2001 Road King Question
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 16
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From: Pennsylvania
2001 Road King Question
First post on this forum.
I've been riding adventure style bikes for several years. For the first years I was riding about 30% dirt but have found myself doing more back road and highway trips.
My current bike is a BMW g650gs. I'm not happy with it because I'm not able to solve a wind noise/buffeting issue. I also don't think that the bike has enough weather protection for the type of riding that I like to do.
It's got a great single cylinder engine that gets 65 mpg.
On the recommendation of several guys that I work with, I'm considering a 2001 Road King at a local dealer.
I'm have to start with a used bike because I'm going to hammered on the BMW trade.
The Road King Classic has 18000 miles. Fuel injection and hard bags.
Is there anything that I did should be looking for on this particular year bike?
Thank you,
Eric
I've been riding adventure style bikes for several years. For the first years I was riding about 30% dirt but have found myself doing more back road and highway trips.
My current bike is a BMW g650gs. I'm not happy with it because I'm not able to solve a wind noise/buffeting issue. I also don't think that the bike has enough weather protection for the type of riding that I like to do.
It's got a great single cylinder engine that gets 65 mpg.
On the recommendation of several guys that I work with, I'm considering a 2001 Road King at a local dealer.
I'm have to start with a used bike because I'm going to hammered on the BMW trade.
The Road King Classic has 18000 miles. Fuel injection and hard bags.
Is there anything that I did should be looking for on this particular year bike?
Thank you,
Eric
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: PA
for the TC88 bikes 2001 and 2002 were considered good years. You do have to watch the cam chain tensioners back then, or upgrade to the gear driven cams.
It's going to be much heavier than you are used to. It's a BIG bike. Which is part of why they are awesome.
Probably a bit slower than you are used to as well. Radically different riding experience.
Have you test ridden? Most harley dealers will let you try the bikes.
It's going to be much heavier than you are used to. It's a BIG bike. Which is part of why they are awesome.
Probably a bit slower than you are used to as well. Radically different riding experience.
Have you test ridden? Most harley dealers will let you try the bikes.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
I have an 01 Road King with a carb and love the bike with close to 100K on it. My biggest problem was the swing arm which cracked so I upgraded to the 02 plus and 1" axle vs the 3/4". Other than that you should be looking at regular maintenance and keeping an eye on your cam chain tensioners about every 50k miles
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 836
From: KMHT KFMY
that has the Delphi FI right? the Delphi is OK, the MM version sucked, a lot of guys rip it out and stuff a carb on the bike.
Good side: has the better cam bearings
Bad side: the cam tensioners need to come out NOW IMHO
Have you ridden a Harley? If not you are going to want to before you pick that bike. It is quite the wake up call when you go from anything onto a HD. You will love it or hate it.
How much can that bike be? I'd love to get 10K for my 03 Bagger... those bikes are out there sub 10K all day long....
Before you decide to join the HD (dysfunctional) Family, check the prices, ride a similar bike, then decide, knowing it needs a grand worth of work soon
Good side: has the better cam bearings
Bad side: the cam tensioners need to come out NOW IMHO
Have you ridden a Harley? If not you are going to want to before you pick that bike. It is quite the wake up call when you go from anything onto a HD. You will love it or hate it.
How much can that bike be? I'd love to get 10K for my 03 Bagger... those bikes are out there sub 10K all day long....
Before you decide to join the HD (dysfunctional) Family, check the prices, ride a similar bike, then decide, knowing it needs a grand worth of work soon
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
First post on this forum.
I've been riding adventure style bikes for several years. For the first years I was riding about 30% dirt but have found myself doing more back road and highway trips.
My current bike is a BMW g650gs. I'm not happy with it because I'm not able to solve a wind noise/buffeting issue. I also don't think that the bike has enough weather protection for the type of riding that I like to do.
It's got a great single cylinder engine that gets 65 mpg.
On the recommendation of several guys that I work with, I'm considering a 2001 Road King at a local dealer.
I'm have to start with a used bike because I'm going to hammered on the BMW trade.
The Road King Classic has 18000 miles. Fuel injection and hard bags.
Is there anything that I did should be looking for on this particular year bike?
Thank you,
Eric
I've been riding adventure style bikes for several years. For the first years I was riding about 30% dirt but have found myself doing more back road and highway trips.
My current bike is a BMW g650gs. I'm not happy with it because I'm not able to solve a wind noise/buffeting issue. I also don't think that the bike has enough weather protection for the type of riding that I like to do.
It's got a great single cylinder engine that gets 65 mpg.
On the recommendation of several guys that I work with, I'm considering a 2001 Road King at a local dealer.
I'm have to start with a used bike because I'm going to hammered on the BMW trade.
The Road King Classic has 18000 miles. Fuel injection and hard bags.
Is there anything that I did should be looking for on this particular year bike?
Thank you,
Eric
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
for the TC88 bikes 2001 and 2002 were considered good years. You do have to watch the cam chain tensioners back then, or upgrade to the gear driven cams.
It's going to be much heavier than you are used to. It's a BIG bike. Which is part of why they are awesome.
Probably a bit slower than you are used to as well. Radically different riding experience.
Have you test ridden? Most harley dealers will let you try the bikes.
It's going to be much heavier than you are used to. It's a BIG bike. Which is part of why they are awesome.
Probably a bit slower than you are used to as well. Radically different riding experience.
Have you test ridden? Most harley dealers will let you try the bikes.
I have not ridden one yet. I will next week. I've had plenty of offers from the guys at at work.
One guy has an '89 ultra classic and another has a '14 street glide.
I know that it's a different ride than what I have now but I've got my eyes wide open!
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
I put 35000 trouble free miles on a 2001 RK. It had the Delphi FI and the hard bags. It was a great bike. Routine maintenance is the key with an older bike. If the service records are available they will tell the tale.
I've also ridden a Beemer similar to yours. It's a night and day difference but I prefer the RK for highway riding. It just seems more planted. As in semis don't blow you off the road due to the size of the bike
Good Luck
I've also ridden a Beemer similar to yours. It's a night and day difference but I prefer the RK for highway riding. It just seems more planted. As in semis don't blow you off the road due to the size of the bike
Good Luck
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
I put 35000 trouble free miles on a 2001 RK. It had the Delphi FI and the hard bags. It was a great bike. Routine maintenance is the key with an older bike. If the service records are available they will tell the tale.
I've also ridden a Beemer similar to yours. It's a night and day difference but I prefer the RK for highway riding. It just seems more planted. As in semis don't blow you off the road due to the size of the bike
Good Luck
I've also ridden a Beemer similar to yours. It's a night and day difference but I prefer the RK for highway riding. It just seems more planted. As in semis don't blow you off the road due to the size of the bike
Good Luck
I've been riding on road more than off road. The BMW doesn't offer adequate weather protection.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF. I've owned BMWs for many years as well as Harleys, including a carb TC88. If you've been a member of any of the BMW forums you will know that there are scare stories and misinformation, just as there are about Harleys. However most BMW and Harley owners happily ride their bikes not knowing they should be alarmed, so go into Harley ownership the same way! There are things that can go wrong with that RK, but there is no certainty they will and if the worst happens we can help fix you up.