Hello All,
My name is Tony and I am looking at upgrading from my current cruiser Honda Shadow Aero 750 to a Road King Classic.

Here are a few bikes that I have found in my price range:
2010 with 1,800 miles for $10-11,000 from coworker (accessories unknown)
2010 with 12,207 miles for $11,999 from dealer**
2010 with 11,366 miles for $12,775 from dealer*
2011 with 13,409 miles for $11,488 from dealer**
2012 with 14,000 miles for $12,999 from dealer**
2012 with 9,684 miles for $12,995 from dealer*
** indicates passenger backrest and luggage rack installed
* indicates passenger backrest installed

My question is Is it better to get a bike with actual miles (all bikes listed above from dealers) or go with the 2010 with 1800 in a private sale as it is practically a new motorcycle?

I am not going to the granular level of comparing engine size, exhaust, but included accessories will be taken into account as I will be adding at minimum passenger back rest and luggage rack and those come out to around $700.

I know private sale is probably the most cost efficient route as I can avoid dealer costs and I would get more if I sold my bike through private sale over the trade in value I have already been quoted.

I am just looking to see if it is better to buy a used bike with miles as it is already broken in and some of the new motor maintenance has hopefully been taken care of or to get one with the least amount of miles on it for the right price.

I am new to Harley's, never ridden one or thought I'd be in a position to buy one but I love the look of the RKC and no other bike comes close to that look with the supporting power it has. I modeled my Aero after the RKC as best I could but at the end of the day I think I want more power and a bigger gas tank.

Any information and/or advice is most appreciated. I look forward to hearing all of your comments and learning more about Harley Davidson from this site.

Sincerely,
Tony

 

Hi Tony and welcome to the Forum.

You should consider engine size as well as mufflers, headers, air cleaner and if a tuner has been added. If you went out and bought those items new it could run $1,500 or more.

All the bikes are low mileage, especially your co-workers, looks like it's been ridden 300 miles a year

Good Luck

 

Hey Tony...

I have a Road King Custom for sale as we speak...
https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/mcy/5987899716.html

 

Vernal,
Thank you for the response. The reason I am not too concerned with those at this time is simply because I don't know much about them and their relation to the ride/bike quality. The only performance accessories I added to my current bike was a new set of pipes simply so I could be heard, stock pipes were quiet. Everything else was stock.

As I am just jumping into this, those kind of accessories would be additions down the road. I venture I'd remain stock for quiet some time until I learned about the benefits of this accessories. 90% of my riding will be local to and from work but I am certainly open to going distance.

Do you recommend a particular motor of the others? From what I've read, the 103 is the way to go over the 96 ci but again my research is limited right now.

Thank you again for the response.

 

Hi McLurkn3,
Thank you for the post. I am looking for the classic. I love the spoke rims, white walls, and that bag style.

Good luck with your sale. She looks like a nice bike.

 

Your coworker's bike seems like a no brainer compared to the others.

2011 had the 103ci engine compared to the 96ci in 2010, but that's not a big deal to me.

 

I would buy your coworkers bike personally. Low miles, you can ask him for maintenance records, and he can tell you all, if any history of the bike. The accessories you want can be bought on the classified section here for less than $700. Even in stock form the bike is ready to get on and ride. Any upgrades can be done at a reasonable cost if you're willing to buy used. You can buy an extended service plan through the dealer, even on a privately sold bike, if you feel that's something you need or want. Good luck on your search. Welcome to the forum! Exciting times getting a new ride!

 

while the 103 is an improvement, there is nothing wrong with the 96. I've had road kings with both and was happy each time. 1800 miles is well broken in, and should have had the first service. if your co-worker is a friend, be careful, buying/selling been known to end friendships... if the dealer has maintenance records, you'll know if the miles were hard or easy ones. none of them have high miles.


from the sounds of your interests, buy the most stock bike you can get, maybe with an exhaust system you like, and in the color you like. the rest is clutter at this time. you can always negotiate with the dealer to get the backrest and luggage rack you want. sit on each and see if the handlebars have been changed, as well as the seat. you'll know which one you want, and everything can be upgraded when you are ready.

 

In 2011 the RKC came out with a special package which included the 103, cruise, abs, security, I bought one in 2011. I still have it and I don't feel the need to update at all. It has everything I need although I did customize it with seat,bars, exhaust, tuner, and some chrome. Great bike, you can load it up like a dresser or strip down to a cruiser in minutes. Try to find a 2011 with this package.

 

Cycle trader is your friend ..........................