What Year would you buy?

Energy One
K

KRASHPD

New Member
Hello,

I am new to the forum but have been lurking for about a month. I don't have a BDM yet but plan to get one. Since I will probably buy used, just wanted to ask those with experience, what year between 2004-2007 would you buy? Specifically, I am looking at the K9 and is there a year I should avoid due to problems?

I went to the Cycleworld sponsored show here in Phoenix yesterday and saw some very nice customs. Titan was there with brand new bikes and I was sure they were out of business. I also got to see the new Harley Rocker C and I was less than impressed. I had some high hopes for it but it just doesn't get close to the custom chopper look they were going for. The fold out rear seat was kinda cool. Most of the foreign bikes were there (Kaw, Suzk, Yamaha, etc...) I saw the new raider and it didn't make the custom chopper look either they were going for. They did have two that they had customized and they looked nice.

Well, hope that isn't too bad of a first post and thanks everyone for all the information I've gleaned off the board.
 
W

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
:hi: welcome krash. you came to the right place for good info. listen to all of it and you should be able to make an informed decision. bottom line, pick what's right for you.:2thumbs: mine is an "07 and can't complain. better have deep pockets for all of the mods though.
 
narow37

narow37

Angry Southern White Man
Krash, as for a K9, they started making that model in 2006. if you look at a chopper model, the right side drive started in 2005 like Raywood's.
 
K

KRASHPD

New Member
Thanks for all the replys. The mods are one thing I noticed with the HD Softail Rocker C. It comes with a lot of chrome but plain rubber pedals, grips, etc... To really make it look anything like a custom, it would probably need at least another $5k.

I saw that the K9 was in 2006 but wasn't the ridgeback similar to the K9? What are the benefits of having a right side drive?
 
KnotSo

KnotSo

Admin
Staff member
Ridgeback is a hardtail, the K-9 has hidden shocks. Some say the chopper model handles better.
The RSD allows you to take both hands off the grips at 80 and not crash.
 
W

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
KnotSo said:
Ridgeback is a hardtail, the K-9 has hidden shocks. Some say the chopper model handles better.
The RSD allows you to take both hands off the grips at 80 and not crash.
Click to expand...
if that's really what you want to do:eek: :eek:

watch out for the pothole!!!!!
 
bdmridgeback

bdmridgeback

Low Down Chop Shop
I love my 05 Ridgeback. 05's had some bugs that needed worked out, but still love it. 04 Ridgebacks won't have any problems but they are LSD. 06 ridgeback would be a great decision unless you want a 330 tire then go for the 2008 Ridgeback (seat needs to go though). :2thumbs:
Here's the 08:




 
Chopper Dave

Chopper Dave

SIICK!!!
Welcome Krash.....:cheers: if your looking for a K-9.....just see what's out there....I have a 06 and had a couple of recalls...but that was taken care of at the dealer....right side drives are the shit!:2thumbs: but....take a few different scoots for a ride and then see what one you like the most....and what one fits you ....some people like the Choppers and some like the Prostreet style....take your time and pick the one you like.....
 
IrishGuy

IrishGuy

Active Member
I was in your same position a few months ago. I was seriously looking into getting a k-9. However, it was out of my price range brand new. I wanted a chopper-style bike, RSD /w a 300 tire. I kept checking my local classifieds and finally found the bike of my dreams- '05 ridgeback. Two years old with 2500 miles on it. Saved over 10 grand!

The '05s have had a lot of recalls, I knew that very well going into my purchase. BD stands by their bikes and have fixed anything that has cropped up..

Getting my '05 ridgeback was one of the best decisions of my life. You won't be dissappointed no matter what you do.
 
K

KRASHPD

New Member
Great responses on this forum!

Going with a cruiser is a big change for me. I've owned street bikes (CBR600F3) and rode a bunch of different ones my friends owned. Maybe I'm getting old but I don't want to hug a gas tank while I ride anymore. If I was sitting up my hands would go numb after awhile.

I really can't decide between the pro-street and the chopper. I sat on both yesterday and I like having my arms stretched out to the grips on the chopper but I like the look of the pro-street and the little bit clearer view of the road. There are plenty of 06's of BDM in the cycle trader here for $20-27k.

Thanks again for all the help.
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
I'll give you anther view. Depending on how many miles you think you will ride I will offer that the choppers offer more protection from the bugs and wind than the prostreet. Unless of course you want to put a windshield on a chopper! :D Not to say one style is better than the other.

I've had an 03 Mastiff (prostreet) and now the 05 Chopper and there is nothing in the world (yet) that pleases me more that the style of the 05-06 Chopper. And I'm dissapointed they have been discontinued for next year although I hear they will be re-introduced.
I traded up solely for the RSD and it was the best move I made. I know cause I put 24,000 miles on my Mastiff and have over 42,000 miles on my 05.

All are good so do your homework and make sure you understand that you are going to have to do some wrenching on it. If want the reliability of a BMW or Honda then you better get one of those. Cause there bikes are not in the same class nor should they be compared in the same class cause these bikes have large vibrating motors, fat tires and large frames.

Lots of great threads on here on everyday maintenance to ensure they run trouble free.

Oh, and if you don't like attention then don't get a Big Dog!!! :whoop:

Later,
Ray
 
LDO

LDO

The Cleaner
Troop Supporter
Don't listen to these chopper style, RSD, bigger motor, bigger tire guys!

Old school prostreet all the way baby!!!:D I firmly believe that 2003 was BigDog's finest year!!!

Nah, just kidding.

Welcome.

Buy what you like. Then ride the hell out of it! The only thing that will move faster will be the money leaving your bank account when you start modding your bike!

Oh yeah,
PICS when you get one.
 
W

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
If I was sitting up my hands would go numb after awhile.

:whoop: your hands are still going to go numb but WTF, what else are they good for :2thumbs: :roll: :roll:
 
G

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
Either way you'll be much happier on any big dog over any of the harleys, including the rocker! A harley is a harley.

For example, when the Michigan boys rolled into a biker bar not too long ago with another HD guy with us. He was tellin me about how many softails I could buy for the price of my chop. It was all I could do (out of respect for big House) to not tell him... that's ok... nobody even noticed you driving with the big dogs surounding you.

2002 = hd / non-pripriatary parts and LSD
2003 = still not bdm controls
2004 = left side drive, alot like the 2003, still has 600 cam
2005 = right side drive, stupid restrictor plates, and super e instead of G, and 569 cam
2006 = RSD, no restirictors, super g, 569 cam
2007 = basically the same...
2008 = basically the same but with a seat meant for a BMW, that MUST be re-done by seatmaker!
 
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LDO

LDO

The Cleaner
Troop Supporter
Gas,
03's still had the non-proprietary (HD style) controls like the 02's...
 
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