soon to buy a not so new Road King

[robflstc90]

Truck loan will be paid in January, so I'm getting a 2nd bike I want a RK. I don't want fly by wire or the lexan headlight. I'm considering a police bike as they sometimes have an upgraded motor. I was told they went to fly by in 07. So it will be an 06 or earlier. Any suggestions? In advance thanks

[Boost]

Truck loan will be paid in January, so I'm getting a 2nd bike I want a RK. I don't want fly by wire or the lexan headlight. I'm considering a police bike as they sometimes have an upgraded motor. I was told they went to fly by in 07. So it will be an 06 or earlier. Any suggestions? In advance thanks

Touring DBW started in 2008.

[Princess Butt]

2006 was the last year for a 5 speed and 88 inch motor. If you go 2007, you'll get the 96 inch motor and a 6 speed. 2008 brings throttle by wire and a bigger 6 gallon tank. 2009 will bring the better frame.

There was a lot of changes from one year to the next starting in 2007 thru 2009.

[IronMike113]

You find the right Tuner,you won't even know you have one,I run two of them no issues as of yet

[kristian]

2006 was the last year for a 5 speed and 88 inch motor. If you go 2007, you'll get the 96 inch motor and a 6 speed. 2008 brings throttle by wire and a bigger 6 gallon tank. 2009 will bring the better frame.

There was a lot of changes from one year to the next starting in 2007 thru 2009.

and carbs  , 07 + all efi

[Boost]

2008+ cush drive
08 was a bolt on, 09+ was is in the wheel.

[Flhfxd]

And hydraulic cam tensioners instead of springs started (Fxd's excluded) in '07.
Prolly worth some consideration. I'd look for a low mile EVO. Quite a few out there.
My $0.02
Cheers, Flhfxd

[BUBBIE]

I know you don't want the throttle by wire.

The 09 King I Have is So much better bike than the older ones. I am very happy with it. I never thought I would even like FI along with Cruise Control but I would not be without it today. The larger frame and soft drive I get. Fantastic.

I presently have 93,000 miles on the bike, Bought as a 96" now a nice built 103".Yes a few problems Like that Nasty Comp it came with.Replace it with SE 08A did a few modifications to it and is working good? 31,000 on that comp.

Now the Blue finish Looks as New as New. I do try to keep it that way.

Thought the cushion drive and the swing arm bushings might be ready for new parts along with the pulleys and a belt BUT NO... Wearing good for many more miles yet to come...

I bought the 09 King because of the no cats and being the VERY last one on the floor as the Newer 10's were just out.  Mid August 09... Got a very good deal.

Just my sharing with you.

signed....BUBBIE

[bigfoot5x]

My suggestion is buy the one with the color you like. We have had several Twin Cams and put lots of miles on them. These are reliable machines in stock or only slightly modified form. Throttle by wire is not a problem. Every time you hear about a throttle by wire problem, ask if they have changed handlebars. Sometime people create their own problem, you know?

[fleetmechanic]

Running a private fleet of police models.  Only had a couple of problems with the FBW throttle whereas throttle cables used to break or drag much more often and yes they were lubricated. The wide rear tires last a lot longer than the MT90s did also.

[PoorUB]

Add me to the list that likes FBW. No problems at all on my 2010.

IMO, buy a 2009 or newer, sure you have to go with the FBW, but the new frame is better than the '08 and earlier. The 96"/103" six speed, six gallon tank, new frame sold me when I bought my 2010. If you want a pre-FBW bike than pretty much any year is good. Some say the '02 is best because of the lefty Timpken bearing, but it does not seem to be an issue unless you want to go crazy on engine mods. '05 had bad valve guide seals, but unless you find a very low milage bike most of them should be fixed by now. '06 Dyna and '07 everything else has the new style cam chain tensioners which have been darned near bullet proof, unlike the previous tensioners.

[Dresser]

I've got an '04 Cop Road King I bought in '05. It has been a good bike. Maintenance is all it has taken to keep it on the road.

[iconicbikesrider]

I had a 2009 police bike. Great bike and today I regret selling it. I got a 2013 Street Glide which is also a great bike but my RK FLHP came with a new "retuned" frame, 103 CI, 6 gallons tank, 6 speed tranny, oil cooler (now standard in touring bikes) 50 Amps, high output "alternator" ABS and something that a lot of people overlooks and usually changes...a wonderful seat. Majority of people change the seat to a "normal" seat...to me, the very best most comfortable seat there is. It is wide and has a air bladder which makes the seat ultra smooth and it is great for long rides. When I bought my new SG, I exchanged seats. SG to police bike before I sold it and the FLHP seat to SG. A lot of friends tell me that it looks funny and it is too tall  but I am 6'1 and to me, this time comfort is more important than looks.
BTW, a new police bike usually cost a couple of thousands less than the "civilian" model. Although majority of dealers do not sell them, I found one that sold me a brand new one, zero miles which they had it as a "Demo" (in this case, demo is an euphemismo)
Whatever you do and buy, good luck.

