Would you pass up a pre-2009 because it hasn't got the updated frame?

C

curious rose

New member
Check out www.glide-pro.com "Tech" tab vid clip for the skinny on what's going on the older Harley Baggers. I just put the kit on with Custom Cycle s.s. cleve bearings and Progressive Suspension variable rate fork springs and my '91 FLHS is a different bike now. No more saggy, wallowing feeling in the turns and tracks like it's on a rail.
 
Greaseball mentioned his 2002 Road King, I've read a few comments on this forum about the 2002s and the 2009s being popular years, what was so great about the 2002 model year?

I'm just trying to educate myself as much as possible and this is probably the most active forum around for Harleys.
 
In my opinion anybody that can not tell the improvements to the 09 and later bikes either doesn't want to admit it or just doesn't ride that hard. I have ridden both and will say if you are not going to be dragging boards and pushing the bike a little then you might not be able to tell the difference. If all you do is just cruise around then an 08 will suit you just fine. I had an 07 scare me to death in the mountains when it began to wobble. This is just my view point on this matter though...
 
If you're talking Ultra Classic, Classic, Road Glide or Road King, I prefer the ride of the older bikes. They just float down the highway, and I really miss that.

With the shorter FLHX, I think the new bike is way better. It needed better dampening.

With respect to handling, the new bike is WAY better in any style. I put 13" shocks on my Street Glide, and my floor boards and mounts are still junk. Too much pavement time...
 
I had a '99 Roadking, which was the first year for the TC88 motor. I now ride a 2010 103 Limited. It's more than the wobbling in the hard turns with the older frame. The main thing I like on the new bikes is the brakes are so much better, especially with ABS. Not to forget the 6th gear. I do like the fatter drive belts on the older bikes better.
 
I don't push it that hard. I also test rode the 09 with my wife on the back and bought the 03. The right rear floorboard vibrated her foot to a tickle on the 09 and it drover her nuts. I also like the seat height better on the 03 and the mods I wanted were already done. I assume the new bikes are better or I would be really disappointed that the MOCO has not learned anything in the past 8 years. I shop new but have now put so much more into my bike that I cannot part with it. I also don't want to spend all that money in this economy, although that RGU does capture my fancy.

spiz
 
If you haven't noticed the correlation yet, each poster wants you to believe that whatever they ride is the best-dah. If you don't ride the bikes one after the other you're probably not going to notice a whole lot. If you have to ask the question then you probably should get the 09 or later-jmho. I've had both and believe improvements have been made.
 
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