I bought a 2010 back in '12, and looked at a few '06 and '07s. Another difference was the exhaust routing...

The pre-2009s has the exhaust routing down the left hand side cover, where the 2009+ all have the exhaust much lower crossing under the frame.

 

Then why dont you sell the 17 and buy a pristine 02 if it's better?

 

The problem is finding a pristine 02 RK that isn't all screwed up. I've been looking. Heck I'd go all the way up to 07.. I'd probably keep the 17 also.

 

Im sure they're out there. I've moved on from the pre-09 bikes and ain't looking back, just not interested and the M8's interest me even less so I guess I'm stuck in the middle. If I can get a Rushmore RK without ABS I would consider that in the future.

 

My 17 don't have ABS.

I'm still figuring out my next bike.. If an early RK comes along I'll snap it up. Still have an 2000 FXDX. I've got a hankering for a Honda CB1100 RS. Always liked the Honda inline 4s. Might go for a CB550 if one comes up. I'm always looking back. But technically I look both ways..

 

I hear ya, Im always looking back too with one exception and thats my daily bike. 1993 is my next newest bike (in line 4 honda) and it goes back from there to 1946

 

Ok found a 2009 RK classic (leather bags)
with 30k miles and a 2012 RK classic (hard bags) with 70k miles. The 2012 being about $3500 more expensive.
Both conditions are similar, which would you buy?

 

Unless they swapped the bags, the classic always had the leather covered bags. I'd question if it was a standard vs a classic. I may be wrong but I don't think there were many changes between the 09 and the 12. Personally, I'd save the money and get the 09 with less miles but in the end, I would get the one that calls to me the most. You can't go wrong with any Road King.

And to all the previous posts, I have an 08 RKC and love it. I have also had a 2011 Limited and now have a 2013 Limited as a second bike to the RKC. The new frame is a little tighter in the sweeping curves but not enough to make a huge difference. Going down the highway you can't tell one from the other. Also the wider tire has nothing to do with the ride. It's all looks. The thinner tire leans easier and gives better handling than a wide tire. The better wear comes from newer technology and the dual rubber design. The older Dunlop 402's were good tires but had a softer rubber in the middle and simply wore out faster because of it. The wider tires like on my Limited wear flat after a while and you literally feel like you have to push it over the edge of the flat spot to get on the side of the tire in a high speed curve.

 

2009 with the 96 engine vs 2012 with the 103 engine. Not sure if that's a consideration or not?

 

103 is a tad better