I would go with 96" engine. I have 95" run hard just to keep up with my 96" lowrider. And if you what to talk about a bike running hot. Just run a 95" bike as hard as we ride the 95" bike will be hotter after running a couple hours than 96" engine.

And the person that said they never use 6 gear. I have to ride on I-95 the speed start you at 80 mph. Just run that 5 speed all day onI-95 you will wish you had that 6 speed tran in your bike. I know you can run 80 mph in third gear but if you had chioce of run the bikeeasyer. go with the newer bike.

The trans bearing probelm was in the 06 and early 07 dyna's.

 

I only have slip ons on my 06 Ultra 88. I raced my buddy on his new street glide with a stage 1 upgrade. He started catching me at 60. I rented a 2008 Ultra last week and I gotta tell you. It is not an upgrade to my 06. The 5th gear whine was irritating and the power just wasnt there. I put 265 miles on it that day too. I would save your cash on a 88.

 

BS

 

Your freind can ride

 

Do whichever is right by your budget. If you are financing and considering $17,000 it's not a big deal to just by a new bike.. Dealers are making deals on new bikes right now.

There's nothing wrong or significantly different about the older scoot, you would be more than happy with it. But if I were buying used I'd listen to what other's have said and find an '02.

 

You mention the 02 being the best year...Why is that? I can definitely FIND an '02 as they are out there...

Lots of mention in response (thanks to all by the way) about speed and quickness. Not looking to race this thing. Looking to cruise the backroads mostly at 45-60mph. Will occasionally hit the highway but certainly not the majority of the time. Few posts lead me to the '04 unless I'll be on the interstate alot.

I had heard about some excessive heat issues on the 2007s. I rented an 07RKC for a day and heard alot of engine noise. Hard to ride an '04 unless you pay for it first.

I appreciate ALL the input guys. Thanks.

 

Read post #15.

 

I have both an 04 Road King Custom with 95 ci, 203 cam and High Performance Heads, 07 Street Glide with stock engine and stage 1 upgrade. I find the 95 ci engine isa screamer compared to the stock 96 ci. The 6 speed trans is great on long hauls down an interstate but not needed. I've run the 04 Road King at 85 for hours at a time and never had the first problem. Yess the RPM is high but the engine will handle it.

 

From 88 to 96 just for the performance up grade, no, in my opinion.As far as added heat,that should not be an issue.04 plus $5500 or so 124" that will put a smile on your face.

 

The '08 with fly-by-wire will not achieve 100% TP (throttle position) until 2850 rpms. It will hit about 80% up to that point. That could be the reason you pulled him at first, so go find a similarly equipped '07 and try it.