Guys I am looking at an 04 Road Glide, but I had a few questions on the differances between the past few years. I know starting in 05 there was a 2 year warrentee. In 06 there was a new radio. Is there anything mechanically different between the 04 and newer? If not how far back until there were major differences, other than color?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

All three years have different heads. I believe 1999 or 2000 ~ 2004 all had the same heads. 2005 got new ones. 2006 got newer ones.
2006 has a new style Delphi throttle body.
2006 has new fuel injectors.
2006 has the heat management "feature".
I believe the 06's started coming with California emissions too.
ECM's have different code on them starting in 2005 ~ only PCIII USB will work on 2005 & 2006. The older PCIII's work on the 2004's.
THere is probably even new ECM code on the 06's with the addition of the heat management stuff....
Could be more...???...
New fairing angle was introduced in 2004

 

Mike:
I have an '04 Roadglide.....bought it new. It had a 2 year warranty. '04 was the beginning of the redesigned windshield angle, and the first year for the CD changer in the radio and the aux port. I still have it and just turned 23,000 or so miles. Been practically trouble free since day 1. I honestly don't think there have been any major changes mechanically through '06 with the exception of headlamps and HK radio system.

 

06's have improved/redesigned cylinder heads, larger throttle body, non-cartridge front forks, and the HK stereo.

 

Interesting, I was not aware of all the head design differences. I know this is a opinion type questions, but I will ask it anyway. Between the 04, 05 and 06 is there one year I should stay away from (mechanically)? Does one have more of an advantage that the other. I really want to spend about $15-$16K so I dont think I can afford an 06.

On a side note can the new 06 HK Radio be installed in a 04 or 05?

Thanks for all the QUICK responses,

Mike

 

Just a slight correction to Mr. Wonderful's comment, regarding the first year the CD was in the radio .. it's was 2003 .. not 2004. My 2002 Road Glide had just a cassette and my 2003 RG had the CD. When my HD radio went belly up, I wanted to replace it with an '06 HK radio but was told by MoCo that the wiring harness didn't match up and no one had come up as yet with an after-market harness. I decided to go with the Biketronics "Retro Radio" set up using a Sony CDX-GT400 and was able to keep my HD handlebar radio functions for about half the cost of a new HD radio. For another $99 bucks I added the XM radio module to it.

No matter what year you pick, the Road Glide is an awesome choice .. you won't be disappointed. Good Luck!!

 

MSRP on a new RG is $17,500....if you're gonna spend 15-16 might as well go brand new!

 

From some of the posts I've seen about the quality of the HK stereo head problems, I'm not sure you'd want it! I now recall that the exhaust ports are a little different in the '06 engines.........forgot about that. I do know that none of the years you are looking at have any real advantage over another, nor is there any year that had quality issues on any major component. My apologies for not remembering the '03 was the first year of the CD.........and I haven't heard anyone complain of this radio having any glitches. If you are wanting the HK for the XM feature, an XM Roady works seamlessly with the pre-06 units. One of my friends has the HD MP3 handlebar mounted accessory and loves that peice.
Good hunting!
And thanks fellas for rebooting my feeble memory!

 

Whatever you find.... if it seems to be reasonable and you like it.... you WILL be satisfied. THere's really no year to "avoid", all are fine. If you find one that suits you and your budget... GO FOR IT!

 

I want to THANK all of you guys for your responses. I actually did not know too much about the RG, but I REALLY like the look of the bike as a whole. Since I dont seem to see very many used ones for sale that tells me that people must REALLY like them.

I was not aware that people were having issues with the HK sterio. I am not really interested in the XM feature but I like that it will play MP3's. Will the CD player in the 40-05's play MP3's?

As for buying a new one at $17500, I have thougth about that. By the time you add sale tax for a new bike, it will be about $19000 OTD. Used bikes in Illinois have a flat rate tax of $30 plus title and plates (no mater what the year as long as it is purchased from a private party). That is what brought me to ask the questions, if there is not a reall big differance (sound like there is not) I would rather just pickup a used 04 for $15K and have money left for add ons.

Mike