2002 Road King - Keep or Upgrade?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 116
Likes: 29
From: Delaware
I appreciate all the replies as I'm going over this in my head. Keeping the bike would be much cheaper. If I got a newer used bike, I would still have to upgrade the exhaust, seat, etc. Those things really add up.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
My HD guru swears by the 02 motors, he says it was the last good year. Invest in your suspension !
I have Progressive fork internals and progressive shocks on my 03, it rides a LOT better than my 13.. even my mechanic raves about how much better the 03 is compared to my 13 WRT handling,
I just built a set of forks for the 13 that I will put on when I get back to Florida.... now I just need shocks.... the stock SHOWA forks are pure low dollar crap, and the air shocks are not any better IMHO
I have Progressive fork internals and progressive shocks on my 03, it rides a LOT better than my 13.. even my mechanic raves about how much better the 03 is compared to my 13 WRT handling,
I just built a set of forks for the 13 that I will put on when I get back to Florida.... now I just need shocks.... the stock SHOWA forks are pure low dollar crap, and the air shocks are not any better IMHO
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
Keep the Road King and make it a solo bike, then buy an Ultra for touring with the Mrs. She'll be more comfortable, you'll have more storage for trips and you'll have two Harley's. If you are looking at used, with a little shopping you can probably find something reasonably priced with nice pipes and a seat already on it. Then any upgrades will be for fun and when the wallet allows.
I bought a new Limited and kept my Road King, I ride the Road King to work. I call the Limited her bike.
I bought a new Limited and kept my Road King, I ride the Road King to work. I call the Limited her bike.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 116
Likes: 29
From: Delaware
I had a Dragon Fly fairing on my Road King. Discovered I wasn't a fairing guy. Had a very nice radio and other options. After a year, I sold it and have no regrets. I'm pretty much set on the King. Those Limited ones are very nice though. Several friends have them and would never go back.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 834
From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Mid year 2000 they changed out inner cam bearings. Back then lots of talk of failures, and lawsuits. Side loading from the chains on TC were destroying bearings. Evos had gears and no side loading. Believe ball to roller, maybe other way. Changed back when I went to gear.
99 maybe 2000 had cam posistion sensor. Other than that, not really sure anything bad with orginal TC.
Ultras in 2002 had delphi, not sure FLHRC?I had carbs. MM FI before that was funny.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1,122
From: 48.067222,12.863611
Depends. I Finally sold my 2003 RKC with 110K on it (I have a 2015 RGS too) and I got tired of the money and work it took to keep it "right." I had a complete top and bottom end at 85K to make it 107". Ran like a beaut. But even with Ohlins shocks, progressive front springs, and bagger brace, the frame and brakes could never really keep up with the motor.
If you don't ride hard or are very attached, keep it because the old touring bikes are gorgeous, but at some point, they get to be burdensome too. In the last 5 years I had to:
Top and bottom end
Cam chest
Front forks (really needed CCE triple trees and a cartridge set up- big$$)
New stator
New starter
New Comp
New battery cables
New clutch cable
etc, etc.
Not trying to deter you as you already have an 08, but the newer bikes are much "tighter" than the old touring bikes if you ride with any sort of speed in turns, etc. Just my 2c.
If you don't ride hard or are very attached, keep it because the old touring bikes are gorgeous, but at some point, they get to be burdensome too. In the last 5 years I had to:
Top and bottom end
Cam chest
Front forks (really needed CCE triple trees and a cartridge set up- big$$)
New stator
New starter
New Comp
New battery cables
New clutch cable
etc, etc.
Not trying to deter you as you already have an 08, but the newer bikes are much "tighter" than the old touring bikes if you ride with any sort of speed in turns, etc. Just my 2c.
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