I like cop bikes, but all things considered I'd go with custom if it were me.

Question about the cop bike to ask is was it used for escorts or if it was in service. If it was in service as a cop bike it may have been ridden pretty hard....

 

You have recieved some good advice. The only thing I can add is that when I look for used bikes, I try to get them at a price that I can quickly sell them for at least the price I paid if the need is required. At least that's my story I tell my wife and I'm sticking to it.

Anyway, the customs generally have a better (easier) resale than police bikes because police bikes have a stigma of possible abuse. That is a very low risk in reality, but it does lower their value and limit the possible buyers.

Beary

 

An interesting problem! While the less expensive Police bike has it's appeal there is no substitute from buying close to home.

 

I'm partial to the 06. I'll be putting on color matched hard bags in a couple of weeks. Don't have the beach bars and I'm happy with the 88ci carb and 5 spd trans. Really happy with this bike.

 

I know I want hard bags so if I went with Custom that would be a $200-$300 adder right up front.

 

griff...to add to bigheadted's contribution...air bladder cop seat! most comfortable seat the motor company makes...larger charging system...tighter turning radius (slight change in steering head)...motor will have a little more "pep" than stock...compression ratio is different (piston shape?)...both bikes are great scoots

 

I didn't think MOCO messed with the steering head until the 2009 frame.

Beary

 

I'm prejudiced in favor of the RK Custom. Yes I have the '07 with the 96" engine and six speed but I totally disagree with bigheadted that the Custom rides like **** and the bags leak.

I have over 40k miles on mine and almost all of it is touring, including one 12k mile ride to Alaska. It is very comfortable and the bags never leaked in some very heavy rain. And, by the way, the bags are hard bags with leather covering.

Get the one you want but don't worry about the ride or performance of the FLHRS.

 

I'd go with the Custom. My third Road King was an '04 Custom (first year). I traded an '02 standard in on that one. The Custom was a great bike. I ended up with hard bags & apes on it, but so did my other three. Finally sold it in '09 when the new frame came out. Still riding that '09.

 

I base the ride like **** comparison from real back to back or side by side comparison, my main riding buddy has a custom and we frequently swap on ride because our bikes are set up quite different. The Custom in stock form is lowered and rides like hards **** compared to my non- lowered stock set up.

Leaking bags well MY own experience having owned and used all 4 types of saddlebags for the road kings, Classics, Custom, Hard and Police hard is both the custom bags and the classic bags leaked and my gear got wet, as a matter of fact Glennerd my buddy ALWAYS uses garbage bags on his Customs, he has 2 because they always allow his gear to become wet. Funny he has been borrowing a set of hard bags for several years when he goes on road trips for the extra security and weather protection but daily buse he loves the look of the Custom saddlebags.


One awesome thing about Road Kings is the inter changeability of parts and looks. You can easily go from a windshield less leather covered bag cruiser to a batwinged, tourpaced, hard lowered long distance tourer in minutes.