I am looking to get a bigger bike and love my 2003 100 th anny Sporty. I found a 2003 Road King Classic with the same paint. What are the advantages vs. disanvantages to buying an '03 over a newer, besides price andthe engine size that has been upgraded over the years? What should I be looking for or watching out for? the one I'm looking at has just under 30,000 miles, has a 95 ci kit with screamin eagle heads. Just need some more info on what to watch out for on the older road kings. I want to be able to ride it for a long time and long distance. Thanks in advance.

 

2003 isn't gonna have the newer frame like the 09 and new bikes, but i ride a 2000 and i love the ride, so for me that's not that big a deal. The biggest thing you'll need to worry about are the cam chain tensioners, if they're original, they need to be checked now. Checked mine at 32k and they were shot.

 

+1 on cam chain tensioners!!! Here's what my inner tensioner looked like at 30k (outside not near as bad). Just did the SE cam plate upgrade kit, cams, etc. 2 weeks ago.

 

+2...if he upgraded the engine....maybe he put the better hydraulic or gear drive cam tensioner. The originals are spring tension and need to be checked if that is what you have there.

 

I had the same bike for a year great bike no issues . I checked my timing chain tensioners when I got it at 35k. Checked them again at 45k before I traded it in , still good. If I didn't want ABS I would still be riding it everyday. I miss it.

 

the major changes from the 03 and newer are bigger motor, 6 speed tranny, new frame, throttle by wire and abs.

all are nice upgrades, but going from an '03 sporty to an 03 RK will be like switching from a honda civic to a lincoln town car on longer rides.

 

I own a 2000 RKC and it is an awesome bike. Check the cam chain tensioners and ride the snot out of it. I love the TC 88 engine. A real workhorse.

 

Ditto on the cam chain tensioners. At least have them checked to make sure they have been changed. Got mine changed at 38,980 miles and they were getting in bad shape. I have an '04 RK Classic and love it.

 

As someone who is also about to buy a used RK, is there a write up for this cam tensioner upgrade? Is it something the dealership will do?

 

If that 2003 is a carb bike, and a reasonable price get it! I love my carbed RK.

Your frieds will all envy the idle speed! Plus it runs like a dream. Oh yeah, check those tensioners.