Ok new to Touring models, but have had a softail for awhile. Anyway softail got hit by a tire and wheel from the other side of the freeway and totalled so I'm looking for a Road King now. What I need help with is are there any years I should stay away from? I'm looking at a couple '02s. Is there anything I should pay close attention to when looking at them? Is there a year range better then others and why? Any help would be appreciated.

Well here it is my new to me '02 Road King Classic. Just picked up some hard bags, saddlebag rails, detachable backrest, stock 2 piece seat for it. Ordered a Woody's stereo fairing, ordering Arnott air ride this week and when i get over healing from my accident will order some bagger apes and then should be done for a couple weeks or so if you know what i mean. Most likely going to put my own custom paint on it too. Had a heritage paint set in the shop when i totaled it so might use the fenders and re-paint the rest of this bike. Here's some pics. let me know what you think. Think I should keep with this paint scheme or too hard to match. It has ghost flames and pinstriping. Anyone ever seen one like this? Let me know what you think.

 

I have an 06 RKC. I know mine has EFI and I think that EFI started in 05/06. I have had no issues. It is a great bike....it's a Harley!!!

One of the best parts of buying a Harley is shopping for a Harley. Have fun!!!

 

EFI started before that... my 04 RK Classic has it.

 

Both '02s I'm looking at have efi. Any known problems?

 

My '01 is FI, too -- runs great! ...bought it used a couple of years back and couldn't be more pleased with the ride and dependability. I did just read here (somewhere...) someone's opinon that the '02s were some of the best RKs. No matter what the year and model it's probably gonna come down to the relationship and "feel" you have for the seller and how the bike "looks" -- then, after you live with it for a while you'll really know what you have.

 

2002 is aruguably the best year for the Road King. First year for Delphi EFI (prior years were Magnetti Marelli and not as desirable). They also have an upgraded swingarm from earlier year Road Kings and the have a forged crank with Timken bearings.

The thing that was a problem for them is the spring loaded cam chain tensioners. You wont get away from that unlees you jump up to at least a 2007. On the other hand, someone may have upgraded the 2002 to a hydraulic tensioner setup or a gear drive setup. Either would be better than the factory spring style tensioners. If you do jump to a 2007 or newer, you lose the forged crank and timken bearings but as I said, you gain the hydraulic tensioner setup and you get a 96" and 6 speed tranny factory setup. If you decide to jump to a big bore kit on the 88" in the pre 2007, the 95" you go to are excellent builds.

 

So, looking at a very clean '98 that runs great but has about 70,000 miles on it for $7500. Anyone have any opinions? Or should I keep trying to get one of the '02s?

So the Road Kings from 2000-2006 have the same problem as the softails with the cam chain tensioners? I had just changed mine in the softail right before my crash which sucks.

Any help appreciated.

 

02 is one of the best year touring bikes. All the good stuff. In 05 they wet to a cast crank.

 

My brother in law bought a 2005 Ultra Classic today with 23,000 miles for $10,000. I think $7,500 for the '98 is about $2,000 too much, considering the miles.

 

I love my 01. Ditto on the ten. springs. I replaced mine with a S&S gear drive when I did a 95" build 30k ago. Did I say I love my 01?