 6, 2012 | 07:47 PM

HoggyMtnBreakdown

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 4,133

Likes: 125

From: Japan

If you like the way your Evo rides and you haven't had any problems with it, I'd just keep it. They're bulletproof. Obsolescence is debatable. If you don't care about keeping up with the latest bikes or being a tree hugger, there's really no reason to upgrade. Even the Twinkie is obsolete. Air cooled motors are a way outdated design, period, if you want to talk about obsolescence...

Feb 6, 2012 | 07:48 PM

panz4ever

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 7,495

Likes: 3,705

From: Santa Klaus County, Cali

Think I would stick with the evo set up (but I am partial to older iron anyway).

Plus... you own it (no payments) so any upgrades do not go to finance companies.

Plus... the Baker 6 is a very nice set up and gets nothing but good reviews.

Plus... you don't seem dissatisfied with you bike.

Plus... Evos are solid motors and and can be built to strong performers (no cam tensioners to crap out as well).

Minus...older technology, but so will the twin cam be that you buy used...it is just a question of how old a used bike you might upgrade to.

Feb 6, 2012 | 07:54 PM

fxdwg_rugby

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 910

Likes: 0

From: State of Confusion, SE PA

Stick an S&S111 in it and be done with it....$5k. You'll out last any Twinky and smoke most of them....

Feb 6, 2012 | 08:27 PM

lo-rider

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 4,990

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From: Marina del Rey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertha's Boy

A couple grand? No problem. Sure beats getting in the hole for $10k! But why are cruise control and a 6-speed so important, now? Use your head. Save your money. Thank me later.