Upgrade to RK- Worth It?
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 12
From: North Carolina
Upgrade to RK- Worth It?
Hi to All -
I recently purchased a Softail Deluxe, but found I'm not really fully happy. I bought the bike because I'm 5'7", 29" inseam, and near 60 years old. Have had five surgeries over the last two years, affects my upper body strength. After a year with the bike ('07 model, 96" engine, six speed tranny) I made a few mods, including backrest and upgraded passenger seat for the wife, windshield, and some others, but my main problem is that I have no place to store my gear when I get where I want to be.
I generally wear a riding suit (body armor and back protector, rainproof) and it's large and bulky. It fits into the side hard bag of the touring bikes, but not in the leather bags. That's fine with me since I like locking luggage. The problem is that to upgrade from the Softail will cost me over $6K, quite a bit considering that I only ride about 3,000 miles/year. I can add bags to the Softail, but it will ruin the look, and cost almost as much when you add up the new exhausts.
The question (finally) do those of you with the touring models feel that the increased price is worth it to you? If I upgrade, I'll get the '08 RKC and have the dealer swap out the leather bags for the hard locking luggage on the standard RK. I'd also add the ABS option, so I am getting some value for the extra $6K, but it is still a lot of money. Help me decide.
I recently purchased a Softail Deluxe, but found I'm not really fully happy. I bought the bike because I'm 5'7", 29" inseam, and near 60 years old. Have had five surgeries over the last two years, affects my upper body strength. After a year with the bike ('07 model, 96" engine, six speed tranny) I made a few mods, including backrest and upgraded passenger seat for the wife, windshield, and some others, but my main problem is that I have no place to store my gear when I get where I want to be.
I generally wear a riding suit (body armor and back protector, rainproof) and it's large and bulky. It fits into the side hard bag of the touring bikes, but not in the leather bags. That's fine with me since I like locking luggage. The problem is that to upgrade from the Softail will cost me over $6K, quite a bit considering that I only ride about 3,000 miles/year. I can add bags to the Softail, but it will ruin the look, and cost almost as much when you add up the new exhausts.
The question (finally) do those of you with the touring models feel that the increased price is worth it to you? If I upgrade, I'll get the '08 RKC and have the dealer swap out the leather bags for the hard locking luggage on the standard RK. I'd also add the ABS option, so I am getting some value for the extra $6K, but it is still a lot of money. Help me decide.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Upgrade to RK- Worth It?
Sell your bike outright and it will probably cost you about $3,000 to upgrade. Take a demo RKCfor a good long ride then decide for yourself. In fact, if you decide to buy,finda used 07 RKC from a private seller and cut your down your losses even more.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
RE: Upgrade to RK- Worth It?
The bags on the soft tail look like some one on a soft tail is taking a road trip. My buds soft tail looks good with or with out additional bags. As the saying goes: "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder". I was at the Hammond Harley(Louisiana)dealer yesterday and he had a couple of Ultra's for less than $22k. I personally think it is harder to ride the RK than the ST except when on the highway and then the RK seems to be slighly better on the ride BUT NOT FOR 3K milesa YEAR.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,457
Likes: 83
From:
RE: Upgrade to RK- Worth It?
i have an 06 RKC. i hit the jackpot when i found a pair of VERY nice cobalt hard bags for $200. they definitely look good, but i can also swap back to the leather bags at will.
versatility man.
versatility man.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 12
From: North Carolina
RE: Upgrade to RK- Worth It?
Gdona-
Thanks for the reply. The '08 with the mods I want is almost $22K out the door. I'm pretty lucky if I can sell my bike for $16K in the current market, that's why I posted a $6K upgrade cost. The '07 models still have some people avoiding them because of the ISO "problem". Real or not, it does impact resale, as you said, but when I rode a '07 RK I did notice that it was less smooth than the '08 model. Both were dealer demos, setup identically. I liked the '08 brakes more (non-ABS, but Brembo) and the ride did seem smoother. I didn't like the handlebars, seemed less well placed than on the '07. That's part of the mod cost for the '08 - changing bars. The new throttle probably makes the bars look a bit less cluttered, but it isn't a big deal for me one way or the other.
So, to me the '08 versus the '07 offers better brakes (I am very biased toward Brembos - had great experience with them on other bikes), "smoother" shifting/ride with ISO drive installed from the factory, marginally better throttle control with the new electronic upgrade from HD, and a slightly larger fuel tank - not a big deal, but nice anyway. Is that worth about a $3K premium to the '07 model -- yes for me, if I include the ABS brakes. My reflexes aren't what they used to be, and if ABS makes me feel more confident, then I'm more likely to ride the bike more often.
Again, thanks for the comments - much appreciated.
