I am looking at an 07 road king with a 103". I had an 07 road king with a 96" so I am very familiar with it, but have never been on a 103". What are the pros and cons (if there are any)?

 

Do you have history on the 103 build.... done by HD, by the owner, a builder? What cams, compression? If high compression, does it have compression releases. Could give you a problem when it gets hot. Did it have a tune or just a map? Any dyno sheets available from the owner.

See what you can find out and ride it. If all is good, it should go fast compared to your stock (if that's what you had) 07.

Good luck.... glad to see you back on the 07's!

 

I have an 09 RK Police with the 103.

The 103 vibrates noticeably more than the 96 at idle/lights and less so when underway, but the images in your mirrors will never be as clear as the 96.

The extra vibration at idle/lights was annoying at first and at times I thought the bike was going to shake apart but now I'm used to it, and I appreciate the extra horsepower on the highway.

It's still a tough call for me. If you want a super smooth ride, go with the 96. If you want something a little edgier and unique, go with the 103 but you may not be as comfortable on longer rides.

I love my bike and its 103 but if someone said it would turn into 96 tomorrow, I guess I'd be OK with that too.

 

I have to say I do really enjoy my 103 build. I can't say I noticed any increased vibration but have limited miles to gauge it on. I did get the manual compression release. Check some of the threads and you will see what to look for on starting issues or potential. Good luck whichever way you go. Pros... that's easy it has more tourque if that is what you want. Con from what I have seen occassional starting issues. However that said it seems the riders that have made the conversion to 103 that are happy with it outnumber the ones who don't like it. That is a casual observation from reading threads before and after I had it done and by no means scientific.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I appreciate it.
The 103 build was done at the factory with the same cams as the current 96 and ultra 103 limiteds this year.
Bike was race tuned at dealer and there are dyno sheets available.
Compression releases were done at the dealer.

 

I've got the factory 103 in the Limited, and a built 103 in the 'Train. Two completely different engines.

The Limited does just fine with what it's got, and I doubt I'd be happy with an Ultra with a 96. The built 103 in the 'Train is just sick.

 

I don't think there are any negatives but there is probably a fairly minor increase in performance. However, a nice set of cams and you've got something.

 

I had the 103 done to my 08 SG after the warranty ran out. SE pistons, SE lifters, .030 head gaskets, street port and compression releases by BigBoyz (These guys were great to work with). I used the Andrews 54H cams and while there are many to choose from these are fantastic, at least with my combo. Never read anything really negative about these cams but there was a thread where it was said these cams didn't work well with true duals and a six speed, which is what I have. BULL!!! I'm making 100tq at 1500 rpm's. I'm in 6th by 55 mph and I can go WOT and there is no lugging or pinging and it accelerates likes it's in 5th. I've lost nothing with these cams. Averging around 43 to 45 MPG, 50+ out west where the thin air is.
Gary

 

THIS IS A MUST "Do you have history on the 103 build.... done by HD, by the owner, a builder? What cams, compression? If high compression, does it have compression releases. Could give you a problem when it gets hot. Did it have a tune or just a map? Any dyno sheets available from the owner." IF YOU DON'T DO THIS YOU MAY BE BUYING SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROBLEM(S)

 

Depending on the price difference, based on your comments about what was done, you should have a good running scoot. To begin bringing your 96 up to that kind of performance, you'll need a Stage 1 (pipes/air cleaner), tuner module and cams to get some decent numbers. That could set you back a conservative $1200-$2000. Then you need a dynotune - another $300-600. That might give you an idea of the cost difference. If the difference is more than $2500-3000, you might want to get the 96 and do some mods on your own.