Boxer, Mastiff, or chopper...which to get?
- Thread starter ChopperJeff
- Start date
ChopperJeff
Active Member
it appears the K9 bikes go for around $13,000, give or take. Maybe it’s worth the extra 3 grand?
Did just find a 2005 Chopper for 9 grand. I wonder if it has the infamous rolling thunder frame that breaks swingarm bolts all the time. That was what my Chopper had.
Keep looking. Your BigDog will find you!
ChopperJeff
Active Member
Just found a 2007 K9 for just under 14 grand. Just emailed the dealer to see if it’s still available. I swear I just might pull the trigger if they come back and say “yes”. The color of the bike is pretty close to what I want, and it comes with a sissy bar which is also something I want.
All that said, is there much difference between a 2007 and a 2008 K9? Thought I read somewhere that the 2008 and newer bikes had a much easier clutch pull.
All that said, is there much difference between a 2007 and a 2008 K9? Thought I read somewhere that the 2008 and newer bikes had a much easier clutch pull.
mleach72
Well-Known Member
Yeah, in 08 BDM went to the 9 plate clutch and soft pull ball and ramp. There is no need to change the clutch. The big difference is the ball and ramp. I think you can get them from baker. If not, Barnes Performance has them. If you like that 07, go ahead and buy it. If the clutch is too stiff, swap in the soft pull ball and ramp. It will make a big difference. It's an easy swap, and we can talk you through it.
Clutch Easy Pull Ball and Ramp Kit: '05-up Big Dog: up to 45% reduction in clutch pull:
Easy Pull Ball and Ramp Kit w/ cover gasket Fitment: '04 Bulldog '05-up Big Dog; all models 9 and 12 plate clutch packs This Easy Pull Ball and Ramp Kit will give a 45% reduction in clutch pull over stock '05-'07 OEM ramps. Made of 4140 hardened and machined billet steel. Kit comes with inner...
www.barnesperformancecycles.com
ChopperJeff
Active Member
Wow! Thank you so much for that info! So it doesn’t appear to be a show stopper for the pre-2008 bikes as the easy pull runs for under $200. As long as the install is not a huge deal, then it might be a no-brainer.Yeah, in 08 BDM went to the 9 plate clutch and soft pull ball and ramp. There is no need to change the clutch. The big difference is the ball and ramp. I think you can get them from baker. If not, Barnes Performance has them. If you like that 07, go ahead and buy it. If the clutch is too stiff, swap in the soft pull ball and ramp. It will make a big difference. It's an easy swap, and we can talk you through it.
Clutch Easy Pull Ball and Ramp Kit: '05-up Big Dog: up to 45% reduction in clutch pull:
Easy Pull Ball and Ramp Kit w/ cover gasket Fitment: '04 Bulldog '05-up Big Dog; all models 9 and 12 plate clutch packs This Easy Pull Ball and Ramp Kit will give a 45% reduction in clutch pull over stock '05-'07 OEM ramps. Made of 4140 hardened and machined billet steel. Kit comes with inner...www.barnesperformancecycles.com
ChopperJeff
Active Member
Just curious…what’s it take to get a sissy bar on a K9? I know on my old 2005 Chopper that I used to have, to get the sissy bar involved replacing the fender struts so the cost was a bit pricey. Is the K9 like that?
ChopperJeff
Active Member
OK, thanks!
ChopperJeff
Active Member
Unless my Google search is botched, it would appear that only the K9 bikes from 2008 and newer have the fender struts that accept a sissy bar. Prior to 2008, the fender struts have to be replaced in order to install a sissy bar. Bummer, as the sissy bar kit that includes the struts is about $1000.
But if I am wrong here, please correct me.
Anyways, the search for a K9 continues. Hopefully will find one soon that I like. Getting anxious.
Thank you all for your input. Much appreciated!
ChopperJeff
Active Member
Just curious...has the starter going out been resolved with the K9?
I remember on my 2005 Chopper the starter went out numerous times. I think it was due to oil getting into it and was a known issue with the Chopper.
While we're at it, are the K9 bikes good with clutch cables? My Chopper also broke numerous clutch cables, but then again, so has my 2014 Victory.
I remember on my 2005 Chopper the starter went out numerous times. I think it was due to oil getting into it and was a known issue with the Chopper.
While we're at it, are the K9 bikes good with clutch cables? My Chopper also broke numerous clutch cables, but then again, so has my 2014 Victory.
I’m a thinking the starter problem was the ‘05 & up thinner primary was being overfilled. I believe they also have a vent that can get blocked. The ‘04 & earlier have the big primaries 32oz. ‘05 up I think they call for 20/22oz. I prefer the old primary style or open belt drive myself.
