Any advice is appreciated. I can afford both options, just need a little shove.

1. 2005 Road King Custom, no ABS with security, bone stock, 6k miles, new rear tire. 10K sell price 1k down 500 month no interest. Through friend so not on credit report.

2. New SG standard 4.5 interest 72 mths 20k plus tax with ABS $380 payment

3. 2011 SG, 4k miles, ABS merlot sunglow, 16,400K 4.2 interest 60 mths $309 payment

I like the 11' but the 05 King is fine by me at no interest.

Thanks in advance.

 

Really hard for someone else to answer.
Have you test rode? You might not like being behind a batwing.
Do you like the leather bags?
Do you care about having a radio?
Is the '11 stock? A lot of the answer might depend how much was done to it and if you like what was done to it.
Personally, I like the idea of a new bike. Sometimes there's just no telling what has happened to a bike. Plus an incredible amount of changes were just made.
What kind of riding will you be doing?
Why is your friend selling?

 

Do any of them reach out and grab you?

Talking completely different worlds here. Personally, if the 2011 is only $3500 less than the 2014, I'd go with the 2014.

But I'd stop focusing on the interest rate and the payment, and more on the overall price. If you like the 2011, get that.

 

Having not riden a new 2014 SG yet, I'd go for option 3, but and its a big but, I'd ride each bike and see which one feels better. I think you'll see a big difference between the new ('14 and '11) and old ('05) frames and maybe the new Rushmore bikes are really that great.

Also, after having ABS, its now madatory on all my future purchases.

You might also ask if the '05 has had the cam tensioners replaced. That is a liability with the 88TC engine. With my '02 RKC the cam tensioners were shot at 11,000 miles. $1K later I had installed a set of aftermarket gear drive cams.

Good luck.

 

I'd pick the 14'.

 

My guide is if I can buy new for less than $5000 more than used, new wins everytime.

 

The 05 is a nice bike but would have to have the cam chain tensioners done soon, other than that it's a nice bike...The 2011 is decent price... As somebody else asked, do you want a batwing or a windshield... Have you drove all these in the past... Music? Cruise control? What do YOU want? The best deal is obviously the 05 as far as price goes but is it the one YOU want?

 

#1 I had an FLHRS. It was mt first Harley. Last year they made them. Bought it with 13k on it for 13500, had it 4 yrs and put over 24k on it. traded it off in October on a 13 FXDWG to fill a bucket list from my youth. It sits in my stable with my 09 FLHRC with 18 inch apes.

To be honest I wish I had kept the custom. It took 46 years and several bikes to get to that one. It was my first HD, but at the time with 2 RKs the 09 having a little more real estate than the 07 I traded it in. The 07 is still at the dealer's do to winter. They are asking 11997 for it.

Not a fan of batwings, stereos and hardbags here. The RK with leather bags and a sissy bar for my wife or a leather tourpak is enough for me.

It basically comes down to what do you want, like, and how you plan on riding it. That WideGlide I bought may never make it to the first servicing.

 

A road king and street glide are two different bikes - personally I don't like the big fairing in front of me.

 

Of those choices, The '14. I would look for an '09 up around the '05 price??