Thanks for the reply. The '08 with the mods I want is almost $22K out the door. I'm pretty lucky if I can sell my bike for $16K in the current market, that's why I posted a $6K upgrade cost. The '07 models still have some people avoiding them because of the ISO "problem". Real or not, it does impact resale, as you said, but when I rode a '07 RK I did notice that it was less smooth than the '08 model. Both were dealer demos, setup identically. I liked the '08 brakes more (non-ABS, but Brembo) and the ride did seem smoother. I didn't like the handlebars, seemed less well placed than on the '07. That's part of the mod cost for the '08 - changing bars. The new throttle probably makes the bars look a bit less cluttered, but it isn't a big deal for me one way or the other.
So, to me the '08 versus the '07 offers better brakes (I am very biased toward Brembos - had great experience with them on other bikes), "smoother" shifting/ride with ISO drive installed from the factory, marginally better throttle control with the new electronic upgrade from HD, and a slightly larger fuel tank - not a big deal, but nice anyway. Is that worth about a $3K premium to the '07 model -- yes for me, if I include the ABS brakes. My reflexes aren't what they used to be, and if ABS makes me feel more confident, then I'm more likely to ride the bike more often.
Again, thanks for the comments - much appreciated.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
RE: Upgrade to RK- Worth It?
A dealer installed IDS on the 07 ought to make it the same as an 08 for the smothness. But for $3k you not only get the ABS upgraded (from '07) but alsoyou get a new bike instead of a year old bike. I all ways think a year newer is worth $'s. Ifyou are going to do it, get an '08 (it has more up grades than what you listed.)
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 383
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: Upgrade to RK- Worth It?
You will need to lower the bike with 12" shocks, to feel comfortable.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,371
Likes: 11
From:
RE: Upgrade to RK- Worth It?
for 3,000 miles a year and a place to store a riding suit for $6K does not make sense to me. It is your money, do what you think is right. Get the RK, maybe you will ride much more and it will be worth it in the long run. I think over time you will like the RK better then the Deluxe
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 5
From: Ontario, Canada
RE: Upgrade to RK- Worth It?
ORIGINAL: lencap
Hi to All -
I recently purchased a Softail Deluxe, but found I'm not really fully happy. I bought the bike because I'm 5'7", 29" inseam, and near 60 years old. Have had five surgeries over the last two years, affects my upper body strength. After a year with the bike ('07 model, 96" engine, six speed tranny) I made a few mods, including backrest and upgraded passenger seat for the wife, windshield, and some others, but my main problem is that I have no place to store my gear when I get where I want to be.
I generally wear a riding suit (body armor and back protector, rainproof) and it's large and bulky. It fits into the side hard bag of the touring bikes, but not in the leather bags. That's fine with me since I like locking luggage. The problem is that to upgrade from the Softail will cost me over $6K, quite a bit considering that I only ride about 3,000 miles/year. I can add bags to the Softail, but it will ruin the look, and cost almost as much when you add up the new exhausts.
The question (finally) do those of you with the touring models feel that the increased price is worth it to you? If I upgrade, I'll get the '08 RKC and have the dealer swap out the leather bags for the hard locking luggage on the standard RK. I'd also add the ABS option, so I am getting some value for the extra $6K, but it is still a lot of money. Help me decide.
Hi to All -
I recently purchased a Softail Deluxe, but found I'm not really fully happy. I bought the bike because I'm 5'7", 29" inseam, and near 60 years old. Have had five surgeries over the last two years, affects my upper body strength. After a year with the bike ('07 model, 96" engine, six speed tranny) I made a few mods, including backrest and upgraded passenger seat for the wife, windshield, and some others, but my main problem is that I have no place to store my gear when I get where I want to be.
I generally wear a riding suit (body armor and back protector, rainproof) and it's large and bulky. It fits into the side hard bag of the touring bikes, but not in the leather bags. That's fine with me since I like locking luggage. The problem is that to upgrade from the Softail will cost me over $6K, quite a bit considering that I only ride about 3,000 miles/year. I can add bags to the Softail, but it will ruin the look, and cost almost as much when you add up the new exhausts.
The question (finally) do those of you with the touring models feel that the increased price is worth it to you? If I upgrade, I'll get the '08 RKC and have the dealer swap out the leather bags for the hard locking luggage on the standard RK. I'd also add the ABS option, so I am getting some value for the extra $6K, but it is still a lot of money. Help me decide.
IMO it's pretty simple really. You're 60 years old, you want a Road King set up as detailed. Quit fukn around and go get one before your life passes you by Buddy. You don't want to be an 80 year old in a rocking chair, full of regrets about the bike you should have been riding!
You can't take it with you.