Buying a Road King- A 98 RKC Evo or 05 RKC TC

J

John Choats

New member
Hey everyone
I am in the final process of buying my first HD after 29 years of riding European and Asian bikes. I have it narrowed down to two garage queens:
1998 Road King Classic, 14k miles for about $8500
2005 Road King Classic 19k miles for about $1500 more.
I know the 2005 is a better buy, but my big concern is with the Twin Cam 88, which has had oil and temperature issues versus the tried and true Evolution platform. Has anyone owned both? The bike will be used mostly for weekend trips and commuting to work. In either case I am really excited to be adding a RK to my garage.
 
1998 was a great year for the Evo.

If you were to get a Twin Cam, might as well get the latest one. 2005 is neither here nor there. Rear swingarms were upgraded in 2002(i think) and then again in 2007. Bigger tank in 2008. New frame design in 2009.
 
Tough call, the '05 will eventually need the cam tensioners replaced. But I ride mine literally everyday to work and otherwise. solid bike.

The EVO is a good year and they are becoming cllasic in some respects, great motor.
 
the 1998 evo is M & M fuel injection
the 2005 is delphi fuel injection.
Delphi is more widely known..more tech. learn on delphi.
M & M is simpler in application.
M & M is reliable as long as you know how to work on it and you keep the changes mild.(aircleaner and pipes)
Parts are available for both years.
If you work on your own bike and keep the build limited to pipes and air cleaner i would consider the evo with M & M fuel injection..If you dealer the bike for service i would consider the delphi.
The greatest long term proven reliability(lots of evo bikes on the road) might come from the evo with a conversion to carb.
 
I've had a few Road Kings including a '98. It was a great bike- probably my favorite of the 7 Evos I've owned, but I'd spend the extra coin on the Twin Cam. My current Road King is an '04 I bought in the fall of '03. Most of the time, I would have already replaced it with a newer model, but I just can't seem to let her go. She's been the best Harley I've probably ever had.
One of these days, though.....
 
Thanks for the help guys, I had decided to go for the '05, but the owner sold it out from under me to someone who offered more. So I went to look at the '98 and it was immaculate. It is the fuel injected model, has the top line Vance & Hines exhaust, power commander and slightly hotter cams as installed by the dealer. I don't think the bike ever saw rain, it was still in showroom condition. He moved some on the price ($8k), so she is now mine!
Thanks again!
 
Back
Top