I understand. Around here, "hilly" areas usually cause me to drop the speed below 65 mph. When that happens, I drop down to 5th gear and it has plenty of power for both the misses and I.

 

Test drove the new 103's on demo day and sure feels like has more power. Wife just bought the Road King Classic two days ago and loves it. Just came off her 2009 Softail Deluxe and she noticed more power, too, on the 103. Wanted a bike with ABS, was going to get another Deluxe, but once she tested the Road King on the interstate, saw the light of going with a touring bike. I loved finding out the 2012 has an oil cooler. Weather is cold now so haven't felt heat problems. What are catless pipes? Are they slip-ons? Need retuning or high-flow air filter?

 

I got a left over 11 with ABS not a road king a deluxe. For me I got everything else in the 11 but the 103 saved around 1900 and I didn't care about the ungraded engine but I did care about ABS.

 

Id go with the 12 if it doesn't put you in a financial bind. It's one year newer if you intend to sell in the next 4-5 years and its already got ACR's. For most of the posts claiming the 103 doesn't have noticeably more power, they are riding bikes without a 103 and are only kidding themselves. IMO there is a noticeable increase in power. It's an increase of 7 cubic inches. Go ride a 88" and a 95" and tell me there's no real difference in power, its theoretically the same difference between a 96" and a 103".

 

Is the 11 a new leftover, or a rental/trade in?

 

I test rode a 96" RK and then bought a 2011 103" RKC. It isn't "oh my god this thing is a rocketship", but it is a noticeable improvement. The ACR's, oil cooler, security and ABS were worth the premium for me.

 

+1 on that. The frame redesign was to improve handling on the touring class and it did. Go '09 or newer. My '11 RKC handles as well as my Sporty through the twisties.

The engine size is irrelevant. I rode 2-up for LOTS of miles on the 1200 Custom. (1200 cc's was the biggest engine Harley made in the late 60's when I started riding.) The difference between a 96 and a 103 isn't significant enough to base your decision on.

I've got the ABS but haven't had any "panic stops" where I needed it yet. But it does lower your insurance rates if nothing else.

 

I would be getting the '06 at that price. There are some great deals out there right now on slightly used bikes. If I was buying I don't think I would be going new. Good luck

 

Buy whatever you can afford, don't put yourself in a bind.
To me I would buy the newest bike.

 

My advice...if you're primarily interested in being in the wind, go for the 2006, and spend 2K to bring it up to spec (tensioners, frame-brace, etc). (If you do the work yourself, you can cut that figure about in half). If you're the type who spends a lot of time thinking about what you ain't got and/or if you need the latest/greatest, a 2012 with all the new goodies will suit you better.

13K is a good estimate on the 06, once you get done with it. So, the differential between that, and the newer bike's cost is your dollar figure. But dollars-saved are not going to make you happy if you're not satisfied with what you're sitting on.

I had the same dilemma, and I went with an older bike. For me, it meant no payment. I added the things I felt it needed (TouringLink, S/E hydraulic tensioner kit, cams, oil-cooler, fairing/windshield, Mustang seat) and I'm happy. I don't miss the 103" engine, 6-speed tranny, stiffer frame, or the other doodads on the newer bikes. If you won't miss those things, either, I think it's a pretty clear choice. Same as if you will miss them, the choice is clear.

Alan