2004 Road King
Novice
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: NC
I've got an 04 FLHRCI that I picked middle of last year and paid $7k for with 19k on the clock. Knew it was a little high priced but it was from a buddy that had owned the bike for all but one year of it's life and I know how he takes care of things. It has a ton of chrome on it as was the style back then so that accounted for some of the price.
I've put 5,000 miles on it so far and spent some money on it to make it right for me and the wife as well as safety items:
Good Luck
I've put 5,000 miles on it so far and spent some money on it to make it right for me and the wife as well as safety items:
- Had it serviced and checked out before I picked it up as I rode it 650 miles home
- New Seat - two up on the old one wasn't comfortable for her and I needed to get back a bit from the bars - went with a TallBoy and it's great
- New Bars - went with the Heritage (i think) from the MoCo as the beach bars on mine were just too low
- New Tires - a must on a bike to me cause if I don't trust them I'm always going to be thinking about it - $400 for Commander 2's and it rode like a new bike
- LED lights all the way around - unbelievable difference - I wouldn't ride much at night before the upgrade and now it's no issue
- This winter I made some engine upgrades - mainly due to the tensioner issue
- SE203 cams
- Cam Plate
- 95" upgrade
- These made a HUGE difference in torque which is what I was looking for - a lot less "searching" for the right gear at low speed cruising through town and the ability to roll the throttle at any point in the power band and have instant response
Good Luck
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,050
Likes: 8,047
From: Canada
As much as I love my shovelhead I love my RK more. The RK gets up and goes effortlessly, feels solid and inspires confidence. The old wideglide has me hanging on and 55mph is about all I feel comfortable doing. They scratch two different itches for sure so no plans to dump the old bike.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
As much as I love my shovelhead I love my RK more. The RK gets up and goes effortlessly, feels solid and inspires confidence. The old wideglide has me hanging on and 55mph is about all I feel comfortable doing. They scratch two different itches for sure so no plans to dump the old bike.
Last edited by panz4ever; Feb 4, 2018 at 09:40 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
I don’t think $8k is overly high in this case. So. Cal pricing at best I would expect that bike to sell $7500+, so if you grab it for $8k, I do t think that is unreasonable at all.
I recently got got back into a Harley and picked up my current ride = 1999 RK with 7800 Miles, for just over $6k, so very similar to you situation. I don’t ride near as much as I would like to because of other hobbies, so I wanted to keep my costs down as much as possible, so I didn’t feel stupid for parking too much $$$ in the garage.
What i found in my area was 1999-2005 RKs with decent low mileage, under 25,000, are and were selling in the $6k-$8k range, but the market is slow, as many RKs and Harley’s in general out here with 40,000 Miles are available in that year range, but they don’t seem to be selling. Add ons and paint color have a lot to do with the prices as well, there are purple bikes out here that guys can’t seem to give away.....which I personally understand......
So in my case, again pretty similar to yours, I found a really low mileage bike that I liked, that was extremely well taken care of, with a bunch of extras, and I couldn’t be happier.
If this 2004 RK is the color you want, and everything else checks out, I say go for it, and ride on.
Good luck!
I recently got got back into a Harley and picked up my current ride = 1999 RK with 7800 Miles, for just over $6k, so very similar to you situation. I don’t ride near as much as I would like to because of other hobbies, so I wanted to keep my costs down as much as possible, so I didn’t feel stupid for parking too much $$$ in the garage.
What i found in my area was 1999-2005 RKs with decent low mileage, under 25,000, are and were selling in the $6k-$8k range, but the market is slow, as many RKs and Harley’s in general out here with 40,000 Miles are available in that year range, but they don’t seem to be selling. Add ons and paint color have a lot to do with the prices as well, there are purple bikes out here that guys can’t seem to give away.....which I personally understand......
So in my case, again pretty similar to yours, I found a really low mileage bike that I liked, that was extremely well taken care of, with a bunch of extras, and I couldn’t be happier.
If this 2004 RK is the color you want, and everything else checks out, I say go for it, and ride on.
Good luck!
Last edited by HM_SanDiego; Feb 4, 2018 at 12:11 PM.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
I don’t think $8k is overly high in this case. So. Cal pricing at best I would expect that bike to sell $7500+, so if you grab it for $8k, I do t think that is unreasonable at all.
