HarleyTechTalk

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

Quote from: robflstc90 on October 19, 2014, 10:40:49 AM
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.

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.

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

Quote from: Princess Butt on October 19, 2014, 02:59:33 PM
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

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

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

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Quote from: robflstc90 on October 19, 2014, 10:40:49 AM
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.

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.

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

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!

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

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.

>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.

Quote from: PanHeadRed on January 25, 2015, 04:41:25 AM
>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.

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. 

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

Quote from: twincam8888 on January 25, 2015, 07:22:15 AM

Quote from: PanHeadRed on January 25, 2015, 04:41:25 AM
>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.

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.