I’ll lightly counter with parts availability. Harley doesn’t well support older machines, and you’re heading into older machine age. That’s not a Harley thing either, almost none of the manufacturers support older machines much.

While tires and brake pads and spark plugs and such remain easily obtained, some other things like throttle cables and voltage regulators and such may not be so available.

Just be aware of this, and stay on top of things. It’s far from a serious problem. Just don’t head out around the world with say a dodgy cable or ecu, assuming you’ll pick one up on the road.

 

Then maybe I should hurry up and trade it in before it gets too old...the bike is going on 12 years old so maybe upgrade to a late model harley

 

I have the same bike, well mine used to look just like that 100%. Red Hot Sunglo is very nice!

My advice would be upgraded suspension, shocks and fork cartridges will not only handle the weight, it will transform the ride quality.

 

did you add slip ons to yours...if so what kind and was it worth doing so

 

I have a 1998 Road King Classic.
I am the original owner.
My bike is used for multiday trips riding 2-up and also day trips.
Your bike is definitely not old and if maintained well the bike should make it to 100,000 miles + with no major issues.
I would suggest that you purchase the service book and just read over the chapters.
Educate yourself on how to service your bike.
Paying a lot of labor for oil changes or gasket changes can get expensive on any bike regardless of age.
Some people forget that a Road King has a touring frame.
The same frame as the other touring bikes.
The bike looks stock other than windshield bag & saddle bag rails. Nice looking bike.
You might want to consider the matching Classic style leather guard bags that go in front of saddle bags.
The seat looks like original factory seat and some might find it uncomfortable for the operator and passenger portion is rather narrow. .
The Sun Downer version looks the same but is more comfortable for you and much wider for passenger.
The windshield looks factory stock. If it is too tall then consider review of a shorter Clear View shield with the recurve on top.
For safety review tire date code (born on date) on tires and battery age. Getting the click/click sucks.
Review the shift linkage rod and consider replacement of rod ends with heim joints for about $10-$15.
Also review the one bolt at transmission shift lever. The one bolt can get loose and if unattended eventually cause a concern..
Review the two bolts (zeus) inside the saddle bags that hold bags to bike.
The originals are a twist and grab type of fastener and sometimes service people do not remount correctly.
Consider changing one bolt and nut situation on each side to a J-nut and bolt. (more secure).
Since you are riding on spokes with tubes consider having a plan if you get a flat. A small 12 volt compressor and some slime might get you down the road.

 

No it's not too old and yes Road Kings make great touring bikes.
A buddy of mine left his 2018 street glide home (didn't want to rack up the miles on it) and purchased this 07 Road King with 22,000 miles on it for his world tour.
Since April he's ridden 18,000 miles in the states and just a few days crossed into Mexico on his way to Equator. All he did to it is change out the spokes for mags so he'd have tubeless tires.

 

I'm partial to 2010...

 

thats a beautiful bike. looks like you've had it for a few months and ready to move on. do it..and get the bike that you can't hardly sleep at night without finding a reason to go in the garage. that'll be the one.
good luck either way.

 

I can relate on old rides, my 1980 shovelhead electronic ignition fried in a roadtrip a few years back. Stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Thanks TO a small town auto parts store I was able to buy and install Chevy 6 cylinder points and condenser, and be back on the road again.
sometimes ya just got to think outside the box.

 

Yes, I ran the bike with slip-ons (plus a decatted head pipe) with an aftermarket aircleaner and PC-V tuner for years, the 96 responds nicely to mods.

I added cams and tuning back in 2018, ran that for a few years, definitely more responsive and bike ran great.

Last year I shipped the bike to Fuel Moto in Wisconsin for a 107 big bore upgrade with all the supporting mods, and the bike is now transformed....

But yeah, slip-ons with an air cleaner upgrade and tuner will be a noticeable improvement vs. stock and it will run cooler.