So I'm not having much luck finding the perfect Road King for the hubster. Getting closer. Some great options out there from members here!! :O)

But he really prefers hard bags. Most of the bikes offered are classics. So I've been looking into getting Calgary bags and painting to match.

BUT the prices of the bikes being offered are ALMOST as much as a new Road King....which got me looking...the 2010s didn't do much for me but....

I dig the 2011 Classics...the bigger motor is cool but probably needs stuff added right? I love the emblem on the tank. Stupid thing I know but it's cool. I love that the classic comes with cruise and ABS and a bigger motor [even though you pay for it]....and I love the two-tone root beer. LOL.

But I'd still have to get stupid hard bags....ugh! So now we're at like $21k. Crazy right????

So would you buy a 2011 or a 2009 and add more stuff. I've read you can buy a 2009 and buy a 103" kit...any ideas here?Or not necessary?
Hubby is very mechanical. And the 2009s don't have CAT issues that I'm guessing 2011s have....?

He wants cruise and abs and hard bags. I'd like a softer seat. [We rented a 2010 for a weekend and my bum got sore after a couple hours] and a backrest.

Most 2009s we've looked at have upgraded exhaust. Do the 2011s need this?

I also dig the 1-tone blue and sedona orange in the Standard which has hard bags but no bigger motor. Is it worth considering? Could we do the 103" kit here aftermarket? I'd add cruise secruity and ABS and it would be $2k less than classic but smaller motor.....

I really appreciate all help. Hubby is stressed to the max and I want to just buy it...really want to get something soon. It's been a rough month for him. Best friend losing battle with cancer, work is crazy...yada yada.

So let's debate....

2011s or 2009s which is better for Road King? And what options do you HAVE to HAVE.

 

If he wants Cruise, Hard Bags, and ABS, then you're gonna have to find a bike with ABS and take your lumps.

$21 K is ridiculous for ANY used Road King, regardless of year or milage.

You can add cruise to any FL bike. You can add Hard Bags to any FL bike. You cannot add ABS.

Trouble is, ABS is not a common option on Road Kings in my experience.

To me, '08 is the sweet spot in FL Harleys. Has 6 speed, Brembos, Big Tank, and better frame (that'll start a fight, I'm sure).

What's your 20 ???? That should get more help comin' your way.

 

we're finding used between $16 and $18k depending on options people have put in...all have at least ABS most have cruise upgraded exhaust seats backrest etc. etc. etc.


I don't know what you mean by my '20? LOL. I live in Indiana?

Thanks so much!! Yes ABS seems to be the trick with 2009 and based on my limited research [since April] 2009 body is worth it....

Love the feedback. Thanks again!!

 

Buy a good used '09, get on it, and start riding.

The summer is getting away and you are missing out on ride time. You can debate all of the upgrade options this winter when the bike is sitting in the garage.

Good luck.

 

I was in a similar situation when I bought my 2010 RKC almost 2 weeks ago. The dealer had 2 2010's left a standard with hard bags, and mine. I went with mine because the ABS, 6 Speed, and Cruise Control, and of course last but not least the color. The 2 tone on mine blew me away when they rolled it outside and the sun hit it.

The '11 with the 103 is a watered down upgrade as it doesn't have upgraded cams, so to me wasn't worth the extra cash, and the colors aren't spectacular either, again this is all just my opinion.

So I figured I would get my fully loaded '10 RKC and as funds allow add a big bore kit and hard bags painted to match. I can get decent money for my leather bags when I decide to sell which will offset some of the cost of putting match painted hard bags.

I also like the old school look with the white walls even though you have to stay on top of them to keep them clean.

Good luck to you and your hubby and let us know what you guys decide. Be sure to put up some pictures as well. Either way you can't go wrong he will still be on a RK.

 

You may want to think about used police bikes. My 09 has hard bags, ABS and the 103 motor.

 

LOL...I've been trying ALL SUMMER for a 2009...now that Summer's mostly over I was just tossing around 'not settling' and how to do that....

There is a sweet police bike for sale but it doesn't have cruise and it's a pain to add from what I read...DH has to have cruise [he's a picky dude. LOL].

Fire...pretty ride. I'm glad you like your 2010 and got a good deal. To me, I"d rather have a 2009 than a 2010 or 2011 FLHR but I am diggin' the 2011 FLHRC.

Just thought I'd toss it out as there aren't many opinions on the '11s...maybe more of a 'pass' year.

Leaning towards just waiting out a sweet 2009 with all the right upgrades for hubby.

Trish

 

Thanks. Was just relating my story and thoughts. There were no 09's left at the dealership when I went.

Went with the dealer because they cut me a good deal to get out of my '09 Sporty and into the RKC.

The manager flat out told me they won't be knocking any $$ of the price of the 2011's for a while, if not I might have come home with an Orange 2011 RK, lol.

You can see more pictures of mine here in post #34:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/the-f...t-again-4.html

 

+1. Theyve got cop shocks, cop motor, cop brakes... kinda like the blues mobile on The Blues Brothers.

 

FWIW, I picked up a used '09 RKC w/3k on the bike. The '09 have the new chassis and 6 gal tank, plus cruise but no ABS. It was $5 grand less than what the dealer wanted for a '10. The downside of the '09 is that it has the screeching 5th gear whine which is a real pain on the ears. The '10 has the new gears that don't make the noise. The '10 also has a new position for the cat converter which appears to be a real pain when you want to make changes to the muffler. I'm not certain what it is maybe someone can perk up on this. I don't know where you live but there are a lot of deals from private individuals. The problem that the privates have is that they can't finance so if you have cash you can get a real good deal.
Jim