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[wiliturk]

I am in the market for a CVO Road King. I have been looking for a 14 so I could get the MT.Rushmore bike but I found a really nice 13 with less than 6k miles in excellent shape for $5-$6k less than what the 14's have been. I need to know what the differences are in the bikes, for instance the 13 comes with a stereo where the 14 doesn't. Is that stereo worthless or what. I had read the 14's came with illuminated switch gear, does the 13? Of course I know about the Rushmore upgrades, but are they that noticeable for the money difference? Any subtle differences that anyone knows of? Thanks in advance for your replies.

[MrSurly]

Preface this with *I don't have a Rushmore* .... The various Rushmore features exist in the fairing/lowers/Tour Pak. But since the RK has no Batwing, there's no Boom radio, no fairing vent. There's no Twin Cooling, and no Tour Pac, anyway---- I can't think of anything the 14 has other than the new bag latches. And Canbus wiring.


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[nvwssv]

The 14 also had the stiffer front end with the Rushmore upgrades but for me the stereo and lowers were what made me only consider the 13. The stereo sounds great even at highway speeds.

[wiliturk]

Is there a noticeable handling difference with the stiffer front end? I was wondering about the stereo performance, thank you. I also like the stereo and the lowers, but is it worth giving up the stiffer forks? The '13 I found has chrome switch gear, the '14's I've seen don't, is that correct? Thank you for your replies.

[nvwssv]

I have ridden a 2015 Streetglide and did not notice any difference the front end compared to my 2013 Road King. Perhaps the lack of batwing making it considerably lighter is the difference. Just my guess...

[Cat Eye]

I would say that if you value a stereo....then go with the 13.

The 14 is more of a traditional RK....being that it doesn't have the lower fairing....which could be a plus or minus.

[FLSTFI Dave]

My take, pro's and cons to both.  Here is my take.  I own a 13 CVO Road King, and a 15 CVO road glide.

Big pro for the 13 King is the sound system.  Its great for me under 50 mph, and ok above 60mph.  I'm 6'1", so my head is in the wind.  a friend who is 5'7" says its great above 70 mph, but he gets no wind.  Still selling point for me was sound system.  I prefer the paint on the 13's but that is a personal choice.  I like the chrome bars and head light nacelle of the 13's

That said, the front end is noticeably better in the 14 rushmore bikes if your a person who pushes it hard in the corners.  There is less flex, less dive and the bike feels more stable in a high speed hard corner.  I would be 60 to 70% harley riders would not notice or use this benefit.  For me that is really important.  I can tell the difference between my 15 and 13 big time.

I much prefer the Rushmore saddle bags.  So nice to walk up with a 6 pack in your hand and use the other to open and close the bag.

I do like the tail lights better on the 13, as they do not stick out as much.

[Road Dad]

13 has the worst ABS brakes in the industry.  14 had great ABS brakes.

I personally prefer to buy new tech instead of old so I would go 14.

[kr]

Could you explain how ABS technically differs between 13 and 14?  Thanks.

[grayghost731]

13 has the worst ABS brakes in the industry.  14 had great ABS brakes.

I personally prefer to buy new tech instead of old so I would go 14.

New  Tech   and  Harley  same  sentence?     FUNNY!     

[harleychef2011]

Is there a noticeable handling difference with the stiffer front end? I was wondering about the stereo performance, thank you. I also like the stereo and the lowers, but is it worth giving up the stiffer forks? The '13 I found has chrome switch gear, the '14's I've seen don't, is that correct? Thank you for your replies.

I traded my '10 Road King for the '14 CVO and there is a HUGE difference.  I don't know about the '13/'14 handling specifically but the tech on the '14 is vastly different.  Linked ABS brakes, stiffer front end, upgraded rear suspension, plus the Rushmore improvements (saddle bags, etc.).  I asked why they didn't include the lower fairings and speakers in the '14 and they said they put the cost into the tech instead of the speaker system and lowers.  Both are beautiful bikes.  Personally, I like the freedom of being able to cruise around "street style" with no windshield, etc. but love that I can convert to full travel.  They offer a tour pak for the '14 Road King (about $2500)...so you can upgrade to that too.

[FLSTFI Dave]

13 has the worst ABS brakes in the industry.  14 had great ABS brakes.

I personally prefer to buy new tech instead of old so I would go 14.

I do not agree at all.  I had the 09 CVO Road Glide, the 12 CVO Road Glide and have the 13 CVO Road King.  Very good ABS brakes.  Work very well.

I also have a 15 CVO Road Glide and it has very good ABS Brakes.  In some situations I prefer the ABS on the pre-14 bikes and in some I prefer the 14 and newer.

Could you explain how ABS technically differs between 13 and 14?  Thanks.

Both are Brembo ABS brakes.  The difference is the pre 2014 are not linked.  Meaning front and rear are totally independent of each other.  In some situations I prefer this.  2014 and newer ABS are linked.  Means that you apply the rear and the front are also applied.  Or apply the front and the rear are applied.

The advantage to the non linked is going into a corner a bit to hot at speeds above 25 mph when you lightly hit the rear to scrub a little speed, that is the only brake applied.  On linked the front would also be applied, its never good to hit the front brake in a curve.

The advantage of linked in a panic stop is grab one hard and both apply.

I have over 100K miles on the non linked ABS since 2009.  I also have 36K miles on the linked ABS since Sept 14. 

Im fine with either system, was very reluctant to get the 15 due to being linked, but its worked out fine.

[stratplexi]

For $5k difference I would say 13 and I own a 14 but that is too much of a difference. I love my 14 and think it's the best looking CVO ever made.


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[brewco12]

The 2013's with the lowers are

more unstable than the 2014's at higher speeds.

[wiliturk]

When you say, "unstable at high speed", what speeds are you talking?