07 Road King Concerns?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 38
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07 Road King Concerns?
Hey guys......I'm new here. I've been hanging around the Sportster Forum (XL1200C owner) for some time. Well.....after talking it over with the wife. I WAS gonna head into the local stealer tomorrow and trade uo for a Road King or Road King Classic. The wife and I would like to take some road trips together. I need some input from you guys about any current problems with the 07's. Is there any reason that I should maybe hold off on the Road Kings (I've heard about extreme heat problems and damage, tranny whine in 5th, etc....). Any advice you have is much appreciated.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,945
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RE: 07 Road King Concerns?
Look - this is the age of the internet, where real people can publicly show their a**es. I've seen folks carry on about engine knock, then state they run regular fuel in an engine that specifies minimum 91 octane. They whine about noise in the tranny/engine, then talk about runnin' in 6th @ 60 mph (when you HAVE to be doin' a bare minimum of 65 mph to be in the proper rpm range), etc. The hot engine issue was addressed with the download HD recently did...
Buy an' ride, my friend!!!
Buy an' ride, my friend!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 7
From: St. Charles, IL
RE: 07 Road King Concerns?
There are several threads about the same thing. The gear whine is from the straight cut gears and is normal. The heat is from the lean running condition, and is normal. The factory would NOT set it so lean as to cause damage, it's just annoying
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
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RE: 07 Road King Concerns?
Buy it, you will love it no matter what others may b*tch about. Most of the time they ar just venting. And any real issues are addressed by MoCo, and if they aren't, you can find solutions here.
The road king is an awsome bike. May I also suggest, that in additionto the standard rk and the rk classic, take a look at the Road King Custom (FLHRSI). I wanted a rk, knew that from the day I started looking for a Harley. But when I saw my '05 rk custom, I knew it was the bike. The MoCo will not be making them in '08, so a '07 is the last time you can buy a new one. There is nothing wrong with them, they just are not as big a seller as the other two. Which is a good thing. Once you start going on group rides and bike rallies, you wont see them everywhere, like you do with the other two and now with the street glide. Just my opinion. But if I didn't love mine so much, I wouldn't be suggesting it.
The road king is an awsome bike. May I also suggest, that in additionto the standard rk and the rk classic, take a look at the Road King Custom (FLHRSI). I wanted a rk, knew that from the day I started looking for a Harley. But when I saw my '05 rk custom, I knew it was the bike. The MoCo will not be making them in '08, so a '07 is the last time you can buy a new one. There is nothing wrong with them, they just are not as big a seller as the other two. Which is a good thing. Once you start going on group rides and bike rallies, you wont see them everywhere, like you do with the other two and now with the street glide. Just my opinion. But if I didn't love mine so much, I wouldn't be suggesting it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
RE: 07 Road King Concerns?
Ditto. The RK in any of its various forms is a superb bike! I regularly use mine for 500 mile trips on weekends as well as my daily 80 mile round-trip commute. Great handling, great comfort, great style! I have one of the early 07's and have experienced all of the complaints: 5th gear whine, hot pipes, ECM updates - none of them are showstoppers, and it's easily the most satisfying bike I have ever owned.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 696
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From: Charlotte
RE: 07 Road King Concerns?
I have an '07 Classic and my biggest concern is that I don't get to ride it as much as I'd like to.
After about 1200 miles, heat has not been an issue, I don't mind the tranny noise in 5th gear, and I like the big ole clunky transmission shifting.
The only issue I've had is the front brakes squealing when they heat up. Dealer BSed me the first time I took it in about it but I will go after that problem again with a little more gusto and get it solved.
After about 1200 miles, heat has not been an issue, I don't mind the tranny noise in 5th gear, and I like the big ole clunky transmission shifting.
The only issue I've had is the front brakes squealing when they heat up. Dealer BSed me the first time I took it in about it but I will go after that problem again with a little more gusto and get it solved.
Novice
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 23
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RE: 07 Road King Concerns?
I have just about 1000 miles on mine and enjoy it more with every ride. I've never seen the 5th gear noise as much of an issue. It's a little louder than 1-4 and 6 but once you change out the stock pipes you'll barely notice it. Mine had the download already on it from date of purchase, so I can't speak to the heat problems. I have the digital themo on order so I don't have a baseline on the oil temp.
The RK is a very comfortable ride and after spending 8 hours on it Saturday couldn't wait to get it back on the road Sunday.
The RK is a very comfortable ride and after spending 8 hours on it Saturday couldn't wait to get it back on the road Sunday.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,961
Likes: 263
From: Conroe Texas
RE: 07 Road King Concerns?
the heat is taken care of by the download, you will most likely go to stage one anyway and convert to a quality synthetic. Only time you notice the heat is in rush hour. The gear whine gets better with miles and synthetics, I have been doing my damdest to break my tranny but the thing keeps on going and getting quieter. The RKC is by far the best MC I have driven, have not tried theRG or other models yet though, sure they are great also. The biggest issue I have is that it takes me 50 miles to travel 25, I dont know why.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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RE: 07 Road King Concerns?
I LOVE mine, just had the 1000 mile service done switched to synthetic bike seems to run cooler the 5th gear whine is a little quiter, but you get to here you dont notice it. The ride is great!!!!!!!! the wife and I took a nice lazy run down to a buddies house with the new sundowner seat on and she loves it, now i get to hear her complain about not getting to ride on it more.
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