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HMAN
I just like my Freedom
I believe the nose cones on certain starters would let fluids transfer thru and caused issues.
ChopperJeff
Active Member
Unless I chicken out, it looks like I'll be buying this 2007 Big Dog K9 tonight. The main concern is that it's in Missouri and I'm in California, so hopefully the registration won't be an issue. I did email Curtis at Wild Steed Worx as suggested by some on a separate post I made about that issue and he provided some really good info.
Anyways, this bike has almost 18,000 miles on it and comes with single seat, plus the dual seat. As can be seen it has a Sissy bar, plus it has a new rear tire and upgraded EHC. Oh, and he throws in the windshield. Seems to be a pretty good deal at just over 12 grand. I like the color too. Gonna be weird though buying a bike unseen...outside of viewing the photos of course.
Anyways, this bike has almost 18,000 miles on it and comes with single seat, plus the dual seat. As can be seen it has a Sissy bar, plus it has a new rear tire and upgraded EHC. Oh, and he throws in the windshield. Seems to be a pretty good deal at just over 12 grand. I like the color too. Gonna be weird though buying a bike unseen...outside of viewing the photos of course.
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Food for thought... I was really nervous about buying mine, with only having viewed photos & talking to the owner on the phone, so I arranged for him to do a couple of "FaceTime" calls. The first one he started the bike & did an extremely thorough "walk around". He removed the seat & close ups of everything that I asked him to do. The second one he had someone else hold his phone while he rode the bike up & down the street a few times, then brought it back & checked fluids with a close up shot.
ChopperJeff
Active Member
Interesting idea. The seller I spoke to yesterday seems to be very upfront, saying he would get even more detailed photos as there are a few small chips here and there. I also mentioned how I have a brother in St. Louis which is about an hour and half from where he's at, and he even suggested that my brother could come down and pick up the bike. Sure doesn't sound like a person running a scam. He's also among facebook people that my wife knows. I wouldn't be surprised if he said "OK" to live videos.
Sure would be great to have a trusted third party work the deal, but even if one could be hired it may not be worth the cost. Too bad I couldn't find a bike here in California, but the ones I've seen just weren't quite up my ally. I suppose if I wait long enough something might come up, but I'm tired of waiting, and outside of this one being so far away it pretty fits into what I've been looking for.
Sure would be great to have a trusted third party work the deal, but even if one could be hired it may not be worth the cost. Too bad I couldn't find a bike here in California, but the ones I've seen just weren't quite up my ally. I suppose if I wait long enough something might come up, but I'm tired of waiting, and outside of this one being so far away it pretty fits into what I've been looking for.
Mr. Wright lives in Missouri. Maybe closer than your brother & he’s pretty good with these BigDogs. That bike looks very clean & well kept but be nice to have it checked out by someone knowledgeable with these particular bikes. I’m just going say that the ‘05 & up have had LOTS of problems with the RSD transmission. You can’t see that problem visually. And those transmissions are tough to find. Food for thought.
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Not sure what process you are planning on using for payment on this transaction, since you won't be handling in person. I used Shipping Masters for both the payment & title transfer: https://www.shippingmasters.com/services/
It costs $150 to do both, but it gave both myself & the seller piece of mind about the transaction. I opted for overnight on the delivery of both the payment & title for an additional $25 (I think).
I then used Federal Motorcycle Transport to ship the bike from CA to TX: https://funtransport.com/ They delivered it to my house.
It costs $150 to do both, but it gave both myself & the seller piece of mind about the transaction. I opted for overnight on the delivery of both the payment & title for an additional $25 (I think).
I then used Federal Motorcycle Transport to ship the bike from CA to TX: https://funtransport.com/ They delivered it to my house.
ChopperJeff
Active Member
For payment I'm not sure yet if I'll wire him the funds or cut a cashier's check. I spoke with him at length yesterday and he seems to be a really cool guy who is VERY active on Facebook with dealing in motorcycles and I think also cars. Today he's going to get some more detailed photos of the bike and also do some videos of it running. He's concerned about me buying it without seeing it in person first and wants to make sure I have a very good sense of what the bike is about.
Checked out the Funtransport place you mentioned and got a quote of $1215. That seems on par with other places. I got a quote from someplace for just under $900, but I hear that one needs to be careful about low price quotes as the transport people may not really know how to deal with a bike. Could very well be a case of "you get what you pay for".
Checked out the Funtransport place you mentioned and got a quote of $1215. That seems on par with other places. I got a quote from someplace for just under $900, but I hear that one needs to be careful about low price quotes as the transport people may not really know how to deal with a bike. Could very well be a case of "you get what you pay for".