Road King Purchase Advice!!! Please
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Road King Purchase Advice!!! Please
Afternoon all,
Looking for some advice sold my '06 Fatboy and '11 Ultra Ltd last year taken some time out from ridding for a while but now have that passion again to ride need a new project.
Im looking for a Road King but unsure what year to go for theres a number of 07-08 models around then a few 09+ as well.
I know the 09+ have the supposed improved frame, ABS and wider rear wheel.
What would you go for??? Like to hear your thoughts please remember Harleys in the England are expensive no matter what age. 07-08 go for $13000.00 and 09+ go for around $17500.00 and new ones are $24000.00
thanks
Rich
Looking for some advice sold my '06 Fatboy and '11 Ultra Ltd last year taken some time out from ridding for a while but now have that passion again to ride need a new project.
Im looking for a Road King but unsure what year to go for theres a number of 07-08 models around then a few 09+ as well.
I know the 09+ have the supposed improved frame, ABS and wider rear wheel.
What would you go for??? Like to hear your thoughts please remember Harleys in the England are expensive no matter what age. 07-08 go for $13000.00 and 09+ go for around $17500.00 and new ones are $24000.00
thanks
Rich
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Centerville, TX
I am a very happy owner of an '07 Road King (Police), and will likely keep it for years.
Having said that, what you "might" want to look for overall would be at least an '09 to get the new frame and larger wheel if you really think you "need" that.
Also with '09, you get TBW which means an easier add-on for cruise control, again if you feel you need it or if you just like TBW more than the simplicity of cable throttle.
ABS?... meh. I see it as just another system to break down and require more maintenance, but others might think that they need it.
I was actually happy to see that mine wasn't ABS equipped.
So from my perspective, I didn't hesitate a bit when I came across the cream puff I did, but starting from scratch, you need to decide how important some of the "improvements" are to you.
Hell, I still miss the '78 FLH Anniversary I sold 20 years ago, and it was about as simple and "rough" as a touring bike could get.
Here's my '07, and all I would add is that I would rather end up with an excellent condition older bike (and at a better price) than paying more for a hard ridden newer one.
Having said that, what you "might" want to look for overall would be at least an '09 to get the new frame and larger wheel if you really think you "need" that.
Also with '09, you get TBW which means an easier add-on for cruise control, again if you feel you need it or if you just like TBW more than the simplicity of cable throttle.
ABS?... meh. I see it as just another system to break down and require more maintenance, but others might think that they need it.
I was actually happy to see that mine wasn't ABS equipped.
So from my perspective, I didn't hesitate a bit when I came across the cream puff I did, but starting from scratch, you need to decide how important some of the "improvements" are to you.
Hell, I still miss the '78 FLH Anniversary I sold 20 years ago, and it was about as simple and "rough" as a touring bike could get.
Here's my '07, and all I would add is that I would rather end up with an excellent condition older bike (and at a better price) than paying more for a hard ridden newer one.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
I too have an 07. Again I will be keeping it for many years. Mine is a 3 in one bike. I have a quick detach tour pak and Reckless Fairing for touring. For around town I peel them both off. Mine has been an awesome bike. 45000 miles and original compensator. Touch wood. They are prone to cracking the Y pipe but there is a multitude of fixes for it. 07/08 bikes are higher geared rendering 6th useless under 75 mph. Rear tires are cheaper than the 09 and up bikes. I'm not a big fan of ABS but if you are police bikes had them first so maybe you can go that route. If something happened to this one I wouldn't hesitate to look for another that was low mileage. Good Luck in your search.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,644
Likes: 1,385
From: North Central WV
I have an 08 RK Classic (pictured below). I don't think you will find a better retro look for a bike that is current.
I have no complaints about mine, it's a quality bike that has served me well for the couple of years I have owned it.
I have no complaints about mine, it's a quality bike that has served me well for the couple of years I have owned it.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 286
Likes: 24
From: West Louisiana
I have an 08 and am very pleased with it. It's TBW with cruise and no issues. Some say the 07/08 are outdated. I'm not seeing or feeling it, but I haven't ridden an 09 or up. When I bought this one, I looked for a bone stock mc that hadn't been tinkered on. I didn't really matter if it was an 08 or 09. I personally wouldn't get hung up on which year, but maybe more on condition and stock vs a modified engine. I say that cause I just don't trust most mechanics or wantabe's or whatever engine mods they did.
Last edited by King-a-ling; Jan 28, 2016 at 07:27 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 164
From: Northern California
Guess I'm different. I'd do my best to buy a new one. Have you seen the new blue and white paint option? Sharp! Very retro. At this point I would wait for a 17. Rent a bike for 16 rides. Expect a motor upgrade, I'd bet on it.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 538
Likes: 24
From: Texas
I had a 99 with the old MM fuel injection and absolutely loved it. But having the longer frame, wider wheel and more cubic inches has made the touring experience much more enjoyable as the smaller motor "felt" like it was revving high at 65 and the narrower tire/shorter frame took a harder toll on the body on a full days ride. My buddy rides with me on his 09 and the 96" motor works just as well as the 103. I think the 6 speed eases that vibrating feel. I wouldn't be afraid of any of them but would check the cam chain tensioners on the older bikes immediately,,,,
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
I wouldn't worry about the years or the frame. Find one you like the looks of, has a good price on it, inspect it and then buy it. You can't really go wrong with any of the year models.
I have an 08 RKC and a 13 Limited. I don't have a real aggressive riding style so the frame change is not that big of deal to me. Others will disagree but I have over a 100,000 miles on my RK and I have no complaints about the old style frame. I'd rather ride the RK than the Limited. 08 was the first year of the throttle by wire if that's important to you. I like it. Tire size does nothing for me either. I actually prefer the skinnier tire for handling,
Good luck.
I have an 08 RKC and a 13 Limited. I don't have a real aggressive riding style so the frame change is not that big of deal to me. Others will disagree but I have over a 100,000 miles on my RK and I have no complaints about the old style frame. I'd rather ride the RK than the Limited. 08 was the first year of the throttle by wire if that's important to you. I like it. Tire size does nothing for me either. I actually prefer the skinnier tire for handling,
Good luck.
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