[Durwood]

Truck loan will be paid in January, so I'm getting a 2nd bike I want a RK. I don't want fly by wire or the lexan headlight. I'm considering a police bike as they sometimes have an upgraded motor. I was told they went to fly by in 07. So it will be an 06 or earlier. Any suggestions? In advance thanks

PM Herko, he is selling his 2004 RKC, I bet you would not find a nicer, more pampered machine.

[robflstc90]

Truck Loan is done. I'll have about 11K to spend. I've been looking at cycle trader & craigslist. Lots out there some seem a little bit too good to be true. I  reread the suggestions you folks have sent, again thank you. Any last words before I pull the trigger.

[76shuvlinoff]

I've got a 39 year old bike and the throttle cable works fine. I'm such a rebel I only use one cable on it. 

That said, my 'lectic EG has a whoooole lot going for it. 

Mark

[bigfoot5x]

I had a 2007 StreetGlide and ran it 95,000 trouble free miles. Only issues ever (and minor ones to me) were fault of dealer techs. Changed it from a 96" to 103" with Andrews cams at 35,000 miles. My own work. Loved that bike but traded it for 2013 StreetGlide. This one now has 25,000 trouble free miles in 18 months. Changed the cams and painted the inner fairing to match the bike. Beautiful and perfect to me. Definite frame improvement over 07.  Love it even more! I posted a while back on here and said to find one with the color you like. I stand  by that advice. Enjoy your new bike!

[tomcat64]

you can buy a pretty nice,, low mile 2001-2004 flhr for well under 10k

[DTTJGlide]

There looks to be a nice 09 RK for $11,000 on HDF, not good at links, just search road king in bikes FS, owner is Cvalho, good luck in your search.

[PanHeadRed]

>I'm considering a police bike as they sometimes have an upgraded motor.<

They don't, lots of work and $ to get the chassis set-up to civilian mode.

[twincam8888]

>I'm considering a police bike as they sometimes have an upgraded motor.<

They don't, lots of work and $ to get the chassis set-up to civilian mode.

Police bikes had 103" engines starting in 2007. Usually not a lot to change, most people change the seat and I think you need to change the fender strut covers to install a rack or back rest.

[clawdog60]

I have a carb. 02, 13 years now, factory cruise control. Wouldn't hesitate to buy a lower mileage one. Yeah a few issues here and there but just typical hd corner cutting,has been very dependable though. I have $ to buy a new one but why? Wouldn't be worth the cost. 

[carolinayarddog]

Two points I have much personal experience on:

1) My 04 had a fluid"weep" around the shifter shaft; required going into the inner primary at least twice to replace gaskets; was told this was a problem with tourers a year or two around that time
2)had several throttle cables break; not a good feeling to be stranded or even worse, have it happen on an expressway where there are construction barriers

Yarddog

It's a sorry dog that wont bark its own yard

[PanHeadRed]

>I'm considering a police bike as they sometimes have an upgraded motor.<

They don't, lots of work and $ to get the chassis set-up to civilian mode.

Police bikes had 103" engines starting in 2007. Usually not a lot to change, most people change the seat and I think you need to change the fender strut covers to install a rack or back rest.

Tires, wires, switches, seat, passenger pegs...stuff like that.

[robflstc90]

It's been my experience "never buy the first new year" is that the case with the 2009? new frame. Typically some bugs first go round. Was the upgraded frame really that big a deal? Nobody's going to trash their bike, once you're the owner it's like having a kid, you look for the good.

[sfmichael]

Only twin cam I'd avoid were the early fuel injected bikes (Magnet-Marelli system)

I've had 2001 - 2013 (about 6-7 bikes) and loved them all. My '01 was carbureted and ran great, and even better after tweaking the carb a little.

Earlier motors have some cam bearing and cam chain tensioner issues but nothing overly expensive to remedy. '08 FBW bikes had a few complaints, I might skip that year but even still, if the deal is right I wouldn't pass one up.

What part of the country are you in?

[robflstc90]

What part of the country are you in?

Beaufort SC

[tomcat64]

if you are unsure of a used bikes history,, PM me the VIN# and I can run a background check for you,, thru HD and thru VIN audit..

