Looking to buy a used rk any advice welcome. Want to tour and ride as a daily, new to biking so open to all advice

 

How much is your budget?

 

Ask about the maintanence done on the bike. Did the owner keep records? How many miles are you comfortable having on a used bike? Are you buying local or on Ebay?
Are you buying used from the dealer? All questions you need to think about. Once you get some numbers run them by the guys in the forum here (with pics please) they let you know what they think. If you buying local and you go to the guys house and he has nice cars and they're kept up nicely, it's a pretty safe bet the bike has been maintained.

 

don't be suprised if you go to a private party and they don't let you ride it. thats par for the course. you can ask the owner to take it for a spin up and down the block, but most won't let anyone else ride their bikes.

 

I think the 2005's had bad valve guide seals. Pre 2002 had the Magnetti Marelli fuel injection which lots of people dont care much for.

 

02 is a good year,forged crank timken bearings and a stronger swing arm and delphi injection.

 

He's right there, 02's are the beginning of delphi and the stronger swing arm as well as thicker front and rear axles. The timkins and the forged crank are not on the newer 88" twin cams, not all 05's had bad valve guides, but it is a problem with them.
If you have the bread, even newer is better. Clearly the 09' and 10' bikes are much better handlers.

 

My 05 was just an amazing ride. Again, it all comes back to how much are you willing to part with. I can say I did not care for the leather bags.

 

I am in your boat also , Have been looking for a EG and new . Really do not want to buy NEW and want a nice used EG. Well I happen to go look at a 2002 RK with leather bags(not crazy about) and it is chromed forks and every where else ( controls etc.). Bike is a mint white one I have not seen many of those and it has an oil cooler., 4K miles , guy did his own service? So it needs a tune-up , I really like it and he wants $10K for it ?? Now I have a MINT!!!! EG 1998 w/27K miles I also love for $9K , I am sooooooooo confused they are both Ace's and that RK came out of no where. I asked HD what Fairing can I get (Batwing?) for it that was a HD they said none just get a Memphis Shades brand and maybe a Hoppe? Well it still is not a EG but it is Sweet RK . So my search will end tomorrow , I think I may flip a coin it sure is confusing ??
HELPPPPPPPPPP ! ! ! !

 

Get the RK and add a third party fairing. Same handling and much more flexible bike. Plus 2002 was a very good year.

Riley