How to tell the difference between the K9 and the Chopper and why are the (used) K9s priced higher?

No H2O

No H2O

Active Member
This has been bugging me for a while as I've tried to figure this out for myself without having to post.
How do you tell the difference between a K9 and a regular (model=)"Chopper"?
I also noticed for the same year the K9s are priced higher than the Choppers - what is it that makes the K9 "better"? reliability, performance, ease of maintenance...I own neither bike but would like to.
 
bigkelk9

bigkelk9

Well-Known Member
The chopper is shorter, smaller tank (3.3) k9 has a 4.4 gallon tank. The rake is different and if u actually put the two side by side you will see the tank on the chopper actually looks like a peanut tank in comparison. And the obvious 250 on the chopper and the 300 on the k9. But park em side by side and you can tell the difference big time!
 
No H2O

No H2O

Active Member
One other thing I noticed is I've yet to see a Chopper with a BDM sissybar/struts but I see K9s with the struts & sissbar all the time.
Is the Chopper unable to accept a sissybar?
 
roadie1389

roadie1389

Well-Known Member
Note - What yr Choppers are you looking at? The 03 and 04 where different than the 2005s and up. The 03/04 SSBs went in from the back, they are out there. The 2005 and up went in from the top like the K-9s. Yes, they are out there as well, but the K-9 just became more popular. Remember at the time is was longer/fatter is better. Since I have a chopper, I would get a K-9 next. The lines of the bike are just beautiful. The tank flows down and over the rear wheel. Nice tight and clean.
 
No H2O

No H2O

Active Member
I was looking at an 03 but the dealer said that it wouldn't take a BDM sissybar but would try to fit on an AIH sissybar, somehow.
I really need a soft tail, they're now doing road construction on the express lanes and I've started riding the other bikes more than the Ridgeback, not a good thing.
No way I have room for 4 bikes so I need to sell at least 2 before buying a BDM soft tail but of course this is the worst time to sell/buy :(
 
roadie1389

roadie1389

Well-Known Member
Not sure about 03 but in 04 there where 2 models, an RT - Rolling Thunder, and a DT - Daytec. The SSBs for both where the same but the struts where different. In 03 I am not 100% sure but I think they only had the RT. The RTs struts and SSBs are still avail from Donna.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BIG-DOG-MO...sc:ShippingMethodStandard!75098!US!-1&vxp=mtr

If you look at this you will see this is the same SSB that goes with the struts:

https://www.ebay.com/p/Big-Dog-12-S...e-Bar-BDM/18017951850?iid=142936280180&chn=ps

You will need to call Donna. If I remember they are only selling the 12" I think in this style because of how it mounts.

Now for me, I bought a Ginz Chopper SSB/Strut for my DT because - well nobody had DT struts anymore. If I ever get the bike cleanup I plan on posting a better photo of it. Trust me, it is bad ass.

View media item 9664
 
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