I'm looking at buying a 2003 Road King Classic with 15,000 miles on it. It is my first Harley and I would like to know what to look for or watch out for. I have had other bikes all my life, but never a Harley.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Don't know what kind of money you're talking about but with the current state of the used market I would buy the latest model I could afford.

 

Is the bike clean ? Check the fluids to see how clean they are. See what the service history is on it. Check the tires to see wear. What alterations have been done. Start it and listen for starter grind, etc. That's not a ton a miles but who knows how hard it's been run. Also check the rear belt for wear.

 

Above is pretty much dead on.Crank it and listen to motor for anyextra valvetrai noise good idea if some one like me has had it.The milage seems very low to me.look at dash area for anysings of work,migh mena speedo was changed out and replaced later.Not real good chance but it has been done.check for records and look around neck are close.
Best thing see if onwer will take it to local dealer with agreemnt that with now real problems youll paid price agreed upon.

 

+1 on all of the above. Would stress service records, service records, service records.
I also wouldn't touch a bike that's been modified beyond Stage 1, or has been repainted.
Have seen some sweet, low mileageRK's selling in the $12,000 price range.

 

Bought an '02 RK (not Classic) with twice the mileage. Bike was clean and had all the right after-market stuff (no skulls!). Fluids were clean (though I changed it out with fresh synthetic anyway). Was obvious previous owner cared for it. Purrs like a kitten.

15K isn't all that much mileage on one of these things (3k a year?); that TC88 is a damn good engine. Seeing the owner and how he takes care of everything else he owns is a good indicator. But with a lot of guys buying up to get the 96s, ABSand 6-speeds, the price on these things has dropped. Accessories matter some (Exhaust? Seat? Remote alarm system? Cruise? No scratches on windshield?). Anniversary models add absolutely no value. Hope it works out for you.