first harley will be a road king
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 8
From: Creola, AL.
The FLHR is a very good bike. I personally like the stock bars, but did put a sun downer seat on mine. Has ABS and Cruise. Added a detachable luggage rack and sissy bar. I like the Harley windshield that comes off in 5 seconds. The detachable sissy bar and luggage rack make it great for about any type of riding you like to do. If you can only have 1 bike the FLHR is a great choice.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
Must have? Get the Ride Like A Pro V DVD. The lessons on how to pick up your bike & slow speed manuvering are worth the pride of the disk alone. Every thing else in there is great information as well.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Before I got my Ultra, had a '03 RKC. I did change to the Sundowner seat and pullback bars - made it soooo much more comfortable for my rider and me.
I'd suggest cruise control as a must have.
Nice, would be a stage I (pipes and A/C). Both the stage I, seat and bars can wait until you've had a chance to ride the bike for a while.
I'd second/third the suggestion to check with your dealers to see if you can get an '09 for a good price. I think you would be close on a Road King with hardbags (these may or may not have the same cool factor as leather bags, but are infinitely more practical since they lock).
Good luck and welcome to touring bikes!!
I'd suggest cruise control as a must have.
Nice, would be a stage I (pipes and A/C). Both the stage I, seat and bars can wait until you've had a chance to ride the bike for a while.
I'd second/third the suggestion to check with your dealers to see if you can get an '09 for a good price. I think you would be close on a Road King with hardbags (these may or may not have the same cool factor as leather bags, but are infinitely more practical since they lock).
Good luck and welcome to touring bikes!!
Novice
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Endicott, NY
I agree that there are a lot of great deals out there. I have a 98 Dyna Super Glide and I just bought a 08 Road King 105th Anniv edition. It only has 1500 miles on it and the previous owner put about 6K in chrome, stage 1, V&H pipes, 6 year warranty, etc. The bike has ABS. I looked for about 3 months until I found this one. I wanted cruise and the only other item I may add at soem point is the Tour Pack. Most of my riding is weekends. I am selling my 98. It is a great bike, only 20K but wanted to move up to a touring bike and I could not pass up the deal.
Many dealers are looking to move inventory. If you find the one you want see if they will ship it to you. Several dealers are offering free shipping.
Many dealers are looking to move inventory. If you find the one you want see if they will ship it to you. Several dealers are offering free shipping.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,423
Likes: 2
From: Ellenwood, GA - The Ghetto Part
I had a 2001 RK & loved it. Traded it for a 2004 Electra Glide Classic & have a 2007 Electra Glide Classic now.
The 96" & 6-speed are nice. The later years - 2008 & above - handle running in 6th gear around 60 - 65 better than my 2007. I don't hit 6th until around 70 or so. I would recommend at least the Stage 1 breather and some new pipes to help the bike breathe(no matter what year it is). As stated by others, you can get some great deals on some 08's & 09's now because lots of people are selling due to economy.
Must have as far as I'm concerned:
Different seat - Tried Sundowner - okay. Went with Mustang and love it.
Different grips - I use Kuryakyn Iso-grips and like them.
Different pipes - I had some D&D slip-ons with the RK I loved. But with the pipes and radio on the 2004 EGC, it was obnoxiously loud to my wife. So pipes went.
Stage 1 - at least.
BTW, they named it Road King for a real good reason.
The 96" & 6-speed are nice. The later years - 2008 & above - handle running in 6th gear around 60 - 65 better than my 2007. I don't hit 6th until around 70 or so. I would recommend at least the Stage 1 breather and some new pipes to help the bike breathe(no matter what year it is). As stated by others, you can get some great deals on some 08's & 09's now because lots of people are selling due to economy.
Must have as far as I'm concerned:
Different seat - Tried Sundowner - okay. Went with Mustang and love it.
Different grips - I use Kuryakyn Iso-grips and like them.
Different pipes - I had some D&D slip-ons with the RK I loved. But with the pipes and radio on the 2004 EGC, it was obnoxiously loud to my wife. So pipes went.
Stage 1 - at least.
BTW, they named it Road King for a real good reason.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
You have made a great choice in deciding upon a Road King. You've seen it here earlier. Attend to your personal comfort first. It will greatly enhance your enjoyment. The FLHR handlebars don't really satisfy many people. It is too long of a reach and gives many rides a pain between their shoulder blades. The stock seat is nothing sort of a joke. Get rid of it first. Take a look at Mustang (my preference) or Sundowner.
The sole purpose of the MOCO's stock seat is that it would look perfectly ridiculous to sell bikes without any seat at all. The MOCO wants you to have to buy another seat because it knows that a percentage will choose Sundowner or some other MOCO model. That's why I spent my money elsewhere with Mustang. I wasn't going to give the MOCO the pleasure of getting more money from me because they put a crappy seat on the bike in the first place.
Comfort items first:
seat
bars
rider back rest
highway pegs
cruise
The sole purpose of the MOCO's stock seat is that it would look perfectly ridiculous to sell bikes without any seat at all. The MOCO wants you to have to buy another seat because it knows that a percentage will choose Sundowner or some other MOCO model. That's why I spent my money elsewhere with Mustang. I wasn't going to give the MOCO the pleasure of getting more money from me because they put a crappy seat on the bike in the first place.
Comfort items first:
seat
bars
rider back rest
highway pegs
cruise
Banned
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Pine Mountain, Ga.
I would go for an 09 over the 10 and do heritage bars so you don't have to change any cables. Pick a good seat. And add Rush 1.75 slipons so you don't have to change out anything else and still get a great sounding Motor.
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: PA
I agree with whoever else said to drop another couple of K and get a 2010 but if 15 is your limit, then I would just buy the bike and ride it awhile and decide for yourself what you want to add or subtract. Many have suggested seats and handlebars. Its more of an each to their own kinda thing. Personally, I like the factory seat and handlebars. After riding mine for awhile, I found the factory headlight to suck so I added an HID headlight and foglights. There again, it mostly depends on what kind of riding you will be doing. The neat thing about the Road King is its versatility. In a matter of minutes, you can run it with a windshield, without a windshield, with or without bags. For an additional $250 you can add a fairing that is as quickly put on or taken off as the windshield.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 6
From: Kingman, AZ
IMO 6 speed (07 & up) and the 96. I am one of the very few who does not find the seat uncomfortable but did change bars. I agree with others, buy-ride-read on here and you will discover what's most important for you for "extras."
Two nice looking 09's on here for great price, close to your limit right now in the bikes-for-sale postings. BrettnBamas (sp?) and a torquois/cream one.
Wish I had shopped used back in 08......low mileage used, and maybe it's the economy, are going for great prices it seems. Good Luck and great choice!
Two nice looking 09's on here for great price, close to your limit right now in the bikes-for-sale postings. BrettnBamas (sp?) and a torquois/cream one.
Wish I had shopped used back in 08......low mileage used, and maybe it's the economy, are going for great prices it seems. Good Luck and great choice!