I currently have a Super Glide and am planning to purchase a used Road King. I have found two that look interesting. One is a 2008 with about 22,000 miles for about $13,000 and the other is a 2010 with 57,000 miles for about $12,000. Assuming that both bikes were maintained with equal care, which bike would you think is a better way to go. They both have the same size motor but the 2010 has the newer frame and is, well, newer. But the 2008 has less miles. I usually ride a little less than 10,000 miles a year. Which would you buy?

 

frame.

the 2008 frame is much the same as the 1983 frame.

the 09+ frame is designed from the start for the twin cam drivetrain. it incorporates more precision, higher GVWR and a replaceable rear section in the event of a wreck.

it handles much better than the old frame.

some riders think it's not a big deal- i think it night and day


while you are shopping- abs is awesome

welcome to the forums

mike

 

I say neither. I just bought a road king police, 2009 with the 103 motor and ABS for 9300.

37k miles.

 

Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF. Low mileage is always attractive, but if the newer one is in good condition and well serviced it has started life the way you plan on carrying on! The newer frame has its benefits over the '08, as Mike points out, although I wouldn't be quite so effusive about it being night and day better! Nobody plans on having a rear shunt, the removable sub-frame enabling Harley to make their trikes using the same main frame. It also has better brakes and is the result of a major revamp of the entire Touring range of bikes. The '08 is a transition model with a variety of one-year-only features. I would chose the later bike.

 

I have a 2011 street glide 103 engine and may possibly be trading it towards a 08 road king with 27k miles plus cash. Don't ride enough and can always use the cash else where.

 

Welcome to the forum.

If you shop around I am sure you can find an even better deal. Something maybe a few years newer with lower mileage and possibly a 103".

 

Check out the 2011 Road King on this site. It has 10k miles.

http://www.bmwmotorcyclesofcountrysi...11&pov=3792828

The sales manager told me he will take $12k for it. This is a great deal, even with shipping.

 

My vote would be for the newer bike, all other things being about equal. Lots of improvements. Those prices look to be a tidy bit high, especially going into the off season. If the guy is a "motivated seller" he will likely take less this time of year.

 

Shop around, you could get a low mileage road glide for those prices.

Also,as someone mentioned, a used police edition is almost guaranteed to be exceptionally cheap with low mileage.

Last January, the dealership by me had 2011 road king cop editions with 11k miles selling for around $9-11k

 

The shop around for a better deal advice sounds right.Other than that put an '08 and an '09 Roadking in front of me at the exact same price (what you're looking at isn't but there's room to negotiate) and there's no way I take an '09 with 57,000 miles on it over an '08 with only 22,000.

Ride 'me both and see for yourself.