08 Road King
Only negative I'm aware of on an '08 is that all the major Touring model frame improvements were done in '09. If you're not in a hurry, you can probably get on '09 for the same money.
True about the frame, but on the other hand, a 2008 can be had for a couple thousand less and be brought up to '09 frame "standards" by spending just $300 and installing a Bagger Brace. In fact, that could very possibly make the '08 a better handling machine than a stock '09.
Thats not always the case.
Be patient because thats not such a good deal esp for an 08 having the older frame design .
The other poster that suggested you could likely get a yr newer 09 with the better handling upgraded frame with larger rear wheel & tire (other upgrades too!) for same basic price.
I say that coming from recent experience i had 11/2014 when I bought my 09 flhtcu from the original owner with only 9,700 miles on it in great cond (over a yr ago!) for $13,500 ($2k under book value) on an NADA book at the time of $15,500.
So i bet if you take the time you could find a low or fairly mile 09 for same price as the older 08 with older frame design etc too.
Look on C-list , Ebay , etc and you can find good buys.
As for shipping costs ,for example, i bought my bike out of state and shipping from TX to NY using " Keyboard Shipping " was $750 .
As for buying a motor vehicle out of state,i have bought 2 bikes 7 1 car out of state and done very well every time .
Just use common sense & good judgement when talking to the seller and if any red flags come up ,move on to the next one because they are out there.
So keep that in mind in case you find a great deal half way across the country that you got $2k-$2,500 under book value that could soak up a $750-800 shipping fee and still save you $1,200-1,700+ because you bought the bike $2k-2,500 under book value to begin with like i did.
Good luck.
Scott
That may not be the case because if i am not mistaken didnt the 09 & newer bikes also get a new larger rear wheel & larger tire that also aided in improving handling due to the larger rear tire having more tire patch / area on the pavement the 08 & older HD doesnt have?
So if thats the case then he would also need to add the cost for an 09 & newer rear swingarm that accepts the larger rear wheel & larger rear tire to really = the 09's enhanced / upgraded handling .
And thats assuming the newer 09 swingarm would fit the older 08 frame which without checking may or may not be the case.
But if i had to guess i would think the 09 swingarm would not fit because the older 08 frame design may not be wide enough to accept the 09 swingarm that i would think would be a bit wider to accept the new larger rear wheel & larger rear tire.
But like i said ,i don't know if thats the case or not but i am sure someone will chime in with the correct info / answer on that question.
Scott
Last edited by wscott; Jan 23, 2016 at 11:06 PM.
I also have the Pewter Pearl color. I love it because it hides the road grime and doesn't show the dirt as bad. Especially compared to it's Nightrain predecessor

I have a 13 limited with the new frame. Although it is an improvement, to me it wasn't an earth shattering change from one to the other but then I ride like a normal person and don't push either bike to it's limits in cornering. I have one high speed sweeper on the way home that the Road King's rear end will start to move around but I know it, expect it and don't think twice about it. I can easily make it go away simply by running the speed limit.
In the same curve the 13 limited I can feel the rear end moving as well, just not as bad. I love my 08 Road King and would rather ride it than the newer limited any day. I;m dying to get it back from the Indy. He texted me yesterday afternoon and told me the final tune was done. It was very strong in the break in I did but he had a very limited tune on it for break in. He told me it had 107 ft lbs of torque now!!
Good luck making your decision.
First question- what should I be looking for in an 08? Any known problems? I have researched them and cant find anything that stands out.
Second question- is $9500 a good price? I have also researched the local bikes and it seems to be a pretty good deal. What say you fine folks?
" its an 08 silver Road King Classic. 35,000 miles, Screaming Eagle slip ons, K&N air cleaner, Mustang touring seat, detachable leather wrapped tour pack, new tires and the usual add ons. They are asking $10900 "
HERE YA GO,here's a " CLEAN " newer bike with 12k less miles for same or less $$$$ ,it's an 09 FLHTCU with 18k miles with asking price of $10,590 " OR BEST OFFER " .
A 2nd clean 09 for $10,200 (OBO) & 34,900 miles.
So check out the link below for details.
Note: for all the paranoid types that have recently been causing problems for me here in HDforums complaining to the mods about basically nothing on things i had posted when all i was trying to do was either inform or help people here and thats it which is what this forum is here for in the 1st place.
So this case is the same because i am just trying to help this guy out by pasting the link to a clean good looking bike low mile bike @ a good price for him to chk out and thats it.
I have absolutely nothing to do with this bike , dont know the seller & wont benefit in any way from it's sale either so the guys that have nothing better do & complained about my past posts should maybe find something better to do this time around & not complain about nothing so the OP can see / have a shot at this nice bike @ a good price & not have it ruined for him by the people that complain about nothing worth while when someone is simply trying to help or inform /ask for feedback on a product for our HD's & nothing else.
Happy motoring to all !(Even the complainer's!/LOL!!)
Scott
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-David...m=371537766969
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-David...m=111883773478
Last edited by wscott; Jan 25, 2016 at 05:30 PM.
First question- what should I be looking for in an 08? Any known problems? I have researched them and cant find anything that stands out.
Second question- is $9500 a good price? I have also researched the local bikes and it seems to be a pretty good deal. What say you fine folks?
I do get a rattling type noise coming from the front(left? hard to tell) of the engine which sounds like a marble rattling around. Though it only happens at
low revs/low speed(60km/h or so). I thought primary chain was loose.
I mentioned this to my mechanic and he seemed fairly confident it was the compensator sprocket as it was a known problem on this bike due to a lack of oil getting on the front sprocket. An inspection has not yet been done.
Apparently the case has been redesigned for better oil circulation.
Mechanic said not to worry too much about it at this stage and until I get the oils changed and have a full inspection done I'll agree with him.
Other than that I love the bike even though over here we pay twice as much!!!!
Might be something for you to look out for when buying one.
Paul.
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
I do get a rattling type noise coming from the front(left? hard to tell) of the engine which sounds like a marble rattling around. Though it only happens at
low revs/low speed(60km/h or so). I thought primary chain was loose.
I mentioned this to my mechanic and he seemed fairly confident it was the compensator sprocket as it was a known problem on this bike due to a lack of oil getting on the front sprocket. An inspection has not yet been done.
Apparently the case has been redesigned for better oil circulation.
Mechanic said not to worry too much about it at this stage and until I get the oils changed and have a full inspection done I'll agree with him.
Other than that I love the bike even though over here we pay twice as much!!!!
Might be something for you to look out for when buying one.
Paul.









