So I just want your opinions here.
I have an 07 RK, see sig
I bought it because it was all I could afford at that time.
I pay cash or layaway I dont finance so I have to work with what I have on hand.

I am planning on doing some crazy mods to it and it is going to cost a few bucks.
last night it occurred to me that even though I bought this because it was all I could afford, if I sell this and add my monthly mod budget to it after a few months I can get a 2009 or 2010 and then mod that bike.

I only paid 10,5$ for the 07 and it is pretty nice.

I think I can get 11.5 or 12 for it here, and I can add 3 to 5k to that by April, just as the season is starting again here.

So rather than spend 10,5 and then mod that bike I will have 15 to 17k to work with and I know I can get a 2010 or 2011 for that.

What would you do, stick with the 07 and start modding, or sell it and add my mod money for the winter to the sale price and buy a newer model and then mod it?

Everyone has a different opinion so I am game to hear what others think.

Its not the overall money I am concerned with, I just can only work with a certain amount per month and I dont do financing so I can either save up and buy a newer one or as I said just start ordering parts for mine

I know the newer ones have a different motor mount system and are supposed to be a little more stable but that bracket can be added to an 07 and firm it up too, so its not that I think I need a newer model for those reasons, I just wonder if I should wait 6 months longer and get the newer bike or not.
I feel like as I ask this I am answering my own question but I am still interested in opinions.

Lump

 

You're a brave man, asking us to help you spend your money!

I can see the attraction of the newer bikes, but I own an even older one than yours and enjoy tinkering and tweeking it. My wife and I also do serious tours on it, so it is still a working bike.

So I will open the bidding and say that if you are happy with your 07 I suggest keeping it. Over time it will mould itself even more to you and what you like, with a little spare pocket money spent on it, every now and then!

 

Agree with grbrown. I have an 07 and it's been a great bike.

 

I'm gonna go the other way and that is just because I like newer stuff unless its really old like a streetrod or muscle car. Another thing is search the 07 bikes and read about all the problems the 07 models had. It was the first year for the 96" motor and the 6 speed tranny. I'm sure not all the 07 bikes had these problem but there was an overwhelming amount of issues when they came out. Just my .02

 

I just went through a similar situation.

To set up my 07 Street glide to be a better long distance tourer I was going to need to buy some additional components. I was also looking for some additional torque to pull double up in the mountains.

Instead of adding additional equipment that would not be transferable to the new generation frame, the money would be mostly lost.

So I traded in my O7 for a 2012. Dealer gave me a pretty good trade in, and discount on end of year bike that came with new 103 engine, cruise control, and better frame.

Bought a small trunk, upgraded the seat for passenger comfort and am pretty much done for a while.

After some break in I will improve breathing a bit and start pouring on the miles.

You might consider just driving your 07 the way it is for a couple years and get the idea of what your perfect bike might be, then step up to a new bike and equip it the way you want for the years ahead. Putting additional money into your 07 will mostly be throwing it away if you already have the itch for a new bike.

My 07 did wobble a bit on higher speed sweepers, and the gearing was not the best, but I got thousands of fantastic miles on it and lots of great memories.

 

if you are looking to get another road king, personally i would just keep the one you have and make it what you want. if you are ahppy with it

 

Had old bikes my whole life. Yep, they are great and you do get attached to them. Gave all that up in 11 and got a SG with all the options at the time ( ABS, 103, Security and Cruise). I do not miss any of my old bikes and dont' care that I still have to make just a few more payments this year to wrap up the deal from a finance perspective. It has been well worth it.

 

It's all about choices....life that is. I'll say that the best advice on both sides is already in the posts above and wish you God speed.

BTW the bike in my "garage" can be had for no more then $50k if you're interested no hurry on that decision as I will have it for many years to come.

Ride safe

 

Thanks alot everyone, actually was helpful.
My feelings were should I put a large amount of money into this bike, or buy a newer bike with some of that money.
But I am going to do the same mods regardless of the year bike I decide to keep.

Uncle paul,
I was thinking exactly that, should i just wait another 6 months and then buy a newer almost band new bike to modify, or put the money into this one.

Slammedfatty,

I am going to go with another King either way, and most likely a police model for some of the features it has.
My 07 is a pi model and came stock with the 103, and bigger stator, wiring harness, etc.. so I thought it a good foundation for a build since it had the motor I wanted and the anti locks and cruise, etc.. options that in 07 were police only.

Anyway thanks guys, I think I made up my mind then I found out the rear end I want as a kit will be made available soon, until today I wasnt sure they would make any and offer them but I got word they are and it will be made for the 08 and later models, so right there pretty much made up my mind.

I am going to put in a lot of money either way no matter what year I end up with so I think what I am going to do, is get my bike, ride it for a while while listing it for sale, if I get my price for it and it sells then I will take my mod money and add it to the bike money and buy a 2011 or so and then begin my mods, if it doesnt sell and the parts I Want are available and I am ready to order, then I am going to just keep the 07 and do my build with that.

I am adding some really cool features I always wanted to have on my bikes and figured this time around I am going to add them at any cost and make the bike the way I Want it.
The way I am going I got a good deal on the bike, and when I am done I will be way ahead of the game if I decide to sell.
I am going to make my king a sick looking bagger that doesnt give up touring ability for looks.
IT will still be a great riding king with lots of built ins, a custom rear end, hidden controls, dash mount phone /nav, hidden stereo and speakers, etc..

I only started second guessing myself when I saw a 2010 with 11k on it sell for 9500$ with a 103/6 spd and I thought thats less than what I just paid for my 07.

When I bought my bike I only had 6k$ to work with, I found a guy willing to let me make a few payments and I extended my budget to 10,5$, so I am happy to have gotten the 07, it just occurred to me if I flip it and add my savings that I will have anyway for mods I could go almost new is all.

Thanks again, time will tell, I will wait until May 2013 and make a decision.

Lump

 

I usually push folks to go for the newest they can afford because they generally are cheaper and easier to maintain. However, I agree with riding the 07 to learn the likes and dislikes for you next bike. Myfirst bike was an 02 RKC that I bought specifically for learning how to ride big bikes. And I rode it for three years before getting my 09 SG. I called it my beater bike, but it was still like new when I sold it 29000 miles. There were two things I learned from the 02 that I really wanted from a new bike, better stability on rain grooved highways and ABS.

I might suggest you don' t do a lot of mods until you decide if it is your bike to keep because you don't get that money back in the resale. I saved my mod money for my SG.

Beary