OK, I love my 2005 Deluxe. I've put a bunch of money into it. V&H big radius, chrome front end, chrome calipers, braided cables, mustgang seat, windshild, sissy bar and a bunch more. The DILEMMA IS. I'm really digging a 2011 Road King Classic. The 103 motor is the *****. The king rides great. BUT, it ain't cheap and i'll be starting over at stock and spending another crapload o' cash.

Figure i can get 10-11K trade for my deluxe. MSRP on the RKC is about 21K.

Help me out guys. What should i do. Is the RK really that much more comfortable a ride. Of course i test rode her but 10-20 miles just doesn't tell enough. Advice..............

 

If it were me, I would keep the Deluxe until I saved enough to put a sizable down payment to go along with the trade to keep the payments down. But that is me. It is a decision you and you alone (except for your wife) has to make.

 

Have you considered selling a kidney?
Seriously, the Deluxe and RK are pretty close functionality. Would be a tough choice. The RK will be a step up for touring comfort and also is several years newer. Only you know what type of riding you are planning on doing.

 

I would keep the 2005 bike. Less EPA crap on it.

 

Put bags on the lux and a shotgun shock youll forget all about the rk

 

+1 The stock 103 ain't know big deal. The 11 got a lot of epa crap on it. You going have to spend anther 2k in Harley tax just to get it to run cooler and richer. The 11 got a Cat in the head pipe for one. Save you money Buy a 11 or 12-13 down the road for cash. Then yea got the best of both. You will miss the 05 if you sell it.

 

Can't speak for you, but when I rode them back to back, I found the Road King LESS comfortable than the Deluxe. I'd just put a detachable windshield and detachable bags on the Deluxe.

So, like everybody else seems to be saying, keep the 05. New looks better until you get it.

 

This scenario has been posted before by someone else .... just stand there and look at your bike with all the $$$$$ you put in it! ... then imagine a table with the difference in $$$$ on the top to change your bike bet ya could put that to better use! ..... if not there's your answer! it's not rocket science .....

 

there will always be a new RK to buy ,but the lux like the nt and duece will get harder to find.you think you will get 10 or 11,,go see what the offer,you will be surprised.my riding bud went to SHELDONS HARLEY IN WORCESTER with his 05 lux 32000 miles ,he wanted a sg they offered him 4850???

 

Moving from a softail to a touring is a super step in comfort. I have a Deuce and Ultra and just so hard to bring out the Deuce. Just a totally diff in classes and for longer rides, it's top notch