Tough call......and in all honesty I have zero experience with either bike......just older Road Kings. I went through something similar a couple of years ago. I tried a 2011 FatBoy and REALLY liked it. Money was a bit of an issue so I help off for a bit. They then got a 2003 in with everything I wanted on it already, older motor and it was carbed.......and $4500 less. I took it for a ride, went back and bought it. Love the bike, love the older 88 (other than the tensioners) and will probably always hold onto it when I eventually upgrade to a RK in a few years.
I always go with my gut. If you get on it, it fits you, you love the way it handles then go with whichever one does that for you. You can CERTAINLY get them to drop the price on that 2014 however. $14 - 14,500 sounds about right.

 

Both great bikes and btw - have a silver 17 rk and LOVE the color! The heat never really bothered me on the 103. Knowing you are going RK you obviously have great taste so trust you gut!

 

I like the idea of the used and saving money, but I don't know that price was too close to the new price. Unless you can get them down under $15k, go new.


If you are leery of riding an Ultra around town, not sure how you are going to ride a RK 2-up. BTW, mine rarely leaves town, and it is fine to ride in town. And the women love the tour pack to carry all their stuff

 

I've had my 2015 RK for two years now and whether in town or on the highway; heat has not been an issue. Mind you, when I got it, I put a cat-free head pipe and tuned exhaust; stage 1 a/c; PCV and got it tuned at Fuel Moto. That's the key to riding cooler and with a lot more snap. If you can get them to come down on the 2014 to anywhere under 15k; jump at it. The M8 is not a proven motor yet (not trying to fear monger); while the 103 has proven itself time and time again. JMHO for whatever its worth.

 

I ride a 2011 RKC (stage 1 103) in similar climate and riding areas to yours in NC. Heat has NEVER been a problem for me except when I was in Florida for Daytona Bike Week and I got stuck on I-95 when they shut it down for a truck accident. When you are moving, heat is never an issue. I did NOT gut my cat and see no reason to do so. I have Captain Itch crotch cooler on the bike in the summer that keeps the heat from the rear jug off my inner thigh but again that's only a problem if you are sitting in stop and go traffic.

When my wife and I were in Texas visiting our son, we rented a 2017 Road King with the M8. There is no doubt that the engine is noticeably more powerful. I wasn't a big fan of the clutch, which I thought was stiff, but I got used to it. We're not heavy by Harley rider standards (I'm about 225 and my wife is a buck ten) but the suspension bottomed out a couple times in the Hill Country which the air shocks on my 2011 never do. I mentioned it to the dealer when I returned the bike, suggested the preload should be different for 2 up and he said it was set up for 2 up. So if that's the new suspension, I'm not a fan.

I wondered if riding the M8 was going to make me discontent with my 103 and put me in the market for a new bike. It didn't. I came home and am perfectly happy with the 103. I went on a weeklong tour shortly after I got back from Texas and, as always, had no complaints about my 103.

Bottom line, if I were in your shoes and the price differential wasn't an issue, I'd go for the 2017. But there is no reason that you won't love the 2014 with the 103.

 

Two similar but different animals. The 103 in that vintage is pretty proven. No hydraulic clutch issues, motor has the HO cam in it so it's a decent runner. The 17's you have the new motor, suspension and rules on what you can and cannot modify motor/exhaust wise. The price on the 14 is high though. They should be able to move a bit on the price.

 

Git the newer one. I got my 07 new back in 07 and I haven't found A bike that I like better Yet, however in 2023 I am going to buy a brand new Dyna no matter what, but I will probably keep my 07 Road King as well

 

Your dilemma isn't which bike to get. Your dilemma is the choices you're making with flawwed logic.
The Ultra & RK are the same bike, except one has more garbage on it.
Another is "riding to your favorite watering hole."
Think that's a sound strategy?
With a passenger?

If you don't have the skillset to ride a "beastly" ultra, then you don't have them for the RK either, especially 2-up.
So, what to do?
Since you say you've ridden during the last 4 years, then take an IRC ( Intermediate Rider Course.) This will help you identify bad habits to work on. Hopefully, it'll put your priorities in order too.
Get a smaller bike to achieve these goals.
If you teally want to impress your riding buddies, take an ARC ( Advanced Rider Course)

 

I have a 14 RK with just under 30,000 mi on it, have had it out west the last 3 summers and have never had an issue with excessive heat ( V&H Power Duals, 4" RCX Slip-ons, Screaming Eagle Air Cleaner, SE super tuner).
Love this bike, plenty of power,pulls like a freight train, last summer it went up an over BearTooth Pass like it was nothin, on the super slab fully loaded with all my gear I'll set the cruise at 80 and sit back and enjoy the ride.
Good luck with your decision, you'll be happy either way you go.

Oh and the EITMS feature, I run with it disabled.

 

Great choice !!!