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Down side to an 09 Road king?

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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 03:20 PM
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Not trying to cause any mud slinging just about to pull the trigger this week on my first road king and the one Im considering is an 09, was hoping to go in with my eyes a little wider open is all. I know they revised the frame and rear suspension, wider tire etc but are there any teething issues associated with sort of a new model? I looked at a new 2017 this week but the new engine concerns me based on threads here on this site. Im not stuck on an 09 but wanted something no older.

Thanks!

35K miles, black and $11K canadian funds....Which is about $3 US funds....
 

Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Dec 20, 2016 at 10:17 PM.
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 03:25 PM
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no use buying a bike in a hurry- riding season is a ways away (although we often did a new years day ride when i lived in TO...but it was more bench racing than riding).

I have an 09 - it's great.

For $8300 that's pretty good- I'd look at make sure that all is correct...

I'd love a 17- the frame on the 17 is same as 09, shocks and forks are upgraded, electrics are better- the MOTOR is better the EFI and motor controls are better...but with a new motor I'd wait until it is sorted out just in case....if resale would be part of your equation- you already see the market value of the 09

Mike
 

Last edited by mkguitar; Dec 14, 2016 at 03:57 PM.
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 05:22 PM
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I had '10 Road King, which I don't think had any major changes from the '09. Put 35k miles on it in 2 years and had one minor problem with the electric starter. Other than that, all I did was regular maintenance and one set of tires (it was due for another rear tire when I sold it). The bike was a champ.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 05:35 PM
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I ride an '09 and have never had an issue with it.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 07:12 PM
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Buy what you want if you have the $$$$$$$.
Nothin' wrong with an 09 though.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 07:50 PM
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Ive had my 10 Roadking since Feb. 2011. I was the first owner and completely satisfied with mine.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 08:02 PM
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few minor complaints as with any harley, worst is the compensator, wheel bearings, and a recall for the rear brake switch it was to close to the cat and would melt. the 09 frame is much stiffer than previous years more load capacity.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 08:08 PM
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Nothing wrong with an '09, at all.

What you might find interesting, though, since you said you're not stuck on an '09, but you're concerned because the '17 is brand new, which means you were at least thinking about a new one...is a '14.

They significantly improved the front end on the '14 compared to the '09-'13. Cheaper than a '17, by a long shot. Might be worth a look.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 08:10 PM
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My first harley was a used 09 road king and I loved it. But I did have to replace the compensator so make sure there are no hard starting issues with it.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2016 | 08:57 PM
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In 2009 I bought a 2009 Street Glide. I sold it in 2013 with 35,000 miles. I had zero issues with it.

This past March I bought a 2009 one owner RKC with 8k miles on it. I put 5000 miles on it this past season. I changed engine, trans and primary fluid, spark plugs and brake fluid and a set of new Metzler tires.

The bike is completely stock and runs great. I wanted a 2009 because it was the only year for the new frame and no catalytic converter.
 
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