Thinking Road King but........
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
09 Road King Here
09 Road King Std. here - no 103 but -
I average 33 around town and 40-42 highway -
From what everyone here says it is low - but - I actually record EVERY fill-up - miles and gallons used -
I average 33 around town and 40-42 highway -
From what everyone here says it is low - but - I actually record EVERY fill-up - miles and gallons used -
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 377
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
I have an 07 Road King and love it. It has the 6 speed tranny. You can add remove switch whatever you want. Extremely nice ride. The choice is yours in the end, $$$$$$ is the answer. If you want to make changes, go with the used. This way you can afford to make the changes you want to make it your own.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,514
Likes: 0
From: Hollyweird,FL
I have an 07 RK Police...buddy of mine has an 09 RK Police...couldn't tell a bit of difference between them...although I know my rear tire costs less than his does...RK's are IMHO the most versatile bike HD makes...love mine...
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 4
Earlier this year, I had the chance to buy a new RK classic or an '03 RK CVO with only 900 miles. I ended up getting the '03 because I honestly couldn't tell much difference between the two... except the '03 was a 103 with all the chrome & options, and it was cheaper. The only thing I would have liked to have had was the anti-lock brakes.
The '03 has been a truly great bike, and after putting 2K on it, I'm still very satisfied. Like you, I wanted the hard bags, removable tourpack, etc. I bought it from a dealer the day after the previous owner traded it in, and part of the deal was a warranty (I was concerned about dried out seals, brittle wiring, rubber, etc.) I bought a handlebar speaker system & BAL light, and honestly that's about all the customization I need. The CVOs have got it all, baby!
The rule-of-thumb with most sportscars, trucks, etc., is usually to buy the newest one you can afford. But I think in the case of HDs, the bikes are classics and the difference mechanically can't be justified by the price difference. At least that was my conclusion.
The '03 has been a truly great bike, and after putting 2K on it, I'm still very satisfied. Like you, I wanted the hard bags, removable tourpack, etc. I bought it from a dealer the day after the previous owner traded it in, and part of the deal was a warranty (I was concerned about dried out seals, brittle wiring, rubber, etc.) I bought a handlebar speaker system & BAL light, and honestly that's about all the customization I need. The CVOs have got it all, baby!
The rule-of-thumb with most sportscars, trucks, etc., is usually to buy the newest one you can afford. But I think in the case of HDs, the bikes are classics and the difference mechanically can't be justified by the price difference. At least that was my conclusion.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 121
From: Northern Illinois
I had an 02 and loved it. I told myself I never wanted to upgrade because it still had the Timken bearings, first year Delphi, and first year for a beefed up swingarm (bronze instead of plastic bushings).
I like to hit the twisties hard and try to ride my RK almost as hard as my old sportbikes. The 02 rear would wiggle around in the curves, especially bumpy ones. This could be pretty unsettling when trying to keep a good pace through the curves. I added a True Track to the 02. This helped but did not eliminate the "rear steer" phenomena of the rubber mounted swingarm.
I had the chance to ride my buddies 09 and 10 Touring bikes when they bought them and was impressed with the handling. It was such an overall improvement that I sold my 02 that I swore I would never part with and bought my 2011. I never thought a rubber mounted engine/trans/swingarm could be this good. Those HD engineers really got an A+ on the new frame!! I can hit the corners hard and the rear is very well behaved. It tracks through lines like a dream when compared to my 02 even with the True Track.
My 02 was a great bike, and I would recommend one to anyone, but this 2011 is a better bike.
Also heat from my 96 is not bad at all. I wouldn't let heat complaints scare you off. I am running absolutely bone stock and the heat is not a bother at all. It feels about the same as my 02 in the heat department. But I don't ride in shorts.
I like to hit the twisties hard and try to ride my RK almost as hard as my old sportbikes. The 02 rear would wiggle around in the curves, especially bumpy ones. This could be pretty unsettling when trying to keep a good pace through the curves. I added a True Track to the 02. This helped but did not eliminate the "rear steer" phenomena of the rubber mounted swingarm.
I had the chance to ride my buddies 09 and 10 Touring bikes when they bought them and was impressed with the handling. It was such an overall improvement that I sold my 02 that I swore I would never part with and bought my 2011. I never thought a rubber mounted engine/trans/swingarm could be this good. Those HD engineers really got an A+ on the new frame!! I can hit the corners hard and the rear is very well behaved. It tracks through lines like a dream when compared to my 02 even with the True Track.
My 02 was a great bike, and I would recommend one to anyone, but this 2011 is a better bike.
Also heat from my 96 is not bad at all. I wouldn't let heat complaints scare you off. I am running absolutely bone stock and the heat is not a bother at all. It feels about the same as my 02 in the heat department. But I don't ride in shorts.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
They also changed the swingarm to a better design in 02. I too like the 02s though I wouldn't pass up a good 03 or 04 as they still had the forged crank but went to the roller type bearing on the left side of the crank. In 04 they went to the narrower belt and wider tire.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Ok, so I'm going to be purchasing my first Harley ever, and I'm pretty sure I want a Road King. Thing is, I hear a lot of people tell me to go for the '09 and up because of the chassis changes. What exactly changed in '09? And what does it mean to me, the rider? I've ridin every current bike in Harley's line-up and am pretty sure I want a Road King, but not sure I can swing the coin for a new one. Thinking more around an '02-'04. I like the looks of the painted hard bags vs. the leather wrapped. I'd like to get the bars up a few of inches or so, as I don't like reaching down to 'em. But other than that, I loved the ride of the '10 and the '05 I rode. The only ones close to competing for my wallet are the Heritage or the SG. Help a noob out please.
Last edited by checkers; Jul 16, 2011 at 08:59 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
You'll be okay with any low-mile RK from '02 up to the '11's. If you search high and low you'll find a garage queen that has your name on it. The HD bubble was the late 90's to 2003 (or so) and there are a lot of great bikes sitting around that their owners thought they'd buy as an investment...and we all know how that worked out. I love my '02 RKC; I wasn't aware of any of the positive aspects of it when I bought it, but its treated me well ever since. I've ridden the new framed Touring bikes and think they're great, but not enough to make me trade my old one for one.