Advice on Road Kings please.......

[luke scott]

If "one" were looking at a Road King from 2002 onwards are there any known issues ? Have a look at the small selection below

1 http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/3817696 €9,50 before a haggle.

2 http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/3803717 Older & higher miles for more money

3 http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/3752944 I like this one

4 http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/3660305 Waiting for seller to confirm mileage.

5 http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/3663193 2006 with 11,000KM's what do you think of the custom paint ?

5 http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/3908700 The wild card. A springer with custom paint

Prices appear lower here than in UK due to recession. Do any of these earlier (2000 to 2005) bikes have any issues ? I'm looking for a nice comfy cruiser.

 

[Mutley]

High mileage isn't an issue on HDs as long as the service record is good. Check service intervals though. Cam chains need checking @ 40k for example, but replacement isn't that big a deal through an indie mechanic.

Condition is a different matter. Tatty paint and chrome is very expensive to fix.

Around '05 they pretty much had the twin cam sorted but the RK doesn't have most of the expensive electronics that came with the more complex glides.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

forget miles and use them to your advantage - my 95 carb model has 140 thousand on it and still starts and goes like a newish one.

condition is everything, and standard is better

then buy at your price level.


if you're looking to buy to sell later then you'll have to pay more for less miles.

 

[luke scott]

So it appears that average mileage is not an issue as long as full service history is present and above all cosmetic appearence is very important ?

 

[David Nimrod]

condition is everything, and standard is better

Exactly right...

With so much misguided and fashion led 'customising' going on, it's the 95% stock bikes, with stock paint, in great condition, that will be the most valuable...

 

[luke scott]

Thanks David. Its funny how a few of the Irish bikes I listed in the first have custom paint is there much involved in getting a re spray ? There's not much body work to paint

 

[David Nimrod]

I don't want to be too much of an anorak, but a re spray will never look like stock paint... it's the pin-striping that always gives it away...

 

[sloukes]

So it appears that average mileage is not an issue as long as full service history is present and above all cosmetic appearence is very important ?

I wouldn't even worry about a FSH to be honest. I've heard some right horror stories about HD 'mechanics'.

 

[David Nimrod]

I've heard some right horror stories about HD 'mechanics'.

A non main Dealer service record is an advantage I'd reckon

 

[Mutley]

I wouldn't even worry about a FSH to be honest. I've heard some right horror stories about HD 'mechanics'.

If you listen hard enough you'll hear horror stories about every mechanic

HD main dealers are no better or worse than any other make, I'd go so far as to suggest that most are actually a little better but you have to listen to the people that use them. Cheltenham HD for example are pretty decent, but I wouldn't use Stratstone in Birmingham / Wolverhampton / Stoke

A FSH doesn't necessarily mean it's been serviced by a main dealer anyway. My Glide has one but all the stamps are from Tony at All American Motorcycles

The key is to find proof that the right things have been done. Some people seem to think these bikes just need a fluid change every 5k and they'll be fine

 

[Mutley]

I don't want to be too much of an anorak, but a re spray will never look like stock paint... it's the taste that always gives it away...

 

[sloukes]

If you listen hard enough you'll hear horror stories about every mechanic

There isn't a HD dealer in the country that a V-Rod owner will recommend

 

[luke scott]

So, what do the Road king people here think of this colour ?

Its this one http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/3752944

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

colour is largely irrelevant - that's up to you.

condition is the thing

 

[Dean]

If you listen hard enough you'll hear horror stories about every mechanic

Realy I have heard nothing bad about tiptoes

................................................................................................

Thanks for the thread interesting and good advice.

I keep looking at road kings never ridden one but they just look so good

Then again I look at 11's and 12's its the big I want magnet no voices in my head yet though


One Day!