I recently got got back into a Harley and picked up my current ride = 1999 RK with 7800 Miles, for just over $6k, so very similar to you situation. I don’t ride near as much as I would like to because of other hobbies, so I wanted to keep my costs down as much as possible, so I didn’t feel stupid for parking too much $$$ in the garage.
What i found in my area was 1999-2005 RKs with decent low mileage, under 25,000, are and were selling in the $6k-$8k range, but the market is slow, as many RKs and Harley’s in general out here with 40,000 Miles are available in that year range, but they don’t seem to be selling. Add ons and paint color have a lot to do with the prices as well, there are purple bikes out here that guys can’t seem to give away.....which I personally understand......
So in my case, again pretty similar to yours, I found a really low mileage bike that I liked, that was extremely well taken care of, with a bunch of extras, and I couldn’t be happier.
If this 2004 RK is the color you want, and everything else checks out, I say go for it, and ride on.
Good luck!
I recently got got back into a Harley and picked up my current ride = 1999 RK with 7800 Miles, for just over $6k, so very similar to you situation. I don’t ride near as much as I would like to because of other hobbies, so I wanted to keep my costs down as much as possible, so I didn’t feel stupid for parking too much $$$ in the garage.
What i found in my area was 1999-2005 RKs with decent low mileage, under 25,000, are and were selling in the $6k-$8k range, but the market is slow, as many RKs and Harley’s in general out here with 40,000 Miles are available in that year range, but they don’t seem to be selling. Add ons and paint color have a lot to do with the prices as well, there are purple bikes out here that guys can’t seem to give away.....which I personally understand......
So in my case, again pretty similar to yours, I found a really low mileage bike that I liked, that was extremely well taken care of, with a bunch of extras, and I couldn’t be happier.
If this 2004 RK is the color you want, and everything else checks out, I say go for it, and ride on.
Good luck!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 20,916
Likes: 19,004
From: The Wasteland
I owned an 03 Road King and an 04 Electra Glide Classic. Both were great bikes and for the most part were trouble free. I would not hesitate to buy another bike from that era as long as the price is right.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
I bought my 2003 FLHTCUI in 2011. It had 2,090 miles on it. I had the tires replaced, and fluids changed. I love this bike. It has a Stage One. It has plenty of power. When I had the SE Cam Chain Tensioner and Oi Pump upgrade at 32k miles the I didn't change cams, because I was happy with the performance. If I rode 2 up in mountains a lot, I would've changed cams.
I have had repairs, but nothing major. Shift shaft seal leaked, new front engine mount, rebuild front calipers at 32k, quick connect leaked, was fixed and new internal tank hose replaced, bottom gasket leak fixed(thats when I upgraded the CCT).
You can check for open recalls with a Harley dealer, give him the VIN #. They can also tell you what work was done at any HD dealer in the country.
When you have an older bike in nice shape with low miles, throw the guidebooks out. Use this test: If you didn't buy the bike, and you see the next owner ride by, who bought it at the asking price, ask yourself this: Do you think "Lucky Bastard", or "Dumb MF"?
If you think he's lucky, buy the bike. For $8k you'll get a better looking bike than the new ones, runs cooler, great 2 lane gear ratios. With more domestic parts. Above 75 I miss a 6 speed, but not a big deal.
I have had repairs, but nothing major. Shift shaft seal leaked, new front engine mount, rebuild front calipers at 32k, quick connect leaked, was fixed and new internal tank hose replaced, bottom gasket leak fixed(thats when I upgraded the CCT).
You can check for open recalls with a Harley dealer, give him the VIN #. They can also tell you what work was done at any HD dealer in the country.
When you have an older bike in nice shape with low miles, throw the guidebooks out. Use this test: If you didn't buy the bike, and you see the next owner ride by, who bought it at the asking price, ask yourself this: Do you think "Lucky Bastard", or "Dumb MF"?
If you think he's lucky, buy the bike. For $8k you'll get a better looking bike than the new ones, runs cooler, great 2 lane gear ratios. With more domestic parts. Above 75 I miss a 6 speed, but not a big deal.
