Road King riders: advice please!
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
RE: Road King riders: advice please!
Two years ago I bought my Black2004 Road King Classicfor $16,000 and my friends told me I got ripped off big time. I had the money and could have went new but this bike fit me like a glove and had about $8000.00 in upgrades and only had 4000 miles on it.The guy cleaned it more than he drove it.The bike was finished and I loved everything the guy did to it. Custom bars (Fit me like a glove) grips,and cables, Rinehart True Duels, Rider backrest, passenger backrest, Ness AC, Terminal Velocity Fuel Tuner,chrome foot boards, and much more. I knew I had to have it as soon as I saw it. He wanted $17,000 I offered $16,000 and I have no regrets. I ride about 4000 miles a summer (I live in Buffalo) and I have no intention on a new ride anytime soon. I have about 12,000 miles on it and it runs perfectly and Ihave never had an issue with it. Best deal I ever got on a bike in my opinion. You have to do what feels right for you.
Stage I
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
RE: Road King riders: advice please!
Well what did you do? \\; I just have to know. \\; I have a 07 1200 custom with lots of chrome and extra's all set for touring and I just had to have a big twin, Road King of course (I'm 5'4") I found an 03 CVO Screaming Eagle with a 103 factory finished. \\; I tested a new one but saved my money and am loving the CVO, so what did you do?
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Sedona, Arizona
RE: Road King riders: advice please!
I agree with the posts that, if you get the older bike you will most likely have to change the seat and bar positions to fit you. Lots of ways to do this. But there are lots of other mods that you may want and ultimately you may not want the changes that he's already made once you get a look at other bikes and options.
As for the new bikes (I have an O7 RK and love it, of course I added the IDS [myself]) the engine and 6 speed alone in my opinion make it worth it. I know lots of riders with five speeds who hit 5th and still try to shift. Harley put a little 6 on the speedometer to keep us 6 speed guys from doing that. We'll all be wanting a 7 speed one day.
Harley's tend to improve (mostly) over the years. As an extreme example, I had a '74 Superglide and that bike was worlds apart in reliability and comfort. Yet it still had lots of character.
If the 08 is as good as my 07, and I hear it is, you really can't go wrong.
Don't worry about the cost of extras. Limit the options if any to what you really want, maybe the brakes and if cruise isn't standard, add that. The only two things you probably will want to do before you take long rides would be handlebars and seat. The bars were about $30.00 and I installed them (don't know what the new ones are with the electronic controls) and the seat mods can be priced at Mean City Cycles (elsewhere on this site). However, you'll be so happy with the new bike you won't start thinking of mods for many months. Besides, take your time and ride with others and see what they have done and what options fit your style and needs. If you want to save some money, go with an 07, there is bound to be one still on a dealer's floor somewhere close by . I love mine\\; I kinda like the old style throttle and the brakes work just fine. I've got around 17K on it including a 6K trip this spring and still look at it like the day I brought it home.
Best of luck.
As for the new bikes (I have an O7 RK and love it, of course I added the IDS [myself]) the engine and 6 speed alone in my opinion make it worth it. I know lots of riders with five speeds who hit 5th and still try to shift. Harley put a little 6 on the speedometer to keep us 6 speed guys from doing that. We'll all be wanting a 7 speed one day.
Harley's tend to improve (mostly) over the years. As an extreme example, I had a '74 Superglide and that bike was worlds apart in reliability and comfort. Yet it still had lots of character.
If the 08 is as good as my 07, and I hear it is, you really can't go wrong.
Don't worry about the cost of extras. Limit the options if any to what you really want, maybe the brakes and if cruise isn't standard, add that. The only two things you probably will want to do before you take long rides would be handlebars and seat. The bars were about $30.00 and I installed them (don't know what the new ones are with the electronic controls) and the seat mods can be priced at Mean City Cycles (elsewhere on this site). However, you'll be so happy with the new bike you won't start thinking of mods for many months. Besides, take your time and ride with others and see what they have done and what options fit your style and needs. If you want to save some money, go with an 07, there is bound to be one still on a dealer's floor somewhere close by . I love mine\\; I kinda like the old style throttle and the brakes work just fine. I've got around 17K on it including a 6K trip this spring and still look at it like the day I brought it home.
Best of luck.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 3
From: Billings, MT
RE: Road King riders: advice please!
I just got an 03 FLHRI from a private party. Asking price was $12.5. Bike is in mint condition with 16k miles with lots of useful extras like cruise, heated grips, Wild1 Chubbies with internal wiring. Seller bought it from his father, but just couldn't get comfortable riding it. Gave him my well equipped 02 Low Rider with the same mileage + $1k cash.
Great road bike, but I'm having a hard time getting used to it in town. And, yes, I know how to ride it. Just miss the quickness of the Dyna. Rode it 3k miles the first week I had it, but they were almost all road miles. Have to spend some time in the parking lot and going through my Ride Like a Pro DVD.
Great road bike, but I'm having a hard time getting used to it in town. And, yes, I know how to ride it. Just miss the quickness of the Dyna. Rode it 3k miles the first week I had it, but they were almost all road miles. Have to spend some time in the parking lot and going through my Ride Like a Pro DVD.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Road King riders: advice please!
Yep a little high, and I would get the 08. Bigger tank, bigger engine! 6 speed, and get abs. I hope you are almost paid off on the sporty, I have seen some guys around here take some serious hosings on theirs.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 2
From: Cocoa Beach, Florida
RE: Road King riders: advice please!
Here in my area there are enough stealers around to still have a few '07s left. \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; Have you considered looking around for a "left over"? \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; I love my '07 and wouldn't trade up to an '08 to get an extra gallon of gas with some handlebar choice limitations (so far anyway). \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; I would like to have the ABS option but...
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
Sorry this is not a answer to your real question but it is another option.
 \\;\\\\\\;
<\\;\\\\\\;EDIT to add>\\;\\\\\\; ...sorry that I missed your post rdurantb \\;\\\\\\;- you just said the same thing
.
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
Sorry this is not a answer to your real question but it is another option.
 \\;\\\\\\;
<\\;\\\\\\;EDIT to add>\\;\\\\\\; ...sorry that I missed your post rdurantb \\;\\\\\\;- you just said the same thing
.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 192
Likes: 10
RE: Road King riders: advice please!
wait a couple of weeks and see what the 2009 road king has.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
RE: Road King riders: advice please!
Unless you are in love with that bike, get at least an 07 for the 96" and 6 speed tranny.
 \\;
Don't listen to all of us about what we paid for a bike or sold one for. And don't insult your friend and make a fool out of yourself by telling him he can only get "X" dollars from a dealer. He is not selling to a dealer. We can all sell our bikes on the open market for more than a dealer will pay for them.
 \\;
If you want the 04 RK, it is a good deal because you will be happy with it. Once you spend money on a bike you need to forget about it and enjoy the ride. No bike is a good investment, or steal, today. Ride safe.
 \\;
Don't listen to all of us about what we paid for a bike or sold one for. And don't insult your friend and make a fool out of yourself by telling him he can only get "X" dollars from a dealer. He is not selling to a dealer. We can all sell our bikes on the open market for more than a dealer will pay for them.
 \\;
If you want the 04 RK, it is a good deal because you will be happy with it. Once you spend money on a bike you need to forget about it and enjoy the ride. No bike is a good investment, or steal, today. Ride safe.