[coastie56]

My 03 Road King went nearly 70K miles with a cam and big bore and was stone reliable. My girlfriend and I broke it in on a weekend trip up North and couldn't wait till the odometer rolled over 500 so I could open her up and she what she would do. She actually lifted the front a little shifting into second and I can still remember Sugar Lips yelling YAHOO! in my ear! LOL. In reality she rarely saw redline, but I never turned down a race either, and smoked a few cop cars too because in my part of the state they'll occasionally roll up on ya at a light and challenge ya with a big grin! You're gonna love it. After years of riding many Gold Wings I was concerned when I first rode her home listening to that motor making all that noise but she won my respect and love in short order and never failed me. I found a very low mileage 08 Ultra and am having the same good luck. Of course she REALLY gets pampered. You will find that the days of lusting after the latest and greatest are probably gonna be over, unlike every time they rolled out a new model GL every couple of years. And my cervical spine feels better because I no longer get whiplash every time a Harley rumbles by because my black one is obviously faster....

[tomcat64]

why wait 500 miles... LOL.. we put them on the dyno brand new and its WFO...

[coastie56]

why wait 500 miles... LOL.. we put them on the dyno brand new and its WFO...

Tomcat I always feel like I get the straight skinny from your posts, and they always leave me grinning. Truth is I found a way to break in my bikes that always works for me. I take it easy on the break in factory oil and then change over to synthetic after a few hard pulls and about 500 miles and then again at 1000. The dealer mechanic on my bike didn't get the note I left that I had switched it over just before I dropped off for the first service and he put in regular oil again. No big deal IMHO, as I always get terrific service out of my dealer which was Ray Cs at the time. I have another riding buddy who took his brand new EGlide standard out into the street as he was leaving the dealer and stopped and did a burnout right out front! He hasn't had any issues either on his 02 and still rides the wheels off it. Different strokes...

[robflstc90]

Well the money's in the bank & I've been scouting Craigslist, eBay & Cycle Trader. Everything I find & like is gone before I get there. There was a 2011 Police bike in Florida that I'd have loved. Called a few times no answer, no call back. When I did finally reach him he said it was sold. Question when buying a bike, Transaction suggestions. I intended to meet the seller at a branch of my bank on a Friday I'm off, Cash is King. However if I find something & it's on a working Friday I wont be able to. I know with the scams out there no one wants to take a check or money order. Is there a better way?
For those who've ridden both, How much difference is there performance wise between the 96 & 103 motors?

[fleetmechanic]

Our police bikes used for escorting funerals are all now 103" motors.  A couple of the guys bought 96" touring bikes for their own use and said it feels close enough to the 103.  The 6 speed seems to help make the difference from the 88" models too.

[robflstc90]

Trigger Pulled, after a number of disappointments I went &  picked up my bike yesterday 2009 10k pristine condition. Today it's pouring rain.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa139/fishinfoflounder/mi%20bike_zpsl2wvwhqk.jpg

[BUBBIE]

Very Nice and LOW miles... I have over 100,000 miles on my 09 FLH King... went from 96" to 103" because I wanted to go Bigger. IT by No Means needed a top rebuild at 66,000 miles...

You should get lot of Smooth Riding out of that bike When it Quits Raining...

Always seems to go that way... New Bike and RAIN...

signed....BUBBIE

[Joker65]

I've got an '04 Cop Road King I bought in '05. It has been a good bike. Maintenance is all it has taken to keep it on the road.

That's exactly what my last RK was; bought ot with 238 miles on the clock... I traded her in for my current 2009 FBW version.
BOTH are/were great bikes, and that 04 FLHP was a fantastic bike... well mannered and a great cruiser.   
(She had a 95" mild build with the SE203 cams and beach bars... loved that ride!)


[attach=1]

[glens]

The Road Kings looked a lot better before the 6 gallon tanks.

[Bagger]

The Road Kings looked a lot better before the 6 gallon tanks.

[BUBBIE]

Well, The 6 gallon tank is Really great... I'll take it over the Beautiful 5 gallon tank any day of the week...

I truly appreciated it on this Long riding I did testing the 10w60 Moly oil. But needed to stop Just for the Stops as it goes forever on 6 gallons.

signed....BUBBIE

[robflstc90]

I have a 6 gallon tank on my softail & had a 7 gallon on it until tha Crème tank seal started to peel. I rarely had to stop for gas   

[oldhippie]

Trigger Pulled, after a number of disappointments I went &  picked up my bike yesterday 2009 10k pristine condition. Today it's pouring rain.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa139/fishinfoflounder/mi%20bike_zpsl2wvwhqk.jpg

Nice!