Road King Choices

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Sep 23, 2015 | 01:25 AM

1957xler

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 33

Likes: 0

From: Kansas

Road King Choices

So many choices, my, O my! Love the Road King look, and stance. Had looked at a 1989 Electra Glide FLHS. Road King predecessor? Sold too quickly. Reading, and searching several forums, and articles I was leaning towards a 1995, or 1996 FLHR. Ease of wrenching, upgrades, and reliability, carb versus FI, etc, etc, in the evolution era. Will run forever. Now I ran across a 2006 FLHRI. 28,000 miles. Burgundy with black accents. Beautiful bike just to my liking. All I would need is a windshield, as most i see have one. It is only $1,400 over the price of the 1996, and $2,400 over price of the 1995 FLHR's. Dealers about $1,500 under NADA retail price. 10 years newer too! Evo versus TC. Then I come across a site, article entitled James Russell publishing "Before you buy a Harley". "Why to not buy a Harley Davidson Twin Cam" which proceeds to explain all the problems with the big TC's, "buy a sportster". The regrets you'll have with a TC, ruined engines, etc, etc,"buy a sportster". Then proceeds to sell you a book on how to change the oil in your Twin Cam. "buy the flawless sportster". WTF!!! So whats the deal I'm looking at if taking the plunge with the 2006 Road King. Reliable? Constant shoe changing on the cam follower chains, 15K? "There are serious defects in the Harley-Davidson Twin-Cam engines." Change to gears? Constant drive belt changes? "buy a sportster, belt changes are 30 minutes"
I've already got a sportster, Just wanting a reliable Big Twin to take me 10 years to retirement, and beyond? Searches on 2006 Road King take me back to 2006 forum threads so no new input there. Yay or nay? Thanks anyone.

Sep 23, 2015 | 04:59 AM

RK El Guapo

Cruiser

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 222

Likes: 1

From: Ruckersville, VA

Road King Choices

The perfect road King, in my opinion, would be a an 09-14 frame with a 97-98 evo in it. Unfortunately that has not happened yet, so the next best thing is the 97 Evo. It has the second-best frame available with the second year of the controls upgrade and the availability of parts is great. The seat sits lower than a 95-96, too. Most dealers still have parts for them, and most popular aftermarket companies only go back to 1997 for HD parts.

I have a 1996, and was on the hunt for a1998 before this deal came along. It was too good to pass up, but I really wish I had been able to score a 1997.

Sep 23, 2015 | 05:46 AM

nevets61

Road Master

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 767

Likes: 54

From: San Antonio, TX

I'm no expert on the matter but from what I've learned you should just need to replace the 06 cam shoes with the later model 07 up hydraulic kit and you no longer have to worry about the cam shoes. I'm sure others with much more knowledge than me will chime in on this.

Sep 23, 2015 | 05:59 AM

todd-67

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 6,899

Likes: 3,412

From: OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevets61

^^ This.... That is the only real weak link IMO. On my second TC and never had any real problems with them. I do agree that the 09's and up are a big step up but the article you are reading over blows the problems.

Sep 23, 2015 | 08:14 AM

mikelikesbikes

Banned

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 11,232

Likes: 16

From: Socialist Republic of the USA

I excel at procrastinating and never got around to changing my cam tension shoes until 74K. They were not in terrible shape but caught before anything else went south. Engine is just now going to a 97" S&S and after 20K + the shoes look good as new. I may be the exception to the rule so your results may vary. I always run quality synthetic lubricants, usually Amsoil and or Lucas. Try not to overthink it and enjoy the King. No such thing as a bad one unless it has been neglected/abused. There were fuel injection issues with